{"id":2197,"date":"2021-11-24T13:08:01","date_gmt":"2021-11-24T06:08:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.co.th\/blog\/?p=2197"},"modified":"2021-11-24T13:08:01","modified_gmt":"2021-11-24T06:08:01","slug":"your-guide-to-covid-19-insurance-and-retirement-visas-in-thailand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pacificprime.co.th\/blog\/your-guide-to-covid-19-insurance-and-retirement-visas-in-thailand\/","title":{"rendered":"Your guide to COVID-19, insurance, and retirement visas in Thailand"},"content":{"rendered":"

Now that there are new rules for entering Thailand, with mandatory quarantine slashed from 14 days to only 1 day, many expats in the country are planning a trip back to their home country. But some elderly expats on retirement visas have been concerned and confused regarding the insurance requirements. In this <\/span>Pacific Prime Thailand<\/span><\/a> article, we\u2019ll tell you everything you need to know.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"Individual<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Thailand\u2019s entry requirements\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Vaccinated travelers arriving by plane from an approved country\/territory only have to present a negative COVID-19 result using the PCR method before they depart for Thailand, purchase a health insurance plan (non-Thai citizens only), and book a 1-night stay at a SHA+ hotel. The stay at the hotel also includes a COVID-19 PCR test and a COVID-19 antigen test to be taken after arrival.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, the certificate of entry (COE) system has also been replaced by the Thailand Pass app. Travelers will need to <\/span>apply for Thailand Pass QR Code<\/span><\/a> before traveling to Thailand. This is supposedly a much simpler and straightforward process than the COE system, though travelers have complained about <\/span>glitches in the system<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Further reading: <\/strong>Get an <\/span>in-depth overview of the latest COVID-19 entry requirements in Thailand.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Health insurance to enter Thailand: Elderly expats are concerned about getting insured<\/span><\/h3>\n

According to the entry requirements, non-Thai citizens need health insurance that covers COVID-19 with a minimum coverage of USD $50,000. Given this, many elderly expats in the country are concerned that their age or <\/span>pre-existing health condition<\/span><\/a> would make meeting the insurance requirements at best expensive or at worst impossible, which prevents them from leaving Thailand, visiting their home country, and re-entering Thailand.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Note:<\/strong> Expats with a work permit<\/span><\/a> can show a valid social security card or a certified letter from their employer in lieu of a health insurance plan. That being said, a health insurance plan is highly recommended as it gives peace of mind that you\u2019ll receive the best private healthcare without having to pay out of pocket.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Health insurance requirements for retirees<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you\u2019re wondering if there are health insurance requirements for retirees, the answer is both yes and no. Confused? You\u2019re not alone. Let\u2019s break down the following two visas for retirees: <\/span>Non-immigrant O-A<\/span><\/a> and Non-immigrant O extension. While there are different requirements for these two visas, including those on health insurance, they often get lumped together inaccurately as \u201cretirement visas\u201d in Thailand and that\u2019s where the confusion lies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Non-immigrant O-A visas<\/span><\/h3>\n

Non-immigrant O-A visas are available to over 50s who want to stay in Thailand for 1 year. These visas are usually obtained by applying at a Thai embassy or consulate overseas. <\/span>Applicants are required to have health insurance<\/span><\/a> with a minimum coverage of USD $100,000, including treatment of COVID-19. However, it\u2019s important to note that this requirement only applies to non-immigrant O-A visas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Note<\/strong>: Health insurance for those on non-immigrant O-A visas is sometimes referred to as long-stay visa insurance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Non-immigrant O extension<\/span><\/h3>\n

Non-immigrant O extension is normally based on \u2018retirement\u2019 and is granted to over 50s. These visas are obtained from an immigration office within Thailand. There is currently no requirement for those on a non-immigrant O extension to have health insurance – apart from the aforementioned health insurance requirements to enter Thailand, which applies to all non-Thai citizens entering the country during these times.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking for health insurance? Pacific Prime Thailand is here to help<\/span><\/h2>\n

Pacific Prime Thailand<\/span><\/a> has over two decades of experience in the health insurance sector, helping expats and foreigners navigate the local healthcare system and secure adequate health coverage for their needs and budget. Whether you\u2019re looking for <\/span>health insurance to enter Thailand<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>long-stay visa insurance<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>expat health insurance<\/span><\/a>, or <\/span>any other type of health insurance in the country<\/span><\/a>, we can help.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Get in touch with us today<\/span><\/a> for 100% impartial advice, a tailored plan comparison, and a free quote, along with heaps of support and assistance throughout your insurance journey!<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\"Get<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Now that there are new rules for entering Thailand, with mandatory quarantine slashed from 14 days to only 1 day, many expats in the country are planning a trip back to their home country. But some elderly expats on retirement visas have been concerned and confused regarding the insurance requirements. In this Pacific Prime Thailand …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":2198,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[10,2],"tags":[436,1293,434,68,5,1866,1877,1876,288],"class_list":["post-2197","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-expat-insurance","category-insurance","tag-ban_sin","tag-covid-19","tag-cta_gen","tag-expat-health-insurance","tag-health-insurance","tag-long-stay-visa-insurance","tag-non-immigrant-o-extension","tag-non-immigrant-o-a-visa","tag-retirement-visa"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nYour Guide to COVID-19, Insurance, and Retirement Visas in Thailand<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"There are 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