Thread: 30 day TVE - now a medical problem

Hi:

I have US passport and I travel to Bangkok once a year for medical checkup and then leave the country. (I had re-arranged medical appointment and got 30-arrival visa at airport.)

However, this trip a *problem* was found:
CT, xrays etc. show kidney stones blocking urine flow, a potentially serious issue, which needs to be treated ('ticking bomb') Medically this is relatively routine, but not exact science and so problem is:

My visa ends soon "Admitted until May 5, 2013"

Yes, I can get doctor/hospital certificates (Bangkok Christian Hospital, not so famous, and told me I am on my own with immigration). Note: I have 'strong' stone which can require multiple treatments/procedures (I have history of this - so I know.) First shockwave treatment failed.

No doctor can tell in advance when I will be ready to travel - stone might pass tomorrow, or might surgery to remove, or (hopefully) just 1 or 2 more multiple shock-wave treatments. Just can NOT say, esp. if any complications.

My question is

Should I

-go to immigration, try to get visa extension, plead with medical certificate? (7-day extension might not cut it)
-visa run to border (air), get 30-day arrival visa (probably enough time)
-visa run to border, get 60-day tourist visa (certain this be ample)
-visa run and do it *right way* - get medical visa [never done this]

In summary:
-US passport
-30-day arrival visa ends May 5
-medical problem found here; treatment required
-unknown when will be fit to leave, tomorrow, 7 days, 30 days
-best visa options?

Thanks for any experiences.

I have no advice to offer I am afraid, except to say that the hospital MAY be able to help you - IF (big if) it is a big international one like Bumi. If it is, contact their patient liaison department.

Going out and getting a proper visa for medical reasons is probably the best way. Then no matter what happens you can extend it.

Getting an extension on a 30 day visa waver really isn't an option.

You do not have any Visa at present you are on a Tourist Visa Exempt stamp.
I think you will need to change Visa status.

When changing categories in the Kingdom, the general rule is that the applicant for change of status must have at least 21 days of validity left on their current Thai immigration stamp. Changing status from one category to another can be more difficult depending upon the original category. Generally, the Royal Thai Immigration Police do not prefer to change an applicant’s status from visa exemption to a proper category. In these situations, they prefer that the applicant depart the country, obtain a proper visa, and return for an extension at a later date. That being said, conversion from an exemption to a visa category can be achieved, but conversion is done at the discretion of the Royal Thai immigration officer.

If you have insurance get it done in US

If not leave the country and get a visa.

Originally Posted by Thetyim

You do not have any Visa at present you are on a Tourist Visa Exempt stamp.
I think you will need to change Visa status.

Thanks to all. Doctor now preparing 'medical certificate' and so I have decided to
-leave country
-return with either 60-day travel visa or medical visa (whichever cheaper, least hassle/delay)

I *assume* any Thai consulate can do both 60-day travel or medical visa, but need to double check this carefully.

I was offered a 40 day extension, to my 30 day non-visa for 8K TBH.
Drop by any "visa" biz and see what they say and cost. I did check on-line and a few
places in Pattaya, and 7-9K TBH seemed to be the asking price

So you have a US passport and travel to Thailand once a year for medical check up.
Thats a first for me

My ex had Kidney stones and are very painful,depending on size some are passed with urine.Hers needed surgery as in many cases.

Now my father inlaw had a right big Bastard,watching him whince ,cry, holar in that hospital in Ta Bor Issan was not nice,no Im lying I did take some pleasure( the crying bit mostly,especially when I made eye contact with him, Jep Por ) but I don,t like to see anyone suffer pain really in general.

Hope its sorted for you feller

Originally Posted by VocalNeal

On the other hand you could simply go to Chang Wattana and ask them. They are very helpful and will tell you what your options are.

For sure this must be the first option.

Take the medical certificate with you and see what happens. If no good you just leave the country and get a sixty day Visa.

Easy really and no big problem this one.

Originally Posted by toddaniels

Nor can you (as another poster suggested) "change categories" of your visa,

That has changed now.
It is possible to do it if the immigration officer is on your side.
I helped a friend go from a TVE 30 day stamp to a non-imm O visa.

Originally Posted by Thetyim

That has changed now.
It is possible to do it if the immigration officer is on your side.
I helped a friend go from a TVE 30 day stamp to a non-imm O visa.

SLIGHTLY OFF TOPIC:

As I said, the O/P CAN'T "change categories" of his visa because on a 30 day visa exempt stamp he has NO visa to begin with!!

I didn't say anything about being on a 30 day visa exempt stamp and APPLYING for a Single Entry Non-Immigrant Type O visa inside the country.. While I don’t “help friends” I've “shepherded” more ‘acquaintances’ than I care to count over the last 6+ years out to Chaengwattana and walked them thru the process.

It's got abso-tively, posi-lutely NOTHING to do with "if the immigrations officer is on your side" and EVERYTHING to do with if you meet the criteria for the visa you're applying for.

If you're going that route (applying for a single entry 90 day Non-O visa in country), you do need at LEAST 14 days left on your permission to stay. Two years ago you could walk in to Chaengwattana apply and they'd stamp the Non-O visa into your passport on the spot. Then a little more than a year ago they started taking the applications "under consideration" while they were sent up stairs for final sign off. You turn in your application, your paperwork, pay and are told to come back in two weeks to get the visa stamped into your passport. IIf they take your application for “review” or “under consideration” I’ve never seen them not approve it.

FWIW: The up side for someone pursuing the retirement or marriage extension of stay and going on "banked money" in Thailand is that the money doesn't hafta be "seasoned" AT ALL to get the 90 day Non-O visa. I've shown up with people and gotten them that with the money being in their Thai bank account only a single day. Immigrations knows that by the time the visa runs out and you apply for the yearly extension of stay the money will be "seasoned" enough (if you don't let the balance drop below what's needed).

It's also the ONLY time I've ever seen Immigrations want to see "proof" to back up the dollar value you put on the US Embassy "income from abroad" letter, or the Oz Embassy "stat dec" letter if you're using foreign income for the financial requirements. By proof I mean statements showing deposits, letter of pension from the government, etc equaling what ever number you put on those forms. The only one they let fly w/out showing any proof at all is the UK Embassy letter. That’s because you hafta show proof to the UK Embassy to get that letter issued to you in the first place; unlike the US & OZ where you write down any amount you want w/out showing them anything.

BACK ON TOPIC;
Anyway, as I said, the O/P certainly burned up his "permission to stay" time and seems to be down to the wire right now... He's got some good options as far as what way to go and I wish him good luck...