Starting a job in Thailand comes with paperwork. One part many people forget is the medical certificate. To get a work permit, you need a doctor to check your health and sign an official form. It sounds like a big task, but it is quick and simple. Most people are in and out the same day, with the form in hand.
Whether you teach English, run dive trips, or work in a hotel, the medical is much the same. This guide walks you through what to bring, what the doctor checks, and how fast you can get it done. With the right papers ready, a work permit medical in Patong takes very little time.
What the Medical Checks
The work permit medical is not a hard exam. It looks for a short list of conditions named in Thai law. These are illnesses the rules say a worker should be free of. The list covers a few serious diseases, such as advanced TB, leprosy, and certain others. A doctor also does a basic health check. They look at you, take a few simple measures, and ask about your health. It is a quick screen, not a full body work-up.
Some jobs or offices ask for a little more. A few want a chest X-ray to screen for TB, or a blood test. Rules can differ by province and by the office that handles your permit. That is why it helps to know what your case needs before you come. When you book, tell us your job and where you are filing. A doctor makes sure your form matches.
What to Bring
A little prep saves time. Bring your passport, since the doctor needs to confirm who you are. Bring any medical form your employer or the labour office gave you. Some offices have their own form they want signed, so hand it over at the start. If you have a passport photo, bring it, as some forms need one. A few offices want a chest X-ray result, so ask ahead. Having these ready means you are in and out fast.
Do not worry if you are missing a piece. We can guide you on what to get and where. If your form needs a chest X-ray, we can refer you to a nearby center and finish the medical once it is done. If you are not sure what your office wants, message us first. A quick chat on WhatsApp can save you a wasted trip.
How Fast and How It Works
For most people, the whole visit is short. You walk in, show your papers, and see a doctor. The doctor runs the basic checks and asks a few health questions. If your form needs no extra test, they sign it on the spot. You leave the same day with your medical certificate ready to file. There is no need to book days ahead. We are open 24 hours, so you can even come outside normal office times.
If your form needs a chest X-ray or blood test, it takes a little longer, but not much. We can often arrange the X-ray nearby and read the result the same day. English-speaking doctors mean nothing gets lost in translation. We give you a clear quote before we start, and we can bill many insurers directly. Just bring your policy details and ask us for a free quote.
Work Permit Medical Checklist: What to Bring and What We Check
- Your passport, so the doctor can confirm your identity
- Any medical form from your employer or the labour office
- A passport photo, since some forms need one attached
- Details of your job and the office where you are filing
- A basic health check, where the doctor looks you over and asks about your health
- A screen for the conditions named in Thai law, such as advanced TB and leprosy
- A chest X-ray or blood test, only if your office asks for one
- Your insurance policy details, if you want us to bill directly
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a work permit medical take?
For most people, it is quick. If your form needs no extra test, a doctor can run the basic checks and sign it the same visit. You often walk out with your certificate in under an hour. If a chest X-ray or blood test is needed, it takes a little longer, but we still aim to finish the same day.
Do I need an appointment?
No, you can walk in. Our clinic is open 24 hours, so you can come when it suits you, even outside normal office hours. That said, a quick message first helps. Tell us your job and which office handles your permit, and we can confirm what your form needs. That way, you bring the right papers and avoid a second trip.
What does the medical actually check for?
It screens for a short list of conditions named in Thai law, such as advanced TB, leprosy, and a few others. A doctor also does a basic health check and asks about your health. It is a quick screen, not a full exam. The goal is to sign off that you are fit to work under the rules.
Do teachers and dive instructors need the same medical?
In most cases, yes. The core work permit medical is much the same across jobs. It checks the same short list of conditions set by Thai law. Some employers or offices add a test, like a chest X-ray. So tell us your job when you come. A doctor makes sure your form matches what your school or dive center needs.
How much does the medical cost?
We give you a clear quote before we start, so there are no surprises. The cost depends on whether your form needs any extra test, like a chest X-ray. You can message us on WhatsApp for a free quote any time. We also bill many insurers directly, so bring your policy details if you have cover.
Walk in on Prachanukroh Road near Bangla, or message us and we reply in minutes. Doctor hotel visits available across Patong and Phuket.
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