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Can an ED Visa in Thailand cause issues for future visa applications or entries?

Aug 9, 2025
2 days ago
Hydra *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
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.
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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.
Jay *********
I had an ED visa for two years. I was occasionally asked to speak Thai to confirm I was going to classes when re-entering the country which was no problem. I have since obtained a DTV, which confirms that having an ED visa previously doesn't cause issues.
Hydra *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jay ********
awesome, thanks mate.
Maitin *******
My friend had a serious talking to when we came back from VN. He was on an ED visa for a few months. IO asked him to speak the alphabet and asked him questions in Thai. That didn't go so well. So off to the little room in back. After his Thai gf talked to the IO, they let him but made a notation about his visa. His 50th BD was in a week and we went for a retirement visa.

So it seems your actually have to be a decent student to maintain the ED visa
Hydra *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maitin ******
that’s okay. I did actually plan on properly learning.
Maitin *******
@Hydra ******
he only did the Ed visa because he got a talking to about too many entries on visa exempt. Guess it's bad karma.... I haven't had any problems... Must be living right
Brandon ************
As far as immigration concerned, there are only 2 kinds of ED visas.

1) Formal education, for university students seeking a degree. These are an initial 90-day visa followed by annual extensions until you complete your studies.

2) Informal education, for language and muay thai students. These are an initial 90-day visa, followed by up 3 more 90-day extensions, totaling a year.

Whether your school is reputable or not, makes no difference to immigration. They don't know what you school you went to and don't care, they just know if you had an ED based on formal education or information education. If your record shows a history of an informal education ED, you are likely to have problems for multiple years after you have this visa. That is because it's the most abused visa type, which replaced the volunteer visa many years ago after they basically stopped issuing that visa.

During the 1-year stay of study, you should NEVER leave Thailand. Countless reports of people immediately denied entry upon returning, because they told immigration they needed a visa to study in Thailand, that studying in Thailand was so important to them they needed a visa for it, and then they left Thailand. Doesn't matter if it's for the weekend, over a holiday, or what. You are almost guaranteed to be pulled out of line and interrogated, and very likely to be denied entry. There are reports of people who have letters from school giving them permission to leave, including all relevant information on dates, etc. Immigration officers even call school official and speak to them, and still deny entry.

Once your education extensions end, you are still likely to face scrutiny if you try to return to Thailand as a tourist for multiple years after this. They see you lived in Thailand, and don't want you returning again as a tourist, as they expect you are trying to either continue living in Thailand, or trying to live in Thailand again, which you cannot do as a tourist.

You should not have any issues in getting other visas even if you have ED in your past, and you should have no issued entering on any other visa type besides tourist entries after that.
Hydra *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
thanks. So if I was to transition to a DTV after an ED visa, that would be better than just returning on a visa exemption?
Brandon ************
@Hydra ******
Definitely. But why wait? Get the DTV now if you can, because no one knows what the future holds. It might not be available in a year. But if you get it now, it should still be valid for 5 years even if they end the program.
Hydra *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
yeah I know. I just don’t have a valid reason to get it until January. Can I apply for it to start in January? Like if I was to start a course then? Or does it start from when it is approved?
Brandon ************
@Hydra ******
Are you in Thailand already? You can make it until January if you use land border bounce agencies, but depending on where you are it could be some long drives because of the Cambodia border closures. You also have the option of using safe entry services at the airport if you wanted to fly out and back in, but could be a bit more expensive than land border bounces. More comfortable though.
Hydra *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
no I’m in Australia. Just wondering if I can apply now for DTV, but for it to start in January. I won’t be going to Thailand until January, which is when I was going to start the language course on the ED.
Elías ********
@Hydra ******
no, you can't, unless you lie and/or F o r G e documents. The reason: the embassies demand that your intented entry date be within 3 months from the application date. If you're planning to come in January, you'll be able to apply by October. But, if you apply would it be trhu workcation or soft power? I ask because most embassies won't accept Thai language courses to issue a soft power DTV.
Hydra *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Elías *******
thanks for the answer. I would prob do a cooking class, as I’m aware language courses aren’t valid.

I suppose I’ll wait until later in the year to apply, because DTV definitely seems like the way to go as compared to ED.
John **********
@Hydra ******
and if you want to study at a language school you can easily do so on the DTV alongside the cooking course you sign up for
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