Answered3 years ago

How can I obtain a medical visa extension in Thailand after knee surgery?

Medical Visa Extension METV Visa Rules Thailand Immigration Knee Replacement Surgery Rehabilitation Visa

Ron ********

asked Mar 27, 2024

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I have a few questions regarding getting a medical-based visa extension. 

I have studied on studied on the internet, but I can't seem to extract definitive information as it pertains to my situation. I would appreciate any thoughts you have to offer.

I am currently here on a 6 month METV. The 6 months period and my current visa stamp is due to expire on May 19th. 

It is my understanding that I can leave and return on a border bounce not long before May 19th and get another 60 day stamp even though the METV 6 month time-frame will have expired. That is true, correct?

That is all well and good, except I am due to get a double-knee replacement in Bangkok on April 21st. I have my doubts I would physically be up to doing a a border bounce only about 3.5 weeks after the surgeries. Especially since they are doing both knees at once.

I can get a letter from the hospital stating my medical treatment and a prescribed time after surgeries for recuperation and physical therapy. I would estimate that they would say 60 or 90 days after the surgeries. That would work for me.

My question is how exactly do I go about getting a medical visa extension? Just go to immigration with that letter and hope they grant me that extension from the date of the surgeries?

Another question is I would hope to be able to do it before the surgeries since I will not feel like traipsing around to immigration offices for quite some time after the surgeries.

One more question. Can I try to obtain the medical extension at the Jomtien immigration office, or do I have to do it in Bangkok since that is where the hospital is and where I will stay during recuperation. 

THANKS A BUNCH!!

Answer summary

The user is seeking guidance on obtaining a medical visa extension in Thailand due to a scheduled double-knee replacement surgery. They currently hold a 6-month METV set to expire on May 19th and are concerned about being unable to perform a border bounce shortly after their surgery. They inquire about the process for securing an extension based on medical grounds, including whether they can apply before the surgery and if they can do so at the Jomtien immigration office rather than in Bangkok.

5 repliesnewest first

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Brandon ************

No, you cannot get a new 60 day stamp if the visa has already expired. The VISA is what gives you 60 days. The stamp in your passport is merely your permission to stay in Thailand and has nothing to do with you leaving and returning. If your visa is expired, you cannot use it.

For a medical extension, you must prove that you physically cannot travel. Normally the hospital will have to be the one to request this because you are in no condition to even go to immigration. If you can go to immigration to apply for this extension, it will probably be denied because if you can go to immigration, you can get on a plane.

3 years ago

Ron ********

To be clear. if I had to, I would do the border bounce just BEFORE my visa expires. My understanding is as long as I do that in such a fashion with a METV, that I will get a 60 day stamp regardless of the 6 month expiration date. Then that would be my last possible use of the METV. In-effect getting about 8 months in-country on a 6 month METV.

In any case, I hope to not have to do a border bounce, but get a medical extension.

OK, I will further discuss the situation with my hospital. I had spoken with them before and they said they could only provide me with a form and a request that I need to take to immigration myself. Obviously if I go to immigration requesting said medical extension BEFORE the surgery, I can walk in. I just would like to have my medical visa extension arranged just before the surgery, not after.

THANKS!!

3 years ago

Henrik *****

Do the borderbounce before the visa expires and as close as possibel to the operation, then at least you know you are safe for 60 days.

Then the future will show if you are fit to travel after that, or you are sick enough to get a new visa on medical grounds.

3 years ago

Brandon ************

@Ron *******

As long as you enter Thailand by the date written on the visa, you will get a 60 day stamp each time you enter. Even if it's the last day.

3 years ago

Ron ********

@Brandon ***********

Right, that is my understanding. But considering my medical condition at the time, I would loath to do a border bounce. Heck, I loath to do them even in good condition! Ha Ha!

3 years ago