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How many consecutive 1 year education visas can I obtain for studying Thai?

Thai Education VisaVisa RulesImmigrationThai Language SchoolsVisa ExtensionsRetirement Visa
Feb 24, 2018
7 years ago
Scott *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
How many consecutive 1 year education visas can I do for studying Thai?

*edit* I'm finishing my first Thai education visa this July and I will be 45 1/2 years old at the time. I want to see if it will be possible to get education visas and then tourist visas/border runs (if necessary) until I'm 50 and can do a retirement visa or if I'll just have to buy a 5 year elite instead.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The length of time one can stay in Thailand on consecutive education visas (ED visas) is currently limited due to stricter immigration regulations. Typically, a student can obtain an ED visa for up to 1 year initially, followed by various extensions that can allow for around 15 months in total. After this period, it is necessary to leave the country to apply for a new ED visa to continue studying. There are varying reports on the maximum consecutive years on ED visas, with some suggesting it may be limited to 2 or 3 years depending on the school and immigration office policies. Additionally, the Ministry of Education's recent changes may further restrict students' ability to receive visa extensions.
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Tod *********
The days of endlessly living here on ED visa extensions are comin' to a close. More and more immigration offices are cracking down on people and schools.

Before you could be on an ED visa and extensions for 3 years. Now you cannot be on an ED visa in Bangkok longer than one year from the date it's issued. Meaning after that you go back out of the country and get a new ED visa to start the process over.

Plus the MOE <- Ministry of Education came out with a new program for people studying thai which stops students from getting tested by them for their extension.

You get one ED visa and you can stay on that for a total of 8 to 9 months with extensions (this takes you thru the beginning and intermediate levels) then you go out of the country and get a new 90 day ED visa and you can stay on that a total of 6 to 7 more months.

Meaning you can get just over 15 months out of a thai program in bangkok before you need to study another subject.
7 years ago
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Scott *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Surf ******
 I actually used to really be into martial arts. Karate, kick boxing, mma etc. Never competed though. Way too many injuries to go back to it now.
7 years ago
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Peter ********
Switch to studying Muay Thai Scott - I can just picture you in the ring - you'd be a champ for sure.
7 years ago
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Scott *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
This what I've heard too which made me start thinking about the elite visa, but then I hear stories about people staying for years on an education visa (leaving the country every year) or changing subjects to stay.
7 years ago
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Scott *******
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Alex ****
I don't mind doing the table summary and post it in this group if anyone provide such info...
7 years ago
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Alex ****
I noticed that some people had said it really depends on where and type of school is... So my follow up question would be: Any table of comparison with some major immigration offices across the country?
7 years ago
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Tod *********
none
7 years ago
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Tod *********
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Michael ********
Only way to know for sure is to go to a school and ask. Also some schools have more connections than others...
7 years ago
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Scott *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ***********
 Yes, I'll be 45 years old later this year. I'm trying to figure out how to bridge the gap until I'm 50 and can do a retirement visa.
7 years ago
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Scott *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ***********
 I have lived in Pattaya for 12 years on various types of visas. My visa is through a language school here.
7 years ago
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Scott *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
my school said 2 years for sure, maybe 3. I've heard of 2,3, and 5+
7 years ago
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Scott *******
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Laura *****
I also heard that they’ve changed the rules. 12 months has now become 9. And they’ve doubled the min requirements from 4 hours per week to 8.
7 years ago
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Daz ************************
It was 4hrs a day for 3 days a week at Walen Chiang Rai.
7 years ago
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Daz ************************
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Michael ********
Study Thai. Then switch to Muay Thai ;)
7 years ago
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Toby ********
I heard that for Thai language there is a limit to the amount of consecutive ED Visas that are allowed?
7 years ago
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Toby ********
@Robert ***********
 it seems as though Jomtien immigration has one set of rules and the rest of Thailand have another. I also was intending to study 8hrs per week until I arrived and was told no it’s 4hrs and immigration are fine with that.
7 years ago
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Toby ********
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Sergey *********
It depends on the school mostly. What kind of license it has.
7 years ago
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Martin *********
Study a different language each time , go for years. I reckon , still have to leave the country though
7 years ago
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Scott *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Martin ********
 I've heard rumors of that too but I don't know anyone who's actually done it.
7 years ago
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Martin *********
@Scott ******
 so I’m told , there are people here ( Pattaya ) that have been here years ‘ apparently ‘ changing languages and therefore keeping their ED alive .

But I’m retired so never been down this route .
7 years ago
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Scott *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Does this work? I'd rather keep studying Thai but I'd learn a new language if it meant I could keep getting visas.
7 years ago
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Scott *******
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Edgar ***********
3
7 years ago
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Tino ************
Alright, might be an "official rule", here in Pattaya, i know at least 20 people, who been on ED over 3 years hehe. Even people on 5-7 years+
7 years ago
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Edgar ***********
Chiang Mai
7 years ago
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Tino ************
Which city?
7 years ago
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Edgar ***********
@Tino ***********
 in the school that I go, that is what they told me!
7 years ago
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Tino ************
I know MANY people who been on ED visas way more than 3 years in a row...
7 years ago
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Edgar ***********
But ever after 1 year, u have to go out of the country and apply again, that can be done for 3 year!
7 years ago
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Edgar ***********
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