Medical Certificate for Work Permit Application and Renewal in Thailand

Medical Certificate for Work Permit Application and Renewal in Thailand

If you're a foreigner applying for or renewing a work permit in Thailand, obtaining a medical certificate is one of the essential steps in the process. It's a legal requirement—not just paperwork—and it must be completed by a licensed medical doctor using the appropriate examination and documentation.

At PULSE Clinic, we provide work permit medical certificates every day for first-time applicants and for people renewing permits they've held for years. We've designed the process to provide same-day results whenever possible, without cutting corners on the examination itself.

This guide covers everything you need to know: why the certificate is required, exactly what it screens for, what to expect from your appointment, how much it costs, and how to book — whether you'd rather come into our clinic in person or handle the whole thing through a video consultation from wherever you are.

Why Do You Need a Medical Certificate for a Thai Work Permit?

Under Thailand's Foreigners' Working Management Emergency Decree, anyone applying for or renewing a work permit must prove they're medically fit to work. A licensed doctor has to confirm that the applicant shows no signs of mental illness or mental infirmity and is free of six specific conditions:

• Leprosy
• Tuberculosis
• Drug addiction
• Alcoholism
• Elephantiasis
• Third-degree syphilis

This isn't a full physical exam in the hospital sense — it's a focused, legally defined screening designed to satisfy the requirements of the Ministry of Labour. Most of these conditions can be assessed through a straightforward physical consultation and a review of your medical history.

Syphilis is the exception: because it requires a lab-confirmed result rather than just a physical observation, it's the one part of the process that takes a bit more than a five-minute chat with a doctor, which is why we include a blood test as standard with every certificate we issue.

What Happens During Your Appointment

Even though the certificate itself is a compact document, the appointment behind it follows the same standard of care as any other visit to one of our GPs.

• The role of the doctor: The doctor who conducts your work permit medical examination is a fully qualified general practitioner trained to assess general health conditions and identify anything that may require further attention. If, during your consultation, the doctor notices something unrelated to the certificate itself — a symptom worth investigating or a health question you'd like to raise — you're welcome to bring it up. Many of our patients start with a routine certificate visit and end up building an ongoing relationship with the same doctor for their general healthcare needs, which tends to be the most effective way to manage your health over time, since the doctor becomes familiar with your history.
• What the doctor checks: Expect a brief physical assessment and a short conversation about your general health and medical history, followed by the blood draw for the syphilis screening. It's a routine, low-stress process — most patients are in and out of the physical exam portion in a few minutes.
• Getting the most out of your visit: If you have any relevant medical history, a list of current medications, or recent test results, feel free to bring them along, though they aren't required for this particular certificate. If anything about the process is unclear, ask your doctor before you leave. Understanding exactly what was checked and why is part of good care, not just paperwork.

Medical Certificate Cost for a Thai Work Permit

For 700 THB, PULSE Clinic provides:

• A consultation with one of our licensed doctors
• A blood test (rapid kit) to screen for syphilis
• A completed and signed medical certificate, ready to submit with your work permit application or renewal

Results are typically ready within a few hours. If you complete your consultation by video call, we email your certificate directly to you once it's ready. If you visit us in person, the whole process — consultation, blood draw, and certificate — usually takes about 10 minutes of your time at the clinic, with lab results following shortly after.

In-Clinic Visit or Video Consultation — Which Should You Choose?

PULSE Clinic offers both options, and the right choice really comes down to your schedule and how comfortable you are handling the blood test step remotely.

• Visiting the clinic in person is the fastest end-to-end option if you're already in Bangkok. You'll complete your consultation and blood test and receive your certificate in a single short visit — typically around 10 minutes at the clinic itself.
• Booking a video consultation is a good fit if you'd rather not travel during work hours or if you're coordinating the appointment around a tight schedule. You'll speak with a licensed doctor by video, and your certificate will be emailed to you within a few hours of your consultation. If a blood test is still required, our team will explain the quickest way to complete it when you book your appointment.

Either way, the certificate you receive carries the same weight — it's signed and approved by our medical doctor and accepted for work permit applications and renewals.

Book Your Medical Certificate Now

Contact us at info.bkk@pulse-clinic.com or chat on your preferred platform:

How to Book Your Appointment

1. Message us in advance on LINE: @painaway
2. Bring your passport with you on the day of your appointment
3. No fasting or dietary restrictions apply — you can eat and drink normally before and during the visit

That's the entire preparation checklist. No special diet, no need to clear your schedule for hours, and no complicated forms to fill out in advance.

How You Can Pay

Work permit medical certificate visits at PULSE Clinic can be paid for with cash, a credit card, or a money transfer. If your health insurance covers services received at PULSE Clinic, you can still pay at the time of your visit and use your receipt and certificate to claim reimbursement afterward. Depending on your insurance policy, you may be able to claim reimbursement using your receipt and medical certificate.

Beyond the Work Permit Certificate

Work permit certificates are one of the most common reasons people visit us, but they're far from the only medical clearance we handle. PULSE Clinic also issues certificates for:

• Health clearance for employers, schools, and other institutions
• Travel clearance for airlines and immigration requirements
• Thai driving license applications and renewals (a related but separate certificate — see below)

If you need more than one type of certificate, let our team know when you book so we can plan your visit accordingly.

A Related Requirement: Medical Certificates for a Thai Driving License

Many of our work permit patients are also applying for or renewing a Thai driving license, since foreigners living in Thailand long-term typically need both. The driving license medical certificate is a separate document — sometimes called the "5 diseases form" — and confirms you're free of conditions that could affect your ability to drive safely, including mental disability, drug addiction or chronic alcoholism, and the contagious or symptomatic stages of leprosy, tuberculosis, and elephantiasis. It costs 600 THB at PULSE Clinic and follows the same simple booking process. If you'd like, we can prepare a full standalone guide to this certificate as well.

Our Telemedicine Services

Beyond medical certificates, PULSE Clinic's telemedicine platform gives you access to a broader range of care from wherever you are:

• Confidential consultations with licensed doctors, available within minutes
• Confidential sessions with certified counsellors and psychologists
• Ongoing support for managing chronic conditions through sustainable lifestyle changes
• Medication refills for chronic conditions, with same-day home delivery
• Guidance from our aesthetic experts
• Personalised nutrition plans from our licensed clinical nutritionist

Other Healthcare Services at PULSE Clinic

Our doctors see a wide range of conditions every day, but a few areas are where patients most often turn to us specifically:

Most requested services:

• PrEP (HIV prevention)
• Emergency PEP (for situations like condom failure)
• STD testing and treatment
• Anxiety
• Gastroenteritis
• Syphilis
• HIV treatment

Commonly treated conditions:

• UTIs
• Skin rashes
• Back pain
• Anxiety
• Gastroenteritis
• Sore throat

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a work permit medical certificate cost at PULSE Clinic?

The medical certificate for a Thai work permit costs 700 THB, which includes the doctor's consultation and the syphilis blood test required by law.

How long does it take to get the certificate?

If you visit in person, the appointment itself takes about 10 minutes, with your certificate ready shortly after.

What conditions does the medical certificate screen for?

Thai law requires screening for mental illness or infirmity, plus six specific conditions: leprosy, tuberculosis, drug addiction, alcoholism, elephantiasis, and third-degree syphilis.

Do I need to fast before my appointment?

No. There are no food or drink restrictions before or during the examination.

What should I bring to my appointment?

Just your passport. If you have relevant medical history or existing test results, feel free to bring them along as well, though they aren't required.

Can I use the same visit to get a driving license medical certificate too?

The work permit and driving license certificates are separate documents with different requirements, but you can often arrange both in the same visit. Mention this when you book so our team can plan accordingly.

Will my insurance cover the cost?

If your policy covers services at PULSE Clinic, you can pay at the time of your visit and submit your receipt and medical certificate for reimbursement. Coverage depends on your insurer and your individual policy.

Can I Get a Work Permit Medical Certificate the Same Day?

Yes. In most cases, the consultation takes around 10 minutes, and your certificate is typically ready within a few hours once the required examination and blood test have been completed. If you're booking a video consultation, our team will explain the quickest way to complete any remaining requirements.

Need your medical certificate today?

Whether you're applying for your first Thai work permit or renewing an existing one, our team can help you complete the process quickly and professionally.

Book Your Medical Certificate Now

Contact us at info.bkk@pulse-clinic.com or chat on your preferred platform: