Answered7 years ago
What should I know about extending my ED visa in Thailand after facing immigration issues?
A member has asked for advice...
Hello! This is ....from... I've read the posts in this group and want to express gratitude for clearing things out. This is my first time posting here! ....
I came to Thailand in February (6 months ago) on a Tourist Visa.
I fell in love with Pai even though it was the burning season, so I promised I was going to come back when the sky is clear and trees are green.
I came back yesterday on a ED visa, landed in BKK from HK. I plan to stay 6 months - 1 year (depends on the flow).
I will be volunteering in a hostel that provides food & accommodation, I also want to dive in silence when possible at the temples around.
I am indeed assisting to my thai language lessons, which is why I chose this Ed Visa for my needs.
Surprisingly sad, the Thai Immigration Officer, a woman, at the airport was very rude to me, she said she didn't believe I came to study Thai and she refused to let me in.
She asked for my school paper work and I told her all the original paperwork was at the Thai embassy in......., and that if they granted the Ed Visa was because all requirements were OK, but that I had the digital copies in my phone. She still didn't believe me and left me at the counter.
She took me to another Officer and then I called the language school to speak to them because their English was not very clear.
So short story, long story... They let me in but she crossed out the visa (see picture attached) so I have 2 big questions:
Question 1 is: Will I have any trouble extending my visa in Jan 2020 because of that mark in the visa? They didn't do that on my first visa.
Question 2 is: I wanted a multiple visa but the Embassy said I could change that here after the first 3 months, and that they only could give me the single entry because "I came to study".
My family is coming to visit SEA in January and I want to leave for a couple of weeks. Can I ask for a permission to do this and come back to my Ed Visa?
I really love Thailand, I'm very aware I'm an outsider and I'm not looking to build a life here. This attitude towards foreigners is heartbreaking, I'm not doing anything wrong, I did everything as aligned with "the system" as I could
kob khun ka! ❤
----------------
I replied...having seen the visa...
The marks on the visa are normal...marked USED.
It does not affect your Ed Visa.
At end of 90 days...get an extension.
I will post basic info on forum without your visa pics to get feedback from Tod and Robert...our experts
And IMHO do not leave Thailand during the Ed visa...it does not look good and could be denied reentry by Thai Immigration. You are here to study...not party time in SE Asia
Good Luck with your study of Thai language.
Hello! This is ....from... I've read the posts in this group and want to express gratitude for clearing things out. This is my first time posting here! ....
I came to Thailand in February (6 months ago) on a Tourist Visa.
I fell in love with Pai even though it was the burning season, so I promised I was going to come back when the sky is clear and trees are green.
I came back yesterday on a ED visa, landed in BKK from HK. I plan to stay 6 months - 1 year (depends on the flow).
I will be volunteering in a hostel that provides food & accommodation, I also want to dive in silence when possible at the temples around.
I am indeed assisting to my thai language lessons, which is why I chose this Ed Visa for my needs.
Surprisingly sad, the Thai Immigration Officer, a woman, at the airport was very rude to me, she said she didn't believe I came to study Thai and she refused to let me in.
She asked for my school paper work and I told her all the original paperwork was at the Thai embassy in......., and that if they granted the Ed Visa was because all requirements were OK, but that I had the digital copies in my phone. She still didn't believe me and left me at the counter.
She took me to another Officer and then I called the language school to speak to them because their English was not very clear.
So short story, long story... They let me in but she crossed out the visa (see picture attached) so I have 2 big questions:
Question 1 is: Will I have any trouble extending my visa in Jan 2020 because of that mark in the visa? They didn't do that on my first visa.
Question 2 is: I wanted a multiple visa but the Embassy said I could change that here after the first 3 months, and that they only could give me the single entry because "I came to study".
My family is coming to visit SEA in January and I want to leave for a couple of weeks. Can I ask for a permission to do this and come back to my Ed Visa?
I really love Thailand, I'm very aware I'm an outsider and I'm not looking to build a life here. This attitude towards foreigners is heartbreaking, I'm not doing anything wrong, I did everything as aligned with "the system" as I could
kob khun ka! ❤
----------------
I replied...having seen the visa...
The marks on the visa are normal...marked USED.
It does not affect your Ed Visa.
At end of 90 days...get an extension.
I will post basic info on forum without your visa pics to get feedback from Tod and Robert...our experts
And IMHO do not leave Thailand during the Ed visa...it does not look good and could be denied reentry by Thai Immigration. You are here to study...not party time in SE Asia
Good Luck with your study of Thai language.
Answer summary
A member shared their experience of entering Thailand on an ED visa for language study. They faced an issue with immigration where an officer marked their visa as 'used' but were ultimately allowed in. They have questions about the impact of that mark on future visa extensions and the possibility of traveling abroad while on the ED visa. Community members provided insights on the visa situation, emphasizing that the mark is normal, and advised caution regarding volunteering without a work permit.
15 repliesnewest first
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Tod *********
You entered on a single entry 90 day ED visa of course they'd X out or write used on the visa :O That's because they let you USE the visa to enter and after that it's worthless. What lets you STAY inside thailand is the 90 day rectangular entry stamp you got.. ;)
Benny **********
Fb group I mean
David *******
oh dear, I thought Pai was a person lol
Benny **********
Good luck in Pai Immigration come 2 times a month check out in our pai family fun group
Dañ *****
As a personal account to compare;
UK passport holder
I had 4 visa exempt entries to Thailand over a 2 year period, non back to back, longest 28 days, previous 3 for 10-14 days.
I applied for ED visa (approved in Sydney, Aus), and was hassled at the border in a similar fashion to yourself. I was allowed in however, and am currently on my 2nd extension.
For the extension, expect to be tested on your thai language skills, and as my next extension will be after 9 months of learning, I was told "we will be testing you harder next time.
UK passport holder
I had 4 visa exempt entries to Thailand over a 2 year period, non back to back, longest 28 days, previous 3 for 10-14 days.
I applied for ED visa (approved in Sydney, Aus), and was hassled at the border in a similar fashion to yourself. I was allowed in however, and am currently on my 2nd extension.
For the extension, expect to be tested on your thai language skills, and as my next extension will be after 9 months of learning, I was told "we will be testing you harder next time.
Dañ *****
@Benjamin *****
Yes it is, thanks. Certainly an unnerving experience being tested though (despite the smiles ;) )Benjamin ******
Sounds reasonable to me. They let you in, and now you're studying. It sounds like everything is working out for you
Benjamin ******
Oh boy...
1. Volunteering is work, and you need a work permit. If you want to work under the table, don't tell anyone.
2. Assuming you're studying Thai, attend your classes every day. This isn't a way to spend more time in Thailand as a holiday. They do test you when you get an extension.
1. Volunteering is work, and you need a work permit. If you want to work under the table, don't tell anyone.
2. Assuming you're studying Thai, attend your classes every day. This isn't a way to spend more time in Thailand as a holiday. They do test you when you get an extension.
David *******
@Benjamin *****
I hardly think the OP was bragging he is planning to work illegally, more naive that he did not know work permit is required which IMHO is ridiculous as so many people would do volunteer work so it is the Thai's that loose out not the volunteers.Pete *******
@Benjamin *****
yes just figured that. I don't & my partner never has, never overstayed or done the wrong thing . Anyway i now look at Thailand as a 5 months a year place rather than all yearBenjamin ******
Stephen Racer - not knowing that people shouldn't brag they are working illegally
Pete *******
@Benjamin *****
Not knowing what ?Benjamin ******
Stephen Racer - and not knowing they should keep quiet about it as much as possible
Pete *******
That's the problem.Too many doing the wrong thing which stuff it for others
Benny ******
That's crazy. Almost denied even with valid ED visa.
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