Can I apply for a visa extension in Thailand for medical reasons before overstaying?

Visa Extension Overstay Regulations Medical Visa Extension Thai Immigration Visa Renewal Process

Jun 6, 2024

5 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello, my visa extension is due to expire later this month. Unfortunately I may need surgery and likley aftercare that would cause me to overstay. Am I able to visit an immigration office with documentation confirming this prior to the overstay? Or would I just present this when I actually leave Thailand?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is seeking guidance on the possibility of obtaining a visa extension for medical reasons due to impending surgery and aftercare that may lead to overstaying. Responses highlight the need to apply for a medical extension before the visa expiration and provide details regarding the duration of medical extensions. The user also mentions their plan to meet with surgeons and consider border re-entry as an alternative.

Jabbar *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

My visa expires on the 20th. I'm meeting the surgeons next Tuesday to confirm everything. As I've already extended once, would they allow me to extend again? I may try to go the border and next week and re-enter on a visa exemption. Thank you for the advice

5 months ago

Ellie *******

@Jabbar ******

, tourism extension is only once per tourist entry (on visa-exempt or tourist visa). But medical reason is different and you can apply for it with proof.

5 months ago

Pam *****************

@Jabbar ******

if you have already extended once, you have to do a border bounce. The same day you can come back or soon after you exited.

If you want to try exending, (meaning not to do border bounce), you have to have certification from the hospital/doctor that explains why you need extension and cant go out of the country and show it to the immigration of the same city/province where the hospital is. They may extend you, they may not, depends on the officer. No harm in trying first. Or just do border bounce.

5 months ago

Jabbar *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Pam ****************

thanks. I'm on crutches and I'm not sure how that would look to the Thai immigration if I did a border bounce. Do you reckon that would matter?

5 months ago

Pam *****************

@Jabbar ******

better you try to extend first asap while you still have time for the other option in case you wont get the extension 🙏

5 months ago

Pam *****************

@Jabbar ******

if that's the case I believe you only need to get the certificate from the doctor specifying your condition etc and bring it to the immigration in the same province. That is a requirement. I tried it for my husband and the immigration in our place is kind however our hospital is in a different province so I was told to go to the immigration there and said he cannot guarantee if it will be approved there. Says it depends to them. 🙏

5 months ago

Reply to

Pam *****************

John **********

@Jabbar ******

speak to the surgeons next week and see what they say but given you currently seem to be fit to travel I don't see why they would support a medical extension. These are really for emergency situations not for someone electing to undergo a procedure. If they will support it immigration may or may not grant it, but if they do it will likely be from the date you apply

5 months ago

Jabbar *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

I have an achilles rupture. I am now high risk of getting a blood clot if I fly.

5 months ago

Reply to

Jabbar *******

Ellie *******

You talk with your hospital and doctor to see whether they are able to prepare documents for you to apply for an extension for medical reasons. You need to apply for this extension BEFORE you go on overstay. Once you are on overstay even a day, you cannot apply for a medical extension.

Medical extension is 30-90 days depending on the doctor's directions.

Otherwise, you have no choice other than to overstay and pay the fine when you leave Thailand.

5 months ago

Reply to

Ellie *******

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