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COVID-19

Updated public health measures for foreign travelers entering Thailand

13 January 2023 by Alan Sutherland

Thailand has now joined the list of countries introducing new entry requirements to combat the growing fear surrounding the spread of the new COVID variant.  Over the past few days, we’ve been receiving numerous phone calls regarding the new entry requirements for Thailand.  

“The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) would like to clarify that Thailand continues to welcome all international tourists under the fully-reopen-to-tourism policy that was introduced on 1 October 2022.”

In addition, foreign tourists are not required to show ATK or RT-PCR test results.

  1. Proof of vaccination is NO longer required.
  2. Travellers from the listed countries requiring negative RT-PCR test results before departure from Thailand should have health insurance covering at least US$10,000 for COVID-19 treatment that covers the duration of stay in Thailand plus 7 additional days.
    1. Those with business arrangements, including flight crews and students, may have an official letter from the host or other form of insurance to cover such need.
    2. The quarantine officer will randomly check the proof of insurance of travellers from the listed countries. If that traveller does not have proof of insurance, the traveller will have to purchase health insurance before immigration.
  3. Holders of Thai passports and transit/transfer passengers are exempted from health insurance checks.
  4. The airlines must adhere to related regulations and comply with the guidance as appropriate such as asking passengers to wear a mask at all times except during meals or emergency situations.
  5. Any passenger having symptoms of COVID-19 on arrival shall be recommended to get a COVID-19 test at arrival.

Starting with the first question, as from 10th January, Thailand joined the long growing list of countries placing COVID entry requirements on visitors from China, India and other countries which have measures in place to prevent those infected with COVID-19 from returning.

What level of insurance

It seems travel insurance which many travellers purchased previously (which included cover for COVID-19) to $10,000 USD will again be accepted by the Thai authorities.   To purchase the correct COVID Insurance and receive the certificate within minutes, please click the following link to  Luma Asean Pass          

The Luma Asean Pass is one of the cheapest options available and is readily accepted by Thai Immigration as well as 9 other countries in the region. This plan meets these minimum requirements and can be purchased online in 5 mins by any person aged 1-75 years of age.

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Note:  This is a developing story.  Please contact Thai Expat Club / Health if you have any questions or require any further information

Telephone or WhatsApp +6689-897-9435

Website: https://thaiexpathealth.com/

Additional Links/Credit:

Thailand maintains ‘fully-reopen’ entry rules
🇹🇭 Urgent COVID-19 update for inbound travelers to Thailand: Part Two!

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2477394

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2478819/entry-requirements-clarified-for-overseas-visitors

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this report has been obtained from sources believed to be accurate and reliable. However, Thai Expat Club makes no representation as to the accuracy and completeness of such information. Information and opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. In particular, Thai Expat Club does not guarantee the accuracy of information related to immigration processes and requirements in this report nor do we accept any liability for any loss or damage of any kind arising out of the use of such information or opinions in this report. Readers are advised to do their own research before making decisions relating to visa transfers and migration to Thailand. All rights are reserved.

This report may not be reproduced, distributed or published by any person in any manner for any purpose without the permission of Thai Expat Club

Filed Under: Insurance Tagged With: Coronavirus, COVID-19, Luma ASEAN Pass, Thailand, Travel insurance

What are the new insurance requirements for foreigners applying for the O-A retirement visa to live in Thailand?

19 October 2021 by Alan Sutherland

Last week Thai authorities announced a number of changes to the insurance requirements for foreigners applying for the Non-immigrant O-A (Long Stay) retirement visa. It seems some of the details are still being worked through, but most Thai Embassies have already begun implementing these changes (effective 1st October 2021) and many insurance companies in Thailand have already started updating their existing policies and developing new products in order to meet these requirements.

These rules differ depending on whether you are applying from your home country or whether you are already in Thailand renewing your visa. However, all foreigners applying for their first O-A retirement visa from overseas are now required to meet these new requirements. The new rules require applicants to maintain a health insurance policy that covers all kinds of medical treatment (both in-house patient and out-patient) including COVID-19 related treatment, with a minimum coverage of 3,000,000 THB, during the entire period of stay in Thailand. It seems the previous requirement to have Outpatient coverage of not less than 40,000 THB has either been upgraded or removed (This is a developing story – To be advised).

Foreigners currently residing in Thailand on an O-A retirement visa will be permitted to extend their visa under the old guidelines until the 31st of August 2022 (an insurance policy of 400,000 THB Inpatient coverage (including outpatient coverage of 40,000 THB). However, commencing 1st September 2022 onwards, ALL Long Stay Visa holders will be required to move to the new criteria – an insurance policy that provides 3 million THB Inpatient coverage which includes all kinds of medical treatment (both in-house patient and out-patient) including COVID-19.

At this stage, the easiest and most affordable solution for retirees applying from overseas is the LUMA Travel Pass. This plan already meets these minimum requirements and can be purchased online in 5 mins by any person aged 1-75 years of age. Although this insurance cannot be extended beyond 12 months this product is very affordable and offers a very convenient and accessible method to meet these requirements. Please see the following link…

Thai Travel Insurance – COVID insurance for expats traveling to Thailand

For persons already in Thailand and for persons 75 years and over, we offer a wide range of immigration compliant insurance products payable on an annual or monthly basis. These products come from a wide range of recognised companies including AETNA, AXA, April, Cigna, LMG, LUMA, Pacific Cross and Regency for Expats. Regardless of your age or health status, we offer a wide array of insurance options for families and retirees visiting or moving to Thailand.

Please contact Thai Expat Club / Health if you have any questions or require any further information regarding retirement or travel insurance for Thailand.

Telephone or WhatsApp +6689-897-9435

Website: https://thaiexpatclub.com/

Additional Links:

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this report has been obtained from sources believed to be accurate and reliable. However, Thai Expat Club makes no representation as to the accuracy and completeness of such information. Information and opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. In particular, Thai Expat Club does not guarantee the accuracy of information related to immigration processes and requirements in this report nor do we accept any liability for any loss or damage of any kind arising out of the use of such information or opinions in this report. Readers are advised to do their own research before making decisions relating to visa transfers and migration to Thailand. All rights are reserved.
This report may not be reproduced, distributed or published by any person in any manner for any purpose without the permission of Thai Expat Club

Filed Under: Insurance, Retirees Tagged With: Certificate of Health Insurance, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Health, Luma Thailand Pass, Retirees, Thailand, Travel insurance

COVID-19 Insurance for Phuket Sandbox and Samui Plus within mins – AXA Sawasdee Thailand

21 July 2021 by Alan Sutherland

Three of the most common questions received from foreigners over the past few weeks are:

  1. What is the Phuket Sandbox program?
  2. What are the entry requirements for foreigners traveling to Phuket under the program?
  3. Where can I get COVID-19 insurance for the Phuket sandbox?

Q. What is the Phuket Sandbox program?

A. Launched on July 1, 2021, the Phuket Sandbox program allows fully vaccinated foreign and Thai travelers to enter Thailand without quarantine. Although they do not have to quarantine in the hotel, they must remain in Phuket for the first 2 weeks. After that time they are free to travel as they please.  A similar program has since been established for Samui Island (called the Samui Plus program).  After the first 3 days, visitors are allowed to travel on “sealed routes” as long as they travel with service operators that have received approval under the Samui Plus scheme. The Samui Plus model includes the islands Koh Samui, Koh Phangan & Koh Tao.   If they test negative in their third test, which is taken on day 12 or day 13 of their arrival, they can travel to other provinces after completing the 14-day Samui Plus program.  

To be eligible for the Phuket Sandbox or Samui Plus program foreign travelers must travel from countries/regions with a low to medium risk of COVID-19 as announced and constantly updated by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH). They must also have already stayed in the said countries/regions no less than 21 days before the travel date.  International travelers must have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 no less than 14 days before the travel date.

Both the Phuket Sandbox or Samui Plus programs have been established by the Thai authorities in an effort to reopen the country for International Tourists. Other similar programs are set to follow.

Q: What are the entry requirements for foreigners traveling to Phuket or Samui under these programs?

A: Visitors should make sure they have covered all the necessary requirements and have all the required documentation. This includes:

  • A passport with at least six months validity;
  • Have been in a Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) approved country for 21 days or more;
  • Been fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) or the World Health Organisation (WHO);
  • Have booked and purchased return air travel;
  • Have booked and paid for accommodation, and required RT-PCR test/s at an SHA Plus hotel;
  • Have purchased medical insurance with COVID-19 treatment coverage of at least US$100,000;
  • Have tested negative for COVID-19 no longer than 72 hours before travel.

Q: Where can I get COVID 19 Insurance for the Phuket Sandbox ( or Samui Plus) program?

A:  In order to enter Thailand under either of these programs you’ll need to secure COVID-19 Insurance that meets the requirements of the Thai authorities which includes:

  • Coverage of up to THB 3.5 million (equivalent to at least USD $100,000) for medical expenses due to injury or sickness including COVID-19
  • The insurance policy must cover the length of your stay in Thailand. It can be 60 days, 90 days, 6 months, or even 12 months.

Note: You must ensure that you retain the certificate of insurance, to prove that you have the required coverage.  Without it, you will not be granted entry into the country. Also, note that this policy will be in addition to any general health insurance policy that you may need to obtain your visa or retirement extensions.

To purchase the correct COVID Insurance and receive the certificate within minutes, please check this page.

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Thai Expat Health makes it EASY for foreigners to obtain the certificate of insurance required to meet the Thai government’s entry requirement (insurance covering all medical expenses including COVID-19 and worth at least 100,000 USD). We have assisted many clients to receive their certificate of insurance in the FASTEST possible time with a MINIMUM of fuss. Our service is provided FREE of charge and you benefit from our personalized help and experience. 

Please contact Thai Expat Club / Health if you have any questions or require any further information

Telephone or WhatsApp +6689-897-9435

Website: https://thaiexpathealth.com/

Additional Links:

https://www.tatnews.org/2021/07/phuket-sandbox-faqs/

https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-thailand-pandemics-lifestyle-travel-36e1f45062ae6244c45bf88c997d4927

Filed Under: Insurance Tagged With: Certificate of Health Insurance, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Thailand, Travel insurance

Is now a good time to retire to Thailand (or should I wait for COVID-19 to be over)?

8 February 2021 by Brett Heath

One common question we receive from clients planning to retire to Thailand is whether or not “now” is a good time to travel and retire in Thailand, or should I wait until the pandemic is over. The answer is never a simple yes or no as each person comes from a different part of the world. Some clients are coming from the US, others are coming from the UK (including Eastern Europe), and a smaller number are from countries such as Australia.

To help, we thought it might be useful to put together a list of pros and cons received as feedback from overseas visitors arriving here in quarantine from those countries. Hopefully, the feedback we received will help guide your decision making and address any concerns you might have about traveling or not traveling to Thailand at this time.

Pros

  1. Thailand is recognized as #1 in Asia (and #2 behind Australia globally) as one of the best countries in the world for their response to the COVID-19 epidemic. The Thai government has reportedly managed to contain the virus much better than other countries and with very low death rates (Thailand Business News). Something to consider if concerned about Thailand’s management of the crisis.
  2. Visas are still available for tourists to travel or retire to Thailand. Many other neighboring countries such as Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia have either closed their borders to tourists or have very restricted entry. Latin American countries, such as Brazil, Ecuador, and Columbia, do not allow US tourists full stop. Unless you are a national from one of these countries, Thailand may be one of the few countries currently open to you as a foreigner seeking to retire.
  3. You currently do not need to have been vaccinated against COVID-19 to gain entry. This is likely to change soon given the likelihood that vaccination may well become a mandatory requirement to board an aircraft.  Whether or not it becomes a compulsory requirement in applying for a visa is yet to be seen. However, in terms of vaccination, it seems likely there will be more conditions placed on air travel in the future, rather than fewer restrictions.  Another reason why now might be a better time to travel than later.

Cons

  1. The paperwork.  Yes, there is a mound of paperwork and processes to go through including applying for a Certificate of Entry, Applying for Insurance, evidence of savings, evidence of income, booking a flight, negative COVID-19 test, and a doctor’s certificate 72 hrs before your flight. Communicating by email with the Thai embassy and all the different agencies involved is undoubtedly a challenge. This is unlikely to change in the short term and the introduction of the vaccine is only likely to add more paperwork in the future to what is already a time-consuming process. 
  2. You’ll miss the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine.  Yes, this may be so but recognize that the first people to be vaccinated in your country will be front-line health care workers, hotel quarantine staff, followed by people in aged care, the elderly, and others at risk. It may be another 12 months before the vaccine is offered to the general population. If you are delaying plans to travel to Thailand simply to ensure you are in the queue for the vaccine, then you may be in for a long wait. Also, it is entirely probable that once the vaccine is rolled out that you will be able to purchase the vaccine in Thailand (Thailand will start rolling out the first 50,000 doses of AstraZeneca for emergency use this month). It’s quite probable you may end up with better access to the vaccine in Thailand on a paid-for basis than what might be possible in your own country.
  3. Risk management (I could pick up COVID-19 on the journey). You may think that traveling is dangerous and it’s safer to remain in your home country for the time being. For now, staying indoors, wearing a mask, frequent handwashing, and distancing yourself from other people seems like the safest option. That may be true to some extent but it’s well known that transmission happens more easily in crowded indoor spaces with poor ventilation versus outdoors where the fresh air disperses the virus particles and people are more easily able to distance themselves from each other. If you’re in the US or the UK, you may be at a greater risk of exposure to the virus in your own country than being outdoors in Thailand.  It’s also important to realize that “you may leave your country behind but that doesn’t mean you also get to leave your fears behind.” To mitigate these risks you may choose to purchase a first-class ticket (for more personal space and less contact with other flyers and flight attendants who are attending to other passengers), stay at a more expensive hotel that provides a VIP taxi for one person from the airport, and find accommodation which allows 1 hour of outdoor activity each day by yourself, so as not to expose yourself to other travelers who could potentially be carrying the virus. It is agreed that now is not the time to travel to Thailand on the cheap but as pointed out earlier, Thailand is #1 in Asia for managing the COVID-19 epidemic and #2 in the world behind Australia so a high level of monitoring is provided once you enter the country, go through the airport and continue to quarantine. At least the risks can be mitigated and the price you are prepared to pay can reduce your exposure.  Whether or not you are prepared to pay more to mitigate the risks will differ greatly depending on your financial situation. This level of peace of mind may end up costing you more in the short term but this is unlikely to change soon. Not at least until a large percentage of the world has been vaccinated and worldwide travel returns to some kind of normality.

We recognize that whether you choose to retire to Thailand at this time or delay your plans until the world recovers from COVID-19 is very much a personal decision, but hopefully, the pros and cons laid out above have provided several key factors to consider. From someone on the ground, it seems quite clear that the likelihood of things returning to normal within the next 12 months is very small. Experts agree that it will be years before travel returns to anything near the normality it was in February 2020 when the virus first started to take its grip. 

Whatever you decide to do, you can count on Thai Expat Club/Health for help and support when it comes to getting the right health insurance plan to match your personal needs. 

If you have questions or require any further information, you can contact Thai Expat Club/Health by telephone or WhatsApp at +66 89-897-9435. 

Wishing you good health and safe travels.

Links:

https://www.thailand-business-news.com/health/79522-thailand-ranks-2nd-world-best-country-for-recovering-from-covid-19-epidemic.html
https://www.thailand-business-news.com/health/82409-thailand-approves-covid-19-astrazeneca-vaccine-for-emergency-use.html

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this report has been obtained from sources believed to be accurate and reliable. However, Thai Expat Club makes no representation as to the accuracy and completeness of such information nor do we accept any liability for any loss or damage of any kind arising out of the use of the information or opinions in this report. Information and opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. Readers are advised to do their own research before making decisions relating to travel to Thailand. All rights are reserved.

Filed Under: Insurance, Retirees Tagged With: Coronavirus, COVID-19, Health, Retirees, Thailand, Travel insurance

Applying for a Retirement Visa for Thailand during COVID-19

25 December 2020 by Alan Sutherland

If you’re reading this article, you’re most likely interested in traveling to Thailand over the COVID-19 period and wondering what visa option is best for you. Particularly if you’re considering applying for a retirement visa from your home country, then this is for you.

After visiting the Thai Embassy website, you will discover that there are a number of visa options available, including the standard ‘O’ category retirement visa for persons over 50 years of age. The requirements are pretty much the same as previously published except for one additional insurance requirement – applicants now need to have health insurance to cover a minimum of 100,000 USD which includes coverage for COVID-19. This is in addition to the previous requirement to have health insurance which includes a minimum 400,000 THB for Inpatient and 40,000 THB coverage for Outpatient visits.

Procedures for Non-Thai nationals who wish to obtain long stay visa (Non-Immigrant Category O-A)

One of the main issues is that if you apply for the retirement visa from your home country you will need to pay for 12 months of health insurance upfront to obtain an insurance policy that meets the above requirements. The process of obtaining insurance usually takes 10-14 days. You must then present your insurance coverage certificate to the Thai embassy in your home country in order to obtain the Certificate of Entry (COE). As well, you will need to have confirmed booking at an Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) Facility, and a booking on a repatriation flight which might not be available from your country for another month or so. Even then flights may be cancelled, and a new booking required after you have applied for your visa. All of this affects the amount of time your insurance policy remains valid after you have paid the premium and submitted the insurance certificate to the embassy to obtain your COE. The longer it takes for you to acquire the visa and COE in your home country, the less time you will have remaining on your insurance policy.

So, getting back to the question of whether it’s better to apply for an O-A retirement visa in your home country or after you arrive in Thailand. Provided you are 50-74 years of age, one option is to apply for a Tourist Visa from your home country first (60 days + 30 days extendable) or Special Tourist Visa (If available) then apply for the retirement visa after you arrive in Thailand.

For a Tourist Visa, you only need to have a 90-day travel insurance policy which you can easily purchase by going to our website https://thaitravelinsurance.com/travel-plans/. This policy (Luma Thailand Pass), for persons 1-74 years of age, includes cover for COVID-19 to $100,000 USD and meets the Thai government requirements for both the Tourist and Retirement visa. It can be issued in 5 minutes which is a huge advantage over other forms of insurance coverage. It is also well known to Thai Embassies and so is readily accepted.

Once in Thailand, you can apply for a 3-month non-O visa, then the 1-year retirement visa extension through any number of visa agents here. Also, once you have decided on the most appropriate visa for your extended stay, you are welcome to contact us again and purchase a full comprehensive in-country insurance policy (The Luma Thailand Pass cannot be extended) to cover the length of your new visa as required by the Thai government. It seems the government has relaxed on an earlier requirement to start the process of applying for a 90-day non-immigrant visa from a Thai embassy or consulate. I would encourage you to do your own research but the visa agents we discussed this option with, inform us that it is indeed possible.

Thai Expat Health makes it EASY for foreigners to obtain the certificate of insurance required to meet the Thai government’s entry requirement (insurance covering all medical expenses including COVID-19 and worth at least 100,000 USD). We have assisted many clients to receive their certificate of insurance in the FASTEST possible time with a MINIMUM of fuss. Our service is provided FREE of charge and you benefit from our personalized help and experience.
Note that there are a large number of applications in the system at the moment, so please submit your application early to avoid delays.

Contact Thai Expat Club/Health if you have any questions or require any further information

Telephone or WhatsApp +6689-897-9435

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this report has been obtained from sources believed to be accurate and reliable. However, Thai Expat Club makes no representation as to the accuracy and completeness of such information. Information and opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. In particular, Thai Expat Club does not guarantee the accuracy of information related to immigration processes and requirements in this report nor do we accept any liability for any loss or damage of any kind arising out of the use of such information or opinions in this report. Readers are advised to do their own research before making decisions relating to visa transfers and migration to Thailand. All rights are reserved.

This report may not be reproduced, distributed or published by any person in any manner for any purpose without the permission of Thai Expat Club.

Filed Under: Insurance, Retirees Tagged With: COVID-19, Insurance, Luma Thailand Pass, Retirees, Thailand

Covid-19 Insurance for Entering Thailand in 5 mins – Luma Thailand Pass

23 October 2020 by Brett Heath

Where can I get COVID insurance for Thailand instantly?
Thai Expat Club partnering with LUMA offers travel insurance plans designed to meet the health insurance requirements for visitors wanting to enter Thailand during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Applying is easy and a certificate can be provided in LESS THAN 5 MINUTES!
The coverage meets the minimum requirement for Alien to apply for Non-Immigrant Visa type O-A (Period not exceeding 1 Year) in accordance with the Cabinet Resolution, dated 2 April B.E. 2562 (2019) & in accordance with the minimum requirement for the Special Tourist Visa (STV).
The coverage is as follows :
  1. Outpatient Benefit – with a sum insured THB 3,500,000 / year/period of insurance or
  2. Inpatient Benefit – with a sum insured THB 3,500,000 / year/period of insurance
All plans offer:
  • Cover up to 3.5 million THB (equivalent to at least 100,000USD)
  • COVID-19 cover
A certificate will be provided to facilitate applications for the Certificate of Entry (CoE), as well as to present to relevant authorities when departing/arriving for Thailand.
Premiums start from 3,500 THB per policy.

Is it possible to buy this insurance for COVID-19 online?

Absolutely buying this policy online is easy.  Simply click the following link and follow the instructions. https:\\thaitravelinsurance.com

Filed Under: Insurance Tagged With: Certificate of Health Insurance, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Thailand, Travel insurance

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