What Should I Watch Out For When Applying for an ED Visa in the UK?

Nov 22, 2019
5 years ago
Simon ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi,

I am currently going through the process of applying for an ED Visa from the UK with a language school in Thailand, the thing I wanted to ask is if there are any obvious pitfalls that I should look out for with my application/documentation prior to my appointment with the embassy here in the UK that would lead me to getting instantly rejected? The Language School have told me they will prepare all the documents but I'm worried they might mess it up.

My course starts in February and I have an appointment in January at the embassy in Cardiff.

Also a side question, if my course starts in January can I enter Thailand prior to my course start to get my accommodation sorted? I was thinking of coming 1-2 weeks before the course start, is this a problem?

Thanks in advance
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TLDR : Answer Summary
When applying for an ED Visa from the UK, it's crucial to ensure that all required documents are prepared correctly to avoid instant rejection. Check the guidelines from the Cardiff Embassy and ensure the language school in Thailand is aware of the specific paperwork needed. Be cautious of unpreparedness and using non-genuine document templates. Your prior travel history in Thailand may come under scrutiny, so be prepared to discuss it. Additionally, you can enter Thailand before your course starts to arrange accommodation, but make sure your visa and entry requirements align.
Victoria **********
I got my ED visa from UK. Although the online system is a pain, as you have to compress all files very small, I'd highly recommend doing it by post. You submit your docs online, then send originals by post with £10, then they post it back. Mine was returned in 4 days and no appointment required. Make sure you meet all the requirements and submit all the required documents. If you're not sure what something is, email them for confirmation so you're really prepared. I got a reply the same day with clarification. Your school should provide you with a lot of documentation to submit if they're a legit school. A tip for the online submission if you go that route, if a doc has more than 1 page, they need to be in 1 file, not separate files. Then compress the file so it meets the size requirements.
Ron *******
UK consulates cannot issue Non Immigrant visas without approval from the London Thai Embassy.

If your just going to go to a consulate for a Non Immigrant visa, don't expect it to be issued the same day.
Robert *******
most obvious pitfalls is going to visit the Thai Consulate or use the online method of the London Embassy, being unprepared, not having all the asked documents, or use templates in stead of genuine forms. The more made up documents you use, the more chance you got in denied visa. If all genuine it is no problem.
James ********
Your prior history of visits and living in Thailand in 2019 may be questioned upon arrival. Having an Ed visa or any visa does not guarantee entry.

How many months were you in Thailand in 2019?

Are you in the UK or Thailand now?
James ********
You should be fine if you have all the requirements for the Ed visa as listed by the Cardiff Thai Consulate.

You will most likely be given an initial 90 days upon arrival with your new Ed Visa. Extensions will be done at your local Thai Immigration office.
Simon ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
Yes, 1 30 day exempt and 1 SETV
Simon ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Not been in 2018 and not had an ED Visa before
Simon ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I was in Thailand for 4 months on a Tourist visa in 2019 and took a introduction class at a language school.
Stewart ***************
The Cardiff Embassy should have guidelines about the paperwork needed for the visa. Email that to the school in Thailand they can run through it. Im going to do one at Hull in the next fews week, the school are sending over the docs for the people at Hull to look at. The Hull embassy needs a letter in English this contains start dates and arrival dates so you need to let the school know when you will be arriving in Thailand and when you want to start the course etc.
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