Insurance & COVID-19 entry requirements for 2023
After many frustrating entry requirements, compulsory insurance, PCR/ATK tests, the "sandbox" program, and the "Thailand Pass" scheme, we're finally getting back to normal.
As of 1st October 2022, all COVID-19 entry requirements were dropped. Your airline may ask you to wear a mask, but within Thailand, you are not required to wear a mask, have taken a vaccine, or have a negative test result. If you do catch covid, you will not be forced into a hospital (whose idea was that anyway?!).
There is still some misinformation and confusion online as to the status of entry requirements in Thailand, this is due to a plan to reintroduce a mandatory vaccine requirement for entry on the 9th of January 2023. After protests from the tourism industry, the plan was scrapped
These requirements are likely to continue changing. That’s the Thai way. We will keep this post as up-to-date as we possibly can. If you have any questions, you can ask in a comment below, contact us, or DM us on Facebook
Should I still purchase travel insurance that covers COVID-19?
Traveling with health or travel insurance is highly recommended, and there’s no reason it should not cover COVID-19.
Many travel insurance and travel medical insurance plans have exclusions for pandemics, but it’s been a few years and it’s quite straightforward to get covered for coronavirus within normal plans.
To find Thailand travel medical insurance policies that cover COVID-19, we recommend two different places to shop:
SquareMouth
SquareMouth is great for comparing different plans if you want to shop around. Input your details then use filters on the results page to find a policy.
On the left-hand side, tick the box for Coronavirus Coverage to see relevant policies.
World Nomads
World Nomads is the go-to choice for younger travelers as their insurance plans are comprehensive and tend to cover the most adventurous activities. Initially, their policies were not covering Coronavirus, but they are now, at least in the countries that we checked.
Check the World Nomads website and input your country (or US State) to get a quote and double-check that it meets the criteria.
For more information, see our complete guide to Thailand travel insurance.
Don longchamps
2 years ago
Hi need to go home (usa) I have a retirement o-visa current to March 2022. Expect to be in usa for 30-45 days and then return to my owned condo in rayong. Fully expect to go to phuket must I stay 14 days? How long should I plan for insurance on return? I purchased a covid insurance policy here locally with up to200,000 bhat coverage.
Travis
2 years ago
I received my COE. But noticed the date of departure from original point of departure is May 4th but my transit date is April 4th and arrival in kingdom April 5th. I can’t get a response back in this so I resubmitted it amd it came back same second time. Just not so why that date is a month later amd do t want problems last min . Does anyone know ? Thank you
Anne Gellie
2 years ago
I am planning to study in Thailand this January. Does embassy accept insurance for 180 days only? Because I am planning to get another insurance policy once i arrive at my university.
It’s better in Thailand
2 years ago
Hi Anne, it will depend on your visa. They want to see coverage for the whole initial period of your visa. If you get a standard Non-B visa that gets you an initial 90 days, then you should only need insurance for 90 days. With that said, every embassy and consulate interprets the rules differently, so you should definitely check with them about all the requirements.
christian paul a walckiers
2 years ago
i want to have insurance for covid 19
from Belgium date 28 december till 28 march 90 days
It’s better in Thailand
2 years ago
Hi Christian. We recommend people use the site SquareMouth to search. You can filter for policies that cover Covid, and that meet all the minimum coverage requirements. There are some well-priced options on there. Please do confirm with the Thai embassy in your country that any plan will meet their requirements as this can change from country to country. Good luck!
Emma
2 years ago
Does a Thai national who resides in UK but wants to return to Thailand for 3 months, have to take out Covid Insurance?
It’s better in Thailand
2 years ago
If entering on a Thai passport, we can’t see any reason why they would need to. Please do double-check that with the Thai embassy or consulate in the UK when you are applying for the certificate of entry.
Johnny Pequin
2 years ago
I have an O retirement visa that does not require me to have insurance that expires Feb 14. I also have a partner there and am registered at her house for 10 years. Based on that her and her daughter have multiple entry visas to Canada which I have copies of in Canada. My lawyer in Canada and Thailand holds my will listing her as beneficiary. I can verify that I support her with a letter from the bank. I am 74 and have a heart failure condition. I can pay for any treatment I may need at a Thai hospital but to get medical insurance for a tourist hospital would be extremely expensive. Would I be able to return with my o visa with Coronavirus insurance only before my retirement expires
It’s better in Thailand
2 years ago
Hi Johnny, you’ll have to ask your local Thai embassy or consulate.
William
2 years ago
Hi im in the process of getting my insurance for the stv visa. im 32 yo male from new Zealand (low risk country) do you know what would be the cheapest/most affordable insurance for the stv visa for my country?
Thankyou
It’s better in Thailand
2 years ago
Hi William, You should try a search on SquareMouth Keep in mind the requirements, $100,000 USD minimum for primary medical coverage, no exclusion for Covid-19, and coverage for outpatient treatment of no less than 40,000 baht and inpatient treatment of no less than 400,000 baht. Because the rules change often and are open to interpretation from each embassy, you should verify all of the requirements with your local Thai embassy or consulate before purchasing.
Paul
11 months ago
You actually have to check with Immigration in Thailand, not the embassy. Immigration explicitly contradicts the embassies and different rules apply AFTER the Thai embassy issues the visa. So embassies and consulates don’t matter–you have to go directly to Thai immigration for the ever-changing rules. Apparently embassies are just interpreters of the Immigration office, not actually the law on these matters. Which is horrible but true.
Karstein Hansen
2 years ago
I am 77 years old and have stayed 2 years in Thailand before with my Thai wife. Now we want to go back to Thailand. We live in Norway now. What insurance do I need for 1 year. I see that there are 3 different to choose between
It’s better in Thailand
2 years ago
Hi Karstein, You should try a search on SquareMouth. Keep in mind the requirements, $100,000 USD minimum for primary medical coverage, no exclusion for Covid-19, and coverage for outpatient treatment of no less than 40,000 baht and inpatient treatment of no less than 400,000 baht. SquareMouth lets you filter for policies that meet all these requirements.
Because the rules change often and are open to interpretation from each embassy, you should verify all of the requirements with the Norwegian – Thai embassy or consulate before purchasing.
Stephen Soul
2 years ago
Retirement visa holders A-O and A-X are now allowed to return according to the Thai Embassy website so you need to update here. The problem is the insurance is absurdly expensive and virtually impossible to obtain. In fact two policies are now required. This is also absurd. Generals may be good at running army’s where all are required to give or follow orders or to carry out coups at the point of a gun. It’s always going to be difficult for a General to be a Prime Minister if a population is unlikely to follow orders
Nigel Ancill
2 years ago
Hi All , I am in Vietnam but soon will leave to go home to my home and wife in thailand. im finding it really difficult to find a insurance broker for the covid 19 insurance for entry into Thailand.i see so many online ,but i fear that most of these are just normal life or travel insurance. Can anybody give any information for True Insurance companies offering this service. Thanks
It’s better in Thailand
2 years ago
Try the company we recommend above, SquareMouth. They only sell travel insurance, not life insurance. They have plans from 20 different providers, and their search functions allow you to tick the box to search only for plans that cover Covid-19, and to set a minimum threshold to only see plans that have the minimum cover of $100,000.
Adele
2 years ago
I really acquired a lot from this thanks
I actually have a question I wish to travel to my country for 2 weeks this November and to be back by the 3 week of November is that possible
It’s better in Thailand
2 years ago
It depends on what your visa situation is in Thailand. It may be possible if you are on a work permit, or a retirement or family visa. If the situation stays the same as now at that time, getting back in will be difficult as outlined above. Finding a flight could be difficult and expensive, you’d need insurance, you would have to do the 14 day quarantine.
Anthony Stanwell
3 years ago
Excellent article…well done.
I do have a question concerning medical insurance to cover Covid and up to $100.000 USD. We are Swiss and live in Switzerland. By law we all have medical insurance which covers us both in Switzerland and abroad. Coverage abroad is up to twice the amount payable in our home country. The only hic is that no insurance company here will put a value on a certificate. They will only certify that we are insured (I suppose they are afraid of being billed $100.000 USD for 1 bandaid or 1 injection). Any ideas on what to do ? The Swiss consulate in Bangkok has been of no help. Lastly where can the official insurance form be download please ? Keep up the good work
It’s better in Thailand
3 years ago
Hey Anthony, Hmmm that’s a tough question, I’m not really sure what the right answer is. Does your policy have a maximum coverage limit? It seems like if it has that, and also says that coverage abroad is up to 2x the amount at home, that might work. I think you should try contacting the Thai embassy in Switzerland to see what they say. This must be a common question if all Swiss are in the same boat. For the form, I think you should also ask the embassy in Switzerland about that, but there is a form you can download from the Los Angeles consulate website here https://thaiconsulatela.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Declaration-form-for-Non-Thai-nationals.pdf
Anthony Stanwell
2 years ago
Thanks ! I had already found this form on the net but it is only for Type O-A visas.
The Thai Embassy in Switzerland was of no help either ! So I am going to go back to our Swiss insurance company. Going over the form downloaded from the LA site they request “a sum insured of not less than xxxxx/year”. To me (and I suppose the insurance companies here) this seems somewhat strange…does it mean that nothing costs less than $100,000 ? I believe that this is where we will have a problem…sill try anyway…our other option is to officially leave Switzerland and therefore not pay Swiss insurance during our absence and take out in insurance in Thailand but wow is it ever expensive…more than in Switzerland. We will only require it for 6 months but apparently they only sell 12 month policies ! Any ideas would be much appreciated 🙂
It’s better in Thailand
2 years ago
I think “sum insured” is just an awkward way of saying insurance with a minimum coverage of $100,000 USD and no covid exclusions. It seems like it shouldn’t be too hard to get a policy statement from your insurance company showing that your coverage meets that criteria. If you really do need to buy supplemental insurance, you don’t need to buy a full year of it. You can buy travel insurance for the dates of your travel only, just make sure it covers Covid. The link in the article above is a pretty good broker website where you can search for plans that cover covid and meet the $100k minimum. https://www.squaremouth.com/22460 …But again, you should be fine with your regular insurance as long as you can get a clear policy statement.
Anthony Stanwell
2 years ago
Thanks so much…in the meantime anyone requiring Covid coverage with a $100,000 minimum can contact: http://www.covid19.tgia.org who will issue it…beware if you come from a high risk country the premium is double the normal…approx 12,000 bht for 180 days…high risk 24,000 bht. It can be purchased on line.
It’s better in Thailand
2 years ago
Thanks for that, that’s a good resource as they will cover people up to 99 years old, which most other plans will not do. Note though that it seems to be Coronavirus coverage only, so anyone buying this plan will need to buy additional coverage for normal illnesses and accidents, unless like you they already have that from their home country. Thanks Anthony and best of luck getting back into Thailand!
Anthony Edward Stanwell
2 years ago
Yes you are correct…it is coverage for COVID only…however I was given this broker who sells Luma/Tune packages with COVID and health insurance for 30, 60, 90, 180 and 1 year periods…its double http://www.covid19.tgia.org quoted me but it is a complete COVID/health package. The broker’s email: chalach@bsibroker.co.th
He was highly recommended by the managing director of AXA insurance who I know personally.
Jacobus van Schalkwijk
2 years ago
Okay, minimum coverage of $100,000 is easy. If it says a maximum of 250,000 you have surpassed the 100,000 requirement. Mine was 400,000 thus accepted as all good.
KLAUS HOLGER KUNERT
3 years ago
HELLO
I HAVE A FLIGTH ON DECEMBER 11 TO BANGKOK.
I WANT VISIT MY WIFE.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO FLY??
OR WHAT I HAVE TO DO THATS I CAN FLY??PLEASE
I WAIT FOR AN ANSWER
THANK YOU
BEST REGARDS MR.KUNERT
It’s better in Thailand
3 years ago
Hi, It might be possible. You need to contact the Thai Embassy in your country to ask them. Good luck!
JSThomas
3 years ago
Do you have a Non-O “marriage visa? Otherwise I think you’re out of luck
It's better in Thailand
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