This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What visa extension options are available for expats suffering from illness in Thailand?
Visa ExtensionsMedical VisaThailand ImmigrationTM 7Australian PassportPulmonary EmbolismMedical Certificate
Dec 8, 2024
a year ago
Phil ******
ORIGINAL POSTERHello all. I've suffered a pulmonary embolism and cannot travel due to illness. I've been bedridden since returning from hospital.
Is there a visa extension to apply for? If so what is the TM to apply for? Australian passport and in Bangkok.
Is there a visa extension to apply for? If so what is the TM to apply for? Australian passport and in Bangkok.
TLDR : Answer Summary
If you are unable to travel due to a medical condition, such as a pulmonary embolism, you can apply for a medical visa extension in Thailand. To do this, obtain an 'unfit to travel' certificate from your hospital. Then, contact the hospital's international department to request a medical extension from Thai Immigration, stating that you are under medical care and cannot fly. You will need to have someone take your passport and the application fee (1900 Thai Baht) to your local Immigration office. The doctor will indicate the length of the extension requested, typically for 30, 60, or 90 days.
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.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted 90 Day Reporting Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Wannikea *********
What is your current visa status and when are you stamped in till?
Phil ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Wannikea ********
I'm in overstay at this moment. Yes I will be fined but I've been too ill.Ellie *******
@Phil *****
, oh, no. Sorry to have to deliver a bad news. In general, you cannot apply for an extension for medical reason if you are on overstay. Medical extension is available only when you are on a valid stamp.I'm afraid you have to keep on being on overstay until you can leave.
@T**
would confirm this later. Just hoping I'm wrong about this.Wannikea *********
@Phil *****
Do as James has suggested, no shortcuts. Possibly have someone (your Thai girlfriend) attend immigration with the doctors and hospital extension paperwork and request some type of mercy home service if you are at serious peril to travel to immigration. I dunno if this is possible but I see immigration services do photo op media bits with the infirmed from time to time. Maybe this includes home/hospital visits? Otherwise get yourself an ambulance service to transport you in person. I saw your post-op picture in the hospital bed, print that out to accompany your paperwork if someone attends immigration on your behalf.Reply to
Wannikea *********
Reply
John **********
If you are under the supervision of a doctor at a hospital then you need to speak to them. If they agree you can't travel they can supply paperwork to get an extension on medical grounds. Other than that I can't see what your options are other than the standard options
Phil ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
ok. I was advised by the specialist I couldn't travel till February and I'm not receiving any treatment from them. In October I was given a medical certificate. The hospital is some distance from me and I don't wish a long journey that will make me ill.John **********
@Phil *****
it's your choice. Go to the hospital and get the required medical certificate for an extension or don't go and don't get an extension. A lot easier to travel to a hospital than to have to travel outside ThailandPhil ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
i am listening.Reply to
Phil ******
Reply
James ********
Contact the hospital international department and your doctor to request they prepare for Thai Immigration a request for a Medical Extension as you are under their medical care and not fit to fly.
Have a friend take you with your passport with pic and 1900 Thai baht to your local Thai Immigration office and apply for the Medical Extension of stay. The doctor will indicate the number of days extension is requested. Usually 30, 60 or 90 days.
Have a friend take you with your passport with pic and 1900 Thai baht to your local Thai Immigration office and apply for the Medical Extension of stay. The doctor will indicate the number of days extension is requested. Usually 30, 60 or 90 days.
Phil ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *******
travel is limited atm. What TM do I fill in?James ********
@Phil *****
you need BOTH a Letter from your doctor which treated you in the hospital ... and a tm7 request for extension of stay.Phil ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *******
ok. I have been advised a letter from the medical centre is fine by 2 centres including @MedConsult, *************************
. I do have the initial medical certificate as well. Thank youJames ********
@Phil *****
Good Luck... BUT will Thai Immigration Officers accept a letter from a doctor and medical clinic which did not provide the medical care when you were in the hospital... ??? I think 🚫 NOT
Good Luck 🍀
James ********
This is from
I agree with Tod.
@Tod ********
... "He will need the hospital and primary physician to sign off"I agree with Tod.
Reply to
James ********
Reply
Lloyd ********
"I came home on Wednesday 9 October ", you have been home a long time?
Phil ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lloyd *******
yes this will be the first time I have left my appartmentJames ********
@Phil *****
Phil Beer use the hospital and doctor to get the Request for Medical Extension. Don't just walk in to a doctor's clinic. That will 🚫 NOT get you what you need.Reply to
James ********
Reply
Lloyd ********
Medical extensions can be issued for up to 90 days at a time
Lloyd ********
speak to the hospital and get an unfit to travel certificate and apply for a medical extension. A 'decent' hospital will know the procedure.
Phil ******
ORIGINAL POSTERI'm travelling to a medical centre within 5 minutes from my home. What TM do I use for the application?
James ********
@Phil *****
use the hospital and doctor to get the Request for Medical Extension. Don't just walk in to a doctor's clinic. That will 🚫 NOT get you what you need.Phil ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *******
I do have an option for a doctor to visit me. Already asked the question about the medical certificate.James ********
@Phil *****
Good Luck... I think you will need it. The Thai Immigration office will grant the medical extension but will want the request from the doctor and hospital where you received the medical care. I have done this before personally.
I understand that you may be reluctant to see your doctor and hospital due to costs. But this is Simple for the doctor to do.
Phil ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@James *******
yes What TM do I use please?James ********
@Phil *****
Good Luck... I'm done replying. Clearly you are not listening to me. The doctor that treated you IN THE HOSPITAL prepares a Medical Certificate Report...And in it requests Thai Immigration Officers to grant you 30, 60 or 90 days extension of stay for ongoing medical care. As you are NOT FIT TO FLY.
At the Thai Immigration office... you submit the Medical Report FROM the doctor...and hospital stamped Along with TM7 request for extension of stay.
Reply to
James ********
Reply
8 comments
2 years ago
7 comments
2 years ago
19 comments
2 years ago
11 comments
2 years ago
4 comments
3 years ago
34 comments
3 years ago
3 comments
3 years ago
2 comments
3 years ago
3 comments
3 years ago
10 comments
4 years ago
4 comments
4 years ago
12 comments
4 years ago
34 comments
4 years ago
1 comments
6 years ago
14 comments
6 years ago
3 comments
6 years ago
4 comments
6 years ago
8 comments
6 years ago
5 comments
6 years ago
0 comments
7 years ago
6 comments
7 years ago
3 comments
7 years ago
12 comments
7 years ago
41 comments
7 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask: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.