Student Visa questions

[trytotry]

Hello, I wanted to come with my wife to Thailand to study Thai. We have been looking online at language schools in Pattaya that say they can offer me a student visa but can't help my wife get a non-o visa. I have tried to look at other posts on Thai visa but want to be sure I have the correct information as well as get suggestions about the best way to do this.

 

So my questions are that when I get the paperwork from the school would we be better to go to Penang or Vientiane to apply for the student ED visa and non-o for the wife? Most the schools are suggesting we go to Vientiane. Can we apply together as a couple, me for the ED and her for the non-o based on me studying, and what paperwork does she need to provide to apply for the non-o? Would we have any trouble entering through the airport like BKK or should we cross through a land border to come in to county? If we are going to Pattaya when we do go to get the visa do you have any suggestions about the best way to travel to get these visas, how many days does it take?

 

Sorry for the many questions, I am thankful for your time and help with this.

Mike

[ubonjoe]

The school does not need to be involved  when your wife applies for a non-o visa or a extensions of stay.

You wife can apply for the non-o visa at the same time you apply for the non-ed visa. She will need a copy of your passport photo page and your marriage certificate.

When she applies for an extension at immigration your marriage certificate will need to be legalized by your embassy or a authority in your home country.

Vientiane would be a good choice for the visas. Entering at the Nong Khai border crossing from Vientiane will not be a problem.

 

[trytotry]

Thank you ubonjoe. About going to Vientiane, if we are going to be in Pattaya would we take some type of bus or van? I'm not sure if the school arranges something like this? Do you know any good travel services in Pattaya and the costs for a roundtrip like this? How long would this trip take if you know? Also, I was just talking to a Norwegian friend of mine and he was saying to go to Savannakhet instead because it might be a little shorter a trip, there is too many people that go to Vientiane, and they don't have a very good attitude? What do you think of that? Is Savannakhet a viable alternative or do you still think Vientiane is the way to go?

[ubonjoe]

20 minutes ago, trytotry said:

Thank you ubonjoe. About going to Vientiane, if we are going to be in Pattaya would we take some type of bus or van? I'm not sure if the school arranges something like this? Do you know any good travel services in Pattaya and the costs for a roundtrip like this? How long would this trip take if you know? Also, I was just talking to a Norwegian friend of mine and he was saying to go to Savannakhet instead because it might be a little shorter a trip, there is too many people that go to Vientiane, and they don't have a very good attitude? What do you think of that? Is Savannakhet a viable alternative or do you still think Vientiane is the way to go?

For Vientiane you could fly from Pattaya/Utapao to Udon Thani on Air Asia and the take a van to the bridge in Nong Khai and cross to Vientiane.

Savannakhet make be closer mileage wise but the transport options are much less than to Vientiane.

There are organized visa runs to Vientiane from Pattaya.