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Can I start the 12-month education visa process for Thailand while still in America?

Education Visa Thailand Visa Process Chiang Mai Visa Application Steps Expat Relocation

Feb 7, 2024

a year ago

Michael *******************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hey everyone! I'm currently looking to relocate to Chiang mai come mid to end of April and would like to get the 12 month education visa process started as soon as possible.

For those who have done an education Visa, is it possible to start the process while still in America or would I have to fly there first on a tourist visa and then get the process started? Any tips/tricks would help tremendously. Thank you in advance!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Inquiring about the feasibility of starting the 12-month education visa process for Thailand from America, the response indicates that one can only begin by finding a school. All official visa application processes must be completed after entering Thailand, as schools need the entry stamp from the applicant's passport to initiate any requests with the Ministry of Education.

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

The only thing you can start is finding your school. Everything else must be done inside Thailand. The school can't even apply for permission from the ministry of education without your entry stamp in your passport.

a year ago

Bart **************

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

huh? But getting the right visa abroad is the default. How can the school not get papers ready if people follow the right order of things?

a year ago

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

@Bart *************

I assume most people want an ED to maximize their time. Therefore getting the ED before arriving runs contrary to that. To maximize your time in Thailand you would arrive as a tourist and then convert to ED, at which point your 1 year timer starts.

a year ago

Bart **************

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

the ED visa is for Education. Not to maximize their time. The Thai government will also assume that applicants need it for Education. So it appears at least unusual to me that they want an entry stamp for it. It should be the last thing on earth that they could require for a visa.

a year ago

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

@Bart *************

before covid you couldn't convert to ED visa in Thailand. Everyone was sent to a neighboring country to apply, similar to how most non-B visas work now.

But during covid when leaving wasn't possible, they opened up the ability. I'm not quite sure why they didn't end it after covid restrictions were lifted, but I'm willing to bet most EDs are issued as in country conversions now.

a year ago

Bart **************

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

yeah I agree with that, should be mostly in country despite it being intended as exception. What would surprise me however, is if they have cut off the default of getting the right visa abroad.

a year ago

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Bart **************

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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?

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