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Are there exemptions for the AO visa medical tests when applying from Australia?
AO visaNon-O visahealth testsvisa applicationThailand immigrationexpats in Thailandpet travelvisa extension
Jan 27, 2026
3 months ago
Justin *********
ORIGINAL POSTERHi Team,
I am trying to apply for AO visa from Australia the information on the embassy website states i need tests for a list of prohibited diseases. I have had the blood test done however they do not test for leprosy and elephantitus in Australia. Has anyone had this problem? Is there an exemption for this coming from Australia? Any help here would be greatly appreciated.
I am trying to apply for AO visa from Australia the information on the embassy website states i need tests for a list of prohibited diseases. I have had the blood test done however they do not test for leprosy and elephantitus in Australia. Has anyone had this problem? Is there an exemption for this coming from Australia? Any help here would be greatly appreciated.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is facing challenges with the AO visa application due to the unavailability of specific medical tests for diseases like leprosy and elephantitis in Australia. Community responses indicate that exemptions for these tests do not exist, and many recommend applying for the Non-O visa instead, which has fewer health requirements and allows for easier extension without needing to perform unnecessary tests.
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Ant ***********
Apply for a Non-O
Instead of an OA
Instead of an OA
Nev ********
Just print the form and fill it out and get your doctor to sign it. We didn’t require any blood tests.
Aussiehaved************
Visa for you and your partner are not usually difficult, non O is best and cheapest option, your doctor does not need blood test to sign medical report.You must be in Australia when you apply.
I am not sure if you and you little dog are all still in Australia, but if so, I think the your dog will be your biggest cost and administrative issue.
The cost of transporting a dog out is if you fly him/her cargo, but does require alot of paperwork and time ( and rabies vaccine).
The big expense will be returning your dog back to Australia. Return transport plus compulsory quaranteine in Melbourne ( the only facility in Australia), usually well over $
We are retired, and have our beautiful dog with us, but do not intend to return home permanently until he passes.
I am not sure if you and you little dog are all still in Australia, but if so, I think the your dog will be your biggest cost and administrative issue.
The cost of transporting a dog out is if you fly him/her cargo, but does require alot of paperwork and time ( and rabies vaccine).
The big expense will be returning your dog back to Australia. Return transport plus compulsory quaranteine in Melbourne ( the only facility in Australia), usually well over $
*****
aus.We are retired, and have our beautiful dog with us, but do not intend to return home permanently until he passes.
Rob **********
Just get your local GP to sign the form, there are no tests to be performed.
Atrustwor*********
My GP just signed it no tests done
David ***********
I have applied for a Non O visa. Less mucking around. And extend when in Thailand
Justin *********
ORIGINAL POSTERDavid Hawkswell hi David, I am just looking for the easiest way to get a long term visa as we are bringing our dog and dont want to risk being deported. We can meet the financial requirment of both having 800,000 baht in our accounts if this helps.
David ***********
Justin Maxwell . If you got money , anything can be done with a visa agent
Atrustwor*********
Justin Maxwell you could consider the OX visa that gives you multiple entry for 5 years
Reply to
Atrustwor*********
Reply
Lynnette *******
David Hawkswell maybe they don't want to have a Thai bank account so going down this route with the very basic, compulsory, thai health insurance.
Justin *********
ORIGINAL POSTERHi Lynnette, my wife and I want to spend a couple of years in Thailand at least. We are also bringing our little dog with us. I am looking for the easiest way to stay without having to do border runs all the time. What do you suggest.
Lynnette *******
Justin Maxwell one way is non O from home country. Enter. Open bank account asap and deposit the 800,000 tbt. Then get the 12 month extension ( can extend this every year ). No border runs required.
You can buy a reentry permit so can come and go if you want. Take trips etc.
Non OA doesn't require Thai bank account.
But if only for couple of years, how would you take dog home?
You can buy a reentry permit so can come and go if you want. Take trips etc.
Non OA doesn't require Thai bank account.
But if only for couple of years, how would you take dog home?
Marty *********
Lynnette Munoz The OA does require a Thai bank account once you start getting 1 year extensions of the OA.
Graham ******
Marty Pollard The OP was originally talking of staying a couple of years which would not need a Non-OA extension and no bank account if planned properly
Justin *********
ORIGINAL POSTERHi Lynnette, Our little doggo is old and it will probably be a one way trip for him unfortunately. When i say a couple of years it could be up to six years as we don't want to put him through the whole Australian quarantine business. This is a long term move for us.
Lynnette *******
Justin Maxwell ah.. bless you for including him in your plans. The Non-O is valid for. 9 months to use it to enter. Then gives you a 90 day stay that you can extend for 12 months by meeting the requirements. The first think is to get the bank account set up. Because the money needs to "season" once deposited so you can do the 12 months extension of stay. It's an extension you can do every year by meeting the requirements from your immigration office.
Graham ******
Lynnette Munoz Non-O is valid for 90 days from date of issue [typo I guess]
Reply to
Graham ******
Reply
Stephen ********
If you have a regular GP, he/she will sign it. They know your medical history so it's no drama. And you can get it done on Medicare. I know in America, doctors will charge hundreds of dollars, but realistically it's all bs
Brandon ************
No, there are no exemptions. You either have the form or you don't get the visa.
Is there a specific reason you are applying for the OA visa? Most people want the non-O visa which has none of these requirements, just proof of finances.
Is there a specific reason you are applying for the OA visa? Most people want the non-O visa which has none of these requirements, just proof of finances.
Justin *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
Is the non-o easy to extend? We want to stay for a couple of years at least without having to do border runs as we are bringing a small dog with us.Brandon ************
@Justin ********
The extension is the exact same as the non-OA. Except the non-OA has mandatory insurance for every extension, and the non-O does not. That's why most people get the non-O, they don't want to have to purchase the specific OA insurance policy from the approved list of Thai insurance carriers.Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
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