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Can I apply for an ED visa for language school in Thailand after entering on a tourist visa from the UK?

Education Visa (ED)Visa Process Language School Thailand Immigration Tourist Visa Pattaya

Jul 11, 2024

8 months ago

Samuel ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi everyone. I will be coming to Thailand (pattaya) in October and wish to get an ED visa to a language school so I can’t stay for at least a year. I have been told by people in Thailand that I can come over and apply and do everything whilst in Thailand but if that is true would I be able to enter the country on a single plane ticket from the UK or do I have to apply for tuition and obtain the ED visa whilst still in the UK? 

Thank you.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is planning to travel to Pattaya, Thailand in October and is seeking an ED visa to attend a language school for a year. They want to know if they can enter Thailand on a single plane ticket from the UK or if they need to secure the tuition and visa beforehand. Comments suggest that obtaining a tourist visa before entering Thailand is advisable since the ED visa application can take time and requires sufficient days remaining on the current visa. Additionally, users recommend obtaining an onward ticket reservation to satisfy immigration requirements.

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Joseph *********

Sadly from my experience if studying in Thailand this type of Visa was greatly abused.

During my time lots of "girls" according to the Phuket Times weee deported.

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Charlie ********

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I have used these many times. You get what appears to be a ticket reservation that will satisfy the airline you fly with and immigration in the unlikely event they ask you.

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Christopher ********

Come over on a tourist visa and then find an agent to do the education visa. They can do it rather quickly.

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Samuel ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Christopher *******

if I apply for a tourist visa from Thai embassy in London, can I still enter Thailand on a single plane ticket into the country or will I have trouble as I am not showing a return ticket?

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Graham ******

@Samuel *******

ask your airline as they as that is where you are most likely to be asked for proof

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Samuel ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

what do you mean exactly? Can I apply for a tourist visa and then book a cheap flight 60 days later which proves to the Thai border control that I will be leaving and then just change the visa to an ED visa when I’m in Thailand? ( I’m sorry. I thought I had done a lot of research on this matter but realise I don’t actually know too much) thank you all for your help.

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Graham ******

@Samuel *******

If you are asked for proof of onward travel within the number of days a "tourist" gets stamped in for (30 or 60) then it is your airline at check in that will normally ask for this before issuing your boarding pass

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Christopher ********

@Samuel *******

I would suggest doing the metv. Then during the period of using that, get with an agent and do the education visa.

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Christopher ********

@Samuel *******

usually you need to show proof of a return flight when applying for an evisa.

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Christopher ********

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James ********

@Samuel *******

the rule is you must have one. Most don't get asked but to be more confident about it I would recommend reserving a flight online that can be cancelled.

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

@Samuel *******

just Google "onward ticket" and you'll find lots of options for a ticket out of Thailand for $10-$15

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Sam *********

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

how so cheap? Like some Asia Airlines from Bangkok to Siem Reap for example?

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

they book a refundable ticket under your name then cancel it.

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

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Bunny *****

If they ask at immigration, just say you are waiting for the air ticket discount online fair that happens on Sunday in your country. That is always the excuse I use.

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Aake **********

The big question is; What to answer and what to show when the airline wants to see an outbound ticket

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Bunny *****

@Aake *********

that's the answer. Been asked the question 5 times in 5 Years at dmk.

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Bunny *****

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Max *************

What has this got to do with this guys post about an ED visa?

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Iain ******

@Max ************

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James ********

@Max ************

he mentioned a single plane ticket.

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Ralph *******

He probably won’t be allowed to board his flight without an onward ticket from Thailand within the visa period.

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Bunny *****

never happened in my country.

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Ralph *******

It certainly wouldn’t work in New Zealand or the UK.

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James ********

sorry I was replying to a different message. Just book onward ticket that can be cancelled whilst in Thailand. No problem.

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Samuel ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thank you very much. I will try to do this.

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James ********

that's why you cancel after entering Thailand.

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James ********

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

If you want to get the ED visa in Thailand it would be best to apply for a tourist visa before you travel as sometimes the ED visa process can take a while because your school has to send a request to the ministry of education and this can take a few weeks. When all the paperwork is finally finished you still need to have 15-21 days left on your permission to stay in Thailand and that can be difficult if you only enter visa exempt for 30 days.

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

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