Ask question

Does my friend in Chiang Mai need to leave Thailand to apply for an Ed visa?

Ed Visa Visa Application Chiang Mai Thai Education Immersion Immigration Rules Visa Extension

Apr 29, 2024

6 months ago

Stephen ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I have a Chinese friend here in Chiang Mai who is learning Thai and wants to get an Ed visa. She came in visa exempt and got a 90 day extension and her school tells her she must apply for Ed from outside Thailand. Not sure if she has to return to china to do that or if there are better options? Any experience or thoughts on this would be appreciated

1,034

views

1

likes

45

all likes

31

replies

0

images

7

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

A user is seeking advice for their Chinese friend in Chiang Mai who wants to transition from a visa-exempt entry and a 90-day extension to an Ed visa. The friend's school claims she must apply for the Ed visa from outside Thailand. Comments in the thread suggest checking with the school regarding specific embassy options and indicate that some embassies, such as the Thai embassy in Laos or Vietnam, have been useful for visa applications. There are mentions of schools providing proper paperwork to apply for the visa without needing to leave Thailand. Ultimately, it appears there are avenues for her to stay in Thailand while applying, depending on the school's licensing and specific immigration guidelines.

John ********

School Pro Language. They are in Chiang Mai. No need to leave Thailand.

Like

Reply

Jamie ******

Go to TSL at panthip plaza ..they will advise her …they can help get a visa where she doesn’t have to leave Thailand but of course it’s more expensive

Genuine school

Like

Reply

Stephen ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

that's where she is! They say she has to leave thailand to apply

Like

Reply

Jamie ******

@Stephen *******

ok ..then it’s good advise …before definitely I didn’t need to leave ,,but maybe different rules for different nationalities ..non the less ,they are an authentic school ,,so their advise is solid….they can also advise her what embassy to go too …she might not have to go back China …she just needs to ask the questions ,,there are lots of Chinese students there

Like

Reply

Stephen ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

yep. Done that. I am familiar with tsl. Good people.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Stephen ********

Reply

Nongnuch ********

@Stephen *******

only possible, if of course her school is licensed with the Ministry of Education, she will receive the proper paperwork she needs to apply for the ED-visa in a neighbouring country. Without that, all these fake schools are just a bogus, a scam. they take your money and leave you standing in the rain

Like

Reply

Steve **********

@Nongnuch *******

it's 42 deg..a bit of rain will help

Like

Reply

Reply to

Steve **********

Reply

Michelle *****

Thai embassy in Laos was good for me. And I've also used the one in Hanoi without problems.

Like

Reply

Stephen ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

you are Chinese right? And you got Ed Visa?

Like

Reply

Nongnuch ********

@Stephen *******

no, the Chinese friend doesn't have a 90-days ED visa, she got a 30-days stay permit entering visa-exempt, with a Chinese passport. Chinese get 30 days visa exempt. Before they had to buy a 15-days VOA. Special treatment at the moment. She needs to visit the Thai embassy in Vientiane, with all the necesarry documents from her language school, and there she can apply for the 90-days Non-imm-ED visa. Royal Thai Vientiane Embassy need to make an online appointment, though. Visit their website! And ask the school for the documents needed for the application

Like

Reply

Qing *******

@Stephen *******

i was told my my Mainland chinese friends as well as the language schools, they are required to return to their home country to apply whatever forms of visa. This includes ED visa. Would recommended to contact their home country’s Thai Embassy to confirm this. Hope this helps.

Like

Reply

Nongnuch ********

from Chiang Mai, easiest thing to do is going to Laos. She needs to visit the Thai embassy in Vientiane, with all the necesarry documents from her language school, and there she can apply for the 90-days Non-imm-ED visa.

Like

Reply

Qing *******

@Nongnuch *******

I’m not so sure about that. As I was told that China Passports can only apply for Visas in the Thai Consulate in their home country, this information was given by a Chinese friend and the language school a while ago. Maybe things have changed? 🤔

Like

Reply

Nongnuch ********

you don't need to apply in China, You can apply in a neighbouring country

Like

Reply

Qing *******

@Nongnuch *******

my chinese friend was denied assistance at Kota Baru Thai consulate before. The reason given was Visa for China Passport needs to be applied with the Thai Consulate in China. I believe making a call or sending an email to Thai Consulate in Vientiane to clarify prior to making a trip there would be a wise move.

Like

Reply

Stephen ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thank you

Like

Reply

Nongnuch ********

@Stephen *******

no, the Chinese friend of Michelle Tee doesn't have a 90-days ED visa, she got a 30-days stay permit entering visa-exempt, with a Chinese passport. Chinese get 30 days visa exempt. Before they had to buy a 15-days VOA. Special treatment at the moment. She needs to visit the Thai embassy in vientianes, with all the necesarry documents from her language school, and there she can apply for the 90-days Non-imm-ED visa

Like

Reply

Reply to

Nongnuch ********

Reply

Michelle *****

@Stephen *******

nope to Chinese, yes to Ed visa.

Like

Reply

Stephen ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

ok thx. Different for different nationalities

Like

Reply

Juls ******

@Stephen *******

yes, and i think need go China. But, in Covid time, they introduce a fee of 10k thb in order to swap visa from inside the country, maybe still available.

Chokdee krap

Like

Reply

Nongnuch ********

from Chiang Mai, easiest thing to do is going to Laos. She needs to visit the Thai embassy in Vientiane, with all the necesarry documents from her language school, and there she can apply for the 90-days Non-imm-ED visa.

Like

Reply

Juls ******

@Nongnuch *******

not sure for Chinese. As said before, Chinese ppl are reqired to go to their country for visa. I know they can have 1 tourist visa for Thailand in Vietnam, but its an exception, and idk if ED can too. Asking embassy.

Like

Reply

Brandon ************

there was never a few to change inside the country beyond the 2000 baht fee paid directly to immigration. Anything more than that and your school was taking you for a ride.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Brandon ************

Reply

Graham ******

She needs to ask her school which Embassy/Consulate to use

Like

Reply

Stephen ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

they told her to try Malaysia but they seemed unsure

Like

Reply

Nongnuch ********

@Stephen *******

why would you go to Malaysia when you are in Chiang Mai? From Chiang Mai, easiest thing to do is going to Laos. She needs to visit the Thai embassy in Vientiane, with all the necesarry documents from her language school, and there she can apply for the 90-days Non-imm-ED visa.

Like

Reply

Stephen ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Nongnuch *******

as a Chinese national? Are you sure?

Like

Reply

Nongnuch ********

@Stephen *******

Bangkok, 1 March 2024 – The Royal Thai Government has extended visa-free access for tourists from China and Kazakhstan, effective from today onwards. Thailand and China signed an agreement for a mutual visa entry for citizens of both countries on 28 January 2024, which officially comes into effect today . . . . . .

*************************************************************************************************************************

%2C%201%20March%

*****

*******

/thailand-expands-visa-free-access-for-tourists-from-china-and-kazakhstan/#:~:text=Bangkok%2C%201%20March%202024%20%E2%80%93%20The,Kazakhstan%2C%20effective%20from%20today%20onwards.&text=Thailand%20and%20China%20signed%20an,officially%20comes%20into%20effect%20today.

Like

Reply

Stephen ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Nongnuch *******

30 day stay. Not Ed visa

Like

Reply

Nongnuch ********

@Stephen *******

yes that's what I assumed, she does NOT have an ED visa, yet

Like

Reply

Nongnuch ********

@Stephen *******

sorry, you are correct. . . Chinese at the moment enjoy a 30 days visa exempt. However the Visa-on-arrival rule got suspended for Chinese nationals

Like

Reply

Reply to

Nongnuch ********

Reply

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

... members · 60% approval rate

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

View the Conversation

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

Can we apply for an Education Visa in Thailand after receiving a school offer, or do we need to return to Taiwan?

2 comments

3 months ago

Can I apply for an ED visa for a language school in Thailand while in the UK, or must I be in Thailand?

16 comments

8 months ago

Where can expats in Bangkok apply for a 90-day Ed visa outside of Thailand?

16 comments

2 years ago

What are the procedures and advice for applying for an ED visa in Thailand, including changing from a Tourist Visa?

8 comments

2 years ago

What are the best options for obtaining a new education visa for Thailand after a year on an education visa?

10 comments

3 years ago

How can I extend my Non-Immigrant ED Visa while waiting for admission to a new school in Thailand?

2 comments

3 years ago

Can I apply for an education visa in Thailand while on a visa-exempt entry?

4 comments

3 years ago

Can I change from a tourist visa to an Ed visa while in Thailand without leaving the country?

1 comments

4 years ago

Can I apply for an ED visa at a Thai embassy in a neighboring country while on an Amnesty tourist visa in Thailand?

122 comments

4 years ago

Can I Extend My ED Visa in Thailand or Do I Have to Leave?

6 comments

5 years ago

What are the best long-stay visa options for my friend in Thailand considering her current visa situation?

6 comments

5 years ago

What is the best country to apply for an ED Visa for studying Thai language?

19 comments

5 years ago

What should I do about my expiring ED visa as I transition to studying at a university in Bangkok?

7 comments

5 years ago

Can a Chinese national apply for an Ed visa at neighboring countries' consulates in Thailand?

0 comments

5 years ago

Which nearby country can I visit to change my tourist visa to an ED visa in Thailand?

3 comments

5 years ago

Should I apply for an ED Visa in Canada or from Thailand while choosing a Thai language school in Phuket?

15 comments

6 years ago

Can I apply for an ED visa while on a tourist visa in Thailand?

0 comments

6 years ago

Why was the ED visa renewal for Thai language studies rejected at the Thai Consulate in Vientiane?

30 comments

6 years ago

What are the best options for obtaining an ED visa from Thailand, and where should I go?

6 comments

6 years ago

What are the options for a Chinese citizen in Chiang Mai looking to change from a tourist visa to an ED visa?

4 comments

6 years ago

What are the requirements for transitioning from an ED-VISA to a tourist visa in Thailand for language studies?

13 comments

6 years ago

Can my friend apply for a Thai ED visa in Laos while on a tourist visa?

4 comments

6 years ago

How can I apply for an ED visa for Thailand from the Philippines?

4 comments

7 years ago

Can my friend apply for a student (Non-ED) visa in Thailand after getting a single entry visa in Laos?

2 comments

7 years ago

Can we apply for an education visa at Chiang Rai immigration without leaving the country?

2 comments

7 years ago

Data protection policy Terms and conditions Disclaimer Privacy policy Refund policy

The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.