Can a student apply for an ED visa in Bali if they entered Thailand on a tourist visa?

Question

Hello, I have a student from Germany. She got the wrong visa (tourist not ed)  before she came. She didn't check but now it is too late obviously. She is going to Bali soon and I wonder if she can apply for a ed visa in Bali or is it more convenient to use the tourist visa and get a multi entry. Then come back and apply for it here in BKK. Thanks for you help 😊

Ask Thailand · Answer

A student who entered Thailand on a tourist visa can encounter challenges when applying for an education (ED) visa. It's generally recommended to apply for an ED visa outside of Thailand unless the student is enrolled in a recognized university program or under the age of 18 at an accredited school, in which case a conversion might be possible within Thailand. For those who aren't in such programs, it is essential to leave Thailand and obtain the necessary paperwork from their school to apply for a proper ED visa at a Thai consulate in another country. Consulting with the consulate in Bali for specific visa options is also advised.

Lena ******* · Answer

Thank you all, much appreciated!

Tod ********* · Answer

Okay, to sum up the comments IF she is enrolled in a real honest to goodness university for a degreed course OR if she's under 18 going to a school then she can do an in country conversion from a tourist visa to a 90 day Non-Immigrant Type ED visa at the immigration office.

If she is not, she'd need to take the paperwork from where ever she's studying and go to a thai consulate in another country to buy a 90 day single entry Non-Immigrant Type ED visa

Kono ***** · Answer

Transfer her tourist visa to Non ed visa first in bbk immigration office than do a re entry permit there ' than she can go to Bali and come back .

Reiner ********* · Answer

It can be changed in thailand but need more then 15 days or more on the actual.....but go just and ask...but not tell that she go to school...just if its possible to change here...

Mark ******** · Answer

Steve Steven is that for any ED course, or just for formal University study (or full time school if under 18 etc.)? As I mentioned above in another reply, I studied at CMU on 1 year course, and was told that I would have to leave Thailand for new visa.

Mark ******** · Answer

I have never heard of anyone doing a conversion of a tourist to a non-immigration visa for ED before. Only for retirement. Possibly a few others, but pretty sure not for ED purposes. Every school I have dealt with has told their students that they must get a new non-immigrant ED visa outside of Thailand, for which, they obviously must have their paperwork (although they don't need to be in Thailand to get their paperwork - it can, and regularly is, posted out)

Amornrat ********** · Answer

Best is to call Bali Consular directly, I would assume that an ED is possible, but can not confirm. Tourist is possible or just a visa waiver when she come back. But multiple tourist visa is not possible in Bali.

David ************ · Answer

I thought Bali was being evacuated due to the volcano danger.

Glen ********* · Answer

Once she has the correct approval from MOE through her selected school, she MUST apply for the actual ED Visa outside Thailand, it’s not possible to apply inside Thailand - unless she is studying at University I think (Tod will know)

Can a student apply for an ED visa in Bali if they entered Thailand on a tourist visa?

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