Non O Retiree wanting to return to Thailand

[edogthong]

Hi, I'm trying to help a friend who wants to get back to Thailand this autumn. 

 

He's a 76 year old Swede who has previously been staying in Thailand on a multiple entry Non O visa based on retirement. He'd go on a short holiday to a neighbouring country every 90 days to be able to stay in Thailand. He gets paid a pension every month but it doesn't quite amount to 800,000 Baht in a year. He used to show a statement from his Swedish bank to the embassy in Stockholm and together with his pension it was enough to reach the 800,000 Baht requirement and receive a visa. 

 

He now wants to return in October if the quarantine is lifted. The new insurance requirements are a problem for him. I've been given the advice that he should book a ticket with Emirates where he'll get insured through their ongoing promotion. But he'll have to book soon as I've heard that their promotion is due to end at the end of this month (does anyone know?). That means that he'll only be able to book a stay from October to February/March (as you can't book further in advance) and thus only receive insurance for that time. Will he be able to get a non O or a non OA visa at the Thai Embassy in Sweden with his insurance only being valid for 4-5 months? If so, will he be stamped in on a non OA visa for a year if he's got a return ticket and insurance for only 4-5 months? Or if he has the non O, will he be able to return from a visa run without insurance? 

 

I've been given the advice that his best bet might be to just come to Thailand on a Tourist Visa and change to a Non O visa here. Either at immigration or by using a reputable agent. I'm curious to know if anyone in here has any advice as to what he should do. 

 

Thank you!

 

[ubonjoe]

Only a income of 65k baht a month is needed to apply for a extension of stay or to apply for a 90 day non-o visa at immigration.

If his income is less than 65k baht he could still get a letter from the Swedish embassy to apply using a combination of income and enough money in a Thai bank to reach a total of 800k baht to apply for the non-o visa or extension to stay. For example if his income was only 50k baht that totals to 600k baht he would need 200k baht in a Thai bank.

He would not need any insurance other than the $100,000 covid insurance for the length of his permit to stay he would get on entry if still required in October.

He could enter on a tourist visa or visa exempt and then apply for the non-o visa at immigration.