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Can you renew an education visa in Thailand for non-degree courses like language classes or dive school each year?

Education VisaThai Language ClassesNon-Degree ProgramsImmigration RulesVisa RenewalExpat AdviceBuddhism StudyMuay ThaiCulinary CoursesElite Visa
Sep 27, 2022
2 years ago
Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Does anyone know if you can perpetually study a non four year degree ie language classes or dive school etc and just keep renewing or reapplying each year for another 1 yr education VISA?. Thanks. I'm willing to legit study. I'm on a pension. Too young to get retirement Visa there. Starting a new thread here to be more direct.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation discusses the possibility of obtaining and renewing an education (ED) visa in Thailand for non-degree programs, such as language classes and dive school. It mentions that certain courses allow for a maximum education visa duration, typically one year, with extensions required every 90 days. Notably, Thai language study may provide up to two years under specific conditions, while other courses like Muay Thai have different rules. Participants also suggest alternative visa options like the elite visa, especially if one plans to retire later.
Kool *******
When I studied Thai the ED visa was one year, but you had to extend it every 90 days with the documents the school gave you. If you didn't extend it it became void. You could extend it for three years as long as you were taking, and paid for, at least 160 hours of classroom study a year. At the end of each year immigration tested your language skills at a very basic level in order to get a second, or third year of ED visa. Because of all the scams during covid some things have changed. I do know a few people that thought it was a one year visa with no other requirements, and were refused entry back into Thailand on the visa when they had no 90 day extensions.
2 years ago
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Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm also just now reading something about a non immigrant one year Visa with 90 day border Visa runs and I'm not sure if this can be something that can be done for more than 1 year. Thanks
2 years ago
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Kool *******
@Charles *********
 just check with the school. They will know exactly what is required, and how long you can extend. Duke Language school is one of the few ligitimate language schools that survived through covid.
2 years ago
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Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
 What about Sandee?
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Charles *********
 If you truly want to learn to Thai, Duke Language school is pretty much known as the best.

But you need to be prepared for the commitment. 3 hours per day, 5 days per week. Very few days off (mostly Thai holidays).

Each section is a month long, and I think you are expected to study at least 2 months for every 1 month you take off.

But you will learn Thai whether you want to or not.
2 years ago
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Kool *******
@Charles *********
 ask them. If they try to say something different than what immigration says, or handle the extensions for you, then be highly suspicious, as legally you have to do your extensions in person.
2 years ago
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Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
 What do you think about these virtual appointments that Craig was speaking of?. Thanks. It certainly looked like a good sign when I went on one of these language schools web pages and the photo they have the classroom look like it was mostly Thai people sitting there just as space sitters / place warmers šŸ˜†
2 years ago
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Kool *******
@Charles *********
 Thai people study English
2 years ago
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Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
 At the same school? Okay I'm willing to accept that. I was being cautious since you mentioned some schools are a shame.
2 years ago
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Charles **********
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Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
 Thank you so do you think as long as you're doing the extension renewals and pass the language exam that you would not have to exit and re enter?
2 years ago
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Charles **********
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Roberto *********
There's a limit to any study course you do in Thailand, and there's also a minimum number of days and hours you need to attend. I'm of the understanding (but check with the schools that can assist with visas) that the maximum for Thai language is two years, and unless things have changed you need to extend every 90 days, at which point you will be tested in your language proficiency by immigration officers. I believe you can also get one year on Muay Thai. I'm sure there are other courses which would qualify. I read of a Thai cooking course, but you'd only get 90 days on that. Another option is to study Buddhism, living in a temple, but you'd have to forget about going to night clubs! šŸ¤£
2 years ago
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Jay ******
@Roberto *********
 Iā€™m attending CMU for Thai now. Initially they give you a 90 day visa & then extend for 9 months (1 year total). No tests at immigration.

CMU has 3 levels of Thai so I think you can do that for up to 3 years, but I think you have to leave at the end of each course to apply for a new visa. The 1st year has courses starting every month, but 2nd & 3rd year of study only 1-2 times per year, which makes timing things a bit trickier.
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@Roberto *********
 ED visa is a 1 year max (not 2) (unless you enroll in a university). It's a new stamp every 2 months (not 90 days). And the immigration agents do not test your language skills. I've never even heard of this and have not gotten a single question in Thai in my 10 months on an ED visa.
2 years ago
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Wylie *******
@Craig *******
 if you follow these and other forums there has been numerous posts that immigration had started testing thai proficiency for those on an education visa for language when going to renew the stamp. As with all the rules for entering, visa renewal, etc everyone's experience is different and depends on the officer.
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@Wylie ******
 Also if you're booking your immigration appointment online they really don't have a lot of time to give out language proficiency tests.

I think this is just some shit they say to scare the tourists who want to stay for a year.
2 years ago
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Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Craig *******
 How often have you been booking appointments, every 90 days..God Bless for sharing.
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@Charles *********
 Most of the ED stamps are 2 months. You book your next appointment a day or two before the prior one ends
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@Wylie ******
 I've heard rumors of this for a decade. Never met someone it happened to. I've never seen it happen when i was sitting at immigration and it's certainly never happened to me.
2 years ago
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Wylie *******
@Craig *******
 I can't say that I personally know of it happening as i dont really have any exposure to it, but just like other things there are always people that post on here saying things like "I've been traveling to Thailand for decades and have never had to show the 3 proofs when entering". That doesn't mean it doesn't happen or is not a requirement. How common is it? My understanding based on the posts was it had become more common in the last year or two, but perhaps still not the norm. That they've gotten stricter on cracking down on fake volunteer and education visas. I guess it's just a proceed at your own risk situation.
2 years ago
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Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wylie ******
 Do you mind if I ask what the 3 proofs are?
2 years ago
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Wylie *******
@Charles *********
 for a tourist visa or visa exempt, proof of onward travel, accommodation, and of financial means. I believe it is 10,000 Baht per individual or 20,000 per family. It can be an equivalent amount in another currency but needs to be in cash. Bank statements don't work and there is no ATM prior to immigration to take it out. These are rarely asked for, but are technically required. My understanding is some nationalities are asked more than others. As fas the onward travel most airlines won't even let you board if you don't have it when entering on either a tourist visa or visa exempt.
2 years ago
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Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Craig *******
 HI Craig I'm confused. How long have you been there if you don't mind me asking. It sounds like this is your 1st year in the language school so have you just been researching Thailand for a long time or were you there with a different type of Visa previously if you don't think that's relevant no worries I'm just trying to put everything into contacts because yes I've heard people talking about this too and people getting tested at whatever but I seriously question almost everything I read on line nowadays and trust but always try to verify.
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@Charles *********
 First time on an ED visa.
2 years ago
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Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Craig *******
 Do you think the volunteer visas obsolete at this point for the most part
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@Charles *********
 No volunteer visa is still completely valid. I know plenty of people on them right now
2 years ago
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Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Craig *******
 Do they require that you demonstrate or prove a certain number of volunteered hours per week and if you have any recommendations on where I could look at to do that as well but I sincerely think I might be interested in the language course to start out because I actually would like to learn the language if I go there
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@Charles *********
 I don't want to speak about the details of volunteer visa since I have not done one myself.

Nothing stops you from learning Thai on a volunteer visa... /shrug
2 years ago
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Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I've got some medical issues and I think juicing raw cannabis plants could be really helpful for me in my recovery I've been battling with the Department of Veterans Affairs for the past 8 years which I think I mentioned previously so I really appreciate the feedback instead of being rude like a few other rare people on here have been
2 years ago
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Charles **********
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Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Craig *******
 I am talking about doing a renewal for a second or third year.. I don't want to confused that or what a language school told you about your original/ education Visa. I am asking about applying again the following year. I belive this can be done. Do you feel the school is helping you learn. Thanks
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@Charles *********
 The school will help you learn, but you'll have to do 10x as much on your own as you do in class if you actually want to speak Thai.

I do not believe you can re-apply. You get one, and only one, Thai language ED visa unless you are a student at a university.

You can do a year of thai-boxing (to get a 2nd year here). You can do volunteer work. But as far as it has been explained to me (by the thai language school i pay to do my visa work) you get 1 year and that's it.
2 years ago
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Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Craig *******
 I believe you can file for a second and possible third year and may habe to exit and than return. I will let you know as others habe it explained to me you can get a education Visa more than once. How many hours of study per week is expected in and out of class? Thanks
2 years ago
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Craig ********
Please note that if you ACTUALLY want to learn to speak Thai (perhaps 10% of the students actually want to learn) you should expect to spend a heck of a lot more hours than the school expects.

I suggest watching the news in Thai on youtube. Slow it down and use a translator for words you don't understand. Do 1-2 hours 7x a week and you'll made solid progress. And of course practice speaking at every oppertunity
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@Charles *********
 you don't have to go to class at all if you don't want to. The online classes offered at my school are one two-hour class, once a week.
2 years ago
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John **********
@Craig *******
 why would you need a visa for an online class?
2 years ago
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Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 For someone who is there on am education Visa
2 years ago
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John **********
@Charles *********
 but would they give you an ED visa for online? I certainly can't see them extending it. You can learn online from anywhere in the world.
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@John *********
 Since Covid the language schools offer online classes.
2 years ago
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Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Craig *******
 Maybe there a cute single instructor in real life lol. I have to be creative since I probably won't be going to very many nightclubs.

"Q: How long can I study at Sandee Thai Language School?

A: Student can study at Sandee School from 12 months up to 3 years" from their website.
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@Charles *********
 That's interesting. They told me only 12 months. Maybe I misunderstood. Also 12 months to 3 years is not correct since the first course is only 4 months long
2 years ago
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Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Craig *******
 Right do you or people usually study more than that though. Like is it a waste if you don't study on your own?
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@Charles *********
 as far as "a waste" it depends on what you are in the school for. If you want the visa to enjoy Thailand for a year then it's not at all a waste not to practice. It's a good use of time. But if you want to speak Thai and all you do it attend one 2-hour class a week? LOL yeah it's going to take you 200 years
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@Charles *********
 Oh lord yes if you actually want to speak Thai I would suggest 2-4 hours at least 5 days a week.
2 years ago
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Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Craig *******
 okay so even if you pay attention and do the 2 hours a week for a year you won't actually make any noticeable progress? I think I can do more than that I'm just trying to get a good idea and a starting point. I need to go back and figure out how many hours per week I was studying Spanish in secondary education maybe that will give me a good Baseline although I understand this language is more difficult for us speakers
2 years ago
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Craig ********
@Charles *********
 2 hours a week won't get you shit unless you're some kind of language savant.

Spanish is literally the easiest language on Earth for an English speaker to learn so I wouldn't use that as a gauge. It shares words, shares some grammar, shares an alphabet... none of which is true of Thai.

Thai is hard and if you want to speak it you'll need to make it a very big part of your life. Daily practice, for sure.

I would say minimum 1 hour of serious study per day, but even that will be pretty slow. I'd want 2-4 hours of serious study every day if you want to pick up the language before your ED visa expires
2 years ago
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Craig ********
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Luis ***********
It may just be easier to get an elite visa and not worry about the Ed visa. When you get to retirement age and your elite is over then just switch. I am certain others will have some opinions on my reply.
2 years ago
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John **********
@Charles *********
 one thing is for sure, immigration are not keen on people abusing the visa system to live long time in Thailand. All you can do is speak to the school and see what they say, if they're legitimate they will have a good relationship with immigration and will be able to tell you what you can and can't do, what the requirements for getting follow on extensions are etc
2 years ago
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Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 I am definitely absolutely not trying to abuse the system and I'm confused because someone made a really rude comment earlier about being too cheap to pay for an elite Visa I don't understand if you can lawfully be there on a Visa I'm trying to do things by the books I don't understand how it would be abusing the system if they legally allow for something I would think that would infer that it's not abusing the system I'm not trying to stay there without papers or go through the proper process. I am asking though and I do wonder about certain things because I hear about people perpetually making these sorts but perpetually making Visa runs and things like that and yeah I'm definitely not trying to skate on thin ice and I wonder if that's what people are trying to say like if you do the education Visa for too many years if that's going to upset them I definitely want to be there with respect for sure
2 years ago
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John **********
@Charles *********
 the problem is that your plan looks like it is trying to get round the system. But nobody other than the place you plan to study can give you definitive answers, and every time you apply for an extension they have to confirm that you meet the conditions for an extension. Have you looked at the immigration web site? There are 2 distinct extensions for ED visas, one for private schools and one for government institutions such as universities.

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2 years ago
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Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 If they allow for something ie going to a language schools for 3 years and than possibly volunteer work or some other type of schooling is it really a get around though. If it is apparently that frowned upon than why do they allow for such things in the first places. I'm not trying to break any rules. For example if they say you can only volunteer for 1 year. Than that is what I would do. I'm asking about these things after the suggestions of other people that are and have been living there. Maybe I was given dicey information, I'm unsure at this point.
2 years ago
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John **********
@Charles *********
 I'd avoid the volunteer visa unless you are very sure you are going to volunteer for a legitimate organisation and plan on genuinely volunteering pretty much full time. It's been badly abused in the past and comes under a lot of scrutiny now.
2 years ago
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Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 Thank You. Dully noted. Glad I asked. I'm not ready for full-time anything at the moment. To many veteran related health matters right now. Do you also think that try that VISA for more than year might prove difficult. I wonder if I should just consider somewhere like Malaysia in the meantime I also really been thinking about Columbia because you can grow cannabis there however I'm not sure about the safety aspect I felt like Thailand would be safer. Thanks. Oh also I am sincerely looking for a genuine wife / marriage.
2 years ago
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John **********
@Charles *********
 you like the risky options ha ha. Be careful plenty will marry you and take your money every chance they get. I'd take your time on that front.
2 years ago
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Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 thank you for the advice to be honest with you I appreciate that but the statements about marriage is largely also because of moral and religious convictions I don't want it to be a sham or an arranged marriage I'd like it to be authentic but I would rather marry a woman than just be hooking up with multiple different women or just casually dating. I'll have to look into this and research this but I'm not sure if they can really go after someone's veterans medical pension or not I know for sure in the US that it's protected like even for example child support as odds that might sound they can't garnish a veterans disability compensation because that's supposed to be going for their food and housing and so forth
2 years ago
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John **********
@Charles *********
 they wouldn't have any rights to your pension. Divorce is pretty straightforward in Thailand, you get what you came with and split the rest as I understand it. But I wasn't really meaning from that aspect, more about what they can convince you to spend.
2 years ago
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Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 OH okay.
2 years ago
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Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Like the nice government worker woman I was talking to you from the Philippines the same so nice and had all these disclaimers of flat about how she wouldn't ask me for money and didn't need my money and has a job but has been complaining about how expensive her mother's medical bills are and for some reason she wasn't taking her to the government hospitals for the care would be free because the weights too long but should rather spend a third of her take-home pay on medical expenses or whatever. Yeah okay. Point taken they like to run game thank you very much and I'm gathering that it's totally pointless to try to look on any dating sites at all and I'm just going to have to wait until I get there to look for a good woman.
2 years ago
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Charles **********
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Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Luis **********
 It's not easier because that's a ton of money. I'd rather study a couple hours per week or per day than throw that type of money down the drain, I'm trying to find ways to do a volunteer or education Visa that's why I started a new thread because I didn't want to keep getting stuck on the Elite Visa. I'm not asking what's easiest I'm asking if it can be done or not or no it's easiest if someone has an extra 20k plus. I'm on a retired military pension. Not someone with more money than I know what to do with the trying to restructure my tax under restructure my tax bracket or so busy with high in business that I'd rather just pay a ton of money to save the time in household I don't like being hassled or whatever else but I'm dealing with medical issues and doing a lot of medical treatment at home anyways so I could be studying a language or something and that would be worth it to me more than paying $26k. I don't have that much saved up and I'm not taking out a loan..$4,800 NET per month.
2 years ago
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Luis ***********
@Charles *********
 I understand and my only concern would be how many times will immigration allow you to renew your visa? If they see that you are going to language school or any other non-o visa, will they keep renewing your request for 11 years since your are only 39 and not eligible for a retire long term visa.
2 years ago
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Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Luis **********
 Good point hopefully I can get married within a year or so. Wondering what people think the odds are of me doing this for at least perhaps 3 years. Thanks
2 years ago
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Charles **********
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Brandon ************
@Charles *********
 Volunteer visa is pretty much done with
2 years ago
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Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 Thank you so what about if I just studied the Thai language or did something else like a dojo or dive classes and just renewed every year is that possible? Again I'm talking about a legitimate organization I'm not just looking for a fake school thanks cool I'm willing to put in the work.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Charles *********
 I've only done language for one year so I don't have any experience or knowledge on trying other methods or longer durations. You could try asking some schools and see what they say.

Sandee is a popular choice in Bangkok though always seemed a little sketchy to me. So might be perfect for you šŸ˜‚

Try reaching out to them
2 years ago
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Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 I'm not trying to do anything sketchy, seriously. I've Tried reaching out to the immigration office there and I tried reaching out to a bunch of different government offices in the Philippines and never even got a reply from those people. I've been going out of my way for months on end to try to get information and do things by the books but thank you for the humor
2 years ago
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John **********
@Charles *********
 I believe you will only get multiple years out of an ED visa if you are studying a multiple year course at university. It's highly unlikely you can just study at a language school for that length of time.
2 years ago
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Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 I just read one school offers up go 3 years of language study. I need to read up more on just the one year Visa's as well I don't know if that's something that you can renew from one year to the next if you make an exit out first... also wondering If I could maybe get by doing a dive school training or muy Thai boxing after that for another year or so.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Charles *********
 Sandee is a real school and offers legit education visas. They just seem sketchy to me since they have so few hour requirements per week etc. They should be able to answer questions about ED visas.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
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