I’m seeing a lot of people talk about how an ED Visa can cause trouble for future visas and entries. Is this for real?
For the record, I’m looking at an ED visa but am planning on actually studying Thai for a year at one of the reputable private schools in Bangkok. Not using a dodgy school, not taking the piss.
TLDR : Answer Summary
Many expats discuss the potential long-term issues associated with holding an ED visa in Thailand. There are two main types of ED visas: for formal education (university-level) and informal education (language schools). While reputable schools may not matter to immigration, prior holders of informal education visas report scrutiny during re-entry to Thailand, as this visa type is often abused. Leaving Thailand during the visa period can result in denial of entry upon return, regardless of educational intentions. Former ED visa holders have shared mixed experiences regarding re-entry and future visa applications, but several confirm they encountered no issues with other visa types after their ED visa.