Foreigners applying for a Non O-A visa will be required to purchase health insurance from October 31, 2019 according to Thaivisa.
This type of visa may be issued to applicants aged 50 years and over who wish to stay in Thailand for a period of not exceeding 1 year without the intention of working. Holder of this type of visa is allowed to stay in Thailand for 1 year.
“The requirements, first mooted back in May, are now confirmed in a police order posted on the Immigration website. Applicants are required to have 40,000 baht outpatient coverage and 400,000 baht inpatient coverage.”
Foreigners applying for a Non O-A visa will be required to purchase health insurance from October 31, according to Thaivisa.
Non–Immigrant Visa “O-A” (Long Stay) may be issued to applicants aged 50 years and over who wish to stay in Thailand for a period of not exceeding 1 year without the intention of working. Holder of this type of visa is allowed to stay in Thailand for 1 year.
According to the order, health insurance is not required for those applying for an extension of stay based on retirement and only applies to Non O-A visas. Non O-A visas are obtained from an embassy or consulate outside of Thailand. Full details of the new requirements can be found HERE.
As of yet, there is no information on the new insurance requirements on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website and at the time of posting O-A visas are still being issued without insurance.
Thaivisa understands an official announcement is due to be made at a press conference in Bangkok later on Wednesday (9 October).
Many elderly expats, particularly those with pre-existing conditions or those age 75 or over have been left wondering if they will be able to get insurance at all. Other expats commenting online wondered if the new requirement for NonImmigrant O-A visa holders would be the first step in making it a requirement for foreign expats of all ages to have health insurance. For expats, it is important you understand exactly what visa type or extension of stay you have.
One of the reasons many elderly foreigners opt to live in Thailand aside from the warm weather and sunshine, is the cheaper cost of living. This move balances that equation somewhat.
SOURCE: ThaiVisa
