Abtain student visa to study Thai language in Bangkok?

[momochan]

Hi everyone,

 

I'm currently on a tourist visa (extended by 30days) living in Bangkok. I really enjoy the lifestyle here and also am interested in learning Thai language.

Is it possible for me to obtain a student visa here by applying to studying Thai at an university/language school? Any schools that anyone could recommend? And any instructions on how to do this step by step is deeply appreciated :)

 

Thank you so much!

[tonray]

You can but keep in mind that you will likely have a 90 day Visa at first and then extensions of no more than 90 days (less if the IO decides you are not learning Thai or attending classes regularly) and the whole process will be costly.

 

1) Evaluate Schools that can process paperwork and assist in obtaining 90 day Non-Immigrant 'ED' visa.

 

2) Sign up and pay for course

 

3) When paperwork is ready make Visa trip to neighboring country for Visa (90 days)

 

4) Attend all classes keep meticulous notebook and attendance records

 

5) Visit Immigration for extension application before 90 days is up...be prepared for possible on the spot test by IO and maybe getting only 30 days extension and being told to return for another extension (and another 1900 baht each time).

 

6) Be prepared for the school's fixer to offer 90 day extensions for about $5000 fee (they go to Immigration with you and 'smooth' over the process...ahem.

[momochan]

Thanks for your reply.

How long is the student visa. I.E. How long does it take to finish the language course? A year? 90 days seems a little short. And yes I will be studying seriously, not for visa.

 

3) When paperwork is ready make Visa trip to neighboring country for Visa (90 days)

I'm sorry I don't understand this one. Do you mean this just for my case? I will return to my home country when my current visa runs out. So do I still need to go to a neighboring country?

 

Could you kindly recommend any credible schools? Thanks again!

 

[JackThompson]

1 minute ago, momochan said:

Thanks for your reply.

How long is the student visa. I.E. How long does it take to finish the language course? A year? 90 days seems a little short. And yes I will be studying seriously, not for visa.

 

3) When paperwork is ready make Visa trip to neighboring country for Visa (90 days)

I'm sorry I don't understand this one. Do you mean this just for my case? I will return to my home country when my current visa runs out. So do I still need to go to a neighboring country?

 

Could you kindly recommend any credible schools? Thanks again!

 

Most apply for the Visa at a nearby consulate - often Vientiane, Laos.  It is possible you could apply for this ED Visa in your home country - reports are mixed, and your chosen school can advise.

 

Study can be for one-year total, but you only get 90-days with the Visa, then you must apply for "extensions of stay" at immigration, which cost 1900 Baht each, and considerable time.  These extensions should be for 90-days.

 

But, unfortunately, students in many areas must pay an "extra fee" to their school to "assist" with their extensions, ensuring a full 90-day extension each time.  This is similar to the "agent-system" affecting other extensions of stay.  Be sure the school you choose can make these arrangements.

[momochan]

22 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

Most apply for the Visa at a nearby consulate - often Vientiane, Laos.  It is possible you could apply for this ED Visa in your home country - reports are mixed, and your chosen school can advise.

 

Study can be for one-year total, but you only get 90-days with the Visa, then you must apply for "extensions of stay" at immigration, which cost 1900 Baht each, and considerable time.  These extensions should be for 90-days.

 

But, unfortunately, students in many areas must pay an "extra fee" to their school to "assist" with their extensions, ensuring a full 90-day extension each time.  This is similar to the "agent-system" affecting other extensions of stay.  Be sure the school you choose can make these arrangements.

Thank you.

So my understanding of your advice is that it's more likely to succeed if I were to apply for the student visa in a nearby country instead of my home country(east Asia)? And should this be before or after I go home when my current visa expires?

 

Also could anyone possibly give me any school suggestions? As a non-Thai speaker I'm really confused as to which school to choose.

[JackThompson]

3 minutes ago, momochan said:

Thank you.

So my understanding of your advice is that it's more likely to succeed if I were to apply for the student visa in a nearby country instead of my home country(east Asia)? And should this be before or after I go home when my current visa expires?

 

Also could anyone possibly give me any school suggestions? As a non-Thai speaker I'm really confused as to which school to choose.

I cannot help with choosing a school - hopefully someone else will chime-in. 

When you find a school, ask them if their paperwork will work at the Thai consulate in your home-country.

 

If you get and ED visa nearby before going home, there are 2 considerations: 

1.) You'd need to go home from there - not re-enter Thailand after you get it - or you may get stamped-in on it.

2.) Make sure your return-date will be before the "enter before" date on the visa. 

[momochan]

8 minutes ago, JackThompson said:

I cannot help with choosing a school - hopefully someone else will chime-in. 

When you find a school, ask them if their paperwork will work at the Thai consulate in your home-country.

 

If you get and ED visa nearby before going home, there are 2 considerations: 

1.) You'd need to go home from there - not re-enter Thailand after you get it - or you may get stamped-in on it.

2.) Make sure your return-date will be before the "enter before" date on the visa. 

2.) Make sure your return-date will be before the "enter before" date on the visa. 

I'm so sorry but I don't understand 2.) at all. Could you please elaborate, the return-date of what and "enter before" date on which visa? Please pardon me I'm not familiar with any other forms of visa apart from my current tourist one.

[momochan]

P.S. I just looked up a few schools on google. Turns out that students from certain countries including mine need to apply ED visa at Thai Embassies / Consulates in their home countries.

Could someone help me? So what should I do? Do I pay for the courses while I'm here and then return home to apply for ED visa? And does that mean I do not need to do the "go to a nearby country" thing?

 

Thanks again.

[tonray]

25 minutes ago, momochan said:

P.S. I just looked up a few schools on google. Turns out that students from certain countries including mine need to apply ED visa at Thai Embassies / Consulates in their home countries.

Could someone help me? So what should I do? Do I pay for the courses while I'm here and then return home to apply for ED visa? And does that mean I do not need to do the "go to a nearby country" thing?

 

Thanks again.

What is your country of origin ?

[JackThompson]

9 hours ago, momochan said:

2.) Make sure your return-date will be before the "enter before" date on the visa. 

I'm so sorry but I don't understand 2.) at all. Could you please elaborate, the return-date of what and "enter before" date on which visa? Please pardon me I'm not familiar with any other forms of visa apart from my current tourist one.

 

All visas, including Tourist Visas, have an "enter before" date on them.  The visa is useless to enter after that date.

 

8 hours ago, momochan said:

P.S. I just looked up a few schools on google. Turns out that students from certain countries including mine need to apply ED visa at Thai Embassies / Consulates in their home countries.

Could someone help me? So what should I do? Do I pay for the courses while I'm here and then return home to apply for ED visa? And does that mean I do not need to do the "go to a nearby country" thing?

 

Thanks again.

Ok - then you don't have to worry about nearby consulates. 

 

You should use a school which has successfully provided the correct documents for the Thai Consulate in your country of origin for other students.  You would take those docs back there to apply.  They can tell you how much they need you to pay to get the paperwork.

[FritsSikkink]

Don't know a school in Bangkok but one in Phuket: https://www.phuket-languageschool.com/

[momochan]

18 hours ago, JackThompson said:

 

All visas, including Tourist Visas, have an "enter before" date on them.  The visa is useless to enter after that date.

 

Ok - then you don't have to worry about nearby consulates. 

 

You should use a school which has successfully provided the correct documents for the Thai Consulate in your country of origin for other students.  You would take those docs back there to apply.  They can tell you how much they need you to pay to get the paperwork.

Much appreciated! :D