How long does it take to get an Education Visa in Chiang Mai, and am I too short on time?

Education Visa Thai Visa Non-Immigrant Visa Visa Application Process Immigration Thailand Chiang Mai COVID Extensions

Jan 18, 2022

3 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Education Visa related question...

I'm on a Covid extension which will end on 5th March.

I want apply for Ed Visa in Chiang Mai. But  will I be too short on time? A lot of places say it can take more than 45 days and sometimes 60 days to have your Ed visa.. seems a bit crazy to me that it would take 2 months for the whole procedure to be complete. Can anyone offer me feedback on how long you had to wait ? Thank you

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is currently on a COVID extension set to expire on March 5 and is considering applying for an Education Visa (Ed Visa) in Chiang Mai. However, they are concerned about the timing, as many sources indicate that the process for obtaining an Ed Visa can take 45 to 60 days. Community members advise that obtaining the necessary documents from the Ministry of Education can significantly delay the process, and it's critical to start the application at least 21 days before the current visa's expiration. Additionally, there are uncertainties related to being on multiple COVID extensions, which may affect the approval for the Ed Visa.

James ********

And as you have been on many COVID extensions over past year...its unknown if Thai Immigration will grant you an Ed Visa this time...

Please report back your experience with Chiang Mai Thai Immigration.

Good Luck🍀🍀🍀🍀

"CM immigration- 60 days covid extension

Hello,

I just want to report about my experience at Chiang Mai immigration regarding the 60 days Covid extension.

It was my 3rd time doing the extension since I arrived in Thailand on tourist Visa in June, and my second time doing it at CM immigration.

The process was as usual. Same documents needed : fill in all the forms, Tm30... was not asked for onward flight ticket, insurance, or for the reason I stay here... overall a pretty easy and smooth process. I was a bit anxious because of the various reports I was reading about immigration getting more strict about giving out Covid extension. But yeah, nothing special to report. Except this time it was long, painfully long. Last time in November, I was in and out in 1 hour. This time, it was way busier, because of the New Year vacation break. I arrived at 12:30, and left at 16:30 with my under consideration stamp.

This only applies to Chiang Mai, I don't know about the other immigration offices.

Hope this helps...

Good luck 👍"

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3 years ago

Tod *********

You also need to realize that you need at least 21 days left on your current stamp to apply for an in country Non-Immigrant visa in Chiang Mai at the immigration office as well. 😮

You DID have control over this and that was to have talked to schools WAY before you get into a time crunch with how much you time you have left on your current stamp,

Right now in Bangkok (which is not C/M) schools here are taking 2 to 3 weeks to get the MOE paperwork so you can go to immigrations.

As people pointed out, IF you enroll in a school, and they can't get the documentation before you run out of time that is 100% totally on and you'd be done.

You'd have to leave the country and come back on a new stamp to start the process because you can't apply for an in country Non-Imm visa while you're on overstay 😮

What this means in your situation IS

if you have a stamp good until March 5th the LATEST you could apply for an in country Non-ED visa at the Chiang Mai immigration office would be the 11th of FEB (21 days before you current stamp expires)

SO

you need to talk to the school because if you're not gonna get the MOE paperwork from the school BY that date you're not gonna get an in country ED visa issued 🙁

Some schools have an "expedited service" where you pay a fee and they can get the MOE paperwork faster (don't even ask me how it's done, but I have seen schools offer it 😕 )

3 years ago

Aurélien *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

I see. At least now it's clear. It wasn't for me before your explanation. Well, I'll go tomorrow and see how it goes. Thank you !

3 years ago

Reply to

Aurélien *********

Robert *******

It is not the visa proces which takes that long, application is done in one day.

But you need documents from the Ministry of Education to be registerd as an official student and that takes time.

3 years ago

Aurélien *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I understand that.. but what happens if the whole process takes 'longer' than my current visa? For instance, if I apply for an ed visa now, but my current visa ends on 5th of March and by that time I still don't have my Ed visa...what happens then? (Even tho i applied, paid everything etc...)

3 years ago

Ali *************

@Aurélien ********

This totally happened to me! The Thais told me that If you processed your paperwork and keep the receipts it will work out fine. It eventually went through and I never had any trouble But like all things it’s always up to the individual officer.

3 years ago

Aurélien *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Mmh I'm not sure I understand 100% how it goes ^^ from what I understand, I need docs from MOE (takes times, maybe 4 weeks) and then I can apply for the Ed Visa.. I pay the school beforehand and the school takes care of everything for me (depends of which school of course). But my concern is : since nobody has control over the time it takes to receive the docs from the MOE, how can I be sure that the process will not overrun my current visa? if my Visa ends on the 5th and my ed visa is ready on the 10th or so (just an example), do i 'overstay' for 5 days? How can i find a new official way of staying for a few days?

3 years ago

Ali *************

@Aurélien ********

the fee is 500 baht a day and not to exceed 20,000 baht for overstay.

If it’s a repeat offender situation they can ban entry for a few years.

If you are super concerned you could go to immigration and ask for an extension to cover that time.

your school should be able to answer it for you but again in the end- it always comes down to the individual officer.

3 years ago

Ellie *******

@Aurélien ********

That is between you and your school how your school can support your visa.

In the case you describe, yes, you will be on overstay.

You need to talk about that with your school if they can offer any support for you in case any processing is delayed.

3 years ago

Reply to

Ellie *******

Robert *******

@Aurélien ********

You mix things up, you applied and paid a school. If the school can not get their act together you need another way to apply for a new official stay until the school is ready to help you with the application for the Non Immigrant ED visa at Immigration Office..

3 years ago

Reply to

Robert *******

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