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Answered8 years ago

What is the process for obtaining an ED visa for studying in Thailand as a French citizen currently in Mexico?

Inès *************
asked Nov 14, 2018
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Hey guys!

I’m a French girl living in Mexico, and i have to do a ED visa since I’ll be studying in Bkk starting January.

I thought that I could do the visa here in Mexico, but as I’m not a Mexican, i can not do it.

I already have my plan ticket to Thailand on December 11th, so I’ll do a visa exemption for 30 days. And since they told me to go to a limitrophe country to apply for the visa, and I’ll be around Koh Chang in late December, I plan to go to Cambodia for the visa.

I just have a few question for that visa trip because I can not stay that long in Cambodia and I would like it to be as smooth as it can be 😛 :

- How long will it take to receive the visa, once applied?

- What’s the procedure: should I apply online and then, they’ll give me an appointment? Or should I just fill some papers and then go straight to the Ambassy without appointment to give them everything?

- How much do I need in my bank account to prouve that I can survive in Thailand with my money? (In Mexico the amount is 600$)

- Do I need other useful information?

Thank you so much for your help!
Answer summary
A French girl in Mexico plans to apply for an ED visa to study in Bangkok starting in January. Unable to obtain the visa in Mexico, she intends to apply for it in Cambodia after entering Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption. Key concerns include the application process at the consulate, expected wait time for the visa, required bank balance for living in Thailand, and any other necessary information for a smooth application.
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Tod *********
Tod *********
@Inès ************
, make SURE that the paperwork you have from your school is NOT addressed specifically to the thai consulate in Mexico because if it is you will need NEW paperwork to go to another consulate.

Most times all you need from the school is a new 'cover letter' as the main documentation isn't addressed to any consulate.

BUT you will wanna check that BEFORE you go to another consulate to apply for your ED visa.
Inès *************
Inès *************
OP
@Tod ********
no it’s not, my school is aware I can not do the visa in Mexico.

Thanks!
Tod *********
Tod *********
Okay, FIRST OFF the thai consulate in Phnom Penh is NOT a user friendly consulate to get your visa from.. The thai consulate in Phnom Penh has a 3 day turn around to get your passport back with the visa in it. meaning you're gonna stay IN Cambodia for at LEAST 3 days.

I would say you have a far better chance applying for it at the Thai consulate in Vientiane Lao, OR in the Thai consulate in Penang Malaysia.

Both of those consulates have a one day turn around meaning you turn in your passport one morning and you pick it up the following afternoon with the visa in it.
Inès *************
Inès *************
OP
@Tod ********
yeah I’m only hearing bad experiences in Cambodia, so I guess that’ll be Laos which is perfect since I’ll only need one day 🙂

Thank you!
Gareth **********
Gareth **********
You may need to show
*****
baht on arrival in Thailand, to show you can take care of yourself. Potentially a return flight too!
Scott ********
Scott ********
@Inès ************
10,000 baht is only about 270 euro. I’m sure you can exchange at the airport when you leave Mexico although not the best exchange rates.
Gareth **********
Gareth **********
Agreed
@Tod ********
, but the three P's are more important here than most places
Inès *************
Inès *************
OP
@Tod ********
nice! That would be cool, because like I said, I live in Mexico and I don’t have that amount in euros with me...
Tod *********
Tod *********
@Inès ************
Of course you COULD be asked, BUT thousands of people stamp in to thailand every week and are NOT asked for anything.

I would say be prepared (as in have the required cash) but don't be paranoid :/ If you don't have an extensive history of living here on back to back stamps you're unlikely to even be looked at
Inès *************
Inès *************
OP
@Tod ********
are you sure?

Why are they saying so then? Because they have history of living there?
Ellie *******
Ellie *******
@Inès ************
you cannot withdraw any money in the airport in Thailand BEFORE you pass passport control. Only you can exchange currencies.
Tod *********
Tod *********
@Gareth *********
People are RARELY asked for proof of funds OR proof of onward travel IF they do not have an extensive history of living here on back-2-back visa exempt or tourist visas.

About the only border that always asks is the one southern land border.
Gareth **********
Gareth **********
I know people been asked for both recently, so yes, that is a distinct possibility.

You should have an exchange shop near you. Important to get it done, they are asking more frequently
Ron *******
Ron *******
IF your asked, it will be to show 20,000 baht. We know the rules say 10,000 but they ask for 20,000.
Inès *************
Inès *************
OP
@Gareth *********
I don’t have that amount of euros with me right now, and as you can guess, I can not withdraw euros in Mexico...
Gareth **********
Gareth **********
Pesos probably won't suffice
Gareth **********
Gareth **********
I agree, show euros then. That will be fine. They don't care though about exchange rates, so make sure you
*****
baht or equivalent :)
Inès *************
Inès *************
OP
@Gareth *********
going from euros to pesos to dollars to bahts isn’t the best I gotta say...
Gareth **********
Gareth **********
Can you not get an exchange there? Maybe dollars? Can't remember if there is an ATM before
Inès *************
Inès *************
OP
@Gareth *********
fuck but I’m in Mexico 😭😭😭😭

Can I withdraw money in the airport before passing the immigration? Hahah
Gareth **********
Gareth **********
You have to have it in cash, Thai baht or equivalent of a major currency
Inès *************
Inès *************
OP
@Gareth *********
with the 30 days exempt?

How will I show them that?
Gareth **********
Gareth **********
You will need to get the paperwork from the school you will studying at. You will have to apply in person at the consulate in Cambodia, the visa will be ready the next day for collection.
Tod *********
Tod *********
@Gareth *********
, the thai consulate in Cambodia has a THREE working day turn around for visas
Gareth **********
Gareth **********
If the school has given paperwork, it should be complete. For safety sake, check the particular consulate you will be going to and make sure you have all required documents.

All consulates in this region will the 1 application paper you might need, there at the counter
Dick **********
Dick **********
@Inès ************
, If it´s a serious school and they know what they do they should have done all their paperworks at their end I think its only one paper you might need to fill in at the consulate.

I did this ED visa stuff some years back and I remember the consulate gave me a extra paper to fill in at the spot....
Inès *************
Inès *************
OP
@Gareth *********
no papers need to be fill as well? (I’m asking because with the Thai embassy in Mexico you need to fill and print a paper that you find on their website)
Gareth **********
Gareth **********
Nothing done online and no appointment needed for consulates in Cambodia
Inès *************
Inès *************
OP
@Gareth *********
so no need for appointment, I just show up with my papers? No need to fill anything online or a paper somewhere?
Gareth **********
Gareth **********
Great, all set them.
Inès *************
Inès *************
OP
Gareth Tichauer i already have the paperwork.

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