What are the rules and options for obtaining a Medical Visa or extensions for medical reasons in Thailand?

Feb 25, 2018
7 years ago
Mark ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I think there are 2 types of Medical Visa, one if you come for Medical Tourism and another if you want an extension if you came on normal tourist visa.

Are this visas only awarded for emergencies? Or what about for example:

- Not strictly medical neccesary (removing wisdom teeth operation with checkups after)

- Cosmetic surgery

- Physical therapy

This ones I am not looking for:

There is also a Medical Visa for Asian people. There is also a visa for 50+. Medicla Visa for some special countries like Brasil and few other countries.

I saw for example this:
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TLDR : Answer Summary
There is a common misconception about a specific 'Medical Visa' in Thailand. Instead, foreigners seeking medical treatment generally use the NON-O visa, which can be extended based on medical needs. It is necessary to provide proof from a doctor to justify an extension. The process may vary for different nationalities, and some countries have specific provisions. Extensions are typically granted for serious medical conditions, though it can be challenging to obtain. Cosmetic procedures, dental surgeries, and physical therapy may not always qualify for extensions unless they are deemed essential by a healthcare provider.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Michael ********
A NON O based entirely on medical reasons, but we are not calling it a medical visa....This reminds me of the OA / retirement Visa argument ;) ;) OK there is no medical visa, but there is a visa specifically for medical reasons....LOL....
Mark ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
The Brasil consul calls it: Apply for Medical-Treatment Visa

but it is part or tourist visa, and can be 1 year according to the site I mentioned. But pretty sure it is not for all countries.
Reiner *********
Just checked it at the Immigration today here on phuket....

Like Tod Daniels told...

There is NO medical Visa...it is a NON O ...with / for medical reasons....

They told me that the ( Bangkok Phuket ) Hospitals know how to do it for you ....
Mark ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks. I can imagine when a big hospital is on the form it has a higher chance of succeeding. But not sure if it is only for emergencies?
Len *****************
@Tod ********
apologies for butting in, what if a foreigner on an extension based on marriage and need to a yearly extension, but can't go to the immigration due to her last trisemester and can't travel far as per advised by her doctor. can her spouse do the extension for her?
Len *****************
great. thank you for this very useful information.
Robert *******
@Len ****************
Yes, first on medical reason and if she can travel to Immigration herself again she can apply for the Extension based on Marriage,
Len *****************
thank you
@Robert ******
. just to make sure i understand it correctly(given that the doctor issued a certification and the immigration allowed it).. does it means they can't give her extension based on marriage? just the extension based on medical reason and she can extend it again based on marriage when she can be able to go by herself to the immigration?
Robert *******
You must have a medical statement from your doctor that you can not travel all the way to Immigration Office and an expected period on it. Than your spouse can bring the documents to Immigration. It depends on office, some will give Extension of Stay based on medical reasons directly, others will send a doctor for second opinion.
Tod *********
Unless I'm wrong, there is no such thing as a "medical visa" :/ It's a Non-O visa given for medical reasons. So it'd be a 90 day single entry visa.

Inside the country there are specific extensions for medical reasons for people from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Arab Emirates which gives them extensions for up to 90 days at a time

AND

there's another clause that covers every one else that can also give extensions for up to 90 days.

Extensions of stays based on medical reasons are hard to get (at least in Bangkok) and mostly people who do get them get them only for 30 or 60 days.
David **********
I only know of one from Melbourne who was in chiang mai for serious dental work and he could only stay i think 60 days
Tan ************
Medical Visa is available only to specific Nationalities only.

Yes it's available as per Michael Lucken pointed out.
David **********
I didnt need a medical for the non 0 retirement and i saw nothing about the extension of stay
Reiner *********
There is NO medical visa...But as Robert explained...if u sick And can Not fly back....IT could Be that u get an Extension of stay....But Here on phuket for example Not easy to get....only if u Are realy sick or have had an exisdent or operation...the privat hospitals here can handle that easy
Mark ***************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Michael *******
And at least also Brasil according to the link I posted.
Michael ********
There are medical visas....But only for

Cambodia, Lao PDR., Myanmar and Vietnam, China, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Robert *******
Extension of Stay is not a visa, it is just a permission to stay longer in Thailand, if this is on medical reasons the doctor needs to provide proof that you can not travel and need to stay longer in Thailand.
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