Chesterpot

Howdy chaps,

My visa extension expires in a few weeks and was thinking of doing a visa run to Chiang Khong, as it's relatively close to where I am right now. I have read other topics about this but they are quite old.

I would like to know what my chances are of being allowed a visa exemption stamp as a UK citizen. Also, do I need to pay for a Laos visa or can I simply go through and come straight back?

My history is 2 visa exemption stamps from flights in (1 extended) and 2 Tourist Visas from Vientiane (a single entry and a double entry - both extended for 1 month).

Thanks in advance for all helpful responses.

Chesterpot, seeing that your are a relatively new member of Thaivisa I hope that you won't mind if I point out a gross error in your topic topic title, which mentions a "Chiang Mai University - 1 Year Visa Course". Following the link in your post I see that the course is about a "Thai Language and Culture course", not about a course teaching you about visa.

Having said that, immigration offices generally grant a one-year extension for study at a government university for a degree-earning course. If you are not taking this course as part of studies for a bachelor, master or doctor degree, it will be at the discretion of the Chiang Mai Immigration office whether to give you an extension of stay stay for one year or for shorter periods at time. Whichever will be the case, you should be able to stay in Chiang Mai for 12 months without having to leave the country, only the interval at which you will have to apply for extensions of stay, with documents supplied by the university, would differ.

I wish you success with your studies and an enjoyable sojourn in Thailand. I am sure you will enjoy living in Chiang Mai.

Thank you very much Maestro for your kind and insightful input. I would not be taking the course as part of any degree - this would be just be learning Thai language and culture living in Chiang Mai.

I understand it's at the discretion of immigration and I must try my hardest to fulfill their criteria. I am really not one to break immigration rules, I sincerely do want to learn and meet all the requirements necessary,

I have been living in Chiang Mai briefly as a tourist and would love to extend my stay here. I have the funds, I just wish to find a legal means of living here a while longer without having to hop around other countries.

EDIT - Apologies about the title, I understand that literally it is incorrect - I meant in layman's speak. My chain of thought is around learning Thai combined with a visa enabling me to stay here, hence the factually inappropriate title.

Suggest you read the terms and conditions associated with the course you are interested in.

Despite the "headline" you will note a 1 year "visa" is not available or offered ,

http://www.learnthaicmu.com/1-year-thai/10-1-year-thai-language-culture-program/6-non-immigrant-ed-terms

Understood mate but realistically can one expect a visa to be issued and fulfilled for its duration if the student attends all classes?

The course you are considering will only enable a single entry 90 day stay VISA thereafter you are dependent on "extensions of stay" (which are not VISAS)

To qualify for an "extension of stay" the terms and conditions associated with the course must be met .

Fully accepting the risk of coming across as a complete moron, if I attend the classes and study as appropriate is there a reasonable risk I will not qualify for an extension of stay?

Suggest you read the terms and conditions associated with the course you are interested in.

Despite the "headline" you will note a 1 year "visa" is not available or offered ,

http://www.learnthaicmu.com/1-year-thai/10-1-year-thai-language-culture-program/6-non-immigrant-ed-terms

Understood mate but realistically can one expect a visa to be issued and fulfilled for its duration if the student attends all classes?

http://learnthaicmu.com/1-year-thai

Apologies to those annoyed by me posting this because I have posted something similar recently but I really felt a new and more focused thread might be better...

I am thinking of applying for this course with CMU. Does anybody have any experience or knowledge that could be useful?

I have been informed that attendance is just 6 hours a week and this is OK with immigration?

I am going to speak with them tomorrow but wanted to get some feedback from people here too if possible.

I would appreciate if somebody could link me to some other viable non-ED visa courses like the hand to hand combat school in CM.

You might get a better response by posting here

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/forum/190-courses-in-thailand/

I doubt there will be many non-academic courses which would meet the requirements for an ED visa.

Thanks very much sunnyjim5, will give it a try.

I am guessing that too but would be good to know what my options are before committing to any decision.

I would appreciate if somebody could link me to some other viable non-ED visa courses like the hand to hand combat school in CM.

http://en.hand2handcombat.com/

Thanks for the response but that is the one I am already familiar with mate,

I would appreciate if somebody could link me to some other viable non-ED visa courses like the hand to hand combat school in CM.

There's an abundance of information about ed visas already on Thai Visa.

Why not peruse a few of the many threads that already exist.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=b54209caa81360345e8a11e280f2c8d6&app=googlecse#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=ed visa

Thanks for the link but I am struggling to find the information I am looking for.

Salutations one and all!

I am aware of the hand to hand combat school in Chiang Mai that provides an ED Visa for 1 year if you take a course there. This might well be the option I go for but I am curious as to what other options there are like this across Thailand. I am open to the idea of living almost anywhere here. I wanted to combine learning the Thai language with an ED Visa but I understand the hourly requirements are much higher than before and this isn't suitable for me.

All helpful posts appreciated!

That sounds like an interesting alternative jspill. That would still enable me to stay in Chiang Mai for 1 year and learn something useful. Can you tell me about other courses in CM that one can take? Or volunteering programs here you mentioned? I did some Googling but didn't find anything suitable or feasible unlike that combat school you linked me to.

Check out cmlocals.com, chiangmaibuddy.com, and a Facebook group of 8000 people called chiang mai digital nomads. Between those you can find any info you need.

Cheers pal, will check those out.

The rules and regulations seem to change constantly .

You are better off going to a school or visa company to get the latest info .

The last time that i renewed my education visa , immigration were testing peoples Thai language ability .

Two hours per day and four days a week now seem to be the requirements .

Some schools and agencies seem to be, shall we say "affiliated " with the immigration

Some places still offer the 1 year visa, after you have paid for the course .

But they could always revert back to the six month one, after you have paid .

Its a risk .

Thanks for the info luke000. I will certainly talk with schools once I have an idea about where I would like to study.

Shame about the 4 days per week necessity, I would much rather do 1 full day or 2 half days, but if that's the only way...

There are 1 year hand to hand combat schools http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/889253-1-year-ed-visa-studying-hand-to-hand-combat/

And 1 year volunteering programs if you Google around.

I'd do that and just study Thai in your spare time, plenty of free audio courses online like FSI Thai (Foreign Services Institute), DuoLingo, L-Lingo, etc. and of course chat with your girlfriend. Or buy a dozen hours of private tuition to give you a boost. Group classes in a school aren't that effective in Thailand, just my opinion.

That sounds like an interesting alternative jspill. That would still enable me to stay in Chiang Mai for 1 year and learn something useful. Can you tell me about other courses in CM that one can take? Or volunteering programs here you mentioned? I did some Googling but didn't find anything suitable or feasible unlike that combat school you linked me to.

As you said, many ways to learn Thai. Just seemed a logical to combine it with a visa but I am very open to alternatives.

Schools don't do any visas. The only provide the course of study required to get visas and extensions of stay.

At this time a course of study of 200 hours will allow 6 months and 400 a year of total stay. First you get a single entry non-ed visa that allows a 90 day entry and then you apply for 90 day extensions at immigration. After one year you have to go out for a new non-ed visa.

The minimum number of hours is 8 hours a week in order to get extension at immigration.

You might be able to get a multiple entry non-ed visa that would allow unlimited 90 day entries for a year. You would have to leave the country every 90 days to get a new entry. Whether you could get one would depend upon where your apply for it. It would require paperwork from a school proving you have enrolled for a one year course of study but it would not have meet the 8 hours a week requirement.

Thanks for the information ubonjoe.

All the schools I talked to won't do 1 year because of new laws, and will wait to see what happens.

the new 6-month visa makes the most sense, if you can show the money, and then just take the classes on your own.

and i remember with my last ED Visa (6-months i think a few years ago)...it cost about $400 to go to Laos and come back....so just be prepared for some added expenses

without cash, it's much harder to stay long term....

Sorry for the late response puukao, not checked back on this topic in too long...

I don't think I can meet the requirements of the new 6 month visa unfortunately. Also I do not wish to return home for a couple of years or so.

The schools won't even do 1 year now? That's a bit of a blow is so. How long can one get an ED visa for in that case?

Adding some more info to what I am looking for - not wanting to do more than about 4 hours a week or so ideally.

You need to sign up with a school and pay their fees. In return the school will provide you with the documentation needed to support an application for an ED visa at a Thai Embassy/Consulate in a nearby country.

Be aware that you will only be given a single entry visa which allows a 90 day stay.

Extensions to that initial stay can be obtained , with paperwork provided by the school, from immigration. Each 90 day extension costs 1900 Bht.

You can (if the visa conditions are adhered to) remain in Thailand for a Max of one year.

Thanks for the information sunnyjim5.

Are you sure it is just one year? Someone told me 3 year ED visas are possible, though this may not be true.

If anyone can recommend a specific school that would be a big help.

Can anyone advise me on a what good options there are for taking an education visa in Chiang Mai? I have a Tourist Visa for now which I can extend for another 30 days but the ED Visa is very interesting for me. I have been with my Thai girlfriend for quite a long time now but have learned very little of the language and it would be very nice to speak in her native tongue.

I am staying in Suthep so would ideally like to study somewhere here or close to the moat.

Hey guys,

Will be sending a parcel domestically for the first time and want to know who people recommend. Value is about 5,000 Baht.

I will be in Chiang Mai sending a parcel to Hua Hin if that makes a difference.

Hi - did you have manage to complete your visa run without any hassles with immigration at Mae Sai?

I ask because I have to a second entry on my tourist visa next week and have just been told that even if someone has a valid tourist visa to re-enter Thailand the immigration office at Mae Sai will not let you back in - which sounds like an unsubstanciated scare story to me, but I thought I would just check with someone with recent experience of a visa run.

Hi there,

Yes, it was nice and easy. As I went into Myanmar the immigration officer called me over to his office - asked for 500 Baht and stamped me in and out. Then I simply went back over the border into Thailand and all was fine.

Have you applied for an gotten a 30 day extension of your 60 day entry yet.?

You can do a crossing since you will have a valid visa for re-entry.

Thanks for responding ubonjoe.

Yes, already had my 30 day extension. Decided to go with Greenbus in the end and not worry about being too tired for the journey back.

Just for others' possible benefit - I arrived at the bus terminal about 04:45 and all tickets for the 5:15 bus were sold. There were just 3 left for the one departing at 06:00. So good idea not to rely on a last minute ticket for this route it would seem.

On the bus now and it's pretty comfortable, More importantly, the aircon is not set to fridge mode. All good so far.

Hello guys,

I have a double entry tourist visa and need to pop across a border to get my second entry stamp from it.

I am under the impression Mae Sai is the quickest/easiest place to get this. Was planning on driving there, popping over the border to get the stamp and then coming back the same day. If too tired I would stay somewhere on the way back but don't think that would be a problem.

Does anyone have experience of doing this and have any tips? Or other recommendations instead of doing this?

Thanks in advance for replies!

To get the visa you need to bring a pile of documents provided by your school to a consulate abroad.

So first you have to pay the school, then they apply to MOE for acceptance,when your file has been accepted by MOE, your docs in tow,you go to a consulate abroad and get your ED visa.

Thanks for the response. How long should it take to be ready to leave Thailand after first making the application?

Apologies to those offended by me making a new topic with one already open but I don't have a great amount of time available before I come back to Thailand...

As I understand it the only places one can get a Thai visa in Laos is Vientiane and Savvanakhet. I am currently in Luang Prabang and can spend another 2 weeks in Laos at the most but ideally looking to get back into Thailand (Chiang Mai) within the next week or less.

I may need to get a Tourist Visa, ideally with double entry. I admit now my knowledge is very poor about this. Each time I have come before I have arrived via plane with no visa but now I am planning to live here long term.

Looking for assistance about the best way to go about getting this done. All helpful responses appreciated.

Apologies to those offended by me making a new topic with one already open but I don't have a great amount of time available before I come back to Thailand...

I am considering an ED Visa for living in Chiang Mai. I am prepared to go to college 16 hours per week if that's what it takes. But I have little idea about my options and how to go about getting this visa.

Would appreciate advise from those with experience.

At 31 your options are limited:

• Ed visa, but these days there are far more checks that the visa is not being abused.
• Marriage visa, but you'd need also to deposit a large sum in a Thai bank.
• Elite visa - 500k for 5 years.
• Work visa, but that involves working, which you don't intend.

Lastly, as others have said, and because you are a relative newcomer, use a tourist visa for a year or two; not only is it the most economical and easy option, but it will allow you to take your time while planning your future. I agree too that you should rent for at least a year, buying can be a real burden, there are no guarantees your investment will appreciate in CM, where there is a surfeit of property to buy and more coming to market, and the market itself is generally very illiquid.

Thanks for responding. If I was going to take up the ED visa I would attend the classes. I want to learn to speak Thai to at least a moderate level. I feel it would be a pity to spend so much on the visa and not make use of the lessons regardless of the checks. Marriage visa not something I am willing to consider at the moment as I've not known the girl long enough. Elite visa would be fantastic but too expensive for me at this time. Work visa would depend on my getting a job but for now at least, I am living off investments.

It seems from what you and others have said that the only options really viable to me in my circumstances are a 1 year ED visa or repeated tourist visas. Will make new topics as to how I can best get those from where I am now. Will not rush very quickly into buying a condo but I think for me it's probably better than renting in the long run. Not decided 100% though.

You will be very lucky to secure a one year ED visa!

The best you can expect is an ED visa which allows a 90 day stay. You will then be dependent on the school to provide documentation which would support an application for an extension of stay. Max extension = 90 days and extensions of stay beyond one year are not possible .

Are you sure about this? I am not saying you are wrong but it does contradict all the other information I have been given so far.