Medical report for O-A visa

[JoeBloe]

Folks,

 

Looking for a recommendation for a physician/hospital in Bangkok that knows the drill and precisely what is required for the medical certificate that I need to present for the O-A application. Reasonable cost is a plus.

 

I have no idea what is required, other than it needs to be in Thai.

 

 

[lopburi3]

O-A is not available in Thailand - you obtain extension of stay for retirement using a TM.7 form and there is no medical certificate normally required for that.

 

Do you have a non immigrant O visa entry now?  If not you first most obtain that either from a Consulate outside Thailand or as a conversion of current status from Immigration by proof of financials.

[tonray]

Download form from consulate you will apply at and bring it in...they all know the form.

 

If you want an inexpensive option, In Talat Phlu, Ratchada-Tapra Hospital (clinic), I think it was about 350 baht in March when I did mine.

[JoeBloe]

Ask a simple question, get a lecture that fails to answer the question.

 

I'll wait, lopburi3

[PoorSucker]

2 hours ago, JoeBloe said:

Ask a simple question, get a lecture that fails to answer the question.

 

I'll wait, lopburi3

O-A visa is only aviable in your home country or country of residence. 

Thai Immigration can not issue O-A visas. 

 

Think you want to have extension of stay based on retirement, it's not a visa. 

 

One year extension of stay based on retirement do not require a medical certificate, exempt rough offices like Samui. 

 

There is a big difference, O-A visa will give you unlimited entries to Thailand for one year, each giving you permission to stay one year. 

 

Extension based on retirement is given by immigration in Thailand, each time you exit you will need a re-entry permit or your extension will be void. 

 

It's completed and thats the reason for the lecture. 

 

So to answer your question, you can not use a medical certificate from Bangkok to apply for an O-A visa in your home country. 

[tonray]

17 minutes ago, PoorSucker said:

O-A visa is only aviable in your home country or country of residence. 

Thai Immigration can not issue O-A visas. 

 

Think you want to have extension of stay based on retirement, it's not a visa. 

 

One year extension of stay based on retirement do not require a medical certificate, exempt rough offices like Samui. 

 

There is a big difference, O-A visa will give you unlimited entries to Thailand for one year, each giving you permission to stay one year. 

 

Extension based on retirement is given by immigration in Thailand, each time you exit you will need a re-entry permit or your extension will be void. 

 

It's completed and thats the reason for the lecture. 

 

So to answer your question, you can not use a medical certificate from Bangkok to apply for an O-A visa in your home country. 

That is incorrect info. Many of us have indeed used a medical report generated in BKK to apply successfully for an O-A visa in our home country.

[Langsuan Man]

13 minutes ago, PoorSucker said:

 

So to answer your question, you can not use a medical certificate from Bangkok to apply for an O-A visa in your home country. 

And the Embassy in Washington, nor the Consulates will not accept one that is not signed by a doctor located in the country where you are applying 

 

Quote

 *7. Four copies of the completed medical certificate form |Download| issued from the country where the application is submitted, showing no prohibitive diseases as indicated in the Ministerial Regulation No. 14 (B.E. 2535) with the name and address of the doctor.  The certificate must be not be older than 3 months.

source: http://www.thaiconsulatela.org/service_visa_detail.aspx?link_id=48

[tonray]

7 minutes ago, Langsuan Man said:

And the Embassy in Washington, nor the Consulates will not accept one that is not signed by a doctor located in the country where you are applying 

 

source: http://www.thaiconsulatela.org/service_visa_detail.aspx?link_id=48

The NYC consulate accepted one this past April for my O-A visa. Done in BKK in March.

[Samui Bodoh]

4 hours ago, PoorSucker said:

So to answer your question, you can not use a medical certificate from Bangkok to apply for an O-A visa in your home country. 

 

That isn't always correct.

 

I used a medical certificate obtained in Koh Samui for an O-A Long Stay in my country (Canada). However, I was required to use the consulate's specific form. 

 

Cheers

 

[JoeBloe]

6 hours ago, tonray said:

That is incorrect info. Many of us have indeed used a medical report generated in BKK to apply successfully for an O-A visa in our home country.

7 hours ago, PoorSucker said:

In fact, my home country office specifically asked for this.

So far Tonray is the only one who answered my question - thanks mate.

 

[ubonjoe]

13 minutes ago, JoeBloe said:

In fact, my home country office specifically asked for this.

Have you downloaded the medical certificate from the embassy website where you will be applying. It should be in Thai and English (or perhaps the local language).

[OJAS]

12 hours ago, tonray said:

That is incorrect info. Many of us have indeed used a medical report generated in BKK to apply successfully for an O-A visa in our home country.

But it sounds daft to me to make a special trip to Thailand solely in order to obtain the medical report required for an OA visa application which you will be submitting back in your home country!

[tonray]

10 minutes ago, OJAS said:

But it sounds daft to me to make a special trip to Thailand solely in order to obtain the medical report required for an OA visa application which you will be submitting back in your home country!

Yes it would be...but in most cases, we are living in Thailand and making a trip back home so it makes a lot of sense to do it that way and apply for  Visa during visit.

[OJAS]

18 hours ago, tonray said:

Yes it would be...but in most cases, we are living in Thailand and making a trip back home so it makes a lot of sense to do it that way and apply for  Visa during visit.

Out of curiosity did you encounter any difficulties in coping with the New York Consulate's notarisation requirements for OA visa applications (assuming that these are pretty much the same as the London Embassy's)? Specifically was the American solicitor or notary public whom you used for this purpose willing to notarise a non-American medical certificate? Or had you already got this notarised by a suitable individual in Thailand?

[tonray]

10 minutes ago, OJAS said:

Out of curiosity did you encounter any difficulties in coping with the New York Consulate's notarisation requirements for OA visa applications (assuming that these are pretty much the same as the London Embassy's)? Specifically was the American solicitor or notary public whom you used for this purpose willing to notarise a non-American medical certificate? Or had you already got this notarised by a suitable individual in Thailand?

There was no requirement to notarize anything

[OJAS]

1 minute ago, tonray said:

There was no requirement to notarize anything

Interesting. Thai inconsistency at its best, I think!

[asiaexpat]

So the Consulate does not require what it states on their web site:

LONG STAY (O-A) : LIVING A RETIREMENT LIFE IN THAILAND OR TRAVEL TO THAILAND FOR

      A LONG STAY

          1. Original and Three copies of passport valid for at least 18 months

          2. Three completed and signed application forms.

          3. Three passport-size photographs (2” x 2” inches)      

          4. Proof of money deposit from a bank certifying the amount equal to or no less than US$23,000, OR proof of income statement from a paying organization certifying no less than US$1,900 per month. 

          5. Three copies of criminal records in good conduct issued by local police, or state police department, or FBI. The record issued by an private business providing background check service may be accepted if conducted by an FBI-Approved Channeler. Verification must be recent, not more than three months.

          6. Three copies of medical certificate form completed by a doctor in the country of application reporting no prohibitive diseases. The certificate forms must be less than three months.

          7. Three copies of confirmed air ticket and accommodation in Thailand

          8. Visa fee      

[tonray]

18 minutes ago, asiaexpat said:

So the Consulate does not require what it states on their web site:

LONG STAY (O-A) : LIVING A RETIREMENT LIFE IN THAILAND OR TRAVEL TO THAILAND FOR

      A LONG STAY

          1. Original and Three copies of passport valid for at least 18 months

          2. Three completed and signed application forms.

          3. Three passport-size photographs (2” x 2” inches)      

          4. Proof of money deposit from a bank certifying the amount equal to or no less than US$23,000, OR proof of income statement from a paying organization certifying no less than US$1,900 per month. 

          5. Three copies of criminal records in good conduct issued by local police, or state police department, or FBI. The record issued by an private business providing background check service may be accepted if conducted by an FBI-Approved Channeler. Verification must be recent, not more than three months.

          6. Three copies of medical certificate form completed by a doctor in the country of application reporting no prohibitive diseases. The certificate forms must be less than three months.

          7. Three copies of confirmed air ticket and accommodation in Thailand

          8. Visa fee      

You have to understand the way Thai officials think. While in America, certainly an American medical cert would be preferable..but of course the form they provide is mostly in Thai and most American doctors cannot easily (due to legal reasons) assert you are 'clean' without sending you to labs where they can assess tropical diseases. BUt...they will always trust a doctor and clinic in Thailand first and foremost. they can easily call the clinic and verify records, far more easily than they can in America even.

 

Bottom line for me was getting a cert done in America without insurance would have taken a month and cost at least $1000 dollars out of pocket, getting it done in Thailand took 40 minutes and 350 baht.

[OJAS]

12 hours ago, tonray said:

You have to understand the way Thai officials think. While in America, certainly an American medical cert would be preferable..but of course the form they provide is mostly in Thai and most American doctors cannot easily (due to legal reasons) assert you are 'clean' without sending you to labs where they can assess tropical diseases. BUt...they will always trust a doctor and clinic in Thailand first and foremost. they can easily call the clinic and verify records, far more easily than they can in America even.

 

Bottom line for me was getting a cert done in America without insurance would have taken a month and cost at least $1000 dollars out of pocket, getting it done in Thailand took 40 minutes and 350 baht.

Yes, I have read a number of reports on here over the years of the difficulties faced by you Americans in obtaining medical certificates in your home country. Fortunately we Brits do not appear to be faced with similar difficulties if my experience in 2008 is anything to go by. I made an appointment with my surgery and was seen by a doctor whom I had never dealt with before. After giving me a "thorough medical examination" which consisted of her eyes moving from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet, she signed the certificate on the spot without question. When I asked her how she could be certain that I was not suffering from any of the ailments listed in the certificate, she merely responded by saying that it would have been obvious from my physical appearance if I was!

 

On the other hand, I suspect that Thai medical certificates could prove problematical for us Brits - and not just because of the notarisation requirements (with solicitors/notaries public being unwilling to notarise non-UK medical certificates) but also the possibility that the London Embassy is far less favourably disposed towards accepting such certificates than is the New York Consulate in any event.

[Langsuan Man]

Anyone with a regular doctor has absolutely no problem getting the Medical Certificate from their own physician and most doctors joke when they sign it since the "prohibited" diseases and conditions are so last century

 

As far as the notary requirement that is only enforced by the Thai Consulate in Chicago and Los Angeles.  New York Congen and Washington Embassy do not require the documents to be notarized;  similar to the "law unto themselves" as  evidenced  by Thai Immigration enforcement by the local offices here

[madisongy]

I am planning to apply for the OA visa through the Chicago office.   I see the notary requirement, and have been trying to find any medical office who can provide the notarized medical certificate.   I've called about 20 places, hospitals, clinics associated with hospitals......no luck.   Some of the hospitals have notaries on staff, but I cannot get the tests for the cert done at the hospital.....so I walk across a parking lot to the clinic and they can perform the tests, but cannot walk the document 100 meters to the hospital for the notary to stamp it.   Of course when I call an independent notary, they tell me they need to witness the signature.   I've finally found a small doctors office with a receptionist who is a notary.   It's a one doctor office.   So hoping I got the requirement fulfilled, but seems like a completely onerous requirement.    Can't reach anyone at the Thai Consulate office for clarification on this requirement, but I honestly don't know how people fulfill this one.   I got lucky.   Just got my police report today, but have to wait 2 1/2 weeks to see the doc.

[madisongy]

seems to be correct that Washington does not require the notary stamp on the medical.   But the banking requirement seems to require a letter from the bank, whereas the Chicago requirement does not.   Also, the Washington site mentions the following re-entry requirement.   I thought this was going to be a multi entry visa based on other feedback I rec'd on Thaivisa forum.   

 

During the one-year period, if he or she wishes to leave and re-enter the country, he or she is required to apply at the Immigration office for re-entry permit (single or multiple) before departure. In the case of leaving the country without a re-entry permit, the permit to stay for 1 year shall be considered void.

 

http://thaiembdc.org/consular-services/non-immigrant-visas/non-immigrant-category-o/

[BritTim]

7 minutes ago, madisongy said:

seems to be correct that Washington does not require the notary stamp on the medical.   But the banking requirement seems to require a letter from the bank, whereas the Chicago requirement does not.   Also, the Washington site mentions the following re-entry requirement.   I thought this was going to be a multi entry visa based on other feedback I rec'd on Thaivisa forum.   

 

During the one-year period, if he or she wishes to leave and re-enter the country, he or she is required to apply at the Immigration office for re-entry permit (single or multiple) before departure. In the case of leaving the country without a re-entry permit, the permit to stay for 1 year shall be considered void.

 

http://thaiembdc.org/consular-services/non-immigrant-visas/non-immigrant-category-o/

Muddled explanation (not unusual on Thai embassy websites).

 

The Non O-A visa is, indeed a multiple entry visa. It is true that your one-year permission to stay ends when you leave the country without a re-entry permit. However, this is inconsequential when planning to re-enter before the Enter Before date on your visa. Where it does become relevant is when trying to get a second year of stay out of the visa. If you enter Thailand just before the visa expires, you still receive a full one-year permission to stay. However, if you leave Thailand during this second year, you will then need the re-entry permit to keep your permission to stay intact for your return.

[Tanoshi]

3 hours ago, madisongy said:

 I thought this was going to be a multi entry visa based on other feedback I rec'd on Thaivisa forum. 

It is, until the ''enter before date'' of the Visa.

 

A multi entry Non Imm O-A Visa. (Long stay). Valid 1 year. Can be issued to those who are over 50 who intend to remain in Thailand for long periods. This Visa allows unlimited 1 year entries before the ‘enter before’ date of the Visa, at which point this Visa is ‘used’.

If you leave and re-enter just before the ‘enter before’ date of this Visa type you are granted another 1 year permission to stay. You will however require a re-entry permit if you intend to leave and re-enter Thailand during this 2^nd year permission to stay period.

This is because when the Visa expires on the ‘enter before’ date, so does the ME facility which is only valid until the ‘enter before’ date of the Visa.

 

If used correctly, you can stay in Thailand for almost 24 months with this Visa type.

[lopburi3]

4 hours ago, madisongy said:

seems to be correct that Washington does not require the notary stamp on the medical.   But the banking requirement seems to require a letter from the bank, whereas the Chicago requirement does not.   Also, the Washington site mentions the following re-entry requirement.   I thought this was going to be a multi entry visa based on other feedback I rec'd on Thaivisa forum.   

 

During the one-year period, if he or she wishes to leave and re-enter the country, he or she is required to apply at the Immigration office for re-entry permit (single or multiple) before departure. In the case of leaving the country without a re-entry permit, the permit to stay for 1 year shall be considered void.

 

http://thaiembdc.org/consular-services/non-immigrant-visas/non-immigrant-category-o/

That quote was made for the single entry non immigrant O-A visa which used to be issued and many people inadvertently lost their stay because they did not understand requirement for re-entry permits. 

 

But they no longer issue that type of visa in USA and all are now the non immigrant O-A Multi Entry type.  As said this provides a new one year permitted to stay on each entry during the year it is valid.

[JimGant]

Quote

Three copies of confirmed air ticket

Aw, they're just being considerate. They don't want you to go to all the fuss and expense involved in applying for an O-A visa, when you actually really don't plan to go to Thailand.

[jerry921]

8 minutes ago, JimGant said:

Aw, they're just being considerate. They don't want you to go to all the fuss and expense involved in applying for an O-A visa, when you actually really don't plan to go to Thailand.

And they want you to book ahead to get a good price on the airfare! Most solicitous!!

[Seanbhoy]

I didn't need a medical report for the visa, just for my work permit, they just take blood and check for about 6 things, I did it in mahesak hospital and was 800b work paid

[ubonjoe]

11 minutes ago, Seanbhoy said:

I didn't need a medical report for the visa, just for my work permit, they just take blood and check for about 6 things, I did it in mahesak hospital and was 800b work paid

He is applying for a non-oa visa at a Thai consulate. A medical certificate is required to apply for it.

[Seanbhoy]

well I hope you don't have elephantitis or syphilis - HIV and malaria is ok, but elephantitis is a no no