Medical Visa Thailand for Bangladeshi Patients — Complete Guide 2026

Do Bangladeshi Citizens Need a Visa for Thailand for Medical Treatment?

Yes, Bangladeshi passport holders require a visa to enter Thailand for medical treatment. Thailand does not offer visa-free entry for Bangladeshi nationals under any circumstances — including medical emergencies. It is a common misconception that a tourist visa (visa on arrival) can be used for hospital admission. It cannot. The correct document is a Non-Immigrant Visa Category "MT" (Medical Treatment), which the Royal Thai Embassy in Dhaka issues specifically for patients who need treatment in Thai hospitals.

If you are arranging a medical evacuation from Dhaka to Bangkok on an urgent basis, the visa process is accelerated. Many Bangkok hospitals, including Bumrungrad International Hospital, have dedicated International Patient Departments that issue visa support letters within hours of receiving the patient's medical records.

Types of Thai Visas for Bangladeshi Medical Travellers

1. Non-Immigrant Visa "MT" (Medical Treatment)

This is the standard visa for Bangladeshi patients who require inpatient or outpatient treatment at a Thai hospital. It permits a single or multiple entries and allows a stay of up to 90 days per entry. This can be extended while inside Thailand. The Medical Treatment Visa covers the patient and, in most cases, one accompanying attendant (family member or caregiver).

2. Tourist Visa (TR) — Not Recommended for Treatment

A Tourist Visa permits a 60-day stay but does not authorise you to receive medical treatment at Thai hospitals. While some patients have entered on a tourist visa and later applied to change their status, this route carries significant legal risk. If Thai Immigration determines that you entered on a tourist visa specifically to undergo treatment, it can result in visa cancellation, overstay fines, or a future entry ban. Always use the correct Medical Treatment Visa category.

3. Visa on Arrival (VOA) — Not Valid

Bangladeshi passport holders are eligible for a Visa on Arrival (VOA) at Thai airports for a 15-day stay, but the VOA explicitly excludes medical treatment. It is intended for tourism and short business visits only. Do not attempt to enter Thailand on a VOA for hospital admission — it will be denied.

Step-by-Step Medical Visa Application Process

Step 1: Obtain a Visa Support Letter from the Thai Hospital

Before you can apply for the visa, the treating hospital in Thailand must issue a formal visa support letter. This letter confirms that the patient has a scheduled appointment or planned admission at the hospital, specifies the medical condition and proposed treatment, and states the expected duration of stay. Bumrungrad International Hospital, Samitivej Sukhumvit, and Bangkok Hospital all have dedicated International Patient Departments that routinely issue these letters.

To request a visa support letter, the hospital needs: the patient's full name as it appears on the passport, passport number, date of birth, a brief medical summary or diagnosis from the referring doctor in Bangladesh, and the proposed treatment dates. Most hospitals can issue the letter within 1-3 working days.

If you are arranging an emergency cardiac air ambulance or similar urgent transfer, our team at Air Ambulance Dhaka to Bangkok can coordinate directly with the hospital's International Patient Department to fast-track the visa letter while the flight is being organised.

Step 2: Prepare the Required Documents

Take the following to the Royal Thai Embassy in Dhaka:

• Original passport — valid for at least 6 months with at least two blank visa pages
• Visa application form — completed and signed (download from the Embassy website or collect in person)
• Two recent passport-sized photographs — 4 x 6 cm, white background, taken within the last 6 months
• Original visa support letter from the Thai hospital (as described in Step 1)
• Medical certificate or referral letter from the patient's doctor in Bangladesh explaining the diagnosis and need for treatment abroad
• Proof of financial means — bank statements for the last 3 months, a sponsorship letter, or a fixed deposit certificate showing sufficient funds to cover treatment and living expenses (typically at least BDT 300,000–500,000)
• Round-trip flight itinerary or confirmed booking
• Hotel booking or accommodation proof in Thailand (many hospitals can provide this)
• Attendant's documents (if applicable) — same set of documents for the accompanying person plus proof of relationship (birth certificate, marriage certificate, or family card)

Step 3: Submit the Application at the Royal Thai Embassy, Dhaka

The Royal Thai Embassy in Dhaka is located at: 20 Kemal Ataturk Avenue, Banani, Dhaka 1213. Applications are accepted in person Monday to Friday (except Thai and Bangladeshi public holidays), typically between 09:00 and 12:00. There is no online application portal for the Medical Treatment Visa — submission must be in person or through an authorised representative.

Step 4: Pay the Visa Fee

As of 2026, the visa fee for a Non-Immigrant Visa "MT" is approximately BDT 4,000–5,000 for a single entry. Multiple-entry visas cost more (approximately BDT 10,000). Fees are subject to change, and the Embassy only accepts payment in cash (Bangladeshi Taka).

Step 5: Wait for Processing

Standard processing time is 5–7 working days. The Embassy does not offer an express or priority service for medical visas, so apply well in advance whenever possible. For emergency patients being transferred by ICU air ambulance, our team works with the Embassy's consular section to flag the case as urgent, though the decision rests entirely with the Embassy.

Step 6: Collect the Visa

Passports are collected in person from the Embassy during designated collection hours. Check the visa sticker carefully: confirm that the visa category is "MT" (Non-Immigrant), the validity dates are correct, and the number of entries matches what you requested.

Medical Visa Fees and Processing Time (Summary)

Item	Fee (Approx.)	Time
Single Entry Medical Visa (MT)	BDT 4,000–5,000	5–7 working days
Multiple Entry Medical Visa (MT)	BDT 10,000	5–7 working days
Hospital Visa Support Letter	Free – BDT 3,000	1–3 working days
Visa Extension (Inside Thailand)	THB 1,900	Same day – 7 days

Can a Bedridden or Critically Ill Patient Get a Medical Visa?

Yes. Thai Immigration and the Royal Thai Embassy in Dhaka regularly issue Medical Treatment Visas for patients who are too ill to travel on a commercial flight and require a bed-to-bed ICU air ambulance transfer. The process is the same as above, but the hospital visa support letter plays an even more critical role because it confirms that the patient is expected at the hospital and that the hospital is prepared to receive them.

For immobile patients, the Embassy may permit a representative (family member or our coordination team) to submit the application on the patient's behalf with a notarised authorisation letter. Our team has coordinated multiple visa applications for patients on ventilators and post-cardiac-arrest transfers where the patient could not appear in person.

Medical Visa Extension for Bangladeshi Patients

If treatment takes longer than 90 days, the Medical Treatment Visa can be extended at the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok (located at Government Center B, Chaeng Watthana Road). The extension fee is approximately THB 1,900 per extension, and extensions are typically granted in 30–90 day increments at the discretion of the Immigration Officer. To apply for an extension, you will need an updated letter from the treating hospital confirming that continued treatment is medically necessary, a completed extension application form (TM.7), a copy of your passport (main page, current visa, and entry stamp), and one passport-sized photograph.

It is essential to apply before the current visa expires. Overstaying even one day incurs a fine of THB 500 per day, and serious overstays can result in detention, deportation, and future entry bans.

Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Visas for Thailand

How long can I stay in Thailand on a medical visa?

The Non-Immigrant Visa "MT" permits a stay of up to 90 days per entry. This can be extended while in Thailand for additional treatment if needed.

Can my family member accompany me?

Yes. One accompanying attendant (spouse, child, parent, or sibling) is typically permitted on a separate Non-Immigrant Visa "O" (dependent/family) or on a Tourist Visa. The attendant must provide proof of relationship and their own financial documents.

What if my treatment costs more than I initially estimated?

You should carry financial documents showing you have sufficient funds for the entire estimated treatment period. If costs exceed estimates during your stay, the hospital can issue an updated letter, and you can use this to extend your visa.

Do I need travel insurance for a medical visa?

Travel insurance is not mandatory for the Medical Treatment Visa application itself, but it is strongly recommended. Some hospitals require proof of insurance before admitting international patients without a guaranteed payment plan. Our guide on air ambulance insurance and payment explains the options for Bangladeshi patients.

Can I switch from a Tourist Visa to a Medical Visa inside Thailand?

No, Thai Immigration generally does not permit changing a Tourist Visa to a Medical Treatment Visa while inside the country. You would need to exit Thailand and re-enter with the correct visa. This is why it is essential to apply for the MT visa before you travel.

Can a newborn baby travelling by air ambulance get a visa?

Yes. Newborns and infants require their own passport and visa, even if they are travelling in an incubator on a neonatal air ambulance. The process is the same, and the hospital's visa support letter should include the infant as a patient. Our team handles the visa paperwork for the entire family during an active transfer.

How Air Ambulance Dhaka to Bangkok Helps with the Visa Process

We coordinate medical transfers for Bangladeshi patients every day. Part of that coordination is ensuring the visa is ready before the flight departs. When you book an air ambulance with us, our medical coordination team:

• Liaises with the receiving hospital to issue the visa support letter within hours
• Provides guidance on completing the visa application and gathering the correct documents
• Coordinates with the Royal Thai Embassy in Dhaka for urgent or compassionate cases
• Arranges the flight itinerary that satisfies the Embassy's requirements
• Ensures the accompanying family members have the correct dependent visas

We have experience moving patients from across Bangladesh — Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, Rajshahi, Khulna — to the top hospitals in Bangkok. Our team handles the logistics so that families can focus on the patient, not the paperwork.

Related Guides

• Bangkok Hospital Admission for Bangladeshi Patients — documents, process, and costs after you arrive
• How to Book an Air Ambulance from Dhaka to Bumrungrad — step by step from first call to handover
• How to Admit a Patient to Bumrungrad from Dhaka — direct admission protocol for Bumrungrad
• Why Bangladeshi Patients Choose Bangkok — the hospitals, specialties, and value
• Bangkok Hospitals Compared — Bumrungrad, Samitivej, Bangkok Hospital side by side
• Air Ambulance Dhaka to India — Vellore CMC, Chennai Apollo, Delhi Medanta for families considering India as an alternative