Please forgive me if I am repeating a post that has been answered previously.

I swear I searched these forums, but my eyes are blurred over from work and other life responsibilities and I'm finding it hard to focus.By the way, hello to all you people, I'm a newbie here and this is my first post.

 

American citizen here, residing permanently in the Philippines for the past 10 years. I will be applying for a Thailand Retirement visa (Non-OA) from Philippines.

I am completely clueless about these 2 requirements listed on the e-visa website:

 

Quote

• Foreign Insurance Certificate, as stipulated by the Office of Insurance Commission and Health Insurance of Thailand, must be completed, signed, and stamped by the insurance company. The form can be downloaded from https://longstay.tgia.org.
• Health Insurance issued by a Thai or foreign insurer, covering general illnesses, including COVID-19, with a minimum insured sum of 100,000 USD or 3,000,000 THB.

 

I've visited the website: https://longstay.tgia.org/companiesoa and saw several insurance companies listed.

 

My questions are:

 

1) How much does the insurance generally cost per month (is it monthly payments?) and which company has the cheapest option?

2) Do you have any recommendations on how to fill this requirement?
3) Any general suggestions for a guy applying for an OA from the Philippines on the e-visa site? Does it actually get processed at the Philippines Thai embassy in Manila? Or does it get processed in Thailand?

Any information, suggestions, recommendations, links, personal experiences, or otherwise are very welcome, and thank you in advance for any help.

3 minutes ago, kawipan said:

1) How much does the insurance generally cost per month (is it monthly payments?) and which company has the cheapest option?

2) Do you have any recommendations on how to fill this requirement?
3) Any general suggestions for a guy applying for an OA from the Philippines on the e-visa site? Does it actually get processed at the Philippines Thai embassy in Manila? Or does it get processed in Thailand?

1) That depends on you. Your Age. Your Health. Your choices on the insurance including deductible etc.  No one can answer that for you except the insurance companies.

2) The only way to fill the requirement is to do what it says. Get insurance from one of the approved companies, or get your private insurance to fill in the required form (most insurance companies will not do this).

3) Yes, the visa is processed by the embassy where you are.  So if you're in the Philippines it would be processed by Manila. Do beware that you can only apply for the OA visa from a Thai embassy in a country where you have citizenship or residence.  I don't know about the Philippines so I don't know if their retirement visa is considered "residence" to them.

 

I would ask though, is there a reason you are applying for the non-OA visa rather than the non-O visa? The Non-O does not have any insurance requirement, doesn't require a medical check or background check, and is much simpler in almost every way.  If you get started with the non-OA visa in Thailand, you're going to carry the insurance requirement with you basically forever, until you reset your status and switch to Non-O visa.

As above poster stated your answer is :-

 

"The Non-O does not have any insurance requirement".

1 hour ago, BrandonJT said:

1) That depends on you. Your Age. Your Health. Your choices on the insurance including deductible etc.  No one can answer that for you except the insurance companies.

2) The only way to fill the requirement is to do what it says. Get insurance from one of the approved companies, or get your private insurance to fill in the required form (most insurance companies will not do this).

3) Yes, the visa is processed by the embassy where you are.  So if you're in the Philippines it would be processed by Manila. Do beware that you can only apply for the OA visa from a Thai embassy in a country where you have citizenship or residence.  I don't know about the Philippines so I don't know if their retirement visa is considered "residence" to them.

 

I would ask though, is there a reason you are applying for the non-OA visa rather than the non-O visa? The Non-O does not have any insurance requirement, doesn't require a medical check or background check, and is much simpler in almost every way.  If you get started with the non-OA visa in Thailand, you're going to carry the insurance requirement with you basically forever, until you reset your status and switch to Non-O visa.

 

Thank you BrandonJT for your reply. To answer your questions:

 

1) I only really was just looking for a ballpark figure for any average man in his 50's. I really have no idea if it would be $30 a month, $300 a month, or $3000 a month (probably not that much). Or if its even paid monthly or annually. So I was hoping someone who had experience with that, or even Cigna which is advertised on this site, could chime in. But if not, it's ok.

 

4) The reason why I don't apply for the Non-O is because I think it's more complicated. For example, if I apply for the OA in PH, I can get a visa for a year (or maybe 15 months?) before I even get to Thailand. But if I apply for an O in PH, I believe I can only get 3 months and then I have to apply for the 1 year extension in Thailand after I arrive and deal with a 2nd application process and submitting requirements, etc.

Maybe I'm wrong?

2 hours ago, kawipan said:

But if I apply for an O in PH, I believe I can only get 3 months and then I have to apply for the 1 year extension in Thailand after I arrive and deal with a 2nd application process and submitting requirements, etc.

Maybe I'm wrong

First up what's your plan with this Thailand thing. 

After 10 yrs in Philippines is the plan to live in Thailand ongoing. 

 

The Non O-A is not a good idea. 

Also it's a visa valid for one year. 

You don't apply for a visa and remain in Phil. 

Same for the Non O. 

A Non O application can be processed in a few days. 

 

As for insurance for the Non O-A it's an annual policy. 

 

Some discussion of insurance in this thread. 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1339513-any-news-on-the-inurance-requirment-for-oa-visa/

 

Previously a Non O-A was applied for in your passport country or country where you had permanent resident status. 

Assume that you are familiar with the other requirements for Non O-A such as medical, background check etc 

 

Assume you have no bank account in Thailand. 

 

 

5 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

First up what's your plan with this Thailand thing. 

After 10 yrs in Philippines is the plan to live in Thailand ongoing. 

 

The Non O-A is not a good idea. 

Also it's a visa valid for one year. 

You don't apply for a visa and remain in Phil. 

Same for the Non O. 

A Non O application can be processed in a few days. 

 

As for insurance for the Non O-A it's an annual policy. 

 

Some discussion of insurance in this thread. 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1339513-any-news-on-the-inurance-requirment-for-oa-visa/

 

Previously a Non O-A was applied for in your passport country or country where you had permanent resident status. 

Assume that you are familiar with the other requirements for Non O-A such as medical, background check etc 

 

Assume you have no bank account in Thailand. 

 

 

 

Hey DrJack54, thanks for your reply. Yes the plan would be to spend a year in Thailand (I have a close friend living there) with possible short trips back to Philippines during the year (so I would go for the Multiple entry option).

 

Why is Non O-A a bad idea? Seems easier than applying for Non O and then having to deal with Immigration in Thailand after 2 or 3 months and apply for an extension. Like applying twice.

 

No I have never applied previously for a Thai visa, only entered with visa exemption stamps.

 

I'm aware of the requirements for med check and background check and I don't have a problem with it, seems straightforward. I am only confused by the health insurance. I read through the thread you linked but I still have no idea of the approximate ballpark amount that I would need to pay for the health insurance. Or if the payments are monthly or what.

 

Yes, no bank account in Thailand yet.

 

Get an online quote.

I have had the Non OA health insurance (3 Mil Baht IPD policy) for the last 6 years with Pac Cross. No major issues but I have never filed a claim so annual renewals have not been a problem.  Really don't know how an insurance is like until one actually files a claim.  So far they have been responsive when I contact them(phone or email). 

2 minutes ago, Mark1969 said:

Get an online quote.

 

Yes I have just done that, waiting for their reply. I was just hoping to find someone who already has an OA and a health insurance plan who might be able to give me some info or recommendation from their personal experience, rather than choosing a company by Eenie Meenie Minee Mo 😅

OP, suggest you just ask Google for a quote. 

There are many variables that determine price/cost 

Age being an obvious one 

Many sites such as this one : 

 

Best Expats Cover https://share.google/9D1D56HXbiPHUgk0J

7 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

I have had the Non OA health insurance (3 Mil Baht IPD policy) for the last 6 years with Pac Cross. No major issues but I have never filed a claim so annual renewals have not been a problem.  Really don't know how an insurance is like until one actually files a claim.  So far they have been responsive when I contact them(phone or email). 

 

Hi sqwakvfr! Thanks for this reply. Can I ask how much are your payments and if your bill is a monthly bill? Thank you.

Also, why did you choose Pac Cross?

43 minutes ago, kawipan said:

 

Yes I have just done that, waiting for their reply. I was just hoping to find someone who already has an OA and a health insurance plan who might be able to give me some info or recommendation from their personal experience, rather than choosing a company by Eenie Meenie Minee Mo 😅

I will recommend Luma.

 

http://www.lumahealth.com/health-insurance/thailand/

19 minutes ago, kawipan said:

 

Hi sqwakvfr! Thanks for this reply. Can I ask how much are your payments and if your bill is a monthly bill? Thank you.

Also, why did you choose Pac Cross?

No payment option and the entire the preimium is due before the policy is issued. . Annual premium is dependent on age, any pre-existing conditions  and how much of a deductible you take.  Premiums change annually. Pac Cross will give you quote based upon on your age, any pre-existing conditions and how much deductible you take. I chose Pac Cross because back in 2018 they were most responsive when I enquired. 

10 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

No payment option and the entire the preimium is due before the policy is issued. . Annual premium is dependent on age, any pre-existing conditions  and how much of a deductible you take.  Premiums change annually. Pac Cross will give you quote based upon on your age, any pre-existing conditions and how much deductible you take. I chose Pac Cross because back in 2018 they were most responsive when I enquired. 

 

I see. Wow, that's a big ask for the entire premium up front. Thanks for your reply.

14 minutes ago, Mark1969 said:

I will recommend Luma.

 

http://www.lumahealth.com/health-insurance/thailand/

 

Hi Mark1969, will check them out. Any details on your personal experience, and if they have monthly payments, and how much? Thanks.

Just now, kawipan said:

 

I see. Wow, that's a big ask for the entire premium up front. Thanks for your reply.

One last thing is I also get a discount because I have not filed a cliam.  The discount has 10 %.  I also take a 100,000 Baht deductilbe so this also lowers my premium.  The premiums for the Non OA for most companies can be very high.  

7 minutes ago, kawipan said:

Hi Mark1969, will check them out. Any details on your personal experience, and if they have monthly payments, and how much? Thanks.

Please learn to do things on your own. It's the best way to get things done correctly.

20 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

One last thing is I also get a discount because I have not filed a cliam.  The discount has 10 %.  I also take a 100,000 Baht deductilbe so this also lowers my premium.  The premiums for the Non OA for most companies can be very high.  

 

Thanks for the additional info.

8 hours ago, kawipan said:

Hey DrJack54, thanks for your reply. Yes the plan would be to spend a year in Thailand (I have a close friend living there) with possible short trips back to Philippines during the year (so I would go for the Multiple entry option).

If you're ONLY planning on spending 1-2 years in Thailand, then a non-OA might be an okay option.  But if there's any chance of it becoming a permanent thing, it would be easier to start out on the right foot with a non-O, rather than having to go through the effort of resetting your status in the future and starting over essentially, in order to get rid of the insurance requirement.

12 hours ago, kawipan said:

...  the plan would be to spend a year in Thailand (I have a close friend living there) with possible short trips back to Philippines during the year (so I would go for the Multiple entry option).

 

Why is Non O-A a bad idea? Seems easier than applying for Non O and then having to deal with Immigration in Thailand after 2 or 3 months and apply for an extension. Like applying twice.

 

IMHO the Type-OA easier until , while in Thailand, you go for your first one year extension of your permission to stay. Then at that time , as I think you realize, you need to buy health insurance.  Then it is MUCH worse being on the Type-OA. 

 

Clearly this begs the question ... why buy such Health Insurance, for a Type-OA, if instead you can obtain a type-O visa?

 

If you enter Thailand on a Type-O, as noted above by Dr.Jack and others, you immediate setup a bank account and transfer the equivalent of 800k THB (or 400k THB if married to a Thai person) to your new Thai account, and leave it there. Don't touch that money. 

 

Then 30 to 45 days before your permission to stay on that Type-O visa expires, go to the local immigration and apply for a 1-year extension  of your permission to stay. Sure it costs you 1/2 day of your time, and 1900 THB (I think) , but that is one hell of a lot cheaper than any Health Insurance.   A lot cheaper.

 

From then on, you are set.

 

Just like you would do for a type-OA, for the type-O every year you go for a 1-year renewal (on your original visa) of  your permission to stay in Thailand. Some in Thailand are still here on Visas that expired decades ago !!! but every year they go to immigration and obtain an extension, not on their Visa, ... they get an extension on their permission to stay in Thailand.  For type-O, cost only 1900 Thai baht.  For type-OA its 1900 Thai baht PLUS the Thai branch health insurance. That health insurance MUST be from the Thai branch of a Health insurance company.

 

Of course you could simply leave Thailand every year, timed to invalidate your OA visa, and apply again for an OA visa when in the Philippines, but given Philippines not your residency, i think that would be more hassle and add more complexity. 

 

MANY of us, myself included, when on a Type-OA visa, DELIBERATELY left Thailand to invalidate our Type-OA visas, so we could come back to Thailand and obtain a Type-O Visa.  It was simply much superior from a cost perspective.

 

Ok  - I concede the money difference (paying the Thai branch Health Insurance) is not that much for anyone of minor means, but for some of us (like myself) it was a matter of principle. 

 

I had superior Health Insurance (far better than what i could get in Thailand)  from Europe, but that was not acceptable to Thailand. Thailand would only accept insurance from Thai branches of a Health Insurance company.  Thai insurance that was not as good.

 

Some of us then refused to pay for double health insurance (ie from both Thailand and our superior foreign Health Insurance). So as a matter of principle ( lol !! ) we deliberately left Thailand to invalidate our Type-OA visas. So we could then switch to Type-O and not be forced to go with inferior insurance from a Thai branch of a Health Insurance company.

 

Re cost: 

 

I can't answer your question for your age nor marital status.

 

But, for what it is worth, my European global insurance that covers myself (age-71) and my wife (age-58) for 365 days per year in Thailand, costs me ~240-euros/month. This is my subsidized health insurance.. I note that my former employer (who provides my European pension and who subsidizes my Health Insurance) pays more than that in their share - possibly they pay 250-to-300 euros.  So that is about ~500 euros/month, or 6,000 euros per year. Convert to US$ and one has ~$7,000 US$/year being paid total in Health Insurance (where my share for myself AND my wife at 2,880 euro/year equates to about $3,400 US$/year for my & my wife's Health insurance).   

 

Again, Thailand for a Type-OA visa, will not in Thailand, accept that health insurance, as it is not from the Thai branch of a Health Insurance company.

 

I believe that Health insurance from the Thai branch of a health insurance company is likely much cheaper, but with massively less coverage.

On 9/16/2025 at 12:14 AM, kawipan said:

1) How much does the insurance generally cost per month (is it monthly payments?) and which company has the cheapest option?

Premiums are annual.

LMG, big deductible, but the cheapest.

On 9/16/2025 at 12:22 AM, BrandonJT said:

I would ask though, is there a reason you are applying for the non-OA visa rather than the non-O visa? The Non-O does not have any insurance requirement, doesn't require a medical check or background check, and is much simpler in almost every way.  If you get started with the non-OA visa in Thailand, you're going to carry the insurance requirement with you basically forever, until you reset your status and switch to Non-O visa.

Thai Embassy Manila doesn't list the Non O as available for retirement, only the Non Imm O-A

28 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Thai Embassy Manila doesn't list the Non O as available for retirement, only the Non Imm O-A

Doesn't really matter what they list.  It's e-visa.  It's standardized.  You can apply for it because it's in the system.

 

23 hours ago, kawipan said:

 

Yes I have just done that, waiting for their reply. I was just hoping to find someone who already has an OA and a health insurance plan who might be able to give me some info or recommendation from their personal experience, rather than choosing a company by Eenie Meenie Minee Mo 😅

 

I had an OA for 6 years. 

 

I will repeat what others have said. How much you pay will depend on your age, the amount of coverage you purchase, the amount of deductible you choose, and your health status. Expect pre-existing conditions to be excluded so you will have to have the ability to pay for those yourself. Some pre-existing conditions will probably prevent you getting insurance at all. 

 

Now having said that - I bought into Pacific Cross in 2018. I was 62 years old. I have a 10 million baht policy. I have a 40,000 baht deductible. I pay once per year. My premium now, at age 69 is 78,000 baht. I have never made a claim so I am getting a no claims discount (I think 20%). 

 

For me the premium was about the same or less than my US insurance was 10 years ago. Also, in 8 years, I have never had an out of pocket hospital bill over 21,000 baht (remember my deductible is 40,000 baht). I have always used private hospitals. I have money set aside for future medical bills for whatever insurance may not cover. 

 

I wouldn't recommend the OA. I don't see a reason to have your insurance tied to your visa. With the O visa you will have more freedom to buy into more insurance options. 

 

Yes, 3 months later, you will have to apply for a 1 year extension of an O visa. I would suggest you just go through this process. Eventually, both the O and OA visas are subject to the same year extension process with the same stack of documents except the OA visa holders have to add an insurance certificate. 

 

Go for the O. Also . . . I would be surprised if you could get an OA through the Philippines Consulate. I believe you have to apply from your passport country. It's been so long I haven't kept up with those issues though. 

21 minutes ago, BrandonJT said:

Doesn't really matter what they list.  It's e-visa.  It's standardized.  You can apply for it because it's in the system.

 

 

Difficult to know exactly what documents to submit when their website doesn't even list the Non O.

 

5 minutes ago, Martyp said:

Go for the O. Also . . . I would be surprised if you could get an OA through the Philippines Consulate. I believe you have to apply from your passport country. It's been so long I haven't kept up with those issues though. 

No requirement to be a national or have permanent residency status to apply for the Non Imm O-A visa in Manilla.

On 9/15/2025 at 7:23 PM, freedomnow said:

As above poster stated your answer is :-

 

"The Non-O does not have any insurance requirement".

 

 

I just applied for my non-O visa at the Thai embassy in Spain, and they required medical insurance to cover my 90-day stay in the kingdom.

In fact, they've denied me a visa several times because the terms of my policy were unclear, and I had to submit certificates of coverage specifically issued by the company.

 

 

    I have an O-A but if I had a do-over I would definitely get the O visa, as others have also recommended.  

1 hour ago, newnative said:

    I have an O-A but if I had a do-over I would definitely get the O visa, as others have also recommended.  

Agree. 

I can think of one very specific example of where a Non O-A might be a good fit. 

The example being where someone wants to spend 2 years in Thailand without the usual ongoing living in Thailand on going beyond the two years. 

 

As we know a Non O-A can provide two year stay. 

Granted would require two years of insurance however no funds maintained in Thailand. 

Also multi entry for the first year. 

On 9/16/2025 at 11:55 PM, oldcpu said:

 

IMHO the Type-OA easier until , while in Thailand, you go for your first one year extension of your permission to stay. Then at that time , as I think you realize, you need to buy health insurance.  Then it is MUCH worse being on the Type-OA. 

 

Clearly this begs the question ... why buy such Health Insurance, for a Type-OA, if instead you can obtain a type-O visa?

 

If you enter Thailand on a Type-O, as noted above by Dr.Jack and others, you immediate setup a bank account and transfer the equivalent of 800k THB (or 400k THB if married to a Thai person) to your new Thai account, and leave it there. Don't touch that money. 

 

Then 30 to 45 days before your permission to stay on that Type-O visa expires, go to the local immigration and apply for a 1-year extension  of your permission to stay. Sure it costs you 1/2 day of your time, and 1900 THB (I think) , but that is one hell of a lot cheaper than any Health Insurance.   A lot cheaper.

 

From then on, you are set.

 

Just like you would do for a type-OA, for the type-O every year you go for a 1-year renewal (on your original visa) of  your permission to stay in Thailand. Some in Thailand are still here on Visas that expired decades ago !!! but every year they go to immigration and obtain an extension, not on their Visa, ... they get an extension on their permission to stay in Thailand.  For type-O, cost only 1900 Thai baht.  For type-OA its 1900 Thai baht PLUS the Thai branch health insurance. That health insurance MUST be from the Thai branch of a Health insurance company.

 

Of course you could simply leave Thailand every year, timed to invalidate your OA visa, and apply again for an OA visa when in the Philippines, but given Philippines not your residency, i think that would be more hassle and add more complexity. 

 

MANY of us, myself included, when on a Type-OA visa, DELIBERATELY left Thailand to invalidate our Type-OA visas, so we could come back to Thailand and obtain a Type-O Visa.  It was simply much superior from a cost perspective.

 

Ok  - I concede the money difference (paying the Thai branch Health Insurance) is not that much for anyone of minor means, but for some of us (like myself) it was a matter of principle. 

 

I had superior Health Insurance (far better than what i could get in Thailand)  from Europe, but that was not acceptable to Thailand. Thailand would only accept insurance from Thai branches of a Health Insurance company.  Thai insurance that was not as good.

 

Some of us then refused to pay for double health insurance (ie from both Thailand and our superior foreign Health Insurance). So as a matter of principle ( lol !! ) we deliberately left Thailand to invalidate our Type-OA visas. So we could then switch to Type-O and not be forced to go with inferior insurance from a Thai branch of a Health Insurance company.

 

Re cost: 

 

I can't answer your question for your age nor marital status.

 

But, for what it is worth, my European global insurance that covers myself (age-71) and my wife (age-58) for 365 days per year in Thailand, costs me ~240-euros/month. This is my subsidized health insurance.. I note that my former employer (who provides my European pension and who subsidizes my Health Insurance) pays more than that in their share - possibly they pay 250-to-300 euros.  So that is about ~500 euros/month, or 6,000 euros per year. Convert to US$ and one has ~$7,000 US$/year being paid total in Health Insurance (where my share for myself AND my wife at 2,880 euro/year equates to about $3,400 US$/year for my & my wife's Health insurance).   

 

Again, Thailand for a Type-OA visa, will not in Thailand, accept that health insurance, as it is not from the Thai branch of a Health Insurance company.

 

I believe that Health insurance from the Thai branch of a health insurance company is likely much cheaper, but with massively less coverage.

 

Thanks for your reply oldcpu, the way you put it "they are not getting an extension of their visa, they are getting an extension of their stay" has actually helped me to understand the process a little better.

 

However, I don't have 800k in liquid to deposit to a Thai bank, and I wouldn't want to if I did considering all the stress the banks are causing lately. As I understand, the OA does not require any deposit to a Thai bank, the money can stay in my U.S. bank. And I can also show monthly minimum rather than a lump sum. Maybe I'm wrong? 

 

Also, I do have residency in the Philippines and family there, so I would be going back and forth often anyway so probably not as difficult to start a new OA as someone who has to travel far to a western country to reapply.

 

One thing I am confused about though: let's say I do stay in Thailand and try to extend my OA inside of Thailand. I assume I have to submit the same requirements again that I submitted for the original OA, however, can I still show proof of funds with my foreign bank account? Or do I have to now show the proof of funds in a Thai bank account? Can I also still show the 65k monthly deposits rather than the 800k lump sum? That's where my confusion is now.