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What is the longest tourist visa available while recovering from spinal surgery in Thailand?
Thai visa optionsDTV visaMedical visaTourist visaVisa exemptionVisa extensionSpinal surgery recoveryExpats in ThailandHealth care in Thailand
Jan 18, 2025
a year ago
Les ********
ORIGINAL POSTERWhat is the longest tourist visa available while I recover from a spinal surgery?
TLDR : Answer Summary
If you're recovering from spinal surgery and need a long-term visa in Thailand, consider the following options: 1. **Medical Visa** - This may be suitable if you're hospitalized, allowing for hospital assistance with the application. 2. **DTV Visa** - If you meet financial criteria (500,000 THB in your bank account), this multi-entry visa can grant up to 180 days per entry, extending your stay significantly. 3. **Standard Tourist Options** - Enter on a 60-day visa exemption, with potential extensions up to 90 days, or apply for a medical extension linked to your treatment. 4. **LTR Visa** - A 10-year visa option is available, ideal for long-term stays. Alternatively, check with the hospital staff for further assistance regarding visa options.
90 DAY REPORTING RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Use the trusted Thailand 90 Day Reporting Serviceto get your in-person report done and mailed to you for as low as 375 THB (even if the online system doesn't work for you).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Philip *******
60 day exemption then either extend for 30 days at immigration or a sightseeing trip to Laos or Cambodia for the day then return for another 60 day exemption then extend it
Cissi *********
If you would need/could consider some physiotherapy during your recovery, DTV might be an option...
If so, you could contact a hospital in the area of Thailand where you want to stay and discuss this with them. If you get a letter from your Australian surgeon explaining the type of surgery you're having, I'm sure that a Thai hospital could offer you a treatment plan with appointments for physiotherapy. That in combination with 500k thb in your bank account would make it possible to apply for DTV.
DTV is a multientry visa, valid for 5 years that gives you permit to stay for up to 180 days per entry.
If so, you could contact a hospital in the area of Thailand where you want to stay and discuss this with them. If you get a letter from your Australian surgeon explaining the type of surgery you're having, I'm sure that a Thai hospital could offer you a treatment plan with appointments for physiotherapy. That in combination with 500k thb in your bank account would make it possible to apply for DTV.
DTV is a multientry visa, valid for 5 years that gives you permit to stay for up to 180 days per entry.
David **********
LTR. 10 years.
ALi *****
your doctor will give you a form if you need more time.
Graham ******
You cannot get a Tourist Visa in Thailand but if you are on one you can get your hospital to apply for a Medical Extension which, if accepted, can get you up to 90 days extra per application
Pertti *************
Apply retirement visa. You can live rest of of your pains here🙏
Jay *******
You could try for the destination Thailand visa it allows you to stay 60 months as long as you meet the financial requirements
Harreson *********
Wishing you a speedy healthy recovery 🙏
Katherine ************
As someone who’s had 3 back surgeries- the flight from aus to thailand is an awful idea for your recovery. Unless maybe you fly first class with someone to help shuttle your carry on and a wheelchair in airport
Heath ***********
@Katherine ***********
you can request wheelchair assistance for air travel. They will help you a lot without needing first class. Even things like going through customs and security are assisted. If you ever need it just ask when checking in. I'm speaking from personal experience, not as an expert.Reply to
Heath ***********
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Les ********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks for all the constructive feedback 👍🏻
Nongnuch ********
the longest tourist visa is the 5-year DTV
Mma *******
Come in on Visa Exemption for 60 + 30 days mate and convalece. Total 90 days.
Will *********
There is a medical O visa for 90 days....I don't know if you can extend that further.
Pertti *************
Why not speak hospital staff and they arrange all needed👌💦
Tom *********
What an abstract question. You’re lazy? I’m amazed people here. Like you. Can’t use search engines. Yet blindly ask that and depend on people you don’t know to give guidance. Amazing.
Andy **********
@Tom ********
Another account to block. Thanks for the heads up.David ***********
@Tom ********
I hope you are as uselessly helpful to yourself as to others. Did nobody teach you to scroll instead of being a d....headJason ******
@Tom ********
because it's a visa advice group maybe 😂 but there's always the angry expats with their Thai wife's profile pictures 😂 that get annoyed 😜🍻Brian ********
@Tom ********
what an abstract answer. You're grumpy? I'm amazed people here. Like you. Can't use scrolling thumb. You blindly troll that and don't know how to give guidance. Amazing.Reply to
Walter *************
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Les ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tom ********
if you don’t have anything nice to say mind your own business please 😀Tom *********
@Les *******
Get over yourself. Let’s all get along? Let’s not correct or offend, guiding people to be more proactive. We are a society of dependency. I’ll offend anyone to point out they can do better. Let this person rely on bad information and he’s in a deeper hole than where he started.Reply to
Tom *********
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James *******
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Alison *****************
I would not think its a recommendation to fly after back surgery and its a long flight
Philip *******
@Alison ****************
as long as surgeon says it's OK. However most would advise wait 8 to 12 weeks. Also heightened dvt risk post surgery.Reply to
Philip *******
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Dennis *********
What surgery you have? I had spine surgery in September and in 2023
Bob **********
You can come exempt stamp 60 days and extend for 30 more
Bob **********
Not if your not sponsored by a Dr here
Todd *********
@Bob *********
can now get 90 day medical exemptionReply to
Todd *********
Reply
Uday ********
Haha so chicken conceived at home but want to lay eggs at neighbour house 😂😂
Andy **********
@Uday *******
Another account to block. Thanks for the heads up.Reply to
Andy **********
Reply
Carlos *********
A medical visa, if you are in a hospital and unable to leave from surgery. The hospital should be able to assist with that.
Aake **********
@Carlos ********
in ThailandReply to
Aake **********
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Michael **********
if u have 500k in bank you could ask for a dtv visa that goes up 180days/year + another 180days extension
Elías ********
@Michael *********
also, it can be asked from within Thailand, so if the OP did the surgery already, it's not an option to get a DTV. If it's still before the surgery, then, yes.Garry ******
@Michael *********
Looks like he only wants to recover in thailand and not doing any procedure there. So prolly he wont get it.Tony ********
@Garry *****
100% he will NOT get it.Reply to
Tony ********
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Roberto *********
Medical extension. Your doctor/hospital can advise
Phil ******
@Roberto ********
most hospitals will advise but mine didn't knowKing Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital : โรงพยาบาลจุฬาลงกรณ์
Les ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Roberto ********
I having the surgery in Australia but I want to recover in ThailandChang ******
SJ *******
@Les *******
get it done in Thailand better doctors facilities and care oh and cheaper.Misha ***********
@SJ ******
It’s true ! I had to have my c-***
and ***
disks removed from my neck . Dr.Decha at Bangkok hospital pattaya . He and his staff were amazing . Zero complications . Also needed a leg repair . 9screws and plate to bolt cleanly severed tibia back together . Again zero complications Dr Namon and his staff also amazing .
As were the physio team there .
If you need medical care , this is your hospital.
Surgeon friends were very complimentary of their work .
Alexandre ********
Cheaper then free?
SJ *******
@Alexandre *******
thats if he has waited on the long list to have registrar do it.Alexandre ********
@SJ ******
better doctors then Australia ya right 😂😂😂David **********
@Alexandre *******
if they have better doctors than América I would think they’re better than Australians doctors as well.Alexandre ********
@David *********
Thai has better doctors then America 😂😂😂😂😂 yeah right I’m done with this threadDavid **********
@Alexandre *******
bro the Drs in America don’t know anything but to prescribe you chemicals. Not to get better, but to feel better and mess up the brain.Alexandre ********
@David *********
you are severely uneducated to how hard it is to become a doctor in America… 99% of doctors in Thailand couldn’t pass the exams to even get licences to be a resident in america let alone a attending. Thai doctors are basically as educated as American nurses lolBonnie *********
@Alexandre *******
*than; you're a medical doctor?Reply to
Bonnie *********
Reply
Roberto *********
@Les *******
All you can do is a standard tourist entry. 60 days you don't require a visa.Judy *******
@Les *******
If you are 'fit to fly' you probably can't get a visa on medical groundsTony ********
@Judy ******
100% correct. No need to look at any other answers. You are 100% correct.Reply to
Tony ********
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John **********
Did you have the surgery in Thailand? If so what visa are you currently on?
Reply to
John **********
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