What are the requirements for obtaining an ED visa in Thailand for an internship, and can I convert my METV?

Mar 24, 2019
6 years ago
Philipp ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Dear Group, I need your expertise in the following case. Thank you already in advance for your help.

I have been travelling since beginning of the year in Southeast Asia. However, I spent most of the time (around 60 days) in Thailand on visa exempt stamps.

Now I would like to stay longer here and I am searching for a job. By now, I was only offered with an internship, which I would like to do - to get settled here. But now the problem comes.

The company offering the internship says I need from my university an official letter that I have to do a mandatory internship. My uni can only provide a letter that an internship is beneficial for my education but it is not a must. So I went back to the company and they said they think it is a requirement from Thai officials for the visa, I cannot get one without. Is that right?

Provided that it also works out and I can apply for the ED visa, I can do this from any neighboring country, right? I have a German passport. Is there any risk for this?

Right now I am home and I need to reenter Thailand. I would like to get the METV so that I can stay longer on tourist visa if internship doesnt work. Could I go then with my METV to a neighboring country and apply for the additional ED visa or how is the process? Do I have to cancel my current one? What happens when I cancel my METV but dont get the ED at the consulate? Can I convert METV to ED here in Thailand?

Also what would happen if I get a real job. Can I convert either the METV or the ED in Thailand or do I have to go abroad?

Thanks guys! Hope the info provided above is ok, otherwise, please let me know what else you need.
280
views
1
likes
8
all likes
7
replies
0
images
2
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking advice on obtaining an ED (Education) visa for an internship in Thailand after having spent 60 days in the country on visa exemption. They require an official internship letter from their university, which only provides a non-mandatory beneficial statement. The company indicates this letter is a requirement from Thai officials. The user inquires if they can apply for the ED visa from a neighboring country and the process if they opt for a METV (Multiple Entry Tourist Visa) instead. Additionally, they want to know about the possibility of converting either visa type in Thailand if they secure a job.
Robert *******
Depending on school and Immigration office you can convert a tourist visa into the ED visa.
Robert *******
That should be the best way, you are allowed to study with the Tourist visa. Only benefit of the ED visa is that you're allowed to do some work during the internship as part of the program.
Philipp ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Okay, so best way to get the METV back home and travel to Thailand. Then see if all docments get ready from the company for the internship and if so, convert it to the ED visa to do the internship in Thailand. That should work, right?
Robert *******
You can apply for the Single Non Immigrant ED visa in neighbor countries if you have all documents from the school.
Philipp ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Do I need to cancel my METV tourist visa before or can it just "remain"?
Robert *******
Lots of questions, start with the beginning. The Thai company can only hand out documents you need to apply for the ED visa. They need to have a registered course at the Ministry of Education for that. Seeing there is no need for you to do the Internship, it seems there is the problem of getting the documents from Ministry of Education.
Philipp ****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you
@Robert ******
! They said I need it for the ED visa, they get the documents. But I am not sure if they are sure, lol.
Thai Visa Advice
... members ยท 40% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice