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Can I apply for an ED visa at the Thai Embassy in London or do I need to do it in Thailand?

ED visa Thai Embassy London Student visa Education in Thailand Visa application procedures Thailand immigration Language school visa Tourist visa to ED visa conversion

Mar 14, 2022

3 years ago

Paige *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hey! I’m from the UK. Does anyone know if I can get an ED visa from the Thai Embassy in London or do they not supply this and therefore I have to get it when I’m in Thailand? (I’ve found the school and course I want to study, just trying to sort visas) Thanks!😊

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The original poster inquired about obtaining an ED visa from the Thai Embassy in London, asking if it's necessary to apply for it while in Thailand. Community responses suggest that typically, ED visas for language courses cannot be obtained outside of Thailand, and it's often recommended to arrive on a tourist visa first. Some respondents also noted that the school you choose can assist with the conversion process, and fees for changing visa types can vary.

Carrie ******

If you're looking to study on the islands you most likely will be paying 20,000 baht to switch from a tourist visa to an ed visa. I live on Samui and just went through this process. I also spoke with a few different schools on the island and found that it is the same.

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Paige *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thank you! This is so helpful. And could you do it by yourself to save some money or will you have to go through the school?

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Carrie ******

@Paige ********

I sent you a pm ☺️

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Carrie ******

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Brandon ************

I believe if it's a language school you still cannot get the ED visa outside of Thailand. Only if you're taking University courses.

Some language schools charge a conversion fee because they can. They might be the only school in an area or have very little competition. The legitimate language schools in Bangkok don't charge extra beyond the cost of your classes, they will provide you with the paperwork to take to immigration and do it yourself for the 2000₿ fee that all visas cost.

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Paige *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

I see! So some schools can put an extra cost on top when helping you get your ED visa?

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Paige *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Right! This makes sense as the school I’m looking at is in Koh Samui

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Brandon ************

@Paige ********

yes exactly. It's most common in the provinces or on islands. Basically their fee for preparing the paperwork for you. But a Visa costs 2000₿ everywhere in Thailand.

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Brandon ************

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Michael ********

Best to check with embassy things like this can change quietly and quickly. You would probably still need paperwork from school

Last week started issuing one year multiple entry marriage visas, just appeared on an embassies page in Holland. No announcement

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Johan ********

Come here on tourist visa, then the school will get you ED-visa. Asked the school about this?

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Paige *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

yes the school will help me but I’ve been told it costs about 2000 baht to get the ED visa in the UK first or it costs 20,000 baht to switch from tourist to ED once in Thailand. I was trying to save the money 😕

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Paige *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

This is the message I got from

The manager of the school? That’s so strange that he is saying 20,000? It’s a huge difference 😆

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Mike *******

@Paige ********

the Ed visa is 2000 baht. The cost of school night be 20k. You're thinking of 2 different things. You need to be enrolled in a school to get the Ed visa which is $2000 baht at immigration.

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Paige *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

so it costs 2000 baht to switch from tourist to ED visa once in Thailand?

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Mike *******

@Paige ********

this will get you 90 days. Then you need to go back to immigration to evaluate what you have learned and pay another $2000 baht for another 90 days. You must be enrolled in a school. Do not listen to clowns who tell you that you do not. Your school has to turn in attendance to immigration.

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Paige *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

yes. I luckily have found the school and course I want to do so I’m okay with that part! Just don’t want to get ripped off trying to get a visa

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Mike *******

@Paige ********

if you pick the right school they'll do most of the paperwork for you. You just need to show up on the day at immigration with your school rep with $2000 baht. Pay and return 2 weeks later for your stamp. I went with ALA language school and so happy I did. They have been so helpful with all the paperwork and visa. Learning Thai has been a little harder than expected for me, but I'm American and can barely speak proper English lol.

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Paige *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

okay great! Thank you so much for your help!

I am worried it’s going to be hard to learn but I think it will be fun!😊

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Mike *******

@Paige ********

you'll be fine. Only thing I say is try to talk to as many Thais (who also speak English) as you can while learning. Force yourself to use even small things in Thai like greetings, thank you, directions, offering food. It's crazy that one word can mean different things depending on the tone. You can say someone is beautiful or a cow of you use the wrong tone lol. Good times!!!!

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Mike *******

@Paige ********

yes. The cost of Ed visa when you go to immigration is $2000 baht. The cost of your school is entirely a different thing.

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Mike *******

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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

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The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

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