Seeing a Doctor on a tourist visa

I'm going to be studying in Japan from April for 2 years but I missed the deadline for the visa application and the language school has suggested that I take 3 months of the course on a tourist visa and then change it over to a pre-college visa while I'm in Japan.

I'm arriving in Japan on the 8th Feb and the certificate of eligibility won't be granted until towards the end of May.... I'm just wondering what I should do about seeing a doctor while I'm still on a tourist visa and not paying any japanese NI. For approximately 4 months maybe more depending what work i can find

The problem is that I need regular medication and I can only get a certain amount before I leave. I'm worried the doctors fees are going to break the bank considering I will need medication monthly and blood tests to monitor my reaction to it.

I have been having thyroid problems and am currently underactive and need thyroxine in case anyone in a similar situation might be able to share their experiences.

That is what travel insurance is for.

I thought about that but since my thyroid problem is a pre-existing condition I'm not sure I can get cover for it. Please correct me if I'm wrong

hyakuretsuken said:

I thought about that but since my thyroid problem is a pre-existing condition I'm not sure I can get cover for it. Please correct me if I'm wrong

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I don't see why they won't. If that was the case then you would have a hard time going to another country b/c if something did happen you would not be able to get insurance. Your premium may be higher, but they don't know you are going to live there, all they know is that you will be a tourist for 3 months which is all that they are really concerned about anyway.

I wouldn't worry too much if I were you hyakuretsuken as even paying full price for medical care in Japan or seeing a doctor is quite inexpensive compared to the states ( I don't know about the UK). Please see my post "Emergency Medical Care in Japan" when I had to visit a doctor on an emergency while on a tourist visa a few years back. Trust me, I believe you will still be able to afford it on your salary while on a tourist visa.

Also, see this video on You Tube, Its Shocking How Cheap Health Care is in Japan from a woman actually living there. I think you'll be surprised and a little relieved.

Full cost doctors fees will not break you I'm sure and some doctors, especially one you go to on a regular basis and understands your situation, may just give you a break. I can't promise that, but it happened to me (when I didn't have NI while living there back in the day) and a few others I have read about recently on the net.. Either way, full priced doctor visits and prescriptions are very, very reasonable in Japan and you should be able to afford it. Good luck and don't worry about it. Maybe some others will have more information to add on this subject to alleviate your fear.

Also, in Japan, when you apply for NI, all pre-existing conditions ARE covered by law and you will not pay any more than anyone else. Japan's NI health care system ranks second in the world behind France.