How can I study for 15 months on an ED visa in Thailand?

May 2, 2017
8 years ago
Alex ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have a question regarding ed visa that needs clarification.

From what I have read so far, ed visa can allowed you to stay up to one full year starting from the date of entry, as long as one follows the rule of the ed visa requirements. However I came across a language school that offers a 15 months program and claims that it is doable. Could anyone tell me how it is done? Thanks in advance!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The ED visa (Education visa) allows foreigners to study in Thailand for up to one year. To extend for up to 15 months, a student usually starts with a 90-day single-entry ED visa obtained through enrollment in a language school, which requires documentation from the Ministry of Education. After the 90 days, the student can apply for a 90-day extension at a Thai immigration office. This process can be repeated for a total duration of around 15 months, with periodic border runs necessary for visa renewal.
Tod *********
There are NO thai consulates in the region that will issue you a year-long multi entry Non-ED visa for studying.

You would enroll in a school, they'll get paperwork from the Ministry of Education, you take that to a thai consulate in a neighboring country and get a 90 day single entry ED visa. When you come in you'll get stamped in for 90 days. When the 90 days is expiring the school gives you more paperwork from the MOE that you take to the thai immigration office to get a 90 day extension for 1900baht. You repeat this process for the whole year.
Alex ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Tod!
Jeremy ********
always a way around anything
Tod *********
@Jer***
, From what I've seen in people's passports; when they go out of the country to get a second ED visa, the school they're studying at says they're learning a different language. :/

Even though the people are still studying thai, it says on the paperwork they take to the thai consulate that they're studying "pig-latin" or "double-dutch" :O
Jeremy ********
That's always been the process...I was just wondering if they limited the consecutive amount of ed visas you could get in a row
Tod *********
@Jer***
, It used to be you could get extensions of stays off an original ED visa for up to 3 years.

Now for studying language at a private school you can get extensions of stays on an ED visa for a year.

Which means you come in get 90 days and then get 90 day extensions for another year.

Then you have to go out and get a new ED visa to start the process again.
Jeremy ********
What is the new rule for consecutive ed visas....I know it used to be 10 years but no more than 3 years in any one major, has this changed?
Andrew *******
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Steve *******
Alex Ng, a multi entry non imm ed visa can give you around 15 months in Thailand but you have to border bounce every 90 days, however, the ME non imm ed is rarely available at embassys/consulates these days
Alex ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
So I take it that with a single entry ed visa, it is not possible to stay over 1 year?
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