Changes to requirements for OA visa and extension ??

[Andrew Dwyer]

ASEANNOW have an advertisement for changes to the insurance requirements for an OA visa and subsequent extensions.

 

 

Why isn’t there any information on the forum about this future change, except for the linked thread from an insurance company that is locked ??

 

Of course if there is any information available, from an official source, can someone point me in the right direction .

[KhunBENQ]

Can only agree.

Totally surprising that this insurance company knows something >I< (at least) haven't seen anywhere (regarding those who do extension in the country). Smells extremely fishy to me!

Edited October 12, 2021 by KhunBENQ

[howerde]

I thought this was only an idea, but the upshot will be everyone just switches to non o retirement

[david555]

8 minutes ago, howerde said:

I thought this was only an idea, but the upshot will be everyone just switches to non o retirement

in present circumstances a difficult option ....once inside Thailand 

[ubonjoe]

I seen no announcement of it being approved by the cabinet. And no changes to the immigration order for OA visa extensions.

Not sure where that insurance company got that info.

The last time I heard of anything about was when it was approved in principle by the cabinet some months ago. A committee was supposed to be finalizing it for final approval the last time I read anything about it.

[david555]

2 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

Can only agree.

Totally surprising that this insurance company knows something >I< (at least) haven't seen anywhere (regarding those who do extension in the country). Smells extremely fishy to me!

The only positive in this is that it is for 1 September 2022 for all O-A , so a long term warning ahead

 

Quote out of that article :

"Foreigners currently residing in Thailand under a Long Stay visa have until 31st August 2022 to apply for a visa extension under the previous regulations....." 

Edited October 12, 2021 by david555

[tonray]

The all out assault  on OA visa holders/extenders marches on. I extdened mine today fuming as the IO hit me with a new for this year "we need your insurance card also". Even after providing the original cert from LMG and having verified its in the database. Finally he says "OK but make sure you bring it next time" Next time there'll be no OA visa. Boggles the mind. 

[Andrew Dwyer]

17 hours ago, howerde said:

I thought this was only an idea, but the upshot will be everyone just switches to non o retirement

Yes, I had prepared to dump my OA extension (leave with no re-entry permit) March 2020 and visit a consulate in the U.K. for an O visa. Of course Covid19 put paid to that and it is not so simple anymore.

Hoping that in March 2022 I can get back on track.

[Andrew Dwyer]

15 hours ago, tonray said:

The all out assault  on OA visa holders/extenders marches on. I extdened mine today fuming as the IO hit me with a new for this year "we need your insurance card also". Even after providing the original cert from LMG and having verified its in the database. Finally he says "OK but make sure you bring it next time" Next time there'll be no OA visa. Boggles the mind. 

Yup, how they can justify the 40/400k and now contemplating Covid19 insurance for OA/extenders only is simply mystifying.

Renewed my extension about a month ago, they made no mention of the insurance, of course it could be that they saw it in the database and was okay with just that but I very much doubt it, I seriously think they forgot about it.

Last year when they asked to see it I gave them the whole policy , and associated bumf, still in the envelope from LMG, the IO gave a halfhearted impression of looking through it !!

[tonray]

2 minutes ago, Andrew Dwyer said:

Yup, how they can justify the 40/400k and now contemplating Covid19 insurance for OA/extenders only is simply mystifying.

Renewed my extension about a month ago, they made no mention of the insurance, of course it could be that they saw it in the database and was okay with just that but I very much doubt it, I seriously think they forgot about it.

Last year when they asked to see it I gave them the whole policy , and associated bumf, still in the envelope from LMG, the IO gave a halfhearted impression of looking through it !!

What office might I ask ?

[Andrew Dwyer]

Just now, tonray said:

What office might I ask ?

Ayutthaya 

[Captain Monday]

On 10/12/2021 at 12:33 AM, KhunBENQ said:

Can only agree.

Totally surprising that this insurance company knows something >I< (at least) haven't seen anywhere (regarding those who do extension in the country). Smells extremely fishy to me!

I am applying for a new OA in the US soon. No idea about extensions, I was going to renew my OA compliant policy at a discount. Days ago I was emailed by my Insurance agent in Thailand that from Oct 1 the coverage requirements are for  "Inpatient + Outpatient $ 100,000USD or about 3,300,000 Baht"

 

So now I need to pay for a different redundant policy at higher cost. As I have been saying covid-19 is just the thin end of the wedge. Dubius $100,000 coverage (including corona) to be in Thailand is permanent.

[Andrew Dwyer]

12 minutes ago, Captain Monday said:

I am applying for a new OA in the US soon. No idea about extensions, I was going to renew my OA compliant policy at a discount. Days ago I was emailed by my Insurance agent in Thailand that from Oct 1 the coverage requirements are for  "Inpatient + Outpatient $ 100,000USD or about 3,300,000 Baht"

 

So now I need to pay for a different redundant policy at higher cost. As I have been saying covid-19 is just the thin end of the wedge. Dubius $100,000 coverage (including corona) to be in Thailand is permanent.

Did they give you any figures as to the cost this $100k coverage would set you back ?

[JTXR]

I have been expecting something like this once the US$ 100,000 Covid insurance requirement for reentry was begun.  I've been preparing to bail on Thailand as soon as the cost of redundant and worthless insurance becomes untenable.  I'll see what the cost turns out to be when my permission to stay extension comes around and decide then.