Answered4 years ago

Is it easier to obtain a Medical Visa or a Tourist Visa for staying in Thailand longer as a visa-on-arrival applicant from Ethiopia?

Visa Options Medical Visa Tourist Visa Visa on Arrival Visa Application Process Thai Immigration

Chris *****

asked Sep 24, 2022

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Hi all, my wife is from a visa-on-arrival country (Ethiopia), but we'd like to stay longer than 30 days while the Elite or Smart-S is processed (tbd), and not have excess VOA history. We will be applying in Vientiane. She needs an operation, so we could get a letter for a Medical Visa, but hospital says Tourist Visa sufficient.

Are we more likely to get a Medical Visa than a Tourist Visa, or the same? I reckon VOA applicants are scrutinized more than visa exempt residents, and nervous that if a tourist application is refused a subsequent medical one might not look great, (although planning to get an initial operation consultation to show in case, as we're in BKK now, on a busy 15-day VOA). Thanks 🙏

Answer summary

A user is inquiring about the likelihood of obtaining a Medical Visa versus a Tourist Visa for their wife, who is from Ethiopia, and currently on a visa-on-arrival (VoA) in Thailand. They are concerned about their stay exceeding 30 days while waiting for other visa processes, and they want advice on which visa is more likely to be approved given their situation.

6 repliesnewest first

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Ryan ***********

No Ethiopian princess we have enough princess’s

4 years ago

Chris *****

I'm not sharing my queen

4 years ago

John **********

The VoA only gives 15 days of stay so not ideal. Why not apply for a tourist visa in which will give 60 days. You need to book an appointment at Vientiane

4 years ago

Chris *****

Def want to get medical or tourist. We're getting some hospital treatment either way. Do you know if a medical visa is easier to get than a tourist visa for a VoA citizen? And do you know how long in advance you need to book an appointment? Huge thanks

4 years ago

John **********

@Chris ***************

I'd imagine the tourist visa would be easier for you given the medic has said a tourist visa is fine. You'd need something from them for a medical visa. Sorry don't know how long in advance you need to book you can create an account on the website and try it. It does take 2 days to process the visa though

4 years ago

Chris *****

@John *********

thanks very much, I am not convinced the hospital knows about visas for Ethiopians, we would need a letter from the hospital. Two days gives me an idea of timescale - that's comfortable thanks. (For context, the US embassy in Ethiopia currently has a > 400 day waiting list.)

4 years ago