Answered4 years ago
How can I switch from a visa exempt to an ED visa for studying muay thai in Thailand?
American passport holder, here on visa exempt extention. I will be reaching my 180 day limit on tourism related visas for the year in a couple months. I am interested in staying past then to study muay thai. Can someone please explain how I would switch from the visa exempt to a ED visa for muay thai study? And are there general time limits for the program of study for muay thai ED visa? I am looking at local gyms currently. I live in a rural area of Ang Thong province.
Answer summary
An American passport holder on a visa exempt extension is seeking advice on switching to an ED visa for muay thai study before reaching a limit on tourism-related visas. While some believe there is a 180-day visa limit, it's clarified that the duration of stay is at immigration's discretion and not fixed. To obtain the ED visa, one should contact local gyms for their application process, as some may allow conversion without leaving Thailand. Adequate time is needed for the switch, preferably 14-21 days before the visa runs out. The ED visa can be extended for up to one year, provided compliance with attendance is maintained. Concerns regarding studying further away in Ayutthaya are also raised.
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Ron *********
OPI live near the province border in Ang Thong, and will study in Ayutthaya the next province over from Ang Thong. Will this be a problem? If so, how to remedy?
Rei ***********
You mean 180 day given to you by your Thai girlfriend?
Stuart *********
You hear stories from people saying that the immigration officers on arrival warn of this limit (and therefore take it as gospel), but there is no rule saying you can only stay 180 days.
Ron *********
OPGood to know about the 180 days being a guide not a real limit. Thank you for the information.
Garrett ***********
@Ron ********
It's not a guide either. There was a law in the 1980s that limited tourists to 180 days per calander year, but it hasn't been a law or guide in over 20 years.
Michael **********
@Garrett **********
I reckon that back in the late 2000s people couldn't stay here more than ******
days/year on visa exempt? am I wrong?Garrett ***********
There's no 180 day limit
Brandon ************
There is no 180 day limit. It's up to the discretion of immigration at the time of entry. But if you've been in Thailand that long you're correct that you're probably going to be denied entry soon as you cannot live in Thailand on short term stays.
To get an ED you need to contact schools and find out their process. Some will be able to convert from visa exempt or tourist visa to ED without leaving Thailand and some will want you to leave and apply for an ED visa at a consulate.
You'll need 14-21 days on your stay to convert though so your cannot wait until you're out of time to try and do so.
You can utilize an ED visa and extensions for up to 1 year if it's not a university degree course. Your attendance will be recorded and repoerted to immigration when you go and apply for your extensions every 90 days and if you're not attending you'll be denied.
To get an ED you need to contact schools and find out their process. Some will be able to convert from visa exempt or tourist visa to ED without leaving Thailand and some will want you to leave and apply for an ED visa at a consulate.
You'll need 14-21 days on your stay to convert though so your cannot wait until you're out of time to try and do so.
You can utilize an ED visa and extensions for up to 1 year if it's not a university degree course. Your attendance will be recorded and repoerted to immigration when you go and apply for your extensions every 90 days and if you're not attending you'll be denied.
Ron *********
OP@Brandon ***********
I started speaking with a gym, I believe they help with 3 month visas. Will I be able to stay when I renew or do i have to leave the country every three months?Brandon ************
@Ron ********
you don't renew a visa. You apply for an extension. Each extension is 90 days and you can usually continue with these up to 1 year. You need to clarify with the school if they support extensions. It requires a very large amount of paperwork from the school each time.Ron *********
OP@Brandon ***********
thank you, I will.Brandon ************
@Ron ********
that's a bit complicated because you'll need to use the office of the province the school is in but your address will not match. You may need to discuss with immigration and see what they sayRon *********
OP@Brandon ***********
I live near the province border in Ang Thong, and will study in Ayutthaya the next province over from Ang Thong. Will this be a problem? If so, how to remedy?
Bob **********
@Brandon ***********
it could take the gym 30 days or more to get the paperwork together
Corey *******
180 day limit?
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