Answered4 years ago

Can I switch from a tourist visa to an ED visa in Thailand?

ED Visa Visa Types Tourist Visa Thailand Immigration Thai Language School Visa Regulations

Asmma *******

asked Jul 18, 2022

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Hello, i transfered money to a thai lamguage school under the impression that i can recieve an ed visa for 9 months. I asked and it was stated that i can infact leave my country (egypt) with recieved ed visa.

Then the language school contacted me after transfer to inform me i should make sure from my embassy in cairo if i can recieve the visa.

After calling the embassy they said there was no duch thing as an ed visa and i cant switch visa from tourist to ed after i get to thailand? Anyone have info

Answer summary

The user transferred money to a Thai language school to obtain an education (ED) visa valid for 9 months but was later informed by the school to check with the Egyptian embassy about the visa's existence. The embassy claimed there is no such ED visa, raising concerns about switching from a tourist visa to an ED visa after arriving in Thailand. Responses from the community clarify that switching from a tourist visa to an ED visa is subject to the regulations of the school and the immigration office in Thailand, and it is advised not to rely solely on information from embassies or immigration offices, as there may be inconsistencies.

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Tod *********

Now as far as whether you can switch from a tourist visa (that you would BUY from the consulate before you come here) to an in country 90 day ED visa, that is between you, the school and the immigration office.

BUT here's a tip

NEVER EVER trust an embassy/consulate OUTSIDE thailand about anything you can do at the immigration office INSIDE thailand

AND

NEVER EVER trust an immigration office/officer INSIDE thailand about anything you can do at an embassy OUTSIDE thailand.

4 years ago

Ëlohim *****************

@Tod ********

Really good advice, consulates are generally completely clueless when it comes to anything outside their own walls. And I've been fascinated by how seemingly all consulates get to make up their own rules, more or less, on how things work.

It used to be you could only get certain visas in the consulate in your home country - but there were always exceptions to that rule, and other consulates not your home country which were also issuing those visas... and which ones would offer what services would also change over time.

4 years ago

Ëlohim *****************

David Hallgren Meh, just like anything else, check reputation before sending money. All of Ebay was built like that!

Make sure you find a good place, with real reviews, where others have done it, and you're going to be just fine.

4 years ago

Tod *********

David Hallgren easy now, many many people pay in advance for thai language schools, get the documents sent to them and use them to apply for the 90 day Non-ED visa at the thai consulate in their country before they come here.

4 years ago