This is a matter of luck, honestly. No one could tell you how it is going to work out because even the people on ED visas are currently unsure about the future of their bank accounts. Unless the ED visa was issued for studying at a university, that is.

Thanks for the update. Please, specify your location or which Immigration office you visited. They all have different rules so it is important 😊

@Jonas ************

I don’t have any specific information about credit cards, unfortunately, since they aren’t very popular in my country and I have a very limited experience with them. What I did was a direct transfer from my debit card to the virtual True Mastercard (which is also a debit card).

@Jonas ************

@Steven *********

both Visa and MasterCard have direct card-to-card transfer options (Visa Direct and MasterCard Send, if I remember correctly). You do need to check with your banks if these systems are indeed available.

In my banking app, I can simply go to 'Transfer funds' menu, and one of the available options would be 'a transfer to another card'. It can be a card of almost any bank, within the same payment system (MasterCard to MasterCard or Visa to Visa). I only need to input the card number and a name.

@Steven *********

I have written in the original message.

Actually, in True Money app you can open a virtual MasterCard, just in a few clicks. Then, you can transfer money directly from your bank to your True Mastercard (which is the same as your True wallet). The top up commission from True is minuscule (20 bath or so). It all depends on the fees of your international bank. As far as I remember, you can keep 50k thb in your True wallet/on your card.

In my case, it was cheaper and easier than withdrawing money from ATM.

PS. Yes, True app doesn't show the option of topping up from an international card inside the app itself. Go to your banking app, find 'card to card transfers' and try to transfer directly to your True Mastercard. It is deposited either momentarily or up to 2 hours.

With DTV right now - honestly, probably nowhere. I am still on ED visa, and my school told the students that even accounts on ED visas might be closed soon. It is not just Bangkok Bank. My school has been opening accounts for the students in Krungthai too, and it seems that they might face the same problem in the near future.

My personal opinion - everything in Thailand is temporary and has a tendency to change in a very chaotic way. So imo, we need to wait. Even if they indeed close the accounts, I bet in 6 months the wind will change the direction once again.

Soe Ko I have made the same mistake when I got my first ED visa 😊 Tod is 100% correct. Your first 90 days report should be done approximately ~180 days after the date on your ED-visa. They will definitely give you the receipt with the TM47 date when you go for your first extension😊

@Luit ****************

I don't really want to discuss whether it is logical or not, to be honest😅

All I wish is that Thai embassies would publish the official list of all the documents they require so we can be prepared. The income docs weren't mentioned among the requirements for Soft Power route in Vietnam so it was not a very pleasant surprise.

I am also interested in this, and as far as my research shows - DTV won't work for _just_ language learning. Some schools are currently creating courses "Thai language and culture" which might be more suitable for Soft Power depending on an embassy. In this group, there were several reports (but definitely not many) of success with TSL Chiangmai (the name of the school), although I don't remember from what embassy. Search for 'TSL' in the group, and you might find more info.