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What are the best schools for obtaining an ED visa in Thailand while avoiding processing issues?
ED VisaThai Language SchoolsVisa Processing IssuesIn-Person ClassesLanguage LearningExpat AdviceThai Education System
Jan 4, 2025
a year ago
Darre ******
ORIGINAL POSTERIll be applying for my ed visa soon. Which school did everyone decide to go with? I just want to select the best school. I also want to stay away from any with processing issues. I have heard someone recently get deported because the school didn't complete their paperwork in time.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around selecting the best school for obtaining an ED visa in Thailand. Participants emphasize that online classes are not suitable for this visa type and that in-person attendance is mandatory. There are warnings regarding schools with poor processing abilities that could lead to deportation due to paperwork issues. Additionally, some comments suggest choosing a school based on a genuine interest in learning Thai rather than just for visa purposes.
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Scott *********
Do you want to go to school to learn thai or for a visa? There's a difference. If you don't truly want to learn thai then don't go to school and get another visa. If you do truly want to learn thai then go to a school based in an area where the overwhelming majority of the locals speak only thai.
Darre ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Scott ********
there is an option to attend in person. I choose not to. Do you have any info on reference to my question?
Scott *********
@Darre *****
yes. Go in personDarre ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Scott ********
my post wasn't asking your preference on how i should go to schoolScott *********
@Darre *****
just do what you want mateReply to
Scott *********
Reply
Bonnie *********
Online classes don't meet the requirements for an ED visa.
Darre ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bonnie ********
yes they do. I literally know 3 people on it right now that do online classesScott *********
@Darre *****
you seem to have all the answers. Why ask here?Bonnie *********
@Darre *****
With absolutely no requirement to attend in person?Reply to
Bonnie *********
Reply
David **********
You will.not learn thai properly online..Don't waste your time unless you just want the visa and don't actually care about really learning the language. Many schools are a bit of a sham this way with students not actually attending and only turning up the bare minimum with poor tuition.
Darre ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@David *********
there is an option to attend in person. I choose not to. Do you have any info on reference to my question?
David **********
@Darre *****
you don't care about location?Reply to
David **********
Reply
Pete *******
You will not get an ED visa for online classes. Must be in person.
Tim *********
@Pete ******
not truePete *******
@Tim ********
quote from a previous thread in this group by Brandon: If a school is offering online classes then it doesn't meet the requirements for an ED visa.You get an ED Visa because you need to be in Thailand to attend your classes. If you're taking an online class you do not need to be in Thailand, therefore you do not need and do not qualify for an ED visa.
Chiang Mai was the center of the big ED visa scandal where over 100 immigration officers were fired and thousands of ED visas were cancelled.
If someone is offering an ED visa for online classes then you're at risk of having your ED visa cancelled and putting you into immediate overstay because it will be like you never had the ED visa.
Kool *******
@Tim ********
actually it is true. Online language classes do not qualify for an ED visa. You can take online classes anywhere in the world. You don't need to be in Thailand. During covid online classes were allowed, but that ended a long time ago. Anyone professing to offer an ED visa for online classes is a scam, and with the crackdowns it can get you banned from Thailand.Tim *********
@Kool ******
well tell that to my school that still offers both, i even sign papers stating online classes for the immigration and has agents seating at the immigration . so the school and classes aren't a scam 🙄 but you guys know everything better 👍Kool *******
@Tim ********
corrupt immigration agents, and those get cracked down on. The last was after covid with senior immigration agents from three provinces were arrested, and 138 "students" were banned.Pete *******
@Tim ********
can you give the name of the school so I can check their requirements myself?Reply to
Pete *******
Reply
Pete *******
@Tim ********
can you explain why?Tim *********
@Pete ******
because you totally can get an ed visa with online classes... all you need is to be in bkk every 3 months and have an tm30 in bkk . classes hold online 🤷Maksym ***********
@Tim ********
we were promoted like this, but then we were asked to come every 1-2 months to do extension(Bangkok don't stamp 3 months last year), immigration check, etc. thanks government for DTV visas. No trucks now 😁Pete *******
@Tim ********
RequirementsIndividuals between the ages of 12-49 can apply for an ED visa for Thailand.
A prerequisite is regular participation in the school course.
As a student visa holder you are legally obliged to take part in the language courses.
This is monitored through spot checks by the Ministry of Education or the Immigration Service.
The lessons are spread over the whole year. As a rule, students have to participate in class 4 days a week for 2 hours each day (1 hour active learning, 1 hour group work and homework. Interruptions due to vacation are possible by arrangement.
Dany ********
@Pete ******
there is no such nationwide regulations. the MOE is province specific with different regulations. in Krabi you do 2x2 hour per week and 80% attendance and would be totaly within legal guidelines. if a school is certified to do online classes and MOE + Immigration are fine with that then thats also okay. schools are checked at least once a year if they comply to these local rules. its also easy to document online attendance. just depends on the MOE and immigration what they accept.Tim *********
@Pete ******
nice copy and paste 👍Pete *******
@Tim ********
of course, I don’t just make shit up I back up what I say with facts.Pete *******
@Tim ********
it is a legal requirement to have regular attendance at the school to qualify for the ED visa Immigration conduct spot checks on compliance. My school had to photograph each class held and email it to Immigration along with a list of the participants. Sounds like a dodgy illegal school.Tim *********
@Pete ******
can do a screenshot , but that doesn't change the fact that you still can attend classes online and sometimes immigration comes to take a picture in the the school🤷 nothing illegal, document are in order and the school is one of the school that actually have visa agent at the immigrationLuit *****************
@Tim ********
The more the people trick the system this way, the more difficult it will be to get a visa when you need one.Tim *********
@Luit ****************
no trick, still need to go to the immigration and attend the classes ( that can be online, but doesn't need to be 🤷) all papers are in orderReply to
Tim *********
Reply
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