Hello,
I am going to University in Khon Kaen. School starts December 7th, but the school will not give me the appropriate documents for Non Immigrant ED visa until about December 21st. They told me I can apply for tourist visa and then get my visa changed while there as long as there are more than 15 days on the visa. Here are my questions:
1. I'm currently applying for tourist visa, but what I've read says the application usually takes 15 business days to complete. Is this true? Or does it usually happen faster?
1. Does anyone know if I could get into Thailand through visa exemption and then get the proper visa while there? I asked the school representative but they did not answer this.
1. Do I actually need more than 15 days to change the visa? Essentially- could I get the visa on arrival or would this not work since it's only valid for 15 days.
I made the mistake of booking my flight too early and would like to not have to reschedule it by either taking visa exemption or visa on arrival, but I'm not sure if this would work. If I have to reschedule it, does the E Visa process actually take about 15 business days or is it usually shorter? This is my first time traveling internationally so any information would be helpful. Thanks!
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user is inquiring about the possibility of obtaining a Non-Immigrant ED visa after arriving in Thailand, given that their university will only provide the necessary documentation for the ED visa closer to their start date. They have questions regarding the duration of the tourist visa application process, the feasibility of entering Thailand via visa exemption or visa on arrival, and whether 15 days is required to change their visa status. Community members have suggested that applying for a single-entry tourist visa is advisable, as it grants 60 days and can be extended, providing enough time to obtain the ED visa.
