Buriram Expats
Buriram Province - General Category => Isaan Thai Visa => Topic started by: PhilJ on May 14, 2019, 07:32:53 AM
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I think this has been addressed before. Now official?? Rates look reasonable.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30369323
https://longstay.tgia.org/
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I was expecting this to happen, and already talked to my insurer from my Home Country.
They will write me a letter that I am insured with them and I have to enclose what they cover myself. (Cost Price)
The Cover per year with them is without a limit and I pay is just a bit more then I would pay for the 400.000 THB cover with this Thai Insurance !
But the only issue I am seeing is how would Immigration know this is a valid insurance ???
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Will be interesting. The article did include this statement: "We are going to discuss with relevant authorities on how to check the validity of health insurance bought from overseas." U.S. Medicare won't cover my claims from here so I'll look into those shown here. https://longstay.tgia.org/
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My Insurance fortunately does. I got admitted to Bangkok Hospital Korat on 2 occasions and my insurance (from abroad) paid everything !!
Settlement took longer then paying yourself, but that was because of the agent they use here, but everything paid, no claims afterwards etc.
Edit: I could pay myself and then claim it from them, and payment takes less then 7 days.
Had an Eye Scare last year, raked up bills in total of around 40k THB. (Bangkok Hospital Pattaya). When we got back home, scanned them all in (inclu. Medical Certificates) send them to the insurer via their web-portal, and within 7 days I got all the money back from them.
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We just have to wait and see how this plays out !
On Thaivisa there is a discussion about that some people say its only for people on Long-stay Visa's and not for people who are on a Extension of Stay
Visa's you get at an Embassy/Consulate.
Extension of Stay you get at Immigration !
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Sounds like your insurance company is really good and efficient. Great choice you made.
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Sounds like your insurance company is really good and efficient. Great choice you made.
Thx, it's a so Called "Expat Living Abroad" insurance. I also last year had my wife added to the policy, same benefits. For small stuff she will still go to the local hospital, but major things it's off to a Private Hospital.
I just hope that when this mandatory Health Insurance scheme is going mainstream, my insurance is accepted, don't want to pay an extra 50k in premium for (IMHO) mediocre coverage.
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The article in the news is only for applying for a OA long stay visa at the Thai embassy in you home country.
Not for anyone on a Visa extention yet !!!!
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The article in the news is only for applying for a OA long stay visa at the Thai embassy in you home country.
Not for anyone on a Visa extention yet !!!!
Yep, approx the same what I wrote in Post #4
BUT ..... there are as always the OWN interpretation of Rules by Immigration Officers here. So even when it's NOT for Visa-Extensions (YET) they could say it is ;)
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This is a perfect example of how important it is to understand terminology.
It quite clearly states "New applicants for O-A visa and those wishing to renew their visa".
This has nothing at all to do with immigration offices within Thailand. The chances are that they will not even know about this rule.
O-A visas are issued outside of Thailand and are governed by the MFA.
Those who use immigration withing Thailand to "extend their permission to stay" are not affected.
With regards to insurance being required for an O-A visa, this rule has been known for some time.
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^ +1
But how long will it take before it is required for those on extension of stay. I think (but that is just my guess) not long as that is a major group of people staying in the Kingdom. The group on the Non O-A visa is IMHO not that big !!
One more thing/question, the Non-O-A you get OUTSIDE of the Country, why are there only THAI insurers listed and prices in Thai Baht, is that for renewal ???
Because if it is a requirement to get the NON-O-A it should be not be a issue that you can get it from an Insurer in your Home Country.
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^ +1
But how long will it take before it is required for those on extension of stay. I think (but that is just my guess) not long as that is a major group of people staying in the Kingdom. The group on the Non O-A visa is IMHO not that big !!
One more thing/question, the Non-O-A you get OUTSIDE of the Country, why are there only THAI insurers listed and prices in Thai Baht, is that for renewal ???
Because if it is a requirement to get the NON-O-A it should be not be a issue that you can get it from an Insurer in your Home Country.
The Thai insurance companies are listed as a reference. It does say in the article that you can have insurance from your home country.
To be honest, I would hope that most people living here long term would not need an immigration rule to make sure they have health insurance. Surely it is common sense to have it anyway??
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<snip>
To be honest, I would hope that most people living here long term would not need an immigration rule to make sure they have health insurance. Surely it is common sense to have it anyway??
I fully agree, but unfortunately they DON'T.
Friend of mine in Pattaya, 60ish of age, is relying on the money in the bank (800k) to pay for any health issues that may occur, he was very angry that with the new rules that money can't go below 400k during the year. Only solution for him is to put more money in his account. And when I said "Why not get health insurance and be done with" he replied "waste of money".
800k is not a lot when you develop a major illness.
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Ive read the article. Personally I don't think it is clear that this won?t apply to those already here on extensions, be they based on marriage or retirement. Its poorly written. You may well be right that it doesnt but until there is actually something formal from the government as opposed to a reporters interpretation on information I think the jury is out.
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Ive read the article. Personally I don't think it is clear that this won?t apply to those already here on extensions, be they based on marriage or retirement. Its poorly written. You may well be right that it doesnt but until there is actually something formal from the government as opposed to a reporters interpretation on information I think the jury is out.
If it included those on extensions of stay there would need to be a police order issued to change the immigration law.
This change has been made at a cabinet meeting as it covers MFA and not immigration.
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<snip>
To be honest, I would hope that most people living here long term would not need an immigration rule to make sure they have health insurance. Surely it is common sense to have it anyway??
I fully agree, but unfortunately they DON'T.
he was very angry that with the new rules that money can't go below 400k during the year.
I think we all know why that decision was made. I don't think it is a mere coincidence that the new insurance policy has to have 400k minimum cover for those on an O-A.
That's the long term over 50s sorted. How will they manage those on extensions based on marriage?
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<snip>
To be honest, I would hope that most people living here long term would not need an immigration rule to make sure they have health insurance. Surely it is common sense to have it anyway??
I fully agree, but unfortunately they DON'T.
he was very angry that with the new rules that money can't go below 400k during the year.
I think we all know why that decision was made. I don't think it is a mere coincidence that the new insurance policy has to have 400k minimum cover for those on an O-A.
That's the long term over 50s sorted. How will they manage those on extensions based on marriage?
Good point, no idea, but with the Influx of new applicants for the Marriage extension (GL already posted somewhere that the waiting period is now already at 2 months (instead of the normal 30 days), I suspect (but that is just guessing on my part) that they will make that extension more difficult and maybe increase the amount.
As with everything here, Let's wait and see what's going to happen !!
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If mid January next year (when I have to get a new extension of Marriage) and the waiting (under consideration) period is over 2 months, I have NO other choice then go for Retirement as we have a 3 month trip to Europe planned mid-end March !
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The thing that I do not understand is that this new requirement was voted on and passed by cabinet, what cabinet? The election has still to be decided. Maybe I am missing something, would not be the first time.
Oh well just another day in LoS
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If mid January next year (when I have to get a new extension of Marriage) and the waiting (under consideration) period is over 2 months, I have NO other choice then go for Retirement as we have a 3 month trip to Europe planned mid-end March !
Do you have to wait for approval every time you extend based on marriage? I thought that was only the first time? That?s crazy!!
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If mid January next year (when I have to get a new extension of Marriage) and the waiting (under consideration) period is over 2 months, I have NO other choice then go for Retirement as we have a 3 month trip to Europe planned mid-end March !
Do you have to wait for approval every time you extend based on marriage? I thought that was only the first time? That?s crazy!!
Yes, everytime.
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Yes it's every time. The reason for that it's not a LOCAL decision it must be send to the division Headquarters (I believe for us it's Khon Kaen) and they make the decision.
(That's why the 2 separate "piles" of documents you have to prepare (one for local, one for HQ ;))
First year was quick (less then a month) this year it was 39 days, next year it will be ........ days ;)
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It's just been clarified on thaivisa that mandatory health insurance is for non O-A Visa which are 12 month multi entry Visa that are obtained in embassies abroad and not Visa extensions based on retirement obtained here in Thailand. Probably change a few more times yet.
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It's just been clarified on thaivisa that mandatory health insurance is for non O-A Visa which are 12 month multi entry Visa that are obtained in embassies abroad and not Visa extensions based on retirement obtained here in Thailand. Probably change a few more times yet.
A bit slow aren't they, Thai Visa that is.
It was clarified on here yesterday.
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It's just been clarified on thaivisa that mandatory health insurance is for non O-A Visa which are 12 month multi entry Visa that are obtained in embassies abroad and not Visa extensions based on retirement obtained here in Thailand. Probably change a few more times yet.
A bit slow aren't they, Thai Visa that is.
It was clarified on here yesterday.
+1
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My bad, I didn't read the first page of this topic.
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"The Nation" website doing its part to confuse. Changed the title of basically the same article:
14/5/19 "Insurance mandatory for long-stay foreigners"
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30369323
16/5/19 "Mandatory health insurance for retirement visa holders likely to take effect in July" http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30369468
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Interested to know if there are any changes of view on who this is going to effect. Pretty much every article and discussion on various forums refers to OA visa but also long stayers over 50.
Can?t help but think this is likely to be a requirement for those on extensions based on retirement.
Also, what about those over 50 who are on extensions based on marriage. Why would a health risk and associated costs/ability to pay be any less because of how yo7 qualify your stay here.
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Interested to know if there are any changes of view on who this is going to effect. Pretty much every article and discussion on various forums refers to OA visa but also long stayers over 50.
Can?t help but think this is likely to be a requirement for those on extensions based on retirement.
Also, what about those over 50 who are on extensions based on marriage. Why would a health risk and associated costs/ability to pay be any less because of how yo7 qualify your stay here.
100% only O-A visas. These are the visas that are only available at embassies in your own country. If you read the article it says "long term visas". Anyone who goes to immigration to extend their stay are not on a visa. They are on an extended permission to stay. Ironically those that enter on an O-A visa, that don't wish to buy health insurance, can go to immigration just before their year stay has expired, and extend for another year.
Of course, those wishing to extend an O-A at immigration need to adhere to the financial requirements.
This is where the difference is. To stay in Thailand on an O-A there is no requirement to have cash in a Thai bank. For a extensions there is. Currently all retirement extensions require 800k to be in a Thai bank for 5 months a year and for that balance to never fall below 400k, not surprisingly the same amount as the cover required for insurance on an O-A.
Marriage extensions seem to be the one that immigration are leaving alone. There is the requirement for 400k in the bank but only for 2 months, 3 maybe if you include the waiting time to be approved in Khon Kaen. Maybe the powers that be believe that in any medical emergency family would help out. I would hazard a guess that this is what they are thinking. I don't subscribe to the idea that the Thai authorities are trying to get rid of expats. They just don't want them to be a burden. I don't believe that they want to split up families and hence the marriage extension is the easiest to obtain financially, although there is a copious amounts of documents required.
I have tried to point out, a few times on here, the different terminology of staying here in Thailand. It really is quite important to know.
The health insurance requirement is for "Long term visas". That is the jurisdiction of the MFA. "Extensions of stay" are under the jurisdiction of the Royal Thai Police.
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Thank you Starman. A very clear explanation.
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While clear, the explanation leaves out those who are using monthly transfers of 65k baht as their financial qualification. How immigration will deal with those who attempt to use the combination of deposit and transfers is unclear, maybe require a 400k minimum deposit that needs to remain untouched?
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While clear, the explanation leaves out those who are using monthly transfers of 65k baht as their financial qualification. How immigration will deal with those who attempt to use the combination of deposit and transfers is unclear, maybe require a 400k minimum deposit that needs to remain untouched?
Good points.
The changes made to the retirement extensions were aimed more at trying to stop expats buying their permission stay. Having to keep the money in the bank for longer shows that it is, most likely, their money.
Same as the 65k a month rule. The embassy letters for USA,UK,AUS and Denmark can no longer be used as those countries announced that they did not actually verify the income but rather made the expats swear that the figures were true and correct. Now that the money has to be sent to a Thai bank every month it shows, most likely, that the money belongs to the expat and therefore would have enough money in case of needing health care.
The combination method is shrouded in doubt right now. There have been reports of some immigration offices refusing this method. Wait and see on that one. If I remember rightly, there was no mention of the combo method on the police order that went into effect on 1st March.
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Actually there is mention but it doesn't say anything with regards to amounts. So the money in the bank must be there 2 months before and 3 months after but how much?
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There is allegedly going to be an announcement about the O-A insurance requirements next week.
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The mandatory health insurance requirement is now stated on the website of the Thai Embassy in Canberra, Australia.
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Some wording in the new health insurance requirements for new applicants of the O-A Visa, that I have not seen any questions about, relates to the wording "any policy must cover the period of stay in Thailand". As I will be applying for a new Visa when I return to Australia in December, I sent the Thai Embassy in Australia an email explaing that my policy commenced on 1 October and will be due for renewal on or before 30 September next year. Their response is below;
On Mon, Oct 21, 2019, 07:28 Royal Thai Embassy Canberra <rtecanb@gmail.com> wrote:
According to our new regulation about the health insurance, as long as the insurance covers the period of your stay in Thailand, it will be ok.
Kind regards
Visa and Consular Services
Royal Thai Embassy, Canberra.
Despite sending another email, it has still not been clarified if the effective dates of the insurance policy must mirror those of the Visa.
I have posted this because it could impact a lot of people if the health insurance requirement is extended to include O-A Visa extensions.
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For the majority of us it is irrelevant what our respective embassies tell us because the bottom line will be how the loacal Thai Immigration offices interpret things. I would guess that immigration will note the date that any policy expires and you will be required to evidence a renewal.
But, that?s just my guess.
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Hopefully you're right Freddy.