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What should I do if I can't find a doctor to provide a medical certificate for my O-A retirement visa application in the US?

O-A VisaThailand ImmigrationMedical CertificateVisa ApplicationExpat AdviceInfectious Disease SpecialistHealth InsuranceTravel Clinic
Aug 22, 2022
2 years ago
David ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello ladies and gents, I’m in the process of applying for an O-A retirement visa from the USA but have run into a major roadblock with the medical certificate that is required. Being one of the millions of uninsured people here, I don’t have a primary physician. I’ve checked with urgent care who suggested I look for an Infectious Disease specialist which will cost me several hundred to do these lab tests. I’m 50 and want to come to Thailand for approximately 9 months. I’m not receiving a monthly pension so my funds a more limited.

I would appreciate any input or suggestions regarding this dilemma. Thanks for your time.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking advice on obtaining a medical certificate for an O-A retirement visa from the USA, facing difficulties due to lack of insurance and unwillingness from doctors to sign the required form without extensive testing. Community responses suggest alternatives such as visiting a travel medicine doctor, applying for a tourist visa first to ease the process, or finding less conventional methods to secure the necessary medical documentation.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
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  • 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.
Martin *********
If this is what your referring too , I just download take to your local doctors .. I had to pay £40 ..
2 years ago
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Brook ********
@Martin ********
I think the original poster wants to make this more difficult than it is.
2 years ago
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David ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brook *******
 sir you mentioned having this done in Maryland. Would you please refer me to the doctor. I’ll gladly drive there.
2 years ago
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David ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brook *******
 honestly I’m not. Been to urgent care, passport health and local health department. No luck. Either they can’t preform the tests or will charge me hundreds to do so. I don’t have medical insurance.
2 years ago
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David ****
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Donna **********
my clinic
@MedConsult, *************************
 can help with this. Best way is to send me a DM personally or you can email
******************************
with the request and we'll sort it out. Most embassies around the world are fine with it, I think in LA they sometimes had an issue but no where else
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@David ***
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
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Wyn **********
Medconsult a few hundred baht.
2 years ago
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Donna **********
@Wyn *********
 thank you yes we can help with everything medical for TH at
@MedConsult, *************************
2 years ago
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Donna **********
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Peter ****************
Several hundred if you are lucky. I paid around 700 USD to passport health. I have insurance but never bothered to have a primary physician. I bitterly complained about this and many people said their physician just signed it. I so hated paying so much for that medical certificate that I came in on visa exempt and did the 800K and got an O visa. But given you are still there. You might want to just keep asking.
2 years ago
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เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
Are you applying from the USA?
2 years ago
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David ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@เอ็ดเวิร์ด ******
 yes I’m in the USA
2 years ago
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เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
@David ***
 I just arrived on a 60 day TV and am applying for retirement visa in country. Everybody told me the process is much easier if done here.
2 years ago
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David ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@เอ็ดเวิร์ด ******
 I’ve heard the same but I don’t currently have a Thai bank account. Even if I was able to open one with a TR visa I believe the funds have to be in there for 60 or 90 days prior to applying for retirement visa.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@David ***
 opening a bank account can be difficult on a tourist visa or visa exempt, but the time thing isn't a factor.

You apply for the non-O conversion inside Thailand which has no time requirements, you just have to show the proper amount of money and that it was transferred from overseas. Then you get a 90 day non-O visa. After you've had that for 60 days you can then apply for the 1 year extension.
2 years ago
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เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
@David ***
 I have been told it is a 2 step process, and for the first step/visa issued you don't need to have the funds in a bank. you do for the second final step/visa. Others more knowlegeble about this can comment.
2 years ago
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เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
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Brandon ************
I think Dr Donna at Medconsult clinic was doing these by video call at one point. You should check with them.
2 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Brandon ***********
 Dr
@Donna *********
 Can you provide medical certs for the O-A visa with an over the phone consult?
2 years ago
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Donna **********
@Garrett **********
 yes we can
2 years ago
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Donna **********
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Philip **********
Don’t hire an agent! You can come to Thailand and do it yourself. Unless you don’t have 800 k in bank. Read 22

*****************************************
*****
2 years ago
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Mark *****
Like the above comments states... Come into Thailand on a tourist visa then proceed once here
2 years ago
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Braulio *********
Or, follow the advice of the Urgent Care physician ……….
2 years ago
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Eric ******
You are looking at 9 months. Just get a special tourist visa. It’s 9 months long at 3 months increments. Problem solved.
2 years ago
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Brook ********
@Eric *****
 DO NOT get the special tourist visa (STV). You cannot convert it to a retirement visa.
2 years ago
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Eric ******
@Brook *******
 he doesn’t want a retirement visa though. Because he stated clearly his intent is to only stay 9 months? Maybe I was confused by the 9 months statement
2 years ago
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Eric ******
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Steve ********
I've read how difficult it is to get this in the US. It's all about money. In Aus your GP just laughs at this ridiculous criteria and simply signs it off. Simple consultation fee which is covered by Medicare
2 years ago
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Brook ********
Your off to a terrible start.

First, I suggest you come to Thailand on a tourist visa and then hire an agent and convert to a Non-O, followed by a one year extension based on retirement.

Second, with regards to the form, if you decide to go that route, all you need is a quick checkup with an urgent care physician who is willing to sign the form based on an interview and brief exam.

No blood tests are required.
2 years ago
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David ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brook *******
 unfortunately here doctors are not willing to put their license on the line even for a generic looking, ridiculous form going to an embassy. They want to run tests before signing anything.

I’ve considered a tourist visa but then I’ll need to purchase a round trip flight, try to open a Thai bank account and transfer funds. Overall probably spend more money and time at immigration.
2 years ago
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Brook ********
@David ***
I just went through this myself. You need to stop overthinking the form and ask a travel medicine doctor to sign it without making such a big deal about it or bringing up blood tests.

I did it in Maryland, no issues.

You don’t need a round trip ticket, just an onward travel ticket you can cancel or reschedule.

As for immigration, get an agent the first time and ask questions, take notes and make copies.
2 years ago
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David ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brook *******
 hello Brook, thank you for all the useful information. I’m not finding doctors willing to sigh without ridiculous testing. I live in Northern VA so perhaps I can go to MD to see you doctor if you’re willing to share his/her name with me.
2 years ago
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David ****
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Teri *****
You might want to Google travel clinic to find a Doctor who's willing to sign it.
2 years ago
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Ed *******
Come on a 60 day visa- once here find a good visa agent. Save yourself time and aggravation-
2 years ago
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Garrett ***********
The medical certificate for the Non-OA stating you don't have the 5 diseases can be a pain, but easy enough if you find the right doctor. In Thailand, the physician asks you if you've ever had them and then signs that you don't, find one in your area to do the same.

Also, you'll need health insurance for the Non-OA. When you enter Thailand, you'll only be stamped in for the time that your health insurance is valid for.
2 years ago
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Robert **********
I’m suggested he come on a tourist visa and change to a non-O
2 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Robert *********
 Benefits to the Non-OA though are much less headach if he can get it before he comes
2 years ago
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David ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
 exactly. There will be nothing to worry about other than my 90 day reporting.

Those can be done online or at immigration office?
2 years ago
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Robert **********
@Garrett **********
 it wasn’t much trouble to get TV changed to non O, somebody argued with me then. 2018, then they passed the insurance rule. Glad i did non O. Didnt use agent. Coming up on 5th extension.
2 years ago
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Robert **********
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David ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
 unfortunately here doctors fear getting sued and having their license pulled even over a silly form that’ll get filed away with my paperwork.

If I enter with a TR visa will it be difficult opening a bank account to transfer the funds for applying for non-O visa?
2 years ago
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เอ็ดเวิร์ด *******
@David ***
 I got a bank account when I first came here in 2011 because the owner of the place I was renting knew the top exec at the local main branch. last year I wanted to change banks, still on a tourist visa, but after 5 turn downs, I gave up. Just my experience
2 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@David ***
 I'm American too, I assure you there are doctors places that will get you the forum filled out. Of all the people I've ever seen on here, never once has anyone actually gotten a test for leprosy or elephantiasis.

For the bank account, there's always a branch somewhere that will open an account for you, normally Bangkok Bank is the easiest. You'll need a letter from the US embassy called a "certificate of residency" which costs $50. Go on the embassy's website and make an appointment now, there's a long wait.
2 years ago
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Garrett ***********
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Colin ********
@Garrett **********
 the medical insurance is no longer requt. Both my friend and I (at different times) have recently entered Thailand, we both have insurance, but we weren't asked at any point to show it
2 years ago
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Kool *******
@Colin *******
 the covid insurance is no longer required, but the health insurance is still required for an O-A visa.
2 years ago
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Colin ********
@Kool ******
 got e
2 years ago
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Colin ********
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Garrett ***********
@Colin *******
 I know you think you're right, but you're not. The Non-OA visa requires health insurance. Period.
2 years ago
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Robert **********
@Colin *******
 i think with OA you still need insurance at your next renewal. Why don’t you get a non O, no insurance needed.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Robert *********
 wrong, if you extend to non-O from a non-OA you will still be required to have insurance forever until you break the cycle and get on an original non-O that's unrelated to the OA.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
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