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Can you obtain a 1-year education visa to learn Thai in Thailand?
ED VisaThai language coursesVisa extensionPrivate school educationImmigration rulesMinistry of EducationVisa application process
May 27, 2018
8 years ago
Darnell ********
ORIGINAL POSTERCan you get and education visa for 1 year to learn Thai?
TLDR : Answer Summary
Obtaining an education (ED) visa to learn Thai typically does not allow for a continuous 1-year stay. Instead, students enrolling in private language schools can secure a 90-day ED visa followed by extensions for up to 8 months through a series of 90-day renewals, depending on their course level. Extensions might vary by location, with some areas allowing longer extensions under specific conditions. Alternatively, students may consider enrolling in a university to qualify for longer visa terms. Documentation from the school and the Ministry of Education is essential for the visa application process.
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Manu *********
In Surat Thani you can still "stay" one year under a ED Visa, BUT please note that: the Thai language program is now divided in 3 levels
beginner (visa lenght 3 months 3 weeks)
intermediate (visa lenght 4 months 3 weeks)
beginner + intermediate (visa lenght 8 months*)
*please note: you can't apply for 3 levels at the same time, so the best you can have is 8 month (3 from the consulate/embassy, 3 first extension, 2 second extension)
During the last month of the 8 month visa the school can submit the required papers to apply for the advanced level, and here you have 2 options:
- leave the country and come back with other 6 months (3+3ext)
- don't leave the country and have only 4 months that, added to the previous 8, gives you one year in total, but divided in 3+3+2+3+1 (so basically you pay one extra extension tha, in samui for example, is 3000 for students, no matter the extension lenght).
I know that in Pattaya they still do as they like, it really depends on the province.
beginner (visa lenght 3 months 3 weeks)
intermediate (visa lenght 4 months 3 weeks)
beginner + intermediate (visa lenght 8 months*)
*please note: you can't apply for 3 levels at the same time, so the best you can have is 8 month (3 from the consulate/embassy, 3 first extension, 2 second extension)
During the last month of the 8 month visa the school can submit the required papers to apply for the advanced level, and here you have 2 options:
- leave the country and come back with other 6 months (3+3ext)
- don't leave the country and have only 4 months that, added to the previous 8, gives you one year in total, but divided in 3+3+2+3+1 (so basically you pay one extra extension tha, in samui for example, is 3000 for students, no matter the extension lenght).
I know that in Pattaya they still do as they like, it really depends on the province.
Miatta ********
@Tod ********
thank you.Tod *********
@Miatta ******
you would contact any of the language schools up in Chiang Mai that you're interested in attending. They'll know what's what up there as far as extensions etc.Manu *********
Robert *******
Extension of Stay is also in Samui 1.900 Thb. Please note that the 3.000 Thb is paid to the school to do the application for you.
Miatta ********
Do you know if this also applies to Chiang Mai or how I may find out?
Reply to
Miatta ********
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Pierre ********
As far as I know currently the extension in Bangkok is only 2 months each time, not 3 like in the past.
Miatta ********
@Pierre *******
thanks for all the great info. I will do my research.Pierre ********
Sorry, no experiences in Chiang Mai, but I suggest you ask arond specifically in the forum about practice there. Seems every city is different. For example I heard that for " a special fee " in Pattaya you get 3 instead of 2 months
Miatta ********
Would would actually be living in Chiang Mai if that makes a difference.
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Miatta ********
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Jeremy ********
Yes and no...yes you pay the school for a year worth of courses...no the immigration office will only give you 90 day visas every time and have the ability to cancel the next 90 day visa at will...
Tod *********
There is NO one year ED visa/extension for studying at a private school ONLY for people enrolled in a university course.
The way it works for private schools is:
You find a school, enroll, pay your tuition, get paperwork from the school and the Ministry of Education, go to a thai consulate in a nearby country and get a single entry 90 day Non-Immigrant Type ED visa
Once you come in you get stamped in for 90 days, then when that is running down you take more paperwork from the school and the MOE to the immigration office and get a 90 day extension. You do that every 90 days for the term of the course.
The way it works for private schools is:
You find a school, enroll, pay your tuition, get paperwork from the school and the Ministry of Education, go to a thai consulate in a nearby country and get a single entry 90 day Non-Immigrant Type ED visa
Once you come in you get stamped in for 90 days, then when that is running down you take more paperwork from the school and the MOE to the immigration office and get a 90 day extension. You do that every 90 days for the term of the course.
Miatta ********
@Tony *******
yup!Tony ********
@Miatta ******
Wow!Miatta ********
@Tony *******
it looks like some thai schools charge *****
bhat for 6 month group lessons or *****
for 1 year. Prices vary. Then ofcourse you have to factor in the 1900 I am assuming for the visa extention...Tony ********
@Miatta ******
How much is all this?Miatta ********
@Tod ********
sounds great! What's the deal with the intensity of being tested by immigration as to whether you are actually grasping the language? Does the consulate really test you to make sure you are actually learning the language?Tod *********
@Miatta ******
That'd be the way to do it. Because you have to get the documentation from a school and the ministry of Education to get the Non-ED visa from a thai consulate, I'd say come here, scope out some schools and THEN decide where you're going to attend.
Miatta ********
@Tod ********
, my only question to this is, if this is something my husband, baby and I were interested in doing, would we fly to Thailand on a tourist Visas and then start looking for a school?Serge *********
@Tod ********
thanks a lot.Tod *********
@Se***
, it's states they're enrolled at an international school and has the name of the schoolSerge *********
@Tod ********
oh.. ok.. thanks.. there is something written in THAI though.. can you read it?Tod *********
Serge Diakité okay, let me qualify that kids on ED visas get yearly extensions ADULTS on ED visas a private schools get 90 day ones.
Serge *********
Hey... now I am worried.. my son just got a 1 year extension.. he is going to a private school.. not university.. let me take a picture of the stamp..
Reply to
Serge *********
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Azharuddin **********
Yes , can.
Azharuddin **********
@Darnell *******
PLC schoolDarnell ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Az ****
I'm in PattayaAzharuddin **********
Are u in bangkok or pattaya ?
Darnell ********
ORIGINAL POSTERHow?
Reply to
Darnell ********
Reply
Tet *****
Yes, you can.
Tet *****
@Darnell *******
You have to enroll thai language course in school, pay your tuition fees, school will submit your application to the Ministry of Education ( it could take 3-4 weeks to get an approval letter from Ministry of Education). School will call you to pick up an approval letter. After that you have to go out the country (go to a thai consulate in a nearby country) to get an ED visa. I did it in 2013 under old rules. I had to pay about 2000B at the embassy imho. I don't know about new rules and procedures. Note: Except for during your first extensions, immigration police may reportedly “check” your language skills from time to time so enrolling for a Thai language course just for the sake of getting an ED visa, but then not to attend class, is not really a recommendable option. All the best. 🙂🙏🙏🙏Darnell ********
ORIGINAL POSTERHow do you do so?
Reply to
Darnell ********
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Farva ******
F
Michael ********
It means follow when someone could just press like and do the same thing.
Danny *********
Just turn on notifications for this post. No use in reply'ing with nonsense imo.
Farva ******
@Darnell *******
no issues.Darnell ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Farva *****
ok..sorryFarva ******
@Darnell *******
f means following this post . So I can get info aswellDarnell ********
ORIGINAL POSTER??
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Darnell ********
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