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Can I stay in Thailand on a University Non-Immigrant ED visa for over 5 years?

Non-Immigrant ED Visa Thai Visa Rules Immigration Elite Visa SMART Visa Education Visa Expat Life in Thailand Long-term Stay Options

Mar 29, 2024

8 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Anyone been on the University Non-Immigrant ED visa for many years 5+? keep renewing no issues? trying to stay indefinitely until retirement age.**Also, what about he SMART  visa for making a "phone app" seems like cheapest, easiest, best way?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The question addresses the possibility of renewing a University Non-Immigrant ED visa in Thailand for more than five years, with users providing insights and experiences. Many mention challenges in sustaining long-term education status, highlight the typical three-year duration of university courses, and suggest alternatives like the Elite visa or the SMART visa for expat entrepreneurs. Additionally, there are comments regarding concerns about immigration checks and the viability of relocating to other countries like the Philippines as a backup plan due to higher living costs.

Maryam ****

heard same case of this. She had 5+ educ visa. No issue

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Eric *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

this place im considering using is an online school as well.

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Maryam ****

80% on educ visa dont attend class. Most likely for visa purposes

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Maryam ****

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Bob *********

Go to Philippines, pick a city like Davao, Cebu, angles. They will let you stay for 3 years on tourist visa

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Eric *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

this is my backup plan unfortunately tho. PH is way more expensive and no where near as nice. what 1k/mo in Pattaya gets your is equiv to like 3k in PH and still no where near as nice and modern

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Eric *******

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Will ************

Good luck being in fulltime education and having immigration turn up at your school to check you are in attendance when classes are held.

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Todd *********

@Will ***********

so you pay your ‘fine’ and everyone moves on happily

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Declan **********

@Will ***********

it's completely random and unannounced too. Have seen them turn up multiple times in a single day too.

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Declan **********

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John **********

Get an elite visa

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Eric *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

id would be easier and cheaper to just get married....

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Euan ********

🏆🏆🏆you win the bad suggestion of the day award🏆🏆🏆

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Bradley **********

lmao not in the long run 🤣

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Bradley **********

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Frank **********

Are you in your 30's? If so no way will you be able to stay until your 50 on Ed visas.

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Eric *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Frank *********

one of these paid visa services is suggesting that this is possible for about 70k baht for first yr. but I have already paid money to another visa service company for another place and that was a total waste for their "paid advice"

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Nongnuch ********

be rest assured the agency is trying to sell you something illegal, which will eventually - sooner or later - get detected at a border crossing and result in you being denied entry into Thailand - it could even result in a ban due to illegal activity

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Javier ********

for this price you can get a work visa and stay legally on the country.

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Sam *********

@Javier *******

honestly though, how do you get a legit business visa and work permit without a job, sure an agent can 'help' you, but what are they really doing? putting you on some 'payroll'?

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Eric *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Javier *******

im not looking to work tho, or the only thing I am looking to do I know I wont find employment with in thailand

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Eric *******

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Frank **********

yes, it is not going to be easy. Good luck.

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Frank **********

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Graham ******

Unlikely as university courses are normally 3 years

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Eric *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

so sounds like it’s the best way for at least a 3yr stay

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Eric *******

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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

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The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

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