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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

8 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

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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.

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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

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Stephen ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

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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

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Stephen ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

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Stephen ********

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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

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Steve **********

@Nongnuch *******

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

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Steve **********

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Michelle *****

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

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Stephen ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

you are Chinese right? And you got Ed Visa?

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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

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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.

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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.

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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? 🤔

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Nongnuch ********

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

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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.

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Stephen ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thank you

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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

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Nongnuch ********

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Michelle *****

@Stephen *******

nope to Chinese, yes to Ed visa.

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Stephen ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

ok thx. Different for different nationalities

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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Graham ******

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

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Stephen ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

they told her to try Malaysia but they seemed unsure

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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.

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Stephen ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Nongnuch *******

as a Chinese national? Are you sure?

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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 . . . . . .

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%2C%201%20March%

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/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.

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Stephen ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Nongnuch *******

30 day stay. Not Ed visa

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Nongnuch ********

@Stephen *******

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

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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

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Nongnuch ********

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