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What is the correct process for applying to ALA Language School for an education visa and completing the Digital Arrival Card?

ALA Language School Education Visa Visa Application Process Digital Arrival Card Visa Exemption Thailand Immigration Language Schools in Thailand Post 9/11 GI Bill Benefits

Jun 20, 2025

a day ago

Andre ***************

ORIGINAL POSTER

I’m planning to apply to ALA Language School and already emailed them to begin the application process for their education visa. They replied saying I have to apply in person, which surprised me—I thought I needed to apply before leaving the U.S.

To be sure I’m not missing anything, I reviewed the Digital Arrival Card form. I wanted to fully understand what’s required. It asks for the visa type and visa number, but obviously, I won’t have a visa number until I go through immigration.

Since this is an arrival card, it includes questions about the purpose of my visit, my visa type, and visa number—which makes me wonder how I’m supposed to fill those out if the visa is only issued once I arrive. Do I leave it blank??? Any help to how I can apply to ALA  would be helpful.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is seeking help with the application process for an education visa to attend ALA Language School in Thailand. They are confused about the requirement to apply in person and how to fill out the Digital Arrival Card, which requests a visa type and number that they won't have until they arrive. Responses in the comments clarify that some language schools might allow remote applications for visas, but ALA only accepts in-person applications. Others note that if entering on a visa-exempt status, it's acceptable to leave the visa fields blank on the arrival card.

Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

View the most updated information about the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) to understand the latest requirements and eligibility criteria.
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
Explore recent discussions by using the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) tag in the search box at the top of the page.
Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.

WARNING: Only trust Thai government websites with .go.th domains or Thai agent websites with .co.th or .in.th domains, as these require verified Thai registration and cannot be registered anonymously.

The official TDAC form is available at tdac.immigration.go.th, which uses the official .go.th government domain.

The services by AGENTS CO., LTD. does NOT charge any fees for arrivals within 72 hours. If you need to book more than 72 hours in advance, there is a service fee of $8.

Do not trust other sites pretending to be a trustworthy agency. Pay attention to delivery time - the service operated by AGENTS CO., LTD. has 1 minute delivery time for arrivals within 72 hours.

Don't fall for sites pretending to be agents.co.th or the official government tdac.immigration.go.th website. Always double-check the exact domain in your browser.

Scam services may take days to process your application, others may not even do anything. With these TDAC scam services you also need to worry about double charges.

Please watch out for TDAC misinformation spread by fugitive Jesse Nickles and his many fake accounts on Quora, TripAdvisor, Reddit, and other platforms.

TRUSTED TDAC LINKS:

Official Government TDAC Form: tdac.immigration.go.th
Official TDAC form by AGENTS
Official TDAC information page by AGENTS (tdac.agents.co.th)

Betty *********

If you are entering on a visa you put in the details. If you are entering Visa exempt you do not have a visa. Leave blank.

11 hours ago

Andre ***************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Does anyone know if any of these private schools can take post

****

GI-Bill benefits!? I know it's not traditional university but I'm serious about learning the language I have been paying for private lessons on preply.com for two years now on and off and I think it's time to take the leap and submerge myself.

12 hours ago

Us *****

Why ala, go to Duke. They got the cutest and best teachers. ALA are for the Duke rejects that don't want to be put on the waiting list. I think they sre in the same building. Hit up Duke, be on the waiting list, come here, and they will babysit you through all the steps. I spent 1 year at Duke, and all the bar girls love my Thai.

a day ago

Andre ***************

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Us ****

- hahah thanks for the advice

12 hours ago

Reply to

Andre ***************

Jordan *****

They only accept in person applications since last year. You can just stop at their office and they will take care of the ED visa

a day ago

Shayne **********

You should be able to apply remotely and get the visa before you come if you want to. Plenty of language schools will do that for you.

a day ago

Andre ***************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you both for the information

a day ago

Henry ********

I study at ALA. I came in on a 60-day exemption, went straight to the school to apply and then I waited about 50-55 days then went to immigration for my ED Visa.

a day ago

Stuart *********

What TDAC website are you on? Visa number is an optional field on the official site and it doesn’t ask for Visa type at all.

This is the official website.

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a day ago

Reply to

Stuart *********

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What should I know about the Digital Arrival Card and immigration process when arriving in Bangkok?