What do we need for an ED non-immigrant visa for yoga training in Thailand?

ED Visa Yoga Teacher Training Thai Visa Regulations Education Visa Visa Application Process Thailand Immigration US Citizen UK Citizen Visa Recommendation Letter Ministry of Education Approval

Jun 12, 2018

7 years ago

Larissa *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello all,

I am looking in to getting an ED non-immigrant visa for me and my husband. I am a US citizen and my husband is from the UK, with a US permanent residence. Our intention is to study yoga while in Thailand. We are taking a month long yoga teacher training course, then plan to bop around to other ashrams, studios, and retreats. Our School ( for the one-month yoga teacher training) is willing to write a recommendation letter to the Thai Consultant, but they do not know what to include in their letter. If anyone could please give guidance, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A US citizen and her UK husband are seeking guidance on obtaining an ED non-immigrant visa to study yoga in Thailand. They plan on taking a month-long teacher training course and exploring ashrams afterward. However, there's concern about whether their school can issue the necessary documentation since it needs to be recognized by the Ministry of Education in Thailand. Community members suggest they consider alternative visa options such as a Multi-Entry Tourist Visa (METV) due to issues with ED visas and potential challenges in the current visa landscape for expats.

Tod *********

Unless the yoga school is approved by the Ministry of Education you're not gonna get documentation from them stating it's okay to issue you an ED visa. A good tip off to this is the fact the school doesn't know what to write. Believe me if they could issue documentation for their students to get ED visas they'd know how to do it.

AFAIK: there is no yoga school in thailand that holds MOE approval and can issue ED visas.

The METV I suggested is the visa that gives you the longest stay with the least headache.

7 years ago

Robert *******

@Lar****

, Do it in the US, you can only apply for this METV if you are a residence of that country. As far as known only Australia consulates don't have residence requirement.

7 years ago

Larissa *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you, that was the way I was gonna go, but then I started reading about ED visas. I asked the yoga school of they could write me a letter because I read that it was one of the pieces of documentation needed according to the Thai Consulate website. They were not offering it as part of the schooling for clarification. :) Do you recommend applying for METV when in the US or is it better to apply in Laos or a other boarding country?

7 years ago

Reply to

Larissa *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks for all the info guys. I have been coming to Thailand for over 10 years now, and it seems to be a very tumultuous time for visa stuff. I appreciate all the updates.

7 years ago

Tod *********

Your best bet would be to get a 6 month METV <- mult-entry tourist visa from one of the thai consulates in the USA before you wing your way here. That visa gives you about 9 months in country (in 60 day increments).

The consulates in the US that sell the 6 month METV are Chicago, Los Angeles, New York & Washington DC

7 years ago

Natasha ****************

Getting Visas here has become more difficult this year. I live and work in Thailand and I am only allowed to stay 90 days a time. I have to leave the country and apply for a new visa every time. A lot of the 1 year Visas don’t exist anymore. Your probably better off apply for a 60 or 90 day tourist visa and doing a couple visa runs. You’d probably be able to stay at least 6 months without any hassle from immigration. I know a lot of people that volunteer and that’s how they do it.

7 years ago

Natasha ****************

@Tod ********

I was told by the Thai Embassy in Vientiane and Penang that they are no longer issuing M entry, non-B, one year visas. However, it’s very possible that because I work for a foundation, I can no longer qualify for one. Overall, those visas, for US citizens, are getting harder to get.

7 years ago

Tod *********

you are mistaken. You are on a year-long, multi-entry Non-B visa because you want to be, OR because the company you work for cannot meet the documentation requirements at the immigration office to get a yearly extension of stay, :/ All the visa types can be extended.

7 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

Lars **********

Just studying Thai language an just paying fore it and you not need go to school first year

7 years ago

Tod *********

STOP, with that nonsense right now. you most definitely DO need to go to school. Those visa mill schools where students don't attend are the reason the ED visa system is in the state it's in.

7 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

Robert *******

Your school has to be recognized by the Ministry of Education. Just a letter from people stating they run a school does not meet the requirements of the ED visa.

7 years ago

Reply to

Robert *******

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