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Answered4 years ago

Should I hire an agent to convert my Tourist Visa to an Education Visa in Thailand?

Tourist Visa Education Visa Visa Conversion Process Thai Cooking Classes Immigration Expat Visa Help

Stephanie ********

Stephanie ********

OP

asked Aug 18, 2022

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Hi peeps! My man and I are heading the the immigration office at some point next week to see about getting our Tourist Visas swapped out for Education Visas. Should we hire an agent to help us? If so, do y'all have any recommendations? :)

Thanks so much! ALSO, does anyone know if there are Thai cooking classes available for ED visas??

Answer summary

The user is considering converting their Tourist Visa to an Education Visa and is wondering whether to hire an agent for this process. Community responses indicate that finding a school is crucial for the conversion, as immigration cannot assist with this process directly. Some schools can facilitate in-country conversions, but it requires sufficient time left on the current visa and entails filling out extensive paperwork. Recommendations suggest avoiding costly agents if the intent is genuine education, and they also mention that cooking classes generally do not qualify for an ED visa.

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Charlotte ********

Charlotte ********

If you're in Chiang Mai TSL are super helpful. If you're interested in learning Thai.

1

Stephanie ********

Stephanie ********

OP

@Charlotte *******

thank you!

0

Ryan ***********

Ryan ***********

Lmao cooking classes typical last a day or two

1

Stephanie ********

Stephanie ********

OP

@Ryan **********

you never know unless you ask 🙂

0

Ryan ***********

Ryan ***********

@Stephanie *******

If you really wish to stay in Thailand you need an agency and maybe you would want to do a educational VISA with Thai language

1

Stephanie ********

Stephanie ********

OP

@Ryan **********

Thank you! I am on it :)

0

Maxim ***********

Maxim ***********

I strongly suggest that you research in advance or you will end up like thousand of people with not enough time left to switch to a long term visa. You do not need to pay 30-40k baht for an ed visa with an agent if you truly want an "education" on learning Thai, self-defense, or something else. An agent is mostly for people who want a visa without actually going to class to learn anything, volunteer, etc.

2

Maxim ***********

Maxim ***********

What you mean old?

0

Maxim ***********

Maxim ***********

I've been here as long as you buddy, you are not talking to a typical 2 weeks traveler newb. Some people don't meet all requirements so they go under the table with an agent and it will be costly.

1

Shayne **********

Shayne **********

@Maxim **********

visa prices are the same as before. An imaginery "changeover" fee that can't be published is the extra agent fee you are suggesting.

There is no extra agent fees and never has been except the actual immigration facing agents that hold people's hand at immigration.

All the schools charge what they were charging pre COVID, just have to accept the convenience changeover fee.

If you get your initial education visa outside Thailand, the price is normal.

There's never been a 25k one year visa option in the 12 years I have been in Chiang Mai.

1

Shayne **********

Shayne **********

@Maxim **********

very old advice.

1

Maxim ***********

Maxim ***********

I've never heard of cooking for ed visa. CM is famous for self-defense and muay Thai ed visa. Learning a language is also common for ed visa. If you are south Thailand there are other options like scuba diving. Price will be at least 25k baht on the very low end for any type of ed visa, but realistically 30-35k baht. If you use an agent expect a lot more total: 50-60k baht.

1

Stephanie ********

Stephanie ********

OP

@Maxim **********

Thank you so much Maxim! :)

0

Stephanie ********

Stephanie ********

OP

Super helpful!!!

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Maxim ***********

Maxim ***********

Plenty of ed visa school, etc, in Chiang Mai. You walk any street around old city or nimman and you will find many.

1

Brandon ************

Brandon ************

Immigration can't do anything for you.

You need to find a school first, and coordinate with them. Some can do in country conversion to ED and some will want you to go to a neighboring country to apply for ED.

If you find a school that will support in country conversion, you'll need at least 21 days left on your existing stay as the school will need to apply to ministry of education and wait for their approval which takes weeks. Then they'll give you a huge packet of paperwork (100+ pages) and this is what you take to immigration. You can't do anything ED related on your own.

6

Stephanie ********

Stephanie ********

OP

@Brandon ***********

This is SUPER helpful! Thank you so much Brandon!

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