Once in awhile I see posts about people wanting to move their whole family with kids to Thailand on short term visas: Ed/DTV. I don’t know much about DTV because it’s new, but a word of caution on ED visa. I don’t know if it’s assumptions or misinformation but ED visa is not a guarantee one yr visa. You will be evaluated every 90 days, and legitimate schools will need you to attend, if you miss more than a certain amount of classes, your visa will be canceled. I personally know people who have been questioned by immigration for leaving the country during their school year, for being too old to learn Thai…some had their visas denied…I know living in Thailand is a dream for many, but please please make sure you understand the consequences if you don’t have a long term visa. It’s one thing to wing it as a nomad but it’s so stressful if you try to wing it with your family and kids…not to mention quite irresponsible. 🥺

For the few people who think this makes me the immigration police or act as I have a high moral ground. I feel so sad and sorry for you. This is simply a word of caution for other fellow humans. I have a long term visa so this doesn’t concern me personally, but it’s not hard to imagine the distress of being told you can’t come back, that you only have a week to move your new life and all your possessions out of the country you thought would be home…last year I had to take care of classmate’s dog because she was denied entry and didn’t know when she could come back…This is not moral superiority, by the way it’s actually a compliment coming from those with no morals…This just means I have a heart and empathy. So what does it make you when you insult me with all kinds of names and told me I shouldn’t care…I think the answer is clear.

Hi

Do you know if I can get a DTV if I attend a Thai massage course? Or is it only possible with Muay Thai? Thank you 😊

My British child (8 years old) studies at an English program school. I'm also British and my wife, the child's mother, is from Laos. If my son gets an Ed extension through his school, can both my wife and I get Extensions of Stay that 'piggyback' on his?

Arrived at the Consulate in Vientiane this morning to find this letter on the notice board.

Good morning All and thanks for adding me to this Group.

I would like to know the experience of people who have already had or who are currently under the ED Visa delivered by Chakrit Muay Thai School:

1. Is this ED Visa serious? I mean:

a. Is the school serious and rigorously following the procedure for the application and the issuance of this ED visa?

b. Does the school provide the necessary legal documents for the application of this ED visa?

c. Is the school really recognized by the Ministry of Education?

2. How long is the validiaty of their ED Visa? The school said: 90 days + 2 x 90 days extension = total 9 months: is it true?

3. How do immigration officers check our attendance at the course (eg for Thai language school, there are a language test)? How about a muay thai school: must we fight in the Rajadamnoen stadium (I'm kidding); seriously: this is just about the trust between the student, the school and the immigration?

4. In which consultate is it preferable to apply this ED visa (Vientiane, KL, Penang, Yangon, other ...)?

Sorry for my long questions, and thanks again to all the people who can share their experience about it and provide accurate answers about this Visa.

Best regards.