Answered5 years ago
How can I extend my visa in Thailand due to a medical condition when I cannot go to immigration myself?
Hello all, I hope someone can advise me.
I was on a work permit with visa but during this time I was diagnosed with a serious bacterial respiratory infection, and I've been under care of doctors in the Thai hospital system since then. While ill, the company suffered financial problems and my visa expired. I thought I had longer, but due to illness I had made a mistake about that, and no one from the company ever contacted me about it.
So now I am trying to get an extension based on medical treatment. Currently I cannot fly out of the country as I can't breathe well or be away from supplemental oxygen very long, and I'm still under a doctor's care and taking powerful meds that can't be interrupted.
From what I understand, this should be manageable with a Dr's statement as long as it's still less than 90 days. My Dr has signed a statement that I'm under care and need supplemental oxygen and medication. It doesn't explicitly say I can't travel so I'm a little concerned about that but I hope that would be obvious. I also have my medical history documented between three hospitals now.
With all of this, I am not sure exactly what I need to do or who can help me with it. I can pay an overstay fine if need be, but I can't easily go to immigration myself because of my general condition and the need for oxygen. To be honest I'm also kind of nervous to think of going alone, in case something didn't work out and I was detained. In that case, I'd rather know there is still a problem and have a chance to prepare the next plan, because I honestly don't know what would happen to me if I were tossed in a detention center, unable to breathe and without proper care at this juncture.
I gather that someone else can probably go to immigration in my place for me, but I don't know anyone personally that can go. I tried to talk with a few places that advertise visa services, but one quoted extremely high prices and the other never got back to me with anything useful even after I spoke with them twice.
Does anyone here have any advice or can refer anyone that might be able to help?
Thank you
I was on a work permit with visa but during this time I was diagnosed with a serious bacterial respiratory infection, and I've been under care of doctors in the Thai hospital system since then. While ill, the company suffered financial problems and my visa expired. I thought I had longer, but due to illness I had made a mistake about that, and no one from the company ever contacted me about it.
So now I am trying to get an extension based on medical treatment. Currently I cannot fly out of the country as I can't breathe well or be away from supplemental oxygen very long, and I'm still under a doctor's care and taking powerful meds that can't be interrupted.
From what I understand, this should be manageable with a Dr's statement as long as it's still less than 90 days. My Dr has signed a statement that I'm under care and need supplemental oxygen and medication. It doesn't explicitly say I can't travel so I'm a little concerned about that but I hope that would be obvious. I also have my medical history documented between three hospitals now.
With all of this, I am not sure exactly what I need to do or who can help me with it. I can pay an overstay fine if need be, but I can't easily go to immigration myself because of my general condition and the need for oxygen. To be honest I'm also kind of nervous to think of going alone, in case something didn't work out and I was detained. In that case, I'd rather know there is still a problem and have a chance to prepare the next plan, because I honestly don't know what would happen to me if I were tossed in a detention center, unable to breathe and without proper care at this juncture.
I gather that someone else can probably go to immigration in my place for me, but I don't know anyone personally that can go. I tried to talk with a few places that advertise visa services, but one quoted extremely high prices and the other never got back to me with anything useful even after I spoke with them twice.
Does anyone here have any advice or can refer anyone that might be able to help?
Thank you
Answer summary
An expat in Thailand seeks guidance on extending their visa due to a serious medical condition preventing them from traveling. Their work permit expired while they were medically incapacitated, and they are concerned about their overstayed visa and potential encounters with immigration. Community responses suggest obtaining a doctor’s statement for an extension, utilizing hospital services for bureaucratic assistance, and possibly contacting the embassy for advice.
34 repliesnewest first
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Tammy ************
Are you in Bangkok? What nationality are you? Maybe I can help. If you have all your documentations ready and all you need is to have someone go to immigration. Just message me I am pretty sure I can find someone to do it for you.
Chris ******
OP@Tammy ***********
Thank you for the possibility. I will DM you. 
Louis ***********
Check your direct message please
Carlos *********
Medical visa
Wannikea *********
Possibly
@Tod ********
can give some perspective.
Mel ********
Assuming you are British, then try the embassy for advice.
Sam *********
People overstay visas all the time. Unless its willful , u will not go to detention. And no one from immi will go to ur hospital bed to arrest u.... U have the proof with ur hospital bill and ask for a doctor note explaining ur serious illness. That's all u need to show immi as a reason for ur overstay....
Chris ******
OPSal Sh Lee thank you. It'll work out, I'll keep working on it.
Chris ******
OP@Sal ********
thank you. I hope that's right, it's the kind of thing most people have been telling me. Though it's difficult for me to get out and go directly to immigration without oxygen. Perhaps I wasn't as clear as I could be. Part of the advice I'm asking is for reputable and trustworthy services that might act as an agent to go in my place with my documents, without charging the fees expected of a full attorney. Kool *******
If the doctor did not designate unable to fly then you can fly. If you are on overstay then you must leave, unless you are actually hospitalised.
Chris ******
OP@Kool ******
well, it's not that cut and dried. There have been lots of extensions given recently, especially regarding covid. I could probably get the Dr to reword it if necessary, but he said I can't be without oxygen, which isn't available on long overseas flights. In fact airlines do not provide this themselves at all, and certainly won't allow anyone to board who is clearly having trouble breathing even just standing in a line. And oxygen at high altitude is even thinner than on the ground.
Tod *********
@Chris *****
nope, totally cut and dried, you are now officially on overstay accruing a 500baht a day fine 😮 You need to pay that fine and then apply for a medical extension with the documentation from the hospital/treating physican. Now whether the hospital can do that for you or not is between you and the hospital. BUT keep in mind if you hit 90 days overstay you're going to get banned from thailand for a year (there's no negotiating on that) That's because medical extensions need to be applied for BEFORE you start overstaying, so figure out a way to get the overstay sorted and apply for the medical extension
Kool *******
@Chris *****
being on overstay negated lots of your options before you went on overstay. On airlines passengers provide their own oxygen with the small bottles. As far as immigration is concerned you were not in a comma so there is no acceptable reason for being on overstay. It is that simple. Insurance, that you should have, has medical repatriation clauses. Again, immigration is very heartless if you are on overstay, and not in a comma.Tod *********
@Chris *****
I'm not trying to be unsympathetic just relating how the rules are interpreted. I know someone who was in a serious accident and in medically induced coma when his visa expired, who accrued more than 90 days overstay and he was banned for a year and deported as soon as he could safely fly out. 😕 Chris ******
OP@Kool ******
Thank you, I appreciate that. Kool *******
@Chris *****
good luckChris ******
OP@Kool ******
Thank you, though you are not 100% correct in your perspective. I have spoken to immigration and know that an extension is possible, but as with most red tape things need to be done a specific way. That's what I'm trying to get sorted. I had insurance, but as I said I was employed and there were issues with the company. I have never tried to avoid doing anything or tried to get away with anything, it's just something unfortunate that happened. And yes, I was too sick to get up at all for a long time, and still not well. What you said about oxygen on planes isn't correct. You can't take oxygen bottles. Only specific models of portable battery operated concentrators are allowed, and with enough battery power X 1.5 duration off your total trip. These are not typically distributed here, and are also extremely expensive. I've done my research about this. And no airline will want to take responsibility of a passenger who literally can't breathe. Trust me it's obvious when you are collapsing and gasping for air. So there are cases for almost everything, nothing is black and white. I'm just asking for advice and particularly regarding visa services or 3rd party agents who might help in cases like this. Greg ********
There is a healthcare concierge service people link to in Bangkok forums. Maybe they could help? If I see the link will post it. The big private hospitals have their own people who deal with the whole thing but costs there will be heavy.
Chris ******
OP@Greg *******
I haven't seen services like that. If you find it I'll look into it. I see ads for all kinds of visa services aimed at tourists. I'm skeptical of these but I tried a few and one just wasted my time the other quoted ridiculous fees. But if anyone knows of a decent visa agency I imagine I need something like that. 
Baron *********
What hospital are you in? Even some of the less famous amongst expats have services. I have had friends at Sukhumvit Hospital and Thonburi use the hospital services to sort visas.
Greg ********
@Chris *****
This is the one i was thinking about. No idea of services but worth talking to them @https://www.facebook.co************************
Chris ******
OP@Greg *******
Thanks, I'll check it out. Greg ********
@Chris *****
The one I am thinking about is not a Visa Agency but Healthcare Concierge so will be better versed in the procedures in this case I would hope.
Dana *******
Ask your embassy...
Ruth *******
@Dana ******
excellent advice
Nathan ******
How long is your overstay?
Chris ******
OP@Nathan *****
Still less than 90 days. It becomes a major issue if more than that, so I'm trying to deal with it as timely as possible. 
John *********
@Chris *****
ask the hopitalNathan ******
@Chris *****
better contact your embassy. Chris ******
OP@Nathan *****
The embassy can't do anything directly, they don't get involved in visa issues. If I'm arrested they'll visit me but they can't legally represent people and don't provide proxy services. Bonnie *******
Is there an advocate at the hospital that can help?
Chris ******
OP@Bonnie ******
Not directly. I did get the statement from the Dr that I'm on oxygen and medication. I'm thinking this should be enough to get the extension but I can't go to immigration to handle it myself. Bonnie *******
@Chris *****
just that you have been in the hospital should be enough to get a medical visa. They will want to know how long you are going to be treated and that you can support yourself. You may not be able to work if you are here on a medical visa or rather if you don't have a work visaBonnie *******
@Chris *****
I would go to immigration and ask them to see you without waiting as you are too medically fragile to wait. If you are out of the hospital they will say you are well enough to meet with immigration. Activity
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