Unanswered9 years ago
Can I use a medical certificate from a Thai doctor for my OA visa application in London?
At the moment I am planning on applying for an OA visa at the London embassy in November when I return home for a visit and vacation. I have been living in Thailand for 2 years and working as a Teacher with a B visa extension and work permit. I’m leaving my job hence the need for a new long term visa. I understand all the requirements for the paperwork etc except one thing. Can I submit my medical certificate that I can obtain from my Thai doctor here (I already had two for the teachers license applications)? This certificate cost me 200 baht. I spoke with my GP in the U.K., and if I have to get the same certificate from him he requires, x rays, blood tests etc and a private consultation fee (can’t be done on NHS) bringing fee to around £300! In addition the time for completing said tests and waiting for results is in excess of 1 week. I don’t have time or money to waste. I’d be grateful if anyone knows the answer (please no guesses). Contacting the U.K. Thai embassy to ask has so far proved impossible (no one answers the phone and e mails auto reply sending you to website, which doesn’t address question). Thanks for any help
Summary so far
The user is planning to apply for an OA visa at the Thai embassy in London but is seeking clarification on whether they can submit a medical certificate from a Thai doctor, as the UK GP charges significantly more for the required tests. Various comments discuss the challenges of obtaining the certificate from UK doctors and suggest alternative visa options if the medical certificate is not accepted. There are conflicting opinions about whether the medical certificate needs to be from the country of application—London—and whether a simpler form can be accepted.
33 repliesnewest first
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Stuart *********
OPI just need to find a doctor that’s willing. Mine isn’t and insists on doing all the tests. As do the other two I’ve contacted so far. If the doctor is being as meticulous as possible, you do actually need a chest X ray to confirm no TB, and then several blood tests for the other strange diseases. But as I’m aware, and as you said, a sensible and level headed doctor would just sign it and pocket the fee.
Martin *********
@Stuart ********
alright alright, I was only trying to help 🙄Stuart *********
OP@Martin ********
ok, you tell him to change his mind then. As I said the three GP’s I’ve asked so far won’t do it.Tod *********
Given the time constraints you're under (and the cost of doing the b/s medical testing for the O-A visa). I'd say your best bet would be to get a single entry tourist visa, come in, either transfer in 800K or get a letter from your consulate here stating you get 65K baht a month (or the equivalent) in income, go to the immigration office and apply for a 90 day Non-O visa. Then once you get that apply for the yearly extension of stay.
Stuart *********
OP@Tod ********
I only live 5 minutes from Phuket immigration I shall pop by and ask. Living here has taught me never to take anything for granted with respect to “rules”Tod *********
@Stuart ********
some immigration offices (Jomtien & Phuket in particular) were called on the carpet for wink-n-nod, say-no-more, back-handed Non-O's. :O they were stopped from issuing them for a while and all the people who wanted them had to come to bangkok to do it. Then they said you could apply at those places but the paperwork went to bangkok for approval, But I think now they're back to issuing them on their own.Stuart *********
OPThat’s looking more likely by the day. Until recently Phuket would not do it (had to go to BKK). But I’m told that theoretically all immigration offices have been told they should handle the paperwork now. Just a matter of seeing if Phuket complies 🤔
Stuart *********
OPCorrect me if I’m wrong but I think to get an O from London you must actually be in receipt of a pension (I’m. Not sadly) and over 55. I’m 52 😥. Yet another inconsistency across different Thai embassies around the world!
Ron *******
I believe the London requirement is being over 65 and in receipt of a state pension. Seems private pensions do not count.
Steve *******
@Stu***
. Yes I just checked the Hull website and it's the same, ie you need a state pension. It's a new policy, it wasnt like that about a month ago. Non imm O's were avaliable to over 50'sSteve *******
Tod. That's a big change in policy and a recent one if you cant get a non imm O based on being over 50 in the UK anymore.
Tod *********
@Steve ******
London doesn't even LIST you can get a 90 day Non-O based on being over 50 in their information on their website anymore. :/Stuart *********
OPSince a long time. If it was available I would have got one ages ago. You can even use Hull if you meet the criteria for an O.
Steve *******
@Stu***
, since when?Stuart *********
OPSteve Greir not in London sad to say, nor Penang.
Steve *******
You dont need a state pension for the O either and again it's 50 not 55
Stuart *********
OP@Steve ******
sorry yep you’re right, which is why I’m trying for the OA and not the O (55 and pension 🤓)Tod *********
@Stu***
, you're right, London has that goofy requirement for Non-O's based on retirement. :/Steve *******
You dont need to recieve a state pension and it's over 50 not 55 for the OA. If you do recieve a state pension you dont need to show any financials, just proof of your pension
Tod *********
Just pick up a 90 day single entry Non-O before you come back and then apply for the yearly extension of stay at an immigration office once you're here.
Stuart *********
OPThe same form here costs me £4.50 to complete and I used it twice already for a teaching license
Tod *********
don't confuse what is required at a thai consulate (which are all run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) with what is required inside thailand to get things done.
It's listed that the medical certificate and the back ground check hasta come from the country where you're applying for the Non-OA in :/
It's listed that the medical certificate and the back ground check hasta come from the country where you're applying for the Non-OA in :/
Tod *********
Actually you need a GP in the UK that has a modicum of common sense. There's a b/s form that you download and have him sign stating "to the best of his knowledge" you don't have any disease. It's accepted by the thai consulate in London. you don't need any x-rays, tests or anything.
Lemme see if I can find a copy of it. I downloaded it a while back.
Lemme see if I can find a copy of it. I downloaded it a while back.
Tod *********
@Stu***
, I think the test for elephantiasis is looking to see if you have an elephant leg :OStuart *********
OPI agree, I have spoken to two already.. so far they insist on all tests. I am not willing to pay or have them because as you rightly say it’s all complete bs anyway
Steve *******
Im pretty sure the medical and police certificate have to be from the country that you're applying in.
Steve *******
@T**
. I know but they'll have the info the OP needs, you can apply at Hull but they have to be approved by LondonTod *********
Hull can't issue year-long, multi-entry Non-OA visas, those are all done from London.
Helen **********
Liverpool are also very helpful.
Steve *******
@Stu***
Try giving Hull a call, they're pretty responsive and would be able to give you the answer.Stuart *********
OPIf that does turn out to be the case I don’t think I even have time to get one in the UK. I will have to get a tourist visa and try and convert to an O once here or do a visa run to get an O somewhere else 😥. Then do extension based on retirement here, or just give up trying to do it by the book and use an agent. It actually works out a lot cheaper
Stuart *********
OPThat’s what I fear (I have the police check already). Some other embassy websites do state that. However London is not specific.
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