Thailand has 90-day Visa Exemption for Medical Purpose.
Thailand has currently become a popular medical tourist destination and over the years, it has gained recognition and credibility for its medical tourism. And as a way to develop the nation into a regional medical hub, the Royal Thai government has implemented a new scheme for nationals of 6 Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries who are visiting Thailand for medical purpose.
Since 5 January 2013, the Thai government has initially started granting a visa extension from 30 days to 90 days for nationals of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates. This new regulation aims to facilitate the GCC patients who need to receive longer medical treatment in the country for 90 days without visa.
The new regulation also allows an eligible patient to have not more than 3 accompanying individuals of GCC nationals (i.e. parents, spouse, children or maid) for 90 days without visa although maids or accompanying persons of other nationalities apart from GCC countries and those of 48 countries and territories listed on 30-day visa exemption scheme, are still subject to requirement of Non-Immigrant “O” visa. As for GCC nationals visiting Thailand for tourism purpose, they can still enjoy the existing 30-day visa exemption scheme except for Saudi nationals who can apply visa on arrival for 15-day of stay.
Moreover, the GCC nationals who wish to be eligible for the 90-day visa exemption shall present the following documents to immigration officers upon arrival in Thailand:
For the patient
- An official medical appointment issued by the certified health institutions or hospitals in Thailand
- Financial supporting documents (i.e. bank statements, health insurance and other relevant documents) issued by concerned authorities in their respective countries.
For the accompanying individuals
- For a family member – copy of official documents for the proof of relationship between the patient and the accompanying individuals (i.e. birth certificate, marriage certificate, house registration, I.D. card)
- For an employee or maid – Employment contract
- Affidavit of support form (to be prepared by hospitals in Thailand)
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