Answered8 years ago

What are the current rules for applying for an Education (ED) Visa in Thailand?

ED Visa Thailand visa rules visa application process expat advice immigration regulations

Kevin *********

asked Nov 5, 2018

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ED Visas: I don't know if this is common knowledge, but the guy said it's a fairly new rule. You can only apply for an ED Visa exactly once a year. I was denied at the consulate in Laos today and told to come back next week when the 1 year finishes up. 

Extra details: My previous ED visa was issued November 13th, 2017 and I entered November 15th, 2017. After extensions I had to leave by November 9th, 2018. 

Opinion: Obviously this rule was meant to stop people jumping from school to school, but there should be a grace period for situations where the intent isn't what the rule is trying to prevent. 

I'll survive an extra week in Laos. I'll visit some other towns until the 16th. But it's definitely an inconvenience (and a flight back lost) that I hope to save someone else.

Answer summary

The rules for applying for an Education (ED) Visa in Thailand state that you can only apply for the visa once a year. A user recently faced denial at a consulate in Laos due to this new regulation, which they reported may cause confusion regarding the timing of applications. Comments from other users clarify that the supposed restriction could vary by consulate, with one stating it's based on a 'running year' since the last visa application rather than the calendar year.

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Tod *********

Okay, the notice the consulate in Vientiane posted about one ED visa per calendar year is WRONG :O

It's not per calendar year (which is Jan 1 - Dec 31) :/ It's really per "running year" <- meaning you can apply for a new 90 day ED visa a year after you applied for your previous one :O

8 years ago

Arianne *************************

@Tod ********

is this for sure for Savannakhet already? That they are not following this rule? Cause its gonna help me a lot if this is for sure.

8 years ago

Kevin *********

Ah alright. My school just said I would need a new letter anyway so I don't think it's an option for me.

8 years ago

Tod *********

@Kevin ********

The last report I had was Savannakhet doesn't follow any rule that limits ED visas from them and you can show up and apply.

BUT I could not confirm that report (meaning the person who said they did that did not post a picture of their new ED visa) so I don't know

8 years ago

Kevin *********

Well, in my situation the guy stated the rule correctly as you explained it here (running year). A year from my last application last November 13th, 2017. Are you saying Savannakhet might not be following neither the false calendar year rule nor the running year rule?

8 years ago

Tod *********

Also it doesn't matter to them in the least where the first one was issued OR what it was issued for. They go strictly by date of issue..

This is messing up a LOT of people in Bangkok at thai language schools because the Ministry of Education has it set up that you get one 90 day ED visa and then 9 months of extensions to study basic and intermediate then go get a NEW 90 day ED visa to study advanced.

I know of several schools and many students who got run right off the rails with this 'new rule' at Vientiane.

AFAIK: the thai consulate in Savannakhet is NOT following it and you can go there to get another ED visa without a problem.

8 years ago

Jason ***********

That is only a rule at that that embassy, the notice was posted here a few times last month.. Its business at usual at the other embassies and consulates.

8 years ago

Kevin *********

I think you're right about the paperwork needing to be different. I'll figure out today what I'll do. Probably just easier to wait it out. Waiting in that queue again is not something I look forward to though.

8 years ago

Jason ***********

@Kevin ********

: Try the consulate in Saigon, that is where I got mine in September. You might need to get new paperwork though if you use a different embassy/consulate

8 years ago

Kevin *********

Ah alright. Guess I missed the memo. Lesson learned.

8 years ago