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Can I apply for an ED visa for a language school in Thailand while in the UK, or must I be in Thailand?

ED Visa Non-ED Visa Thai Immigration Language School Visa Application Process Visa Extension Immigration Advice Koh Samui

Mar 20, 2024

8 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi I wonder if anyone can give solid advice please. I have only just submitted my application for samui language school. I did it at the end of my non visa extension  day 58 , I'm now back in the UK and miss Samui so much. Do I have to be in the UK to apply for Ed visa, or can I do it from Samui once the school has prepared my paperwork about 4 weeks. Thank you for any advice 🙏

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user inquired whether they could apply for an Education (ED) visa to attend a language school in Koh Samui while currently in the UK, or if it is necessary to be in Thailand for the application. Responses clarified that the required paperwork must be prepared by the school before applying, which can be done online from the UK or in person at the Koh Samui immigration office. Advice included considerations about the requirements for applying from the Thai consulate versus doing so in-country, potential complexities due to multiple visa exempt entries, and personal experiences with applying online.

Don *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

thank you so much for your advice I will do a cost benefit analysis and go from there. I now know I can apply in samui in person or online from England. Thanks everyone. Great advice forum..

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Don *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Ah. Thanks for the clarification Todd so I would apply at koh samui immigration office

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Tod *********

There is no requirement you get the visa in your country before you come.

if you're hell bent on getting back here, come back, wait for the paperwork and apply here in country at the immigration office in samui

(y)

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Tod *********

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Mark ********

I just did my ed visa in London embassy online, had my thai school email me the paperwork from school and ministry of education, got my visa approved within 48hrs.

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Don *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks so does it matter if I submit my visa application in samui once I have the paperwork. I'm pretty certain this will be successful

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Mark ********

reason I chose to do online in London was due to many visa exempt entries already so arriving with a visa is a more viable option for me, but as tod said you have to decide what option is best for you.

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Don *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

this is my worry I have 8 entries in 16 months.

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Mark ********

nobody can predict how the airport immigration officer will react if you try to enter on another visa exempt, your choice to make.

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Don *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

yes thanks everyone, I have decided to wait it out and apply from the UK once the school sends the documents.

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Don *******

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Tod *********

he said he applied from the UK online, that doesn't have anything to do with you applying IN COUNTRY after you're here at the immigration office 😕

YOU need to decide what way you're going to do it.

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Tod *********

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Tod *********

The school needs to process the paperwork with the Ministry of Education and get their approval <- you need those documents no matter if you do the ED visa in country at the immigration office OR from the thai consulate in the UK via the eVisa online web portal

You need to decide what you're going to do because IF you're doing the 90 day Non-ED visa from the thai consulate in the UK the documents need to be addressed to that consulate

and

the requirements are different than they are to apply for the 90 day Non-ED visa inside the country.

Read the requirements for the ED visa based on attending a private language school on the website of the thai consulate in London HERE:

*****************************************************

Then you decide if you want to get it thru there BEFORE you wing your way here after you get the documentation from the school

OR

If you wanna come back here and get the 90 day Non-ED visa in country from the thai immigration office that serves the area where you're staying..

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Don *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you for your advice 🙏 the school is one week into process. It's a 9 month course so is each visa for 90 day's. The school think no problem with that application, when eventually receive the paperwork from school, do I have to be in the UK to apply or can I do it from visa exempt in samui? Thanks for your patience 🙏

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Tod *********

you decide that on your own, you either sit it out and wait to get the paperwork and apply online while you're in the UK, or you come back here and apply in country at the immigration office

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Don *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

thank you so much your advice and a few others is invaluable. So I don't have to be in the UK to apply online for my Ed visa. Again thanks to everyone.

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Tod *********

You need to figure out whether you're going to:

1 - sit tight there, wait for the paperwork to come thru from the school, apply online, wait for the approval THEN come here

OR

2 - wing your way here (free stamp entry), get the paperwork and apply in country at the immigration office

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Tod *********

hang about, you got your wires crossed

To apply ONLINE using the eVisa website you have to be IN your country (the UK)

I said you could come here, free entry (30 day visa exempt) and then apply in person IN COUNTRY for the ED visa

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Tod *********

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