What are the recent changes to the ED visa application rules in Thailand?

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Aug 4, 2019

5 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Last Thursday, I went to HCMC to apply for my first ED visa. I (and some other people) were denied because they said they had a new rule that says you can only apply for 1 level of Thai instead of a combo. Apparently, they only came up with that rule last Friday... AFTER they denied people. Has anyone experienced the same thing there?

And before anyone makes any assumptions, I am not working, this was my very first visa application and I've only had 1 visa exempt entry, which I extended because I had to wait for the school to give me the documents.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user applied for an ED visa in HCMC but was denied due to a new rule stating applicants can only apply for one level of Thai at a time, rather than a combination of levels. This rule was reportedly implemented after the user's application was denied. Other commenters shared their experiences and knowledge regarding the ED visa process, the documentation needed, and advice for obtaining new documents if necessary. There is confusion among applicants, with varying reports on the application process in different locations.

Alex *****

There is 3 diffrent thai degre's 1 ed visa is beginner,no need to do any test to get your first..the 2one if you gone have a new one they will test you if you have 2 ed visas after each other and then you got 3 there is only 3 years with thai courses,but probably you can do them repeat again not sure about that,talk to scoole before you leve and ask what your studt if it your 2 your get a test and maybe the ask for a income proffe for 20k or at the border wish you got luck...

5 years ago

Beto *********

Hi! I just looking to know if there is some updates from people that has been at HCM these days. Thanks!

5 years ago

Amornrat **********

David Broadfoot the story is 4 weeks old. i believe op moved on and not keen to disclose this info. i found it strange that a person in denied entry with just one tourist in passport.

5 years ago

Amornrat **********

@Kate ***********

there must be another story behind that story...

5 years ago

Robert *******

@Kate ***********

And with what reason is your mother denied entry?

5 years ago

Kate ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

You'd better have a clean passport and hope that whoever is in charge that day is in a good mood. I had a single visa exempt stamp and I asked if I could get a tourist visa instead since they couldn't give me the ED visa. They told me (and the group of people I went to the consulate with) to get it in my own country. On my way out, another staff member told me to try again the next day. Went back to Bangkok on my second visa exempt stamp and got questioned for about half an hour and received a lecture about why I should have gotten a visa before coming back. My mother was supposed to come here and travel to the north with me, but BOOM! Because she had a tourist visa (a single one) from earlier this year, the officer at Suvarnabhumi denied her entry and forced her to buy a ticket back to the States instead of stamping her in for 30 days.

5 years ago

Reply to

Kate ************

Robert *******

You can contact the school for new documents, send them by e-mai, fax or courier. Why get a Tourist Visa for just a day or two to get the documents in order.

5 years ago

Kate ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Because they said they would have to reapply at the ministry of education, which would take 3-4 weeks again.

5 years ago

Reply to

Kate ************

Robert *******

Most of the time, the staff at the desk is there to check if all documents are there, take the fees and hand over the complete application to other staff somewhere in the office who are the ones that decide to give you the visa or not. That is the reason, it takes one day and things like showing mobile phones and cash are not allowed.

5 years ago

Kate ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Is it possible to bring your ED visa documents, ask them to look at it first, and if something is wrong, tell you straight up, so you can apply for a tourist visa instead (to give you time to get the new docs)? Or do they just get the paperwork and you get a surprise the next day?

5 years ago

Kate ************

ORIGINAL POSTER

The thing is, we were told this was happening in Vientiane and Savannakhet. That's why we were advised to go to HCMC. Just last week, I saw a post from someone here who didn't have any issues there.

5 years ago

Robert *******

I'm reading the same rule of being denied an ED visa for more than a week. The change is that you can only study one course at the time, you can not f.e. be a beginning student Thai language and an advanced student Thai language at the same time.

5 years ago

Reply to

Robert *******

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Has the process for applying for an Ed Visa changed to require applications from outside Thailand?

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