Non-O retirement extension returning to Thailand

[ExpatOilWorker]

As an American with a still valid Non-O retirement extension,  what is required apart from COE, Covid test, Covid insurance, airline ticket and ASQ booking to return from America to Thailand?

 

Is additional medical insurance also required, which could be a problem since the individual is above 75 years old?

[ubonjoe]

From this webpage for the non-o on the embassy website. https://thaiembdc.org/2020/09/30/nonimmigrantoaox/

"4. Applicant must have a Thai health insurance for the duration of stay, with coverage for outpatient treatment of no less than 40,000 baht and inpatient treatment of no less than 400,000 baht"

 

It is required to get a a certificate of entry. They might waive it at his age if he cannot get the insurance.

Does he have any kind of health insurance.

[ExpatOilWorker]

8 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

From this webpage for the non-o on the embassy website. https://thaiembdc.org/2020/09/30/nonimmigrantoaox/

"4. Applicant must have a Thai health insurance for the duration of stay, with coverage for outpatient treatment of no less than 40,000 baht and inpatient treatment of no less than 400,000 baht"

 

It is required to get a a certificate of entry. They might waive it at his age if he cannot get the insurance.

Does he have any kind of health insurance.

Thanks for your quick reply Joe, but the link you provide is for someone who wish to apply for a Non-O visa.

In this case the individual already have a valid Non-O with a still valid retirement extension. 

Apart for the mandatory covid insurance,  is any other medical insurance still required?

[ubonjoe]

2 minutes ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

Thanks for your quick reply Joe, but the link you provide is for someone who wish to apply for a Non-O visa.

It is not solely for applying for a visa. This at the top of the page.

"Visa and Certificate of Entry for Non-Thai nationals who wish to obtain a retirement visa or a long-stay visa
(Non-Immigrant Category O (retirement) / O-A / O-X) or who is currently holding re-entry permit for such visas"

People with a extension of a non-o visa entry with re-entry permit have been required to have the 40/400k baht insurance to get a certificate of entry.

[Tanoshi]

3 minutes ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

Thanks for your quick reply Joe, but the link you provide is for someone who wish to apply for a Non-O visa.

The 400/40K Health Insurance requirement temporarily applies to those applying for a new Non O Visa, or those holding an extension of permission of stay (from an O Visa entry) with a re-entry permit.

The period of Insurance must cover the period of stay he would be granted on re-entry.

[ExpatOilWorker]

5 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

It is not solely for applying for a visa. This at the top of the page.

"Visa and Certificate of Entry for Non-Thai nationals who wish to obtain a retirement visa or a long-stay visa
(Non-Immigrant Category O (retirement) / O-A / O-X) or who is currently holding re-entry permit for such visas"

People with a extension of a non-o visa entry with re-entry permit have been required to have the 40/400k baht insurance to get a certificate of entry.

This is a bit of a show-stopper. He does have medical cover based on social security, but I guess that doesn't count for much in Thailand. 

Because of his age, 78, he has been quoted $45,000 for a one year insurance. 

 

[Tanoshi]

11 minutes ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

This is a bit of a show-stopper. He does have medical cover based on social security, but I guess that doesn't count for much in Thailand. 

Because of his age, 78, he has been quoted $45,000 for a one year insurance. 

 

When does his current extension expire?

The Health Insurance only needs to cover the period of stay he would be granted on re-entry.

 

Try contacting LMG. Known for their cheap throw away policy because of high deductibles, but meets the 400/40K requirement. They only quote up to age 75 online, but may be able to provide quotes outside the normal age range.

Universal Series for VISA O-A (lmginsurance.co.th)

[ubonjoe]

14 minutes ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

This is a bit of a show-stopper. He does have medical cover based on social security, but I guess that doesn't count for much in Thailand. 

Because of his age, 78, he has been quoted $45,000 for a one year insurance. 

He should contact the embassy or official consulate where he will be applying for the COE to try and get a waiver of their requirement.

When doe his extension and re-entry permit expire?

He might be able to apply for a COE for entering visa exempt. Then when he arrives immigration might use his re-entry permit when he enters country and if not he could start all over again by applying for a new non-o visa at immigration.

[ExpatOilWorker]

50 minutes ago, Tanoshi said:

When does his current extension expire?

The Health Insurance only needs to cover the period of stay he would be granted on re-entry.

 

Try contacting LMG. Known for their cheap throw away policy because of high deductibles, but meets the 400/40K requirement. They only quote up to age 75 online, but may be able to provide quotes outside the normal age range.

Universal Series for VISA O-A (lmginsurance.co.th)

His current extension expires mid July 2021 and he was hoping to return and simply renew and continue the current extension.

He is contacting LMG, lets see what they say.

[ExpatOilWorker]

51 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

get a waiver of their requirement.

 

Is that really a viable option? On what grounds would they waiver the insurance requirement?

 

[Su chan]

Does anyone is lucky enough to get a waiver because of age? 

[ubonjoe]

6 minutes ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

Is that really a viable option? On what grounds would they waiver the insurance requirement?

Not being able to get insurance due to his age. 

He could try getting insurance and get a denial of his application due to his age to show them.

[Tanoshi]

31 minutes ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

His current extension expires mid July 2021 and he was hoping to return and simply renew and continue the current extension.

He is contacting LMG, lets see what they say.

If he was entering as early as mid April, he would only require 3 months cover.

[Tanoshi]

24 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Not being able to get insurance due to his age. 

He could try getting insurance and get a denial of his application due to his age to show them.

That would have been my next suggestion.

[ExpatOilWorker]

There seem to be 3 possible solutions at the moment.

1. Bite the bullet and pay $18,000 for an insurance.

2. Apply for the ELITE visa at the cost of 600,000 baht.

3. Wait for the the current Non-0 to expire in July and enter on a STV visa.

 

Each option has its own set of complications.  Not an easy time to deal with immigration. 

[mtls2005]

Hopefully this requirement will go away at some point. Phase 3? Phase 4?

 

Until then maybe best to time one's arrival close, but not too close to the expiry of stay (when the current extension of stay and re-entry permit expires).

 

This assumes you can get a 400/40 plan for a term less than one year.

 

 

10 minutes ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

Wait for the the current Non-0 to expire in July and enter on a STV visa.

 

 

Think those are going away? Maybe TVE (30/45 days) or a TR60?

 

 

 

[Tanoshi]

1 hour ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

3. Wait for the the current Non-0 to expire in July and enter on a STV visa.

Health Insurance is still required for the STV.

You can only extend an STV twice by 90 days each time.

 

4. Enter VE (no Health Ins required), apply for Non O at Immigration, then annual extensions again.

Edited April 4, 2021 by Tanoshi

[ExpatOilWorker]

2 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

This assumes you can get a 400/40 plan for a term less than one year.

That is part of the problem and the reason for the excessive high price of the insurance. They only issue the policy for a full year.

[ExpatOilWorker]

2 hours ago, Tanoshi said:

 

4. Enter VE (no Health Ins required), apply for Non O at Immigration, then annual extensions again.

That is not a viable option under the current regulations,  right?

[ubonjoe]

24 minutes ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

That is not a viable option under the current regulations,  right?

Yes it can be done. 

Visa exempt entries are now allowed and allow a 45 day entry that can be extended for 30 days.

Then he can apply for a 90 day non-o visa entry at immigration.

[ExpatOilWorker]

2 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

Yes it can be done. 

Visa exempt entries are now allowed and allow a 45 day entry that can be extended for 30 days.

Then he can apply for a 90 day non-o visa entry at immigration.

Visa Except on arrival would be ideal, it almost sounds too good to be true. Surely there must be a catch.

Will he have to wait until his current retirement extension expire?

[ubonjoe]

16 minutes ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

Will he have to wait until his current retirement extension expire?

Yes

One way to get around having to wait for his extension to expire would be to get a new passport and use it for entry.

[yang123]

And when the Immigration computer matches up name, date & place of birth etc????

[ubonjoe]

11 minutes ago, yang123 said:

And when the Immigration computer matches up name, date & place of birth etc????

It would not be problem. They only check that a person is not blacklisted or wanted for a crime.

[ExpatOilWorker]

This case has finally hit a brick wall.

Even paying for and signing up for the EliteVisa will not get a 78 years old back in country. The catch 22 is that he has to cancel his Non-O retirement extension first, but that can only be done in Thailand. Twisted rules again.

He could of course get a new passport, as earlier suggested by Joe, but that is a bridge to far.

The plan is now that he sit it out in the US for another 3 months and let his retirement extension expire, then enter on a 45 days visa except, convert it to Non-O and start a new retirement extension.  He already got the 800k parked in Thailand.

Really hope this will work out.