Non immigrant OA visa and health insurance
From AA Insurance (www.verzekereninthailand.nl) we have deliberately been a bit reticent in providing information on this subject. The law, which came into force on 1 November, has caused quite a bit of confusion. Not only with the foreigners living here, but also with the various immigration offices in Thailand.
The latter still do not all act uniformly (for example, some immigration offices do not ask for insurance at all or foreign policies are accepted for renewals) but in broad terms we can now say that the obligation to have health insurance – in 1 of the approved Thai airlines – applies to:
- Anyone who applies for a NON OA visa at a Thai Embassy or Consulate abroad (the Netherlands or Belgium for example);
- Anyone who applies for an Extension of Stay within Thailand where this Extension of Stay is based on a previously issued NON OA visa.
Answers to frequently asked questions
Q Are foreign policies accepted?
A In principle, only if the application is made for the first time at a Thai embassy or consulate abroad. This foreign policy will then have to meet the minimum coverage (400,000 baht for Inpatient and 40,000 baht for Outpatient).
The foreign company will then have to sign the standard form for foreign companies.
Q I have been in Thailand for many years but have applied for my very first visa abroad. After that I have arranged an extension of stay within Thailand for years. Does this new law apply to me?
A If the letters “OA” are mentioned on the very first visa applied for abroad, then the insurance obligation does indeed apply. The “extension of Stay” stamps for the NON O and the NON OA look the same so it cannot be seen from this.
The first visa is therefore leading.
If in doubt, it is wise to check with immigration.
Q I have never applied for a visa abroad, everything was arranged in Thailand from the start. Does the insurance obligation apply to me?
A No. No NON OA visas are issued within Thailand, only NON O.
Q I have a NON O “marriage”, “education” or “Business” visa. Does my insurance obligation apply?
A No.
Q Can I convert my NON OA into a NON O visa?
A Yes you can. In principle, one must then leave the country (border run) without a re-entry permit and re-enter with a Visa Exemption (Tourist). This is valid for 30 days. After that, the application for a NON O can be started within Thailand. When applying for a NO O, a residence period of at least 15 days must remain.
Q I am too old to still apply for a policy with 1 of the approved companies. What now?
A This has not yet been provided for by the legislator. The only solution at the moment is therefore to convert it into a NON O visa.
Q Because of my medical history, I am not accepted anywhere. What now?
A This has not yet been officially provided for either. Convert to NON O or just blatantly lie on the medical questionnaire that accompanies the application form. Please note: this will render the policy unusable and cannot be claimed against. Thai companies cancel the policy immediately if they find out that something has not been reported. However, without claiming, they will not find out.
Q Can I apply for a Thai policy and cancel it immediately after renewing my visa to get a refund of the premium?
A There is a central database where companies can upload the insurance certificates. Immigration has access to this. Not really wise, without insurance, the visa is also immediately invalid.
Q Do I have good insurance with this compulsory policy?
A No. It's better than nothing, but the minimum cover is far too low in the event of a serious accident or illness.
Q I have good foreign insurance with high coverage and I really want to keep it.
A It is no problem to hold 2 policies (check the general terms and conditions, some companies do have to report this). Check whether a deductible can be taken to lower the premium of the foreign insurance. The Thai policy can then be taken out in addition to this and can be used to cover the deductible of the foreign policy.
Q Is it better to apply directly to the company or via AA Insurance?
A Recently someone posted that it is best to request the comparison from us and then request it directly from the company because this would be cheaper. That is sheer nonsense, the premiums are always the same. So take advantage of the fact that we have 4 Dutch and 1 Fleming working within AA. Explanation of this rather difficult matter in the native language is not only pleasant, but can also prevent misunderstandings.
Q I think the coverage of this compulsory insurance is too low. Can I also take a higher covering plan?
A Yes. As long as it's a plan from 1 of the approved carriers, it's good.
Q I don't feel like this hassle, are there any options other than switching visas?
A It is also possible to take the Thailand Elite Card. We are also an intermediary for this. Unfortunately, this comes with a hefty price tag (500,000 baht for 5 years).
Q How do you, as an insurance intermediary, view these new regulations?
A Negative because it gets too many people into trouble. There is nothing wrong with compulsory insurance (we also know that in the Netherlands), but then there should also be an acceptance obligation from the companies. It would have been better if the “Universal health Scheme” (the so-called 30 baht scheme) had also been made compulsory for foreigners living here, but for a fee.
The appendices contain an overview of the most commonly used approved plans with the premiums per age. These are all available through AA Insurance.
If you would like more information on this subject or need health insurance (even if it is not a NON OA visa), you can contact us at www.ainsure.net/nl-index.html of [email protected].
Click on the image to enlarge (PDF)
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Is there an option to deposit 400.000 baht in Thailand to cover medical costs WITHOUT taking out insurance?
No
That was a possibility that was investigated when they had the plan to introduce it. Never heard from again.
I even suspect that the obligation to pay a bank amount of 800 Baht, where you can drop to a minimum of 000 Baht after 3 months, is a remnant of that somewhere.
Because no one knows under what circumstances you should use it now.
Dear Alex,
At the moment this has not yet been provided for, but it is only logical that sooner or later something will have to be arranged. After all, there is a group of people who cannot take out compulsory insurance due to age or medical history.
That it is now demanded for those who from now on apply for an OA visa in their home country I can still understand. That people are now going to demand it only for the people who are applying for their umpteenth retirement extension on the basis of an OA that they may have received 10 years ago is crazy for words.
Anyone applying for an extension based on retirement must meet exactly the same conditions and must meet the exact same conditions.
What the difference is whether this happens for the umpteenth time on a long ago released OA or O is a total mystery to me.
Or is it the intention to sell a mass of new visas? I don't see any other reason.
The basic idea behind it was understandable in principle because applicants at a Thai embassy abroad do not need to prove money in a Thai bank or a monthly income.
That it suddenly also applies to the extensions of stay is….how do I say that neatly…surprising.
After all, upon renewal, NON OA visa holders must meet the same requirements as NON O visa holders. Personally, I also find this incomprehensible.
Hello Mathieu,
I had already noticed that you were hesitant about this matter. And I understand that. It causes many problems.
You did provide a very clear explanation, so that readers already have an answer to most of their questions.
Finally a clear, concise explanation.
That creates confidence, Matthieu!
Almost a pity that I now discover that I got an 'O' instead of 'OA' in Amsterdam at the time. Fellow sufferers: See the adhesive sheet in your (old) passport; the annual stamp does not help.
mien extensions based on age
Hello, I have been living here for over 6 years as an emigrated Dutchman and I also walk around uninsured, I had a major open heart operation about 15 years ago. I have been under control with a heart specialist in the HHH for 2 years now, after my 3 monthly check-up I receive medication, 9 pills a day + salt-free diet. I pay the costs for a consultation with a specialist, blood test and control and medication for 3 months myself.
I have written to many companies, but everywhere after submitting my details, I am refused everywhere, what now?
If you do not have a NON OA visa, there is nothing to worry about.
In addition, it seems to me – based on the description – that you should still be insured, but with an exclusion.
Dear Matthieu, what I seriously wonder is what is the point of taking out insurance in Thailand? (Apart from the obligation with Non OA.) If you have something among the members, you will be excluded for that ailment/disease, hospitalization will no longer be reimbursed. Outpatient checks and the like, as in the example of Yuundai, will cost much more annually than Thaibaht 40. Then pay the excess of those bills yourself, on top of the high premiums that are charged.
As for Mairoe: I also heard that insured persons were told at the age of 70 or 75 that they could no longer remain insured because they had to go to hospital more often. They had BUPA insurance, although Bupa does not appear in the PDFs.
Thanks to Matthieu and his colleagues for updating us via Thailandblog on developments regarding the obligation of Thai health insurance with minimal “in-patient” and “out-patient” coverage, if you apply for and then extend an OA-based stay .
It is and remains a difficult and annoying issue, and time and time again Thailand surprises us because insufficient preparation time/adaptation has been granted, the consequences of new measures have not been sufficiently considered, nor alternatives are outlined. Thailandblog fortunately does provide necessary information, which is essential for making the right decisions.
A looming difficulty with the obligation described is that even having health insurance with an OA visa does not create security. Of course it is a good thing to enforce that foreign Thailand long-stayers are insured to cover the costs of illness / ailment / accident. But this obligation is not 'enlightenment'. As I know Thailand in practice, the measure only raises more questions: because what happens to someone who has been living in Thailand on the basis of OA for several years, who has also been deregistered from the Netherlands for several years, and who has had Thai health insurance for several years? if he has to be hospitalized as a result of a sudden looming serious illness or ailment, and is then given a chronic admission and treatment perspective by the doctors? Due to the fact that he will be hospitalized and treated for several years, the Thai company will also cancel his insurance! Please note: companies in Thailand have no obligation to accept, and do not hesitate to stop the insurance in the event of high and/or repeated claims.
Which of course has consequences for a subsequent OA extension. In other words: there is an obligation to maintain a minimum health insurance coverage, but making use of it (or having to) raises problems. The Thai legislature does not provide for regulations in this regard. The Thai government does not provide alternatives, for example mandatory participation in the "Universal health scheme", as stated by Matthieu.
I just want to say, which can also be read in the text: make sure you change your OA visa to Non-O in time. For the time being, it seems that this type of visa offers more security of residence.
Dear Mairoe,
That the Thai companies can cancel the policy after a claim is a misunderstanding. If the medical questionnaire that forms part of the application form has been completed completely and correctly and the person has been accepted on that basis, a Thai company cannot just unilaterally cancel the policy just because one has claimed.
I am married to a Thai (who used to be a teacher).
A civil servant, therefore, and that is why I am also insured as a husband,
Will that also expire?
As far as we know, nothing will change for the time being.
You report that NON OA are NEVER issued in Thailand; so you see that never ... never is and apparently there can be an exception to every rule; because … I really received my NON OA on April 11, 2018 from Immigration Office in Krabi and valid until April 29, 2019; then on April 23 this year I was given an Extension of Stay until – again of course NON OA – by Immigration Office on Koh Samui > up to APR 29, 2020 …
A Non-immigrant OA is also not issued in Thailand.
It is not because your Tourist status is converted to a Non-immigrant based on Retirement that this is a Non-immigrant OA.
And an Extension of stay or basis of Retirement is also not a Non-OA.
Otherwise I would like to see the stamps.
In response to your response, I once again took out my passport and I would have stated under oath that I – via Krabi – have a NON IMMIGRANT VISA OA … but guess what … January 29, 2018 I received an “O” … Then I received me a stamp with >> ADMITT 29 JAN 2018 UNTILL 29 APR 2018 …
On APR 11, 2018 in Krabi I received an Extension of Stay to APR 29, 2019 with a 90 days NOTIFY YOUR ADDRESS …
And on APR 23, 2019 on Koh Samui I received an Extension of Stay UP TO APR 29, 2020 with a 90 NOTIFY YOUR ADDRESS …
Does this sound logical Ronny…?
… have declared … must be > have declared … 😉
Perfect 😉
Dear Mathieu,
I emigrated to Thailand years ago.
Whether that was based on O or OA I will have to find out when I have the opportunity.
Now I have an inpatient insurance from Pacific Cross with you with a deductible of 40.000 Baht.
Can you tell me what the options are, and what it would cost to meet the requirements, if necessary?
For example, can I get an additional contract for a maximum of 40.000 Baht outpatient, and what about that deductible, will it cause problems at immigration, and does this apply to all government-approved insurers?
That strikes me as an interesting point to go into a little more detail, otherwise I would have risked a phone call on occasion.
Dear Ruud,
A deductible is not a problem for immigration, as long as the amount insured by the company remains at least 400,000 baht. For example, the PDF files attached to this article contain the Standard Extra plan of Pacific Cross. This offers an Inpatient cover of 780,000 baht. An excess of 300,000 baht can be taken on this (50% discount on the premium). That is allowed because there is still an inpatient cover of 480,000 baht.
It's great that you already have a policy from one of the approved companies. If you have a NON OA, that policy can be converted to one including Outpatient cover. The difference in premium is then 1%.
If you have a NON OA, please contact us so that we can arrange things.
Thanks for the information on this topic. Hopefully there will soon be a mandatory health insurance with acceptance obligation.
Within a few years I want to apply for a visa, among other things
My wife is a state employee and we have insurance for the whole family in a state hospital
When I retire, that insurance will also count towards my visa, among other things
If the visa application still needs to be done: Go for a NON O and not for a NON OA.
There is no insurance requirement for the NON O visa.
Why do those who are married still want to apply for that Non-immigrant OA visa?
As a married person it is not mandatory to apply for a Retirement based visa.
Just apply for a Non-immigrant O based on Thai marriage and you're done.
You then extend your 90-day stay in Thailand by one year.
Why make it difficult when you can make it simple.
Matthew, you wrote:
“There is nothing wrong with compulsory insurance (we also know that in the Netherlands), but then there should also be an acceptance obligation from the companies. It would have been better if the “Universal health Scheme” (the so-called 30 baht scheme) had also been made mandatory for foreigners living here, but for a fee.”
Completely agree with you Matthieu and better without exclusions.
Everyone knows the expression:
seize the day.
Only I didn't know there was also a custom one:
pick the farang.
Dear Mathieu,
Many thanks for the extensive information and the attached overview.
However, the overview does not indicate whether the required premiums are on a monthly basis or on an annual basis.
Can you clarify this further.
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Jan
Dear Jan,
The stated premiums are on an annual basis. Most companies also only allow annual payments.
Eg Thaivivat 76 years 120.000 bath what do you think Jan is that per month??
Today I visited an Austrian acquaintance, an 82-year-old lady, who sadly informed me that her annual visa had been rejected because she no longer had health insurance and could not take out one. She still has insurance in Austria and accident insurance in Thailand.
She now has three weeks to get an extension or leave the country.
Now I got a retirement visa O in 2013 (in Penang, Malaysia). I didn't know the difference between an O and an OA at the time and to be honest it's still a mystery to me. Did I read that you can't just get a visa O. Anyway. So be it.
Now I have suggested to her that in January, when her visa expires, she should go to Penang and apply for a new Visa O there. Whether she makes a border run or whether she applies for a new visa is a bit of an issue in that case.
Can you still get a visa O or is that no longer the case? In the home country you immediately get OA I understand and you have no choice, but in her case she would have that choice, wouldn't she?
I don't know the requirements in Penang. But do read through this one
https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1003049-non-immigrant-o-visa-at-thai-embassy-in-penang-new-requirements/
https://thethaiger.com/thai-life/changes-to-visa-applications-at-the-thai-consulate-general-in-penang
Here's the website of Penang, but you won't get much wiser from it either. At least not with regard to the documents or evidence to be provided.
But I think the advice in Matthieu Hua Hin's article is also worth considering.
“Borderrun” and come back on “Visa Exemption”. Then request a conversion to Non-immigrant at immigration. NB. There must be a residence period of at least 15 days remaining with the application for conversion.
She will then first receive a 90-day stay, just as she would have entered with a Non-immigrant O. She can then extend those 90 days again for another year in the usual way, but without medical insurance.
The difference between a Non-immigrant O and Non-immigrant OA.
"O" comes from "Others". The “A” comes from “Approved”.
When the letter “A” follows a visa letter, this means that the requirements to allow a longer stay than the standard period of 90 days have already been met during the application. In this case a year.
That is why you also have to submit more documents and evidence with the application than with a classic Non-immigrant O.
Thanks for the (expert) explanation. Very interesting. And reassuring to me