Ask question

Why was the ED visa renewal for Thai language studies rejected at the Thai Consulate in Vientiane?

ED Visa Thai Language Course Visa Renewal Vientiane Consulate Visa Policy Changes Immigration Issues Expat Visa Help

Oct 7, 2018

6 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Asking for a friend...please help if you know any information regarding this issue or can advise what next step. TIA!

ED Visa for learning TH language in CNX

She finished 1yrs year beginner course, got all paperwork from school and Minister of Education, went to Vientiane for her ED visa renewal. Rejected by the Thai Consulate there with reason “cannot issued 2nd year ED Visa for same language course even though her paper stated it’s for “Advanced course” (different from 1st year)

Was told by the Consulate officer to either take a “different language” course if she wanted apply at same Consulate at Vientiane or go to different Consulate if she’s going continue with same Thai course. This happened last week.

2,285

views

1

likes

57

all likes

30

replies

1

images

9

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

A person is seeking assistance for a friend whose ED visa renewal for an advanced Thai language course was rejected by the Thai Consulate in Vientiane. The consulate stated that they cannot issue a second-year ED visa for the same language course. Comments from the community suggest that there are recent policy changes limiting the issuance of ED visas and recommending alternative options, such as applying at different consulates or enrolling in different language courses. The conversation highlights confusion regarding the current visa policies and experiences of others facing similar rejections.

Robert *******

This is only at the Thai Consulate in Vientiane, so many other options like Penang, Kotha Baru, KL. Singapore etc etc.

Like

Reply

Jonathan *********

I just called the two big visa app companies. Both were extremely honest. One told me it is super expensive but you don't need to do education visa and pay 60K to get 1 year extension. The other told me it is a mess right now and nobody knows what is going on, but a lot of people are getting denied and we need to wait for things to get sorted out. Doesn't really answer your questions but let's you know everything is in limbo right now. Let the storm pass I guess and go from there. Both in the end said it was best to go through legitimate school to see if you can get approved.

Like

Reply

Ivan ************

you will be fine, you will not have any problem doing it with the agency. It's just quicker to do it on a plane, rather than the 14 hour bus, that's all.

Like

Reply

Jonathan *********

I don't know

@Álvaro *********

. I have used an agency with my school the last two times and had no issue, but know the policies and immigration main officer have changed. I leave in two days so I will find out. Hope I have good luck. Just got new passport so we will c.

Like

Reply

Álvaro **********

5K is roughly the cost of doing by yourself, but going by plane... And it's so easy that I cannot imagine what is the agency doing...

In addition, in the Vientiane Consulate is strictly forbidden to use agents, you should queue and apply by yourself...

Like

Reply

Jonathan *********

You could go by yourself but I always go through an agency. It's just easier. Yes long 2 days but worth it. It's like 5K baht for 14 hour bus ride, hotel, and they take care of all the paperwork. I leave in two days so I will let you know how it goes.

Like

Reply

Toby ********

@Jonathan ********

how did you get on at Vientiane?

Like

Reply

Ivan ************

I am pretty sure there no issue with a first Ed visa, it is subsequent ones that are the problem.

Like

Reply

Jonathan *********

@Álvaro *********

Let me know how it goes bud. I will do mine in two weeks. If this is your FIRST ED visa u should have no issues!

Like

Reply

Álvaro **********

I'm waiting for the paperwork from ministry to go to Vientieane to do my first ED visa... bad news for me :( I hope it will be OK when I go :/

Like

Reply

Reply to

Álvaro **********

Reply

Tod *********

I just emailed two well known and totally above board (meaning they're NOT visa millz) thai language schools in Bangkok that send hundreds of students to Vientiane every year.

IF anyone is gonna know what's what about this one ED visa per calendar year it's one of these schools.

I'll report back as soon as they answer me.

Like

Reply

Tod *********

These would be the people to call. Someone needs to have their school call OR call themselves (Seeing as I'm in the USA right now, it's not gonna be me this time, sorry :/ )

*****************************************************

Like

Reply

Ivan ************

I have been told it is no longer possible to go to Vientiane for a second year for the same school. This is a recent policy change. You need to go to a different consulate.

Like

Reply

Ivan ************

I heard of two other people who were rejected for a second year Ed visa in Vientiane. This was from the school involved. It was a sudden change around a month ago and they were surprised by it themselves- previous students had not had this problem.

Like

Reply

Ivan ************

This is either an additional rule to the one Ed visa per calendar year rule, or the translation in that document doesn't capture the meaning/ interpretation/ implementation of it fully. OP seems to have been in the same situation, with a year long course.

Like

Reply

Tod *********

@Ivan ***********

The rule is ONE 90 day single entry ED visa in a calendar year. I have not heard ANY verified reports of people getting knocked back getting a new ED visa from Vientiane IF their earlier ED visa was from 2017. ONLY people who had visas issued by Vientiane in 2018 and wanted another one from them this year.

Like

Reply

Ivan ************

I've been told that they are knocking back people applying for a second year in the same school, if their first year visa came from Vientiane. These are people on a year course, so by definition they would have got their first year visa the previous calendar year.

Like

Reply

Tod *********

you can go to Vientiane for the second ED visa IF it is after Jan 1 because they have a one ED visa per calendar year rule and that's from Jan 1 to Dec 31

Like

Reply

Reply to

Tod *********

Reply

Ron *******

I'm guessing this is why they have simply made the rule that as from 15th October, they won't issue anymore than 1 ED visa per year full stop

Like

Reply

Koos *****************

i have a language school in khon kaen. The ministry told me, there are now 3levels for a student to complete. Those 3levels are done in 1 year. Advance courses for a second year are not allowed anymore. The students have to study a different language.

Like

Reply

Koos *****************

i have no idea about that. All i can say in khon kaen they dont allow it. Maybe some tip money paid to someone but not the right one.

Like

Reply

Robert *******

So that means the documents the friend of OP showed in the Consulate where not correct, if I understand you correctly/

Like

Reply

Reply to

Robert *******

Reply

Jonathan *********

Disturbing news as I am going next week to do mine.

Like

Reply

Robert *******

Check your papers and discuss with the school if all is correct.

Like

Reply

Reply to

Robert *******

Reply

Robert *******

If they are the same papers, she would than start her first course. Papers must have a different text.

Like

Reply

Niko *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yes, got all paperwork from both school & ministry of education, school prepared all that, same for the 1st year, no problem before

Like

Reply

Robert *******

You apply for a Visa with documents of the school and the Ministry of Education. Not with a receipt of the school and test results.

Like

Reply

Niko *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

In the paperwork got her test result that she passed the test for beginners course

Like

Reply

Robert *******

And now the question is: Did the paper really mention Advanced course or was it the same course?

Like

Reply

Niko *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

on the receipt from school it stated “advanced Thai course” and she call in front of the officer so the school owner talked to the officer directly and was told that is the case now

Like

Reply

Reply to

Niko *****

Reply

Thai Visa Advice

... members · 40% approval rate

The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.

Thai Visa Advice

View the Conversation

Thai Visa Advice

Does my friend in Chiang Mai need to leave Thailand to apply for an Ed visa?

31 comments

7 months ago

Can I Apply for a Second Year Student Visa in Thailand?

3 comments

5 years ago

What is the best country to apply for an ED Visa for studying Thai language?

19 comments

5 years ago

How Difficult Is It to Apply for a Second ED Visa Back-to-Back in Thailand?

12 comments

5 years ago

Why was my Thai student visa application denied at the consulate in Vientiane?

23 comments

5 years ago

What are the current challenges and costs associated with obtaining an ED Visa for language courses in Thailand?

9 comments

5 years ago

What should I do about my visa issues after receiving a negative remark in my passport while trying to obtain an ED visa in Thailand?

7 comments

5 years ago

What alternative options are available for a South African denied an ED visa in Laos?

12 comments

5 years ago

Do I need to change to a Chinese course to get a second ED visa in Thailand?

7 comments

5 years ago

Can I switch from a Thai language ED visa to an English course for my second ED visa while in Thailand?

0 comments

5 years ago

What are the recent experiences and challenges with obtaining a 3rd consecutive ED visa in Thailand?

0 comments

5 years ago

How can I obtain a second-year ED visa in Thailand and is it possible to switch to a tourist visa if denied?

43 comments

5 years ago

What should I know about applying for an education visa for Thai language study in Vientiane versus Savannakhet?

9 comments

5 years ago

What are the current challenges and best options for obtaining an ED visa for language schools in Thailand?

0 comments

5 years ago

What should I know about applying for an ED visa in Thailand after a recent denial case?

2 comments

5 years ago

What are the recent changes to the ED visa application rules in Thailand?

12 comments

5 years ago

What is the latest update on obtaining an ED visa in Ho Chi Minh after changes at the Thai embassy in Hanoi?

11 comments

5 years ago

What are the latest updates on applying for an Ed visa in Vientiane or Suvannaket?

0 comments

5 years ago

Can Chanwattana Immigration reverse cross outs and issue an ED Visa as stated?

0 comments

6 years ago

Can my girlfriend apply for a new ED visa from a different consulate after her current visa expires?

0 comments

6 years ago

What do I need to know about applying for an ED visa at the Thai embassy in Shanghai and the restrictions on applying in Vientiane?

8 comments

6 years ago

What are the current rules for applying for an Education (ED) Visa in Thailand?

10 comments

6 years ago

What are the requirements for transitioning from an ED-VISA to a tourist visa in Thailand for language studies?

13 comments

6 years ago

Can my friend apply for a Thai ED visa in Laos while on a tourist visa?

4 comments

6 years ago

Are there risks of ED visa applications being denied if applied outside Laos?

15 comments

7 years ago

Data protection policy Terms and conditions Disclaimer Privacy policy Refund policy

The asq:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.