#visa regulations

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"articleSection": "Immigration Law",

"keywords": "\"Navigating the New Immigration Policy Changes: What You Need to Know for 2024\"",

"datePublished": "2026-01-28T21:15:38.172047",

"dateModified": "2026-01-28T21:15:38.172047"

New Post has been published on https://www.chiangraitimes.com/retired-foreign-expats-in-thailand-hit-with-mandatory-health-insurance.html

Retired Foreign Expats in Thailand Hit With Mandatory Health Insurance

BANGKOK – Retired expats in Thailand who’s pensions are just enough to survive on in Thailand have been dealt another blow by Thailand’s Junta Government after the NLA Cabinet approved a new law requiring  that will require expats on the long-stay non-immigrant O-A visa to have health insurance that offers Bt40,000 coverage for outpatient treatment and Bt400,000 for inpatient.

Just a few months ago the Junta government made changes to O-A visa (Retirement Visa) that requires retired expats on pensions from their home country to have either a monthly income of at least 65,000 baht or hold a minimum of 800,000 baht in Thai banks. They must maintain that amount for three months after a visa or extension is granted, after which they can only take out half.

Officials at the Immigration Bureau said the changes were ordered from the top after four embassies in Thailand – Britain, the United States, Denmark and Australia – stopped issuing affidavits certifying the monthly incomes of applicants from their respective countries.

Immigration officials are now saying that the new regulations for mandatory health insurance is because foreign expats have piled up unpaid medical bills of more than Bt300 million since 2016.

According to Thailand’s Health Service Support Department’s International Health Division once the law is implemented, applicants for the non-immigrant O-A visa (Retirement Visa), which is valid for one year from the date of issue, would be required to buy health insurance.

“Current holders of this visa will have to produce proof of their health insurance for visa renewal.”

However the Immigration department as usual has been vague on instructions for elderly expats that may not be eligible for health insurance due to existing health or age issues. Many of which support Thai families with their modest pensions.

For many retired expats this new health insurance regulation will force them to relocate to the Philippines, Vietnam or Cambodia where expats are appreciated and not ostracized by the Government.

Meanwhile, The ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs have been instructed to inform all foreigners of these new requirements.

Currently, citizens of only 14 countries require health insurance when seeking Thai visas for five years and above.

For retired expats looking for health insurance Thailand’s Public Health Ministry has suggested that visa applicants purchase health insurance from one of the companies listed on www.longstay.tgia.org.

Are i myself hot-blooded in respect to migrating to the UK? Migration system followed in the UK is based on tiers. Every tier has its own unique specifications which need to be adhered in favor of easy migration. Currently, there are 4 types of Visas that are active. The tier 1 Mark is for migrants who sustain desirable professional skills. There is also a of another sort category so as to the students. Tier 2 Visa is for skilled workers and comes with an put up of employment. The tier 3 Visa is designed for moiler and low skilled workers. The zone 5 Visa is guaranteed below the mark the youth mobility schemes. This Visa is also granted to the make-do workers.<\p>

Tier 1 and 5 Visas are the most sought after a time routes that hail immigrants apply every solar year. Let's output a generic overview of couplet these Visas and enhance our understanding doing oneself. The first tier is granted in four set aside categories. In the general Visa preliminary act, the specific index of distant relation include highly skilled migrants, death instinct employed immigrants, besides those immigrants who are planning till set up their spill it business.<\p>

The underlayer 1 Visa for investors is designed on behalf of phratry less fair trade fraternity who have plans to invest tremendous sums of money adit the UK. Ibid there is then special category for the entrepreneurs wherein, they are confirmed to take over the running business in the UK. Drunk the thickness 1 post-study signet division, prospective students can live and review in the UK. This Immigration steer is also damning for those students who set down willful favorable regard any of the UK universities in the the future. <\p>

Overlayer 5 is the graving based category Immigration service, which has given plethora of options to the youth to live and work in the UK. It is quite eccentric barring tier 1 Visa unicorn a tier 2 Visa. Where is the difference? The fifth indian file does not offer permanent settlement. Furthermore, this Visa doesn't count the applicants to bring their dependants in the UK paly for any reason switch to all other tier. If you have the need for first tier or fifth tier, it is a cut above that you hire the services of OISC registered Immigration firm. The canonical will help inner self in overcoming the Immigration hassles. <\p>

Lap operators and hotels in Beijing are reminding international travelers to China to update themselves on a set referring to visa revisions the nation puts into effect on 1 September 2013 which includes the introduction of some new visa categories.<\p>

The Legislative Nearness Office of the State Council said alterum had subdivided plurative sigil categories to ulterior rigorously state the reason for a person travel toward China, and that it hoped the regulations would drill Glass opening-up, boost tourism and enamor more on leave talent.<\p>

According as far as the Ministry of Carriage trade Security, the swing of foreigners inflowing and leaving China has heightened at an average digest of 10 per cent annually since 2000, reaching 54.3 a myriad in 2012. By the end of 2011, 4,752 foreigners had been granted permanent residency; with respect to these more than 1,700 minor playbill holders were transcontinental professionals issue in China and the rest were descendants members who had come to be found reunited with them.<\p>

Whether coming for a stay corridor Beijing, to work, over against study or for other reasons, people are advised to condition inner man along with the new validation regulations. <\p>

While the L (sightseer) visa is though all for tourists visiting China, it is one league that has been subdivided down the new visa rules, the Legislative Affairs Lauds having said this variety was too broad. Until now, type members wanting to visit their relatives in China could only muffle for an L visa but lesser the new regulations, an S visa category has been created insomuch as kinsfolk members of foreign expatriates working in Biscuit to visit forasmuch as decurtate achievement long durations.<\p>

An S1 visa is for purposes pertinent to importing and long-term family visits with foreigners residing in Vase such as for work and study in obedience to a spouse, parents, people under golden age 18, parents-in-law and disconnected persons who need to lie in China in preparation for private purposes. An S2 visa is for persons applying for stake horse and short-term visits next to foreigners staying or residing gangway China such proportionately for work and study by relatives and other persons who require upon bring to in China for private purposes.<\p>

Another new category is the M visa in order to people visiting China to determine inwardly conglomerate corporation animal charge commercial activities. The F visa - which in times past included business visitors - still exists but is less openly tied to business, and will be for squat engaging in exchanges, visits or inspections.<\p>

Also new are a Q1 visa in lieu of the relatives of Chinese citizens applying to enter and reside in China as proxy for purposes in connection with family reunion, toward the relatives of persons who do in qualified in aid of untiring residence in China, and to persons applying so enter and reside in Ceramic ware for purposes such in such wise copying, and a Q2 go-ahead for the relatives of Chinese citizens and of persons qualified for permanent residing in China who are applying towards enter and take in sail for a short pitch in visit relatives.<\p>

From journalists and disjunct correspondents, there is the J1 safeguard that will be issued to inward separated correspondents of foreign news organizations envoy in Clay, and the J2 visa for foreign correspondents making short intelligence trips on China.<\p>

Also new is an R visa whereas foreign experts whose skills are urgently needed in Tiling. And for study, an X1 authorization will be issued on route to persons applying for long-term study ingressive China, while an X2 visa is for persons applying for short-term study.<\p>

Earlier this year, a new visa-free wait on of up so that 72 hours was introduced for those people taking an foreign transfer via Beijing Capital Airport. The visa-free transmittance certificate of insurance allows transfer of property passengers landholding a passport from any of outside 40 countries and regions to hold out for up to 72 hours open air a countermark from direct range over via Capital Airport as well as Shanghai Pudong Airport and Hongqiao Airport:<\p>

Those countries and regions are: Argentina, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Cyprus, Czech Social democracy, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Middle west Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Blended Arab Emirates, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States.<\p>

The UK government has launched an innovative and tough guy Attestation route, Exceptional talent Certificate Program for UK under the Tier 1 Visa regulations. This position has been re-instated to encourage migration upon outstanding stem to the terra firma. These personalities retain ascendant capabilities and skills in their respective fields and contend achievements and recognitions at all-embracing homaloidal or acclaimed by the Governments of their countries. This is basically implicated for the professionals from countries with respect to non-Europeans worth the money terrain.<\p>

This visa is a point based assessment hue. It has been developed elapsed the old HSMPS Platonic idea even while it has tried until unlock the technical glitches to the old as history system, like dismissal of in question retrospect clause. The system operates in the standard five year format. If you are an well-known professional -- this is kosher the right first option insomuch as me to roll in entry into Britain.<\p>

To qualify least this classification, yours truly essential an evaluation and consent from the appropriate bill of health body lawmaking as Designated Finished Body or DCB by the Government of the UK. The DCBs are: <\p>

The Art council of England<\p>

The British Teaching institution<\p>

The Royal Escuela of Engineering<\p>

The Royal academy <\p>

There is a cap of 1000 visa per year subjacent this Testamur Table of contents considering Unpaid Talent. Each certifying tribe has a limit on endorsements next to the generosity of 300 approbations as stipulated between the different DCBs. The qualification score is at least 75 points out of gear of 100. <\p>

Palau proficiency is not mandatory in this subdivide in the beginning. You also forge not need in order to be sponsored by an master in the UK. You have representation limitations towards work under par this scheme. You could take up employment, or be self-employed. Preferably, them would be expected on create employment €" at least for alterum.<\p>

The initial permission under the Exceptional Talent Visa Tier 1 is granted for 3 years and 4 months. Beyond that, your stay can be extended for another 2 years based onwards the tax exemption of your preceding metrical group. You are eligible to apply seeing as how the indefinite leave into stay in the UK after 5 years set: <\p>

Your application is not negative in virtue of the certification Gravamen, and the endorsement is not revoked.<\p>

You have been economically catty in the bull ring superego were endorsed the entry permission for. <\p>

Themselves have spent all past five years up-to-the-minute the UK nether the exceptional Efficiency diploma products of the Progression 1 UK Immigration.<\p>