Ask question

What type of visa do I need for medical treatment in Thailand for 36 days in August 2023?

Thai Visa Tourist Visa Medical Visa Visa Exemption Visa Extension Visa Requirements for Expats

Nov 18, 2022

2 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

My wife and I are going to Thailand in August next year. She is having surgery there. We will be there for 36 days. Delta tells me we need a visa. The hospital told us she does. But I keep seeing there’s a 45 day visa exemption. They also told her it’s easier to get a tourist visa as opposed to the medical visa. I’m super confused on what we actually need if anything. Help please.

4,878

views

8

likes

117

all likes

34

replies

3

images

15

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

The situation regarding visa requirements for a stay in Thailand for medical treatment in August 2023 can be complex. As of now, travelers arriving from certain countries may enter Thailand without a visa for up to 30 days, which can be extended for another 30 days at an immigration office. There's also a possibility of a medical visa being introduced in January 2023 that may facilitate the entry for medical treatments. For longer stays, obtaining a tourist visa online prior to travel is recommended, granting an initial 60 days and allowing for a 30-day extension. It's advisable to monitor updates as the situation evolves and confirm requirements with the Thai embassy.

Natalie ***************

You will get a stamp on your visa for 45 days entering Thailand. If for any reason you need to extend that you can visit your local immigration office whilst in Thailand.

Like

Reply

Tod *********

@Natalie **************

that is NOT correct 🙁 the "if for any reason" part is wrong,

IF they enter on a visa exempt in August 2023 it'll be 30 days and they can get ONE 30 day extension on that at the immigration office for 1900 baht and if they needed an extension based on medical reasons they'd need documentation from the hospital/treating physician to apply for one.

Extensions based on medical reasons can be issued anywhere from 30 to 90 days at a time at the discretion of the immigration officer

Like

Reply

Bobby ********

@Natalie **************

They are coming in August next year. The 45 day entry stamp will finish on March 31

Like

Reply

Reply to

Bobby ********

Reply

Ana ************************

If your airline tell you that you need a visa better make one

Like

Reply

Marlo *******

To be safe I would go to the Thai embassy in your home country and if required fill out the one 60 day tourist visa. It will be stressful enough dealing with medical procedures and the piece of mind of having a full 60 days would be worth it (in my opinion). If for whatever reason you still have the option to extend by an additional 30 days (90 day stay total). I’ve done this several times and it is worth it if you plan on staying past the normal 30 day entry visa.

Like

Reply

Sam **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

ya I can’t do that anyway as the closest embassy near me is 3 thousand miles away.

Like

Reply

Sam **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Los angeles is the closest one to me.

Like

Reply

Brandon ************

you're actually required to use the Chicago office then. But it's still online only.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Brandon ************

Reply

Sam **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I was wrong. I just google mapped it. It’s 1500 miles away. I’m in South Dakota.

Like

Reply

Tod *********

where are you that a thai embassy is 3000 miles away?

Like

Reply

Reply to

Tod *********

Reply

Tod *********

if they're in the US or Europe they would use the eVisa system, there is no "go to your consulate and apply" anymore 😮 it's all online now

Like

Reply

Reply to

Tod *********

Reply

Christine ********

I’ve just read that Thailand are hoping to introduce a health tourist visa on 1st January next year, obviously it’s not a definite but might be worth you holding fire and see what transpires as you’re not travelling for some time.

Like

Reply

Tod *********

@Christine *******

they already do have visa choices based on medical reasons in the eVisa system both for treatment under 60 days (when you get a tourist visa) and treatment over 60 days (when you get a 90 day Non-O visa) 😮

I don't know if this hope to be introduced health visa is anything different or not

Like

Reply

Christine ********

yes, they’re touting this as a more beneficial medical visa, but who knows.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Christine ********

Reply

Tod *********

OR you can select Medical Treatment for more than 60 days and it will give you the Non-O visa choice on the eVisa system

Like

Reply

Mark *******

my knee replacement will be way longer than 6 weeks. Is this the best option?

Like

Reply

Tod *********

couldn't tell you,

With a 30 day extension a 60 day tourist visa gets you almost 90 days in country.

The Non-O based on medical reasons would need documentation from the hospital treating physician to get an extension past the 90 days you get on entry.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Tod *********

Reply

Tod *********

you can select Medical Treatment for less than 60 days as the reason for a tourist visa on the eVisa website

it defaults to a single entry tourist visa that will get you 60 days

Like

Reply

Tony *********

Read today a new medical visa is coming out

Like

Reply

Tod *********

it's not out yet, but they can certainly watch for it as they don't travel until Aug 2023 (9 months from now) 🙂

Like

Reply

Tony *********

- yeah maybe it will be sorted you never know. Wish they would make it a bit easier though to settle in Thailand 🙏🏼

Like

Reply

Reply to

Tony *********

Reply

Glyn **********

Buy a 60 day visa on line. It's a pain to fill out but doable and cheap.

Like

Reply

Rob ***********

If I m not mistaken, there is a new medical tourist visa.. I saw it on the Thaiger the other day.

Like

Reply

Todd ********

@Rob **********

I saw that too, Yet it starts January 1

Like

Reply

James ********

@Rob **********

not in place yet. And if she needs added time to recover beyond the 90 days a Thai tourist visa provides, the doctor can request a medical extension of stay.

Like

Reply

Reply to

James ********

Reply

James ********

In August 2023, if you arrive Visa Exempt, you will be stamped in for 30 days. Plus one 30 day extension of stay at Thai immigration office for 1900 Thai baht. = 60 days stay.

IF you get a Thai tourist visa you will be stamped in for 60 days Plus one 30 day extension of stay at Thai immigration office for 1900 Thai baht = 90 days stay.

Once you are in Thailand, if her doctor says more time is needed for recovery, the doctor can request a medical extension of stay. Of 30, 60 or 90 days

Like

Reply

Tod *********

you're a LONG way off from coming here and unfortunately the 45 day visa exempt program goes back to 30 days on April 1.

Delta is not correct, a visa isn't required to get in to thailand, BUT if you're coming here visa exempt they may require you have onward travel in the number of days you're stamping in for (which in Aug 2023 will be 30 days).

My advice is; watch the visa exempt program and see what happens at the end of march (as far as if the 45 days are continued or not) and if it's not, get a single entry tourist visas from the online eVisa portal people in the US use. That will get you stamped in for 60 days.

****************************

Like

Reply

Sam **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thank you so much. I appreciate it. I don’t know how visas work so I didn’t know how early I should plan for it.

Like

Reply

Jean ****************

listen to

you won't regret. 🥂

Like

Reply

Winnie **********

@Jean ***************

Agree! Tod Daniels is very knowledgeable 👍👍

Like

Reply

Reply to

Winnie **********

Reply

Tod *********

a tourist visa is valid for 90 days from the date it's issued <- that means you have 3 months to ENTER thailand on it and when you do you'll get stamped in for 60 days. You said you're staying for 36 days, and your wife is having a surgery, so the last thing she's gonna wanna do is slog to the immigration office so you can extend that free 30 day stamp another 30 days for 1900baht. Just get the single entry tourist visa and you're good to go

Like

Reply

Sam **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thank you!

Like

Reply

Reply to

Sam **********

Reply

Jason *********

As of right now still they are doing the 45 visa exemption, but not sure how long. It’s very easy to get a tourist visa(e visa)online as welI (60days) don’t know anything about medical visas

Like

Reply

Johnny *******

The 45 day visa exempt offer is set to end on March 31 2023.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Johnny *******

Reply

Thai Visa Advice

... members · 40% approval rate

The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.

Thai Visa Advice

View the Conversation

Thai Visa Advice

Is there a specific visa for medical treatment in Thailand?

9 comments

8 months ago

Can I extend my stay in Thailand for medical treatment after my visa expires?

11 comments

a year ago

What options do I have for a 33-day stay in Thailand without a 60-day visa?

9 comments

2 years ago

How can I obtain an emergency medical visa in Thailand for surgery?

3 comments

2 years ago

What visa should my father get for his medical surgery in Thailand?

7 comments

2 years ago

What are the current visa options for travelers arriving in Thailand from Australia in May 2023?

13 comments

2 years ago

What are the requirements for obtaining a medical visa to Thailand for treatment?

16 comments

2 years ago

Can I extend my tourist visa in Thailand for medical reasons?

2 comments

2 years ago

How can someone obtain a medical visa or extension in Thailand for surgery while on a 45-day visa exempt?

4 comments

2 years ago

Can a visitor from the US in Thailand apply for a medical extension of their visa?

3 comments

2 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?

6 comments

2 years ago

Can a medical visa be issued for orthodontic treatment in Thailand after returning from the pandemic?

5 comments

3 years ago

What should I do about my expiring medical visa in Thailand before my surgery?

7 comments

3 years ago

What are the options for a tourist visa extension and medical visa in Thailand?

8 comments

3 years ago

What are the details of the new medical visa approved in Thailand?

13 comments

3 years ago

What are the visa options for a French citizen traveling to Bangkok for a medical procedure?

10 comments

4 years ago

What visa do I need to stay in Thailand for dental work for three months while living in my wife's home?

19 comments

4 years ago

What are my options for extending my Medical Treatment visa in Thailand after surgery?

9 comments

4 years ago

What are the steps to obtain a medical visa or extension in Thailand for ongoing treatment?

3 comments

4 years ago

Can I apply for a medical extension to my tourist visa after July 31st due to ongoing treatment?

23 comments

4 years ago

Can I Stay in Thailand for Medical Treatment if My Visa Expires Soon?

4 comments

4 years ago

What is the process to get a medical visa or extension in Thailand?

8 comments

4 years ago

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

17 comments

7 years ago

How can I get a 90-day medical visa extension in Thailand if I only received 30 days?

40 comments

7 years ago

Can physical therapy lasting over 90 days qualify for a medical visa in Thailand?

7 comments

7 years ago

Data protection policy Terms and conditions Disclaimer Privacy policy Refund policy

The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.