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Can someone over 50 apply for an Education visa in Thailand or convert a tourist visa to it?

Education visaVisa rulesThailandNon-O visaOver 50 visa regulationsImmigrationThai language schoolsCambodiaTourist visa to Education visa conversion
May 14, 2023
2 years ago
Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi, I.m new to the group and currently living in Cambodia as a teacher. I.d like to consider getting a Education visa, and studying Thai( in Thailand). I was recently in BKK on holiday, and talked to a language school on Suhkumvitt road near Asoke, Bkk. I've forgotten the name of the school, but they told me Ed visas in Thailand were not available if you are over 50.

1) Is this true?

2) If there is no truth to this and I can get an Ed visa, can a tourist visa be converted to this type of visa? ( Or do I need to start with a different visa, like an NonImmigrant O visa)

3) Does anyone know if I can get an Educational visa from the Thai embassy in Cambodia?

Does the school set it up, an agency, and do you need additional requirements like a housing lease?

Thanks for any info.

(As a reference, I.m a little over 60 now)
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster, living in Cambodia and considering studying Thai in Thailand, asks if being over 50 disqualifies them from obtaining an Educational (ED) visa, if a tourist visa can be converted to an ED visa, and whether the ED visa can be applied for from the Thai embassy in Cambodia. Responses indicate that there is no official age limit for ED visas, though some immigration offices might restrict application based on age, suggesting alternatives like the Non-O visa for those over 50. Conversions from a tourist visa to an ED visa are possible, but can involve significant paperwork. It was also confirmed that an ED visa may be applied for at a Thai embassy with the proper school documentation.
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Chan ******
You can ask Thai solutions, they seems no age limitation, but depends on finally whether MOE will approve your application or not.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Chan *****
 okay...Thai solutions...thanks for the info.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
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Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Right, I didnt think there was an age limit either until I talked to a school near Asoke...When I have time here I.ll ask the Thai embassy in Phnom penh
2 years ago
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James ***************
@Paul ******
 - requirement for ED visa are on the Phnom Penh Thai Consulate website. My advice would be to come on a TR60 then convert to Non O - which can be extended via retirement extension rules. This can be facilitated by an agent but will cost just as it does in cambodia. Probably work out cheaper than ED option.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James **************
 ok thanks for the information. Yes, I.m making notes on all the places people suggest for opening accounts, and I.ve noted agencies as well on other posts. Just didnt no which visa you could do the account with. Thanks for the confirmation on the TR 60. I can easliy get one at the Thai embasay here.🙏
2 years ago
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James ***************
@Paul ******
 - good luck with your future plans.
2 years ago
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James ***************
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Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes, James
@Stuart ******
 , but not till I finish a work contract here mid Sept. I.ll probably go back to the US in Nov, to start my Social Security pension. I plan to take my next trip to Thailand in Sept, and was hoping to open a bank account there first, but not sure what the regulations are to open an account, such as what visa is necessary.
2 years ago
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James ***************
@Paul ******
 - there have been loads of posts on this forum re opening bank account on tourist visa. It can be done but you need to find a bank that will open for you. Each bank has its own policies. If all else fails you can use an agent.
2 years ago
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James ***************
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Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James **************
 right about the non OA requiring insurance... I.ll find out at the embassy, when I have time to go there, if the also give out Non O's...yes I dont want a non OA for sure....(I post later when I find out)

Can I open a bank account on the TR60?

My guess is no....
2 years ago
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James ***************
@Paul ******
 - yes can be done but some research and footwork involved or use an agent. Is your plan to stay in bangkok ?
2 years ago
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James ***************
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Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James **************
 yes, this makes sense...thanks

Is there any reason I should start with theTR 60 rather than just start with the Non O? I.m pretty sure I can get a Non O at the Thai embassy here in PP.

Also, do you happen to know if I can open a Thai bank account with a TR60?

(For that matter, do you know if I can open a bank account on a Non O.)

Appreciate your information.
2 years ago
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James ***************
@Paul ******
 - as far as i know you will only get a non o-a which will require insurance wheras a non o granted in thailand will not require insurance.
2 years ago
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James ***************
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Paul *******
I've never heard of an ED visa having an age limit. Assuming you could get one, then apply for it outside the country at an embassy or consulate.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
Whats wrong with staying in Cambodia? Generally expats move from Thailand to Cambodia, partly due to the former's complex visa requirements. Rarely hear of moves in the other direction, except amongst the odd working expat who lands a job in Thailand
2 years ago
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Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
 ...whats wrong with staying in Cambodia....Well, the list could be a long one, however, I.ll just say I.m Cambodia-ed out...That said, it is a relatively inexpensive place to live and it's getting closer to being a modern city although it wont ever compare to Bkk.

Like I said in the initial post I.m working here as a teacher and when I end teaching, I.d like to be on the other side of the coin, a student...I.d rather take some classes in Thailand studying Thai....I.ll check out what you mentioned before about asking the Thai embassy here if they issue Ed visas. However, another contributor to this FB group said they need to be issued from an immigration office in Thailand... I.ll be the first to say I dont know all the rules about getting an Educational visa, and the school I talked with in Bkk said no one can get a ED visa if they are over 50. I was just trying to find out if the school was just throwing out BS, however, I asked them if that was a rule only for their school or everywhere. Their reply was everywhere... BS or not?

Some others gave me the idea of just going for the Retirement visa and then take classes. Looks like thats the route I should take eventhough it may take an agency to go this route.

Re: Cambodia...Its a nice place to visit, but you dont want to retire there...ha
2 years ago
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Paul *******
@Paul ******
 OK I don't know about whether what the school said was true. You should be able to apply for an ED visa using the right documentation abroad then extend that initial visa inside Thailand.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
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Falcon *******
try South Thailand
2 years ago
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Steve *******
You dont need an ED visa or any visa for that matter to study Thai language.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
 yes thanks ....I.ll just start with a non imm O visa, and take it from there...I know I have self studied Thai on my own before. Just thought it would be a good focus, and fun, to be a student in a class room rather than a teacher for many years. .

Choke dee krup..
2 years ago
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Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Gottcha...yeah I talked to a pervious responder and he suggested the same idea...Cheers
2 years ago
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Steve *******
Paul Bauer My point being is that you DONT need an ED visa to attend classes. I wasnt talking about self studying!
2 years ago
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Steve *******
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Martin *****
Stay in cambodia
2 years ago
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John **********
Why not just get a Non-O visa based upon being over 50? You can still study Thai if you wish on that visa.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 ok thanks
2 years ago
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Paul *******
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Keef ********
You're better off getting a retirement visa in the current climate.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Keef *******
 yeah true.

There is the need for the money in the bank though. I keep getting mixed info on the steps, and requirements, to get the Retirement agency. Is there a particular agency in Bkk you would recommend and can you convert a tourist visa to a R visa?
2 years ago
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Alistair **********
@Paul ******
 search through this group for some posts on agents organizing a retirement visa for you without you needing the cash in a bank. I've seen people mention prices from 25k-50k+, so it might be a better option, especially if you can get it for sub 50k/yr
2 years ago
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Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alistair *********
 yes, will do. Ive already taken notes on some mentioned.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
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Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok thats.
2 years ago
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Keef ********
PM me and can chat happy to guide ya but I don't know any agents. I do know the process having done it manually myself. Then you can decide how you go about it.
2 years ago
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Keef ********
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Brandon ************
1) Some immigration offices do not like giving ED visas/extensions to people over 50 as they believe they should just utilize the retirement visa/extension

2) A tourist visa can be converted to an ED visa inside of Thailand. You need to check with your school as it requires a very large amount of paperwork and some schools may not be willing to produce this hundreds of pages of paperwork

3) If you have a school that will send you supporting documentation, you can apply for the ED visa before you come to Thailand from an embassy.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 okay got it...I was thinking you ment maybe talk to the immigration office here in Pp.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Paul ******
 there are no Thai immigration officers outside of Thailand.

You can apply for an ED visa at the Thai embassy in Cambodia and speak to a consular officer if your school can provide the paperwork needed. Most schools have a preferred consulate if they want you to apply for the visa before traveling to Thailand.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
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Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 thanks for the quick reply. Since the school I talked to said they didn.t accept people over 50, I.ll look up some other schools next time I.m there....You say a Tourist visa can be converted to an Ed visa. Do you know if less paperwok is needed if I started to look on a non immigrant O ? ( think thats what they are called. Ive been living a long time as a teacher here)
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Paul ******
 you cannot convert a non-O to an ED.

There's less paperwork if you get the ED before traveling to Thailand.
2 years ago
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Paul *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 okay gottcha...must covert the Tourist visa to an Ed visa.

You say theres less paperwork if I get the visa before traveling into Thailand, but will they make me an Ed visa at the Thai embassy here?

I.m understanding from what you said before the embassy doesnt like to make Ed visas here. Does this mean the school makes the visa before I enter?
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Paul ******
 I said some immigration offices don't like doing it. There are 77 provinces in Thailand and each province has at least 1 immigration office and they all make their own rules and policies.

Immigration is a completely different government agency from the embassies and they do not communicate at all.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
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