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Is it easier to apply for guardian and education visas from Hong Kong or Vietnam?

Guardian VisaEducation VisaVisa ReapplicationThailand ImmigrationVisa TypesNon-O VisaTravel to ThailandExpat Advice
Mar 30, 2025
4 days ago
Winsy ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi everyone! Guardian and Education visas 🙏 We need to reapply for our visas (we already have all paperwork needed, including our children’s school forms). Wondering if anyone could advise whether travelling to HK or Vietnam might be easier to apply from there? Just trying to work out flights and how long should we plan for as I read it can take 5-10 days. Thank you so much!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is looking for advice on whether to travel to Hong Kong or Vietnam for reapplying for their Guardian and Education visas after their previous visas were annulled. They’re seeking information on how long the process might take and any experiences others have had during this application process.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Luna ********
What has the school recommended?
4 days ago
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Winsy ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Luna *******
 the school has been amazing, they have explained the options but cannot provide legal advice. We also ask at immigration in One BKK, so either change visa within country but lengthy and in two stages or we all apply from abroad.
4 days ago
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Winsy ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you
3 days ago
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Luna ********
@Winsy ***************
 Tod Daniels is super knowledgeable when it comes to visas in Thailand
4 days ago
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Luna ********
@Winsy ***************
 are you based in Bangkok?
4 days ago
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Winsy ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Luna *******
 Hi, yes Bangkok
4 days ago
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Winsy ****************
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Tod *********
@Winsy ***************
 Immigrations at One Bangkok doesn't do ED visas or Non-O visas based on parents of foreign child going to school

You needed to be talking to the people at the MAIN immigration office out at Chaengwattana in section C-1 <- where they issue in country visas
4 days ago
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Tod *********
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Nga **************
Took us 5 days in Ha Noi.
4 days ago
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Winsy ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nga *************
 thank you so much 🙏
4 days ago
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Winsy ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nga *************
 Thank you so much 🤩 May I ask if in the website when you apply, do they ask for proof of current location? Would flights or hotel accommodation suffice?
4 days ago
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Ellie *******
@Winsy ***************
, you need to upload entry stamp (and visa) on your passport as proof you are in the country along with your hotel info.
4 days ago
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Ellie *******
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Winsy ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi, thank you.

2 children studying and 2 parents. We arrived January in Thailand with our education and guardian visas. Unfortunately, we didn’t realise about the single-entry, we left for a short holiday to see my mum, and when we came back they told us at the border that we needed to come in just as visiting (we got a 60 day stamp). At the border they advised us to reapply again for our non-o students and guardian visas 😔 as our ones were now nulled.
4 days ago
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Winsy ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
@Tod ********
4 days ago
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Winsy ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes 😭😭😭
4 days ago
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Tod *********
OUCH, so you showed up IN January with 90 day single entry Non-O visas and Non-ED visas that you'd bought before you came here

BUT

then you traveled before you got an extension (during that 90 day stamp you got when you entered) without a re-entry permit and cancelled those stamps when you left the country 😮
4 days ago
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Tod *********
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James ********
How many children are students?

Both parents are living in Thailand?

What Thai Visas do you now have as parents?

What Thai Visa does the children now have?
4 days ago
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Tod *********
why are you not applying IN country at the immigration office where you live for the child's initial 90 day Non-ED visa?
4 days ago
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Winsy ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 they said we would need to apply for our children first as a change of visa (we are in thailand already), wait and then apply for ours. However, they said we might run out time for us adults to get all sorted. They suggested it would be easier if we all left, apply from abroad and come back with the right visas.
4 days ago
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Winsy ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 thank you so much, makes sense. At the border though, do they allow you to travel out and back into the country many times in a year? This would be the 3rd time we come in this year. Worried if my husband and I fly out then come back but they say we cannot have another 60 day stamp?
3 days ago
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Tod *********
@Winsy ***************
 you'd have to use a service that would take you to the border get you out and back the same day.

I wouldn't fly because you have an extended entry/stay history here, you came in 90 day Non-imm, you lost that flying out w/out a re-entry, you came back in 60 day entry, you'll take a 30 day extension then you will need to bounce again,

That is a recipe for disaster flying back in and you're asking to be denied entry
3 days ago
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Winsy ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 Thank you so much for all your help. I’m so sorry but where can I find those services? Or you mean just out by land somewhere neighbouring for a day trip then back.

I’m reading the requirements and we need at least 15 days left in the stamp to do the change of visa so that’s too tight so we would definitely need to go out.

Do you know if you need to book an appointment at the Immigration centre if is only information for the i of visa? I can see there are no appointments until Friday
3 days ago
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Tod *********
Check your message requests, I sent you a message
3 days ago
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Tod *********
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Winsy ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
😭
4 days ago
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Tod *********
@Winsy ***************
 if you don't live IN Hong Kong or have a passport from there I think that is NOT the consulate to apply thru.
4 days ago
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Winsy ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 I’ll try going to the immigration office in Thailand again, see if they can give more information as our stamp will run out before our children can apply for the year extension. Thank you
4 days ago
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Tod *********
@Winsy ***************
 then you'd have to bounce out/back and get a new 60 day free entry stamp
3 days ago
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Tod *********
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Winsy ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I emailed the embassy in HK twice but they just reply with a link to the requirements which I already know.

I applied from UK online in December though and I was able to apply for everyone.
4 days ago
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Winsy ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Oh, I did this at UK though. I applied for everyone and all visas came through at the same time
4 days ago
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Tod *********
@Winsy ***************
 well it might work then. Go to Vietnam and try
4 days ago
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Tod *********
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Tod *********
@Winsy ***************
 you aren't going to all be able to get the visas at the same time at ANY consulate I know of, you have to get the initial 90 day Non-ED visa, bring the child back in, get them the YEAR extension then you can apply for your 90 day Non-O visa (either inside or outside the country)
4 days ago
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Nga **************
@Tod ********
 I got my kid's ED and my O visas at the same time in Ha Noi.
4 days ago
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Tod *********
@Nga *************
 and that was since they went to the online eVisa website? Just checking because you need to SHOW your child has an ED visa for you to get the Non-O based on raising a foreign child enrolled in school on an ED visa
4 days ago
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Nga **************
@Tod ********
 good point. We did right before the evisa system. Op can email the embassy and ask.
4 days ago
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Nga **************
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