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What should my fiancé do if his doctor refuses to sign the medical certificate for a Thai non O-A visa due to diabetes?
Medical CertificateNon O-A VisaVisa ApplicationThailand ImmigrationDiabetesThai EmbassyVisa RequirementsExpat Advice
Aug 22, 2019
7 years ago
Bell *******
ORIGINAL POSTERJust an update
The Thai Embassy has advised me that your GP can amend the text on the Medical Certificate which is available on the embassy's website accordingly. They must include the diseases mentioned on the original certificate though. See the screenshot below which is in Thai.
Thanks everyone for your kind advice!
----------------------------------
Hello again folks. Hope you are well!
I have some questions regarding my fiance's non O-A visa application please.
BACKGROUND:
My fiance is British who is living in S of England and will be 55 years old very soon. He has banked sufficient funds in his UK savings account to apply for a non O-A. I am Thai, in case that matters.
His IO is Tha Yang, Petchaburi, as we live in Cha Am and UK.
Arriving in Thailand in Oct 19, flight booked.
ISSUE:
Today my fiance's doctor refused to sign his medical certificate to confirm that he is " in good physical and mental health...' simply because he suffers from diabetes. I will contact the Thai Embassy regarding this, too, just in case they will let us amend the medical certificate slightly. If this is possible, I shall update this post, in case it is useful to some of you.
QUESTIONS
If the doctor will not sign a medical certificate and the Embassy cannot help:
- My fiance plans to use the 30 days' exemption to travel to Thailand and then go to a neighbouring country to apply for a visa that allows a permanent stay in Thailand. Where can he get a non O-A from, ideally without any financial requirements or where UK bank statements can be accepted? Anything to watch out for?
- Worst case-
If he applies for a single tourist visa from London (online), am I correct to assume that there could be a lot of work involved to apply to stay in Thailand permanently on a retirement basis? We will approach his IO to make sure my fiance has all required documents. But usually, through this route, how long do you need to keep 800k Baht in your Thai bank account?
Thank you in advance for your advice.
The Thai Embassy has advised me that your GP can amend the text on the Medical Certificate which is available on the embassy's website accordingly. They must include the diseases mentioned on the original certificate though. See the screenshot below which is in Thai.
Thanks everyone for your kind advice!
----------------------------------
Hello again folks. Hope you are well!
I have some questions regarding my fiance's non O-A visa application please.
BACKGROUND:
My fiance is British who is living in S of England and will be 55 years old very soon. He has banked sufficient funds in his UK savings account to apply for a non O-A. I am Thai, in case that matters.
His IO is Tha Yang, Petchaburi, as we live in Cha Am and UK.
Arriving in Thailand in Oct 19, flight booked.
ISSUE:
Today my fiance's doctor refused to sign his medical certificate to confirm that he is " in good physical and mental health...' simply because he suffers from diabetes. I will contact the Thai Embassy regarding this, too, just in case they will let us amend the medical certificate slightly. If this is possible, I shall update this post, in case it is useful to some of you.
QUESTIONS
If the doctor will not sign a medical certificate and the Embassy cannot help:
- My fiance plans to use the 30 days' exemption to travel to Thailand and then go to a neighbouring country to apply for a visa that allows a permanent stay in Thailand. Where can he get a non O-A from, ideally without any financial requirements or where UK bank statements can be accepted? Anything to watch out for?
- Worst case-
If he applies for a single tourist visa from London (online), am I correct to assume that there could be a lot of work involved to apply to stay in Thailand permanently on a retirement basis? We will approach his IO to make sure my fiance has all required documents. But usually, through this route, how long do you need to keep 800k Baht in your Thai bank account?
Thank you in advance for your advice.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is facing an issue with their fiancé's non O-A visa application for Thailand, as the doctor refused to sign the medical certificate required by the Thai Embassy, citing their fiancé's diabetes. The Thai Embassy stated that the doctor could amend the certificate but must include certain diseases originally mentioned. The user is exploring alternatives for the medical certificate and seeking advice on obtaining a non O-A visa without financial requirements or how to apply for a tourist visa for a possible permanent stay. Comments from the community advise seeking another doctor since diabetes isn't a disqualifying condition, highlighting the bureaucratic challenges and potential solutions for the medical certificate.
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.
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Bill *********
I got my Medical Cert in Thailand (150bt) went to UK got my police clearance cert and then got my O/A multy entry for Thailand.
Lena ********
@Robert ******
Well, yes. I was hoping for a more detailed response. I enquired at a hospital and they wanted to do blood tests. One clinic quoted 500 baht. So the name of a clinic that costs 150 wojld be useful.Bill *********
@Lena *******
I got it done in AEK hospital in Udon Thani, only bt150.Robert *******
@Lena *******
You may try a hospital, clinics but try to avoid the ****
.Lena ********
Where did you get the cert done in Thailand, please?
James ********
@Bill ********
thanks for helpful info...Reply to
James ********
Reply
Ron *******
Even though diabetes is not on list, the Doctor looks as if he won't sign to say the patient is in
'Good health'. Along with being unable to test for other things on the list, he simply won't and doesn't have to sign it.
The Embassy can say whatever they like regarding the Doctor being able to alter the certificate BUT if he won't sign it or alter it, you have no choice other than to pay for a private consultation in order to try and get it signed.
Seems a rediculous situation when the Embassy are happy that the certificate is allowed to be altered. In that case, why not just get rid of it totally?
It isn't the first time a Doctor has refused to sign these certificates due to being unable to test some of the requirements.
'Good health'. Along with being unable to test for other things on the list, he simply won't and doesn't have to sign it.
The Embassy can say whatever they like regarding the Doctor being able to alter the certificate BUT if he won't sign it or alter it, you have no choice other than to pay for a private consultation in order to try and get it signed.
Seems a rediculous situation when the Embassy are happy that the certificate is allowed to be altered. In that case, why not just get rid of it totally?
It isn't the first time a Doctor has refused to sign these certificates due to being unable to test some of the requirements.
Ron *******
The only problem going to a private hospital will be that they will most likely want to do tests so cost is going to be high. The Nuffield is a great hospital group but they charge like a wounded buffalo.
I wouldn't be surprised to see the bill at £150 upwards. Much like a bill for an ENG1 medical exam.
I wouldn't be surprised to see the bill at £150 upwards. Much like a bill for an ENG1 medical exam.
Bobby ********
@Ron ******
. That's true. If you have been with a doctor for a while and you have regular check ups, he/she knows your medical history and is more likely to sign off. However a doctor that doesn't know you too well would not be likely to certify that you're not a drug addict. However even my doctor who I've been going to for over twenty years laughed at the Elephantitis and said he was not aware of any relevant tests for this condition.Reply to
Bobby ********
Reply
James ********
@Ron ******
...helpful info...hopefullyChris ******
Diabetes is not on the list of conditions which would preclude him from getting his medical declaration signed...see another NHS GP..just had mine done.It cost £15..I would imagine would have cost me much more if done privately
Bell *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Chris *****
The problem lies with the head doctor. It seems if he says no, no other doctors will disobey him. The embassy has just told me via FB Messenger that their medical certificate can be amended by the doctor accordingly, thankfully. I thought we would have to go to Nuffield or some other private hospital then.:)Reply to
Bell *******
Reply
Kevin ***********
Appeal or get a second opinion that's crap
Bell *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Kevin **********
Got a new solution from the embassy. I will update my post :)Reply to
Bell *******
Reply
Dan ******
Unless he is loaded with money, he better stay in UK I'm sure U must know there is no "permanent" visa here.
Dan ******
@Bell ******
6 months a crack is maybe OK, if he can still have eligibility for UK NHS, if he were to need it. Otherwise, if he has adequate funds for healthcare here, then it would be good for long-term. Best of luck.Bell *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Dan *****
I know. But he suffers from a serious case of diabetic neuropathy (many Pain clinics cannot cure him, he has tried). Being somewhere really warm, he has no pain. We will just collectively deal with a different kind of pain once in a while but it is well worth it. Nobody knows about the future, we try not to worry too much about it. At the mo, we only live in Los for 6 months a year anyway. :)Reply to
Bell *******
Reply
Adrian ******
I am a type 2 diabetes my doctor signed mine it’s not part or medical questionnaire. He also gave me a year script which is not normal practice. But now I buy all meds here which can be costly but again not part of medical criteria. Make appointment to see another doctor privately
Frank ******
Bell *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Adrian *****
I know. We moved house and the new surgery is so much different than the previous one unfortunately.Reply to
Bell *******
Reply
Reiner *********
Woww does the Brit / thai consulate ask for a medical certificate ...really and an uk doc dismissed it ....
Bell *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Reiner ********
Yes to both questions. They take rules and regulations very seriously. The head doctor is a bit of a difficult man from the sound of things. @James *******
James ********
@Reiner ********
they do for the O-A and O-X long stay visas for retirement. But its simple and Diabetes is not a restriction. Pardon me...dumb doc 😡Reply to
James ********
Reply
Bell *******
ORIGINAL POSTERWe are in the UK
Thanks both very much. :)
@Bobby *******
@James *******
. Changing GP(doctor) is poss not easy here but maybe going private just for this could be the answer. Thanks both very much. :)
Bobby ********
Bell Smith. That's the first time I've heard of a medical certificate being rejected. Not surprising really when the items being certified are things like leprosy and elephantitis. Your doctor must be very pedantic, but I guess that has its positive points too
Reply to
Bobby ********
Reply
Bobby ********
There's only I think five conditions of the medical certificate. Diabetes is not one of them. I'm with
@Ja***
, go to another doctor. You don't specify where you are right now.James ********
Is he in Thailand now?
If in the UK.. Go see another doctor. Diabetes is NOT a valid reason to be denied an O-A visa.
If in the UK.. Go see another doctor. Diabetes is NOT a valid reason to be denied an O-A visa.
Reply to
James ********
Reply
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