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What is the best visa option for UK citizens planning to stay in Thailand for 6 months?

Thai visaED visaNon-O visaTourist visaVisa application processEducation visaVisa regulations for UK citizensThai language schoolVisa extensionMultiple entry visa
September 13, 2023
a year ago
Nadeem ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi. I seem to have got myself confused and need someone to help clarify if I am going to be ok applying for a 6 month ED visa (for me and my wife) in this way. Please note that we are UK citizens but currently not in the UK. We plan to arrive into Thailand from Sri Lanka on 8th Nov.

1. Apply to Thai Language school and pay their tuition fee. They need completed forms, scans of passport pages and photos and fee paid in advance.

2. Wait for their approval via the Thai ministry of education. Normally takes about 10 days. Approval letter email to me.

3. Use school approval letter and apply online for Thai E Visa. The school has advised me to select number 4 ‘Non Immigrant (single entry)’ . There are fees to pay on the Thai E Visa website too.

4. Wait for Thai Visa approval email and use this when entering Thailand.

Is the above correct and in the right order? Have I missed anything? Does it matter that I’m applying for a Thai E visa online whilst not in the UK?

Thanks in advance for your helpful advice
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user inquires about applying for a 6-month ED visa for themselves and their wife, detailing their plan to attend a Thai language school. They seek clarification on the sequence of steps and whether it's valid to apply online while currently not in the UK. Responses indicate that applying for the ED visa is complex and not recommended, as education visas are generally limited to 90 days with extensions available. It's suggested to consider a 60-day tourist visa which can be extended or a multiple-entry tourist visa for extended stays, emphasizing the need for applications to be made from the user's current location.
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Terary **********
I think many people choose a language school that will handle the paperwork for them. In that case, you would contact the school and ask which visa type you need. When I was doing a working visa they could convert some visa types but not others. I would contact the school and ask them.

If all you want to do is stay in Thailand for 6 months a multiple entry tourist visa, or even single entry tourist visa. Taking the day to do a border run is preferable to taking a couple of days to get the paperwork for non-o visa.
a year ago
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Nadeem ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
All.

My objective is simply to stay in Thailand for 6 months at minimal cost and inconvenience if possible. It would be nice to learn Thai language and culture whilst I’m there but the ED visa application seems to be quite complex for my current situation.

Maybe there is an easier way? What about the 60 day tourist visa? With 30 day extension? And then repeat until we get to 6 months? Is the 6 months multiple entry visa a better option as I only need one border run? I assume I still need to apply for the 60 day or 6 month tourist visa at my local embassy or can I get these online? I have 4 kids under 12.

I can still learn Thai language privately whilst on a tourist visa.
a year ago
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Steve *******
@Nadeem *******
 You dont need an ED visa to study at any language school, you can arrive on a tourist visa(60 days) then extend it(30 days), rinse and repeat with another tourist visa from a neighbouring country. This gives you 180 days in Thailand.
a year ago
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เตเต้ ******
@Nadeem *******
 get the 60 day TV and do 1 visa run or enter visa exempt (if applicable) and do 2 runs.

With 4 kids and a wife in tow there’s no way I’d opt for an extra visa run vs getting the 60 day TV as it saves you way more money.
a year ago
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Ron *******
@Nadeem *******
 you cannot get a Multiple entry tourist visa ANYWHERE you don't have residency.

In your case, that's the UK and NO unless you're in the UK, you cannot apply.
a year ago
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Ron *******
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Henrik *****
thaievisa.go.th
a year ago
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Nadeem ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Oli ***
@Charlie ****
@Jessica *******
@Dionne *******
a year ago
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Nadeem ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Let’s talk on the phone tomorrow. I’m calling Jon at some point.
a year ago
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Jessica ********
@Nadeem *******
 well, we are now in Turkey and haven't yet applied for our Thai visa...so no chance we are going to the embassy in London...what a palava!!!!
a year ago
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Jessica ********
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Ron *******
Royal Thai Embassy, Colombo, Sri Lanka

สถานเอกอัครราชทูต ณ กรุงโคลัมโบ

26, Sir Marcus Fernando road, Colombo 07, Sri Lanka

(+9411) 752 9500-3

(+9411) 752 9504

***********************************
a year ago
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Ron *******
Sri Lanka doesn't look too good either.

Not sure as you can even apply there.
a year ago
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Alistair **********
If you're looking at ED visas just to stay in Thailand for an extended period then maybe consider getting a METV. You'll need to go back to the UK to apply though. But you can get up to 9months if you time things perfectly.

If it's only 6 months you're after then a TV before arrival, with a couple of border runs and 30 day extensions should get you 6 months.
a year ago
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Nadeem ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you everyone for all your helpful advice. I’ve learned more in the last couple of hours than I have in the last couple of months! 🤣
a year ago
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Nadeem ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alistair *********
 definitely not going back to the UK.

Only need 6 months. So your suggestion is a tourist visa with a couple of border runs? I have a wife and 4 kids (kids all under 12). Could we do this where the kids don’t have to come with us on the visa extensions or border runs as when we leave after 6 months, they can’t be detained, fined, imprisoned?

So it plays out like:

1. Enter Thailand all 6 of us get visa on arrival for 30 days.

2. Only my wife and I get 30 day extension at an immigration centre.

3. Only my wife and I go on a border run at 60 days.

4. Come back in on 30 days free visa on arrival. We can now stay up to 90 days.

5. Only my wife and I get 30 day extension at an immigration centre taking us to 120 days.

6. Only my wife and I go on a border run at 120 days.

7. Come back in on 30 days free visa on arrival. We can now stay up to 150 days.

8. Only my wife and I get 30 day extension at an immigration centre taking us to 180 days (6 mths)

9. We all leave the country at 180 days.

Have I got that right? What about a 6 mth multiple entry visa? Wouldn’t that be easier for all of us? Less border runs but maybe a bit more cost?
a year ago
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Yva ************
Also the childrens' pasports.. okay if they cannot be fined or whatever, but won't it be registered somewhere that they might have problems re entering at some point later-on in life?
a year ago
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Alistair **********
@Yva ***********
 the issue is being banned, being under
*****
they can't be banned. If you're not banned then you can enter Thailand.
a year ago
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Alistair **********
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Yva ************
Wait... are you guys really considering a visa run whilst leaving all the children in Thailand? What if they'll deny you to re-enter? I'm already worried for any visaruns without all of our suitcases 😮
a year ago
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Alistair **********
@Yva ***********
 there's two people, just don't both leave the country at the same time. Ie. Person one stamps out and back in, then next person does it.
a year ago
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Alistair **********
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Nadeem ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron ******
@Alistair *********
I can apply for a 60 day visa at the Thai Embassy in KL but it’s the same 2 appointment application process and scrutiny as a 90 day ED visa?
a year ago
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Alistair **********
@Nadeem *******
 no idea, embassies can be all over the place. Laos is where people often go for Thai TVs. It's not required, you can enter visa exempt, but if you can get one it might be worthwhile.
a year ago
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Ron *******
@Nadeem *******
 yes. Exactly the same procedure
a year ago
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Ron *******
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Alistair **********
@Nadeem *******
 yep, since they're under
*****
they can't be fined or banned.

That should work though. I'm not sure where you're staying but I'd recommend using a border run company so you don't encounter any issues. Also given the time of year right now, you could do two land border runs this year, then two next year. So an extra 120 days if you wanted. (limit of 2 land crossing visa exempt entries per calendar year).

Yep METV would be less hassle and less border runs, but you'd need to go back to the UK to apply.
a year ago
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Nadeem ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alistair *********
 so METV is out of the question. You and
@Ron ******
 have confirmed that.

What about the 60 day visa?
a year ago
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Alistair **********
@Nadeem *******
 if you can apply for a 60 day TV before arrival I probably would. Means you don't need to do a border run till 90 days
a year ago
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Ron *******
@Nadeem *******
 apply in KL. Same as what I said before though. Hotels, banking etc
a year ago
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Ron *******
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Ron *******
Kuala Lumpur does issue ED visas but good luck with them issuing one.

You also need to make 2 appointments.

One to lodge the application and another once they have dealt with the application and contacted you, to collect your passport.
a year ago
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Nadeem ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron ******
 why is it I get the feeling your “good luck” message suggests it will be painful and time consuming…?
a year ago
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Ron *******
@Nadeem *******
 Kuala Lumpur is just about the worst place to apply.

They are strict and the list of paperwork is long.

For a start, you'll need to supply a paid for tax invoice for your complete stay in Thailand.

In your case, that will be 90 days.

No point in supplying something that you think you can cancel because they won't accept it.
a year ago
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Ron *******
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Brandon ************
Yes, it matters. You must apply through the Thai embassy or consulate where you physically are. If you're not in the UK then you cannot apply through the London embassy. They will require you to upload your plane ticket from the UK to Thailand as part of your application and without that your application will be denied.

You also cannot apply for a 6 month education visa. All education visas are for 90 days. You can then apply for an extension in Thailand with additional documentation from your school.

You might need to enter Thailand as a tourist and then apply to switch to education visa with the support of your school. Check with them and see what they suggest since applying online doesn't appear to be an option.
a year ago
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Nadeem ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 thanks for your comprehensive and precise response. Although it’s not what I wanted to hear, I’m happy that someone has been able to clarify this succinctly. The school I’ve been talking to has confirmed it’s possible to get the ED visa from outside of Thailand before we enter.

Based on what you have said, is this now what I should do?

1. Apply to Thai Language school and pay their tuition fee.

2. Wait for their approval via the Thai ministry of education. Normally takes about 10 days. Approval letter emailed to me.

3. Take school approval letter to Thailand embassy in Kuala Lumpur where I am now. Or do I need to go to the Thai embassy in Sri Lanka as that’s the country our Thai bound plane departs from?

4. Get 90 day Thai Ed Visa approval letter from embassy. Do I pay them visa immigration fees?

5. Travel to Thailand and enter with 90 day visa.

6. At 90 days, go to an immigration centre with school documentation and extend for a further 90 days at 1,900 Baht.

How does that sound?
a year ago
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Brandon ************
@Nadeem *******
 you'd need to check the requirements for the Kuala Lampur embassy to see if they even offer an ED visa for non-Malaysian residents. I believe that embassy also requires an appointment but I'm not sure. Yes you will pay for the visa, every visa requires you to pay the application fee.

The easiest method is probably entering Thailand as a tourist and then converting to ED visa. Coincidentally it will also give you a little more time if that's what you're looking for. There are no visa requirements for attending classes, you can do that on any visa type.
a year ago
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Brandon ************
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