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Can mental health treatment qualify for a DTV visa in Thailand?

Jan 15, 2026
3 months ago
Hi everyone, I’m asking on behalf of my partner (he doesn’t use social media) and would really appreciate any experience sharing 🙏

1. Does mental health counseling / psychiatric treatment count as a valid medical reason for a DTV (medical soft power)?

2. Usually, is a licensed clinic or counseling center acceptable, or does it need to be a hospital?

3. Any recommended mental health clinics or hospitals in Chiang Mai that can issue English medical documents?

We’re planning to apply through the Thai Consulate in New York. If anyone has experience applying there under the medical category, insights would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion focuses on whether mental health counseling qualifies as a valid medical reason for applying for a DTV (medical soft power) in Thailand. It emphasizes the importance of consulting with the specific Thai consulate regarding requirements, with varied opinions on whether a licensed clinic suffices or if a hospital is necessary. Recommendations for mental health clinics, particularly Ingjai Clinic in Chiang Mai, are provided, along with personal experiences related to document preparation and the application process.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Anonymous ******************
I have medical DTV. I recommend writing a thorough, heartfelt and respectful cover letter detailing why you are choosing this treatment in Thailand.

Even better if you’ve already received treatment within Thailand and have drs recommendations or appointments on the books.

My treatment is not mental health but it’s needing to see a specialist every 4-6 months. So I didn’t need to be seeing a dr every week in order to get approved. I did have previous blood work done and a follow up appointment scheduled for after I would apply for the DTV. I was staying in Thailand prior to applying for the visa so it was easy for me to get the blood work and schedule the follow up appointment.

My DTV was approved in March 2025. Things may have changed since then.

I recommend looking into booking a zoom appointment / consult (many you pay a fee and that can be beginning proof of treatment in your portfolio) and seeing if you can book treatment with confirmation email to use in your application. They may make you pay ahead of time though. I had to pay for a special signature on an official letter that simply stated my appointment to the follow up and not that I was taking on a treatment plan.

Hope this helps! Also I post anonymously because I don’t want people in my business- for whoever decides that my anonymous feedback is made up or whatever. Good luck!
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Kody *****
Anonymous participant 655 Hey, I'm also trying to get through medical soft power. If you don't mind msging me privately, would you be willing to share what kind of documents you needed to provide from the clinic?
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Anonymous ******************
@Kody ****
hi, all I provided were receipts for the zoom consult and blood work up, as well the clinic wrote a letter saying I would be coming back to the blood work follow up/scheduled appointment.

The clinic would not say I would become a long term patient yet because we needed the results to determine the course of treatment.

They gave some special signature that I payed an extra 2k bhat for. But the main Dr was not in and they had to get approval from the bigger clinic in BKK at the time. I don’t know that I would have been charged if the main Dr had been there. So that bit is a mystery.

That was it plus my personal letter stating my intentions of treatment and why I wanted to do this in Thailand. 🇹🇭 hope that helps!
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Anonymous ******************
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Kurt *************
Some embassies accept clinics but hospital is always better.

Your partner will need to visit hospital and start treatment before applying for the visa. And the hospital need to give a minimum of 6 months treatment plan and some appointments.
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Andi ***********
1.You should contact NYC as there is no blanket rule.They will let you know if they approve.

2. It is embassy specific, ask NYC.
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andi **********
Thanks! We actually sent an email to ask NYC embassy, not no reply from them yet.
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Andi ***********
Anonymous participant Ok, hopefully you hear soon.
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Andi ***********
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Anonymous ******************
I considered going this route too but decided against it. I just don’t like the idea of sharing mental health reports with the government.

However, I can recommend Ingjai Clinic in Chiang Mai. It’s a private clinic with an MD (psychiatrist) along with therapists. The doctor studied in the U.S. and has plenty of foreign clients.

I spoke with him about the DTV and he was willing to provide whatever documents to support the application.

I ended up getting approved for soft power medical for something else through Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai (a big well known private hospital).
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Anonymous participant 821 Thank you for sharing your experience! We are actually considering Ingjai Clinic due to so many good reviews and recommendations, just not sure if clinic is acceptable. I guess we will have to confirm with the NYC consulate first, but knowing that the doctor is willing to provide documents is helpful!
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Anonymous *************
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OptimisticB************
I don't know exactly but from what I know it's not a good idea
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OptimisticB************
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