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Can I obtain a student visa for Thailand before arrival for my family's one-year stay?

Thai Visa Rules Student Visa Non-Immigrant ED Visa Tourist Visa METV Visa Application Process Expat Life in Thailand

Nov 1, 2018

6 years ago

Saul ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi guys, I’m planning to come to Thailand next year with my family next year. We’d like to stay for a year. From what I hear the student visa 90 days which we can top up seems like the best option. 

Does anyone know if it’s possible to get this before we arrive or do we have to be in thai first to get it?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The original poster (O/P) is inquiring about obtaining a visa for a year-long family stay in Thailand, suggesting a student visa with a possible 90-day extension. Responses from the community suggest alternatives such as the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) for extended stays and other types of tourist visas available before arriving in Thailand. It is noted that it's possible to apply for a Non-Immigrant ED visa with documents from a school prior to their arrival.

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Tod *********

I believe the O/P has their answers. The 6 month METV is the closest thing they're gonna get to giving them a year in country (9 months in 60 day increments)

Good Luck

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Ray *****

you can also if you wish get a single entry tourist visa which gets you 60 plus 30 days by extension, there is less hoops to go through to get the single entry and you can also apply via the Thai Consulate in Hull, just google for their website as they are very easy to deal with

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Robert *******

@Saul ***************

The initial ED visa is a Single Entry Visa that gives you 90 days of stay, than with documents of your school you can apply for an Extension of Stay. Depending on what you study and where this will be 60 or 90 days at the time.

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Thomas ********************

I think you get three months at a consulate and then extend that inside Thailand. But I guess it also depends on what you're going to study. Not an expert in ED visas, though.

Maybe research and contact some schools first.

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Saul ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Thomas *******************

that lasts a year right?

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Thomas ********************

If you were to go for a single entry visa, you could enrol in a school that helps you sort out the ED visa while you're here. I think that's what I'd do.

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Ray *****

ok well look at the multiple entry visa, as I say it has more hoops to get it, you have to show multiple months of bank statements etc, see the rules

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Saul ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

We want to stay for a year

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Saul ****************

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Robert *******

If you like to spent the time as a tourist a good option is the Multiple Entry Tourist Visa, valid for 6 months and you can get almost 270 days of stay in sections of 60 days out of this visa.

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Robert *******

Scroll down to Tourist Visa on this page and read the part of Multiple Entry

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-Tourist-Visa.html

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Saul ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

London England

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Robert *******

Where do you live?

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Saul ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

The last time I checked the only one available was the 30 day tourist visa

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Robert *******

Yes, take a look for the requirements at the website of the Thai Embassy in your country.

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Saul ****************

ORIGINAL POSTER

You can get this before you arrive?

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Saul ****************

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Robert *******

It all depends on what you like to learn while spending your time in classrooms. You can get the documents needed from a school before you make you way to Thailand and apply for the Non Immigrant ED visa at the Thai Consulate/Embassy.

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Robert *******

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