Answered4 years ago

Can I enter Thailand on a tourist visa and switch to an ED visa later?

ED Visa Tourist Visa Visa Application Process Thailand Immigration Visa Types Visa Change Process

Antonia ******

asked Jul 30, 2022

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Hi everyone!

I'll be provided the required documents for a ED visa (September - January) from Chiang Mai University. However, the faculty is really busy at the moment and it's taking them a while to send me the documents. Plus, allegedely the electronic visa application takes 3+ weeks, which means that I might not be able to come right in the beginning of september like I planned. 

I was now thinking if it is possible to come on a tourist visa-on-arrival and change to ED visa once I'm there. I've read conflicting information about this online, does anyone here have experience with this?

Answer summary

The user is waiting for documents required for an ED visa from Chiang Mai University, but is concerned about potential delays in receiving them. They inquire whether they can enter Thailand on a tourist visa-on-arrival and later change to an ED visa. Responses indicate that while applying for an ED visa in Thailand can be done after entering on a free 30-day stamp, it requires proper processing time and documentation. One suggested alternative is to obtain a Single Entry Tourist Visa (SETV) to allow for a longer stay while waiting for the ED visa to be processed.

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Keven ****

If you get the SETV like Tod suggested, while on a tourist visa, it'll also give you some time to set yourself up here (apartment, etc.) before you start studying at your university.

@Antonia *****

4 years ago

Antonia ******

So it’s not a problem to change from SETV to ED visa while in country? I’m okay with paying a fee, I just want to avoid having to leave the country

4 years ago

Keven ****

@Antonia *****

Normally it's doable, but like Ellie said, definitely confirm with your school beforehand.

4 years ago

Ellie *******

@Antonia *****

, unfortunately, that’s between you and your school. Talk with them.

4 years ago

Tod *********

Most schools are taking any where from 2 to 6 weeks to get the MOE paperwork you need to use to apply for an ED visa

Dunno where you heard the eVisa system is "taking 3 weeks" as it's certainly not taking that long at all.

The critical piece of the puzzle is how thoroughly you fill out the application, upload the required documentation, etc.

It's not a race, go slow, know what they're asking for, supply the correct upload and it'll get approved pretty fast (many people get approved in just a day or three)

There is no "tourist visa on arrival", but i think you're talking about comin' in on a FREE 30 day stamp then applying for the in country Non-ED visa at the immigration office in Chiang Mai. Doing it that way requires you have a minimum of 21 days left on what ever stamp (visa exempt or real tourist visa) you show up on.

AND

may require a "special processing fee" be paid to facilitate it being issued.

CONTACT your school about it.

I would say IF you're not gonna get the ED paperwork in time, you should probably apply for a SETV <- single entry tourist visa from the eVisa portal before you come here, that will get you stamped in for 60 days and should be plenty of time to get the in country application filed and processed.

4 years ago

Antonia ******

Im assuming that it takes 3 weeks because the embassy‘s website says so haha. I was surprised, too, since last year they were much quicker. Thanks for the suggestions! So if I get an SETV before coming, it’s not a problem to change it to ED when I’m in Chiang Mai, right?

4 years ago

Ellie *******

@Antonia *****

, I don’t think Chiangmai university would have problem to provide documents for your in-country visa process, though you need to talk with your school if and how they would help you on that. Anyway you sure need a new set of documents from them to apply in-country visa.

4 years ago