A ‘Fit to Fly’ Certificate, also called a Fit to Travel Letter is a medical certificate that confirms to airlines that you are in the conditions to fly. This document is currently required from everyone traveling to Thailand.
Fit to Fly Certificate is no longer needed!
Update 1 April 2021! For the travelers arriving to Thailand from 1 April 2021 Fit to Fly Certificate is no longer needed!
This new regulation was published in Royal Gazette on 31 March 2021 (click to see announcement, of course in Thai!)
Many embassies also stated that "Non-Thai travellers no longer need to present a Fit to Fly Certificate at check-in. It is sufficient to present a Medical Certificate with a laboratory result indicating that COVID-19 is not detected, using RT-PCR method, issued no longer than 72 hours before departure (in addition to the COE, health insurance & ASQ confirmation). However, certain airlines may have a different internal policy; please double check required documents with your airlines. "
COVID-19 Test in Bangkok
There's a high chance that a negative COVID-19 test result or even a Fit to Fly Certificate will be needed when traveling home from Thailand. You can conveniently book a COVID-19 test in Bangkok online and even get a discounted price for the service.
Those preferring first class healthcare providers, can choose one of the top private hospitals in Bangkok - BNH Hospital, which is conveniently located in central Bangkok nearby BTS Chongnonsi Station. The hospital is offering a package including the testing, Fit-To-Fly Certificate, test reports and consultant fees with results within just 24 hours (Next Day) for 7,000 THB. Discount to 6,500 THB is offered when booking this package online here: COVID-19 Test at BNH Hospital.
If you are looking for an affordable COVID-19 RT-PCR test in Bangkok, in an easy to access in Ratchada Area (nearby MRT Ratchadaphisek station) you can find an officially accredited medical testing laboratory that is offering a hassle-free process and test results within just 24 hours (Next Day) for only 2,100 THB when booking online here: COVID-19 RT-PCR Test.
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, those who was flying to Thailand were required to present health certificate written by a doctor that confirms your fitness to fly. The health certificate must state that the passenger was "Fit to Fly".
You will also need health insurance covering COVID-19 for no less than 50,000 USD. AXA Sawasdee Thailand is an inbound travel insurance that meets all these requirements set by Thai government and was successfully used by thousands of travelers to enter Thailand. You can conveniently buy COVID-19 insurance online and get your insurance policy with COVID-19 certificate instantly.
A Fit to Fly Health Certificate must be issued no more than 72 hours before departure. If you travel with the flight on 22 November 2020, your fit-to-fly health certificate must be “issued” or “reported” on 19, 20 or 21 November 2020.
Photo by Royal Thai Embassy, Jakarta
Additionally, everyone needs to present a letter, Certificate of Entry (COE) issued by Royal Thai Embassy or Thai Consulate certifying that they are flying home.
Having a "fit to fly" certificate is not enough for foreigners flying to Thailand as depending on the type of their purpose of traveling, they need to submit several other documents to Thai Embassy or Thai Consulate before traveling to Thailand.
Another important thing you should be aware of when planning to travel to Thailand during COVID-19 is that foreigners must stay at one of Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) or Alternative Local Quarantine (ALQ) for 14 days after entering the country.
Fit to Fly Health Certificate Form
There is no official form for a Fit-to-Fly Certificate. Some passengers on previous repatriation flights and Semi-Commercial Flights were denied boarding because they used forms that did not contain the word “FIT-TO-FLY” or “FIT-TO-TRAVEL”
This is the sample form of Fit to Fly Health Certificate from Royal Thai Embassy in Washington D.C. You can also click here to download (PDF) the same form on Thailand Department of Disease Control website.
Another example of Fit to Fly Certificate.
Fit-to-Fly Certificate vs. COVID-19-Free Certificate
Fit to Fly Health Certificate is a statement by a doctor that you are free from symptoms and fit to fly. While COVID-19-Free Certificate is the test result with a laboratory output indicating that COVID-19 is not detected. Both documents must be issued within 72 hours before departure.
Update 1 April 2021! While Fit to Fly Health Certificate is no longer needed starting from 1 April 2021, all foreigners traveling to Thailand still must have a COVID-19-Free Certificate issued within 72 hours before departure.
The COVID-19 test result and fit-to-fly health certificate must be two separate documents. It is your responsibility to present these two documents upon check-in with the airline and on your arrival in Thailand.
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