Over 70s outside of Thailand almost impossible to return to Thailand

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, JomtienExile said:

The guy at Pacific Cross I bought my insurance from confirms that they will sell insurance to people over 70.

"Yes it is possible just the age bracket will be different ... Same as you we typically require the health check up but can do it when he arrives in Thailand." I can provide a contact if that is helpful to anyone.

They sell only up to age 75

[spornb]

At 76 on marriage extension,  with many preexisting conditions  I dare not leave

 

However in a few months  covid vaccination will be available, and that will either lower the cost of insurance or hopefully remove it

 

More of a worry is medical  insurance will at some time in the future be required for marriage extension, then all I could do is quietly stay illegally not a happy thought, and I could not get my wife of 12 yrs into the UK

 

I switched from retirement extension to marriage extention some ten yrs ago, hoping to be treated a little more leniently

[ubonjoe]

8 hours ago, spornb said:

At 76 on marriage extension,  with many preexisting conditions  I dare not leave

The only insurance you would need to enter the country at this time is the covid 19 insurance with a coverage of $100,000. The age limit is 99 years. The cost is not based upon age. See: https://covid19.tgia.org/

[hampi]

21 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

That is a requirement for all entries now.

You would need coverage to the day your extension of stay ends (date the re-entry permit expires).

Thank you very much,Ubonjoe.

[robertson468]

On 11/26/2020 at 10:34 AM, superal said:

Many thanks for the info which I will pass on . However my friend has tried to get the insurance and the cheapest was over £1000 per year which is ok if you are not on a tight budget . Then there is the cost of the quarantine hotel which cannot be avoided . It would be good to hear from those aged over 70 who have managed to secure a return to Thailand .

Furthermore, if he is married to a Thai National, he should apply for a Married Retirement Visa.  He only needs 400,000 in the bank, or proof he is transfering 40,000 baht monthly to his Thai Bank Account.  One has to produce a few more documents, but they are all on the Immigration website.  Good luck.

[ubonjoe]

8 minutes ago, robertson468 said:

Furthermore, if he is married to a Thai National, he should apply for a Married Retirement Visa.

There is no such visa or extension of stay referred to as that. It is either based upon retirement or marriage.

[kingdong]

On 11/26/2020 at 3:34 AM, superal said:

Many thanks for the info which I will pass on . However my friend has tried to get the insurance and the cheapest was over £1000 per year which is ok if you are not on a tight budget . Then there is the cost of the quarantine hotel which cannot be avoided . It would be good to hear from those aged over 70 who have managed to secure a return to Thailand .

Might be favourite if he hangs on till the vaccines start,he should be one of the first to get it due to his age.

[Rick Bechard]

I am retired, but here on a marriage visa since April. I had the retirement visa for a year before that. Currently booked for a trip to the US the last 2 weeks of January. I am 64. I have the medical insurance, but my wife says it does not cover Covid. Should I pick up that insurance before I leave?

I know this is not a good time to visit the US, but have not been there since 2003 and so have not seen my mother since as well. She had a serious fall in September, so best to get over and see her before it is too late. Also 3 grandkids I have not met. I am actually a dual US/Australian, but am shown as being an Australian at immigration. My visa is in my Aussie passport.

[Sheryl]

2 minutes ago, Rick Bechard said:

I am retired, but here on a marriage visa since April. I had the retirement visa for a year before that. Currently booked for a trip to the US the last 2 weeks of January. I am 64. I have the medical insurance, but my wife says it does not cover Covid. Should I pick up that insurance before I leave?

I know this is not a good time to visit the US, but have not been there since 2003 and so have not seen my mother since as well. She had a serious fall in September, so best to get over and see her before it is too late. Also 3 grandkids I have not met. I am actually a dual US/Australian, but am shown as being an Australian at immigration. My visa is in my Aussie passport.

You can easily buy the COVID insurance online, I would wait until you are sure of your dates of return. Note that you only need it for the period of time you will be stamped in for i.e. until the date on your re-entry permit (make sure you have one!)

 

I would also first verify with your current insurance that COVID is not covered as it usually is. Don't rely on what your wife says, call the insurer yourself.

 

There would have to be a specific exemption listed for it not to cover COVID.

 

What is more likely if this is a Thai policy, is that the level of cover might be under the mandatory USD100,000 equivalent (>3 million baht). If it does cover COVID and you are insured for 3million baht+ then get a letter from the insurer now to bring with you.

 

Note that you will have to undergo quarantine on your return and that the paperwork etc to get back is time consuming.  also that there are only a limited number of commercial flights allowed to bring people back, something to consider when booking (see https://thaiembdc.org/visas/   and click on semi-commercial flights)

[Rick Bechard]

27 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

You can easily buy the COVID insurance online, I would wait until you are sure of your dates of return. Note that you only need it for the period of time you will be stamped in for i.e. until the date on your re-entry permit (make sure you have one!)

 

I would also first verify with your current insurance that COVID is not covered as it usually is. Don't rely on what your wife says, call the insurer yourself.

 

There would have to be a specific exemption listed for it not to cover COVID.

 

What is more likely if this is a Thai policy, is that the level of cover might be under the mandatory USD100,000 equivalent (>3 million baht). If it does cover COVID and you are insured for 3million baht+ then get a letter from the insurer now to bring with you.

 

Note that you will have to undergo quarantine on your return and that the paperwork etc to get back is time consuming.  also that there are only a limited number of commercial flights allowed to bring people back, something to consider when booking (see https://thaiembdc.org/visas/   and click on semi-commercial flights)

I am booked on Japan Airlines which is on the list of permitted carriers. But it is seeming to be a bit too hard at this time for such a short trip. Luckily the ticket says "no change fee", so might postpone for the spring there and see how the situation is and plan a longer trip. Thanks for the advice.