Now I'm looking to go to Thailand and then apply for an education visa.

 

Looking at the Visa on Arrival, however, now it says it's only available for 21 countries, and Canada is not on the list!?? Neither is the United States!?? What happened?

 

So basically, do I need to apply for a tourist visa first in another country before going in? Or apply straight for the education visa, but then I believe it takes 2-3 weeks to issue the documents so not sure I'll have enough time to get it before leaving.

Ah, that list is for entering by land. By air Canada is in the list.

https://www.keyvisathailand.com/changes-to-thai-visa-rules/

 

To enter in Chiang Mai, will they require me to show an exit ticket?

7 minutes ago, MysteryX said:

Canada is not on the list!

link to info please.

link is there, you don't see it?

As a Canadian citizen you will get a 30 day visa exempt when you arrive in Thailand, you don't have to (also can't) apply for a visa on arrival, these two things are not the same

Edited January 6, 20197 yr by jackdd

3 minutes ago, jackdd said:

As a Canadian citizen you will get a 30 day visa exempt when you arrive in Thailand, you don't have to (also can't) apply for a visa on arrival, these two things are not the same

uh. OK still don't see the difference but never mind, the chart clarifies things.

 

Do they check for a return ticket at the Chiang Mai airport?

9 minutes ago, MysteryX said:

Do they check for a return ticket at the Chiang Mai airport?

It's more likely that the airline at check-in might deny you boarding with a one way ticket and no visa.

If you don't want to apply for a regular tourist visa in Canada you better have some proof of onward travel.

Cheap(est) are one way tickets Phuket to Kuala Lumpur (starting at about 1000 Baht).

Throw away when in Thailand. AirAsia, can be booked online.

As written: no visa on arrival for Canadians. Forget that.

 

Edited January 6, 20197 yr by KhunBENQ

They usually don't check for a ticket out of Thailand (doesn't have to be a return ticket, just one out of Thailand), but you can never know for sure.

So to be safe it's good to have a ticket, same with having cash equivalent to 20k THB with you. The airline might not let you board if you don't have a ticket out.

Edited January 6, 20197 yr by jackdd

Probably better to purchase my flight to Vientiane right away since I'll need to fly out after a month to get ED visa anyway.

 

If they ask me for 20k THB, can I just walk up to an ATM?

 

As for proof of flying out, I had this issue applying for a China visa in Canada, they needed a flight out whereas I was to change it into an education visa once inside; that doesn't matter to them. I looked for a fully-refundable ticket and found a $1300 flight from Beijin to Bangkok that was refundable without fee. Refund was a smooth process.

Edited January 6, 20197 yr by MysteryX

I don't know for sure about Chiang Mai, but at least in Bangkok there are no ATMs on this side off immigration, probably same in Chiang Mai, so that's not possible

Look at this official list for visa exempt entries. Canadians do not get visas on arrival.

http://www.consular.go.th/main/contents/filemanager/VISA/Visa on Arrival/VOA_แก้ไข 15-03-61.pdf

3 hours ago, MysteryX said:

uh. OK still don't see the difference but never mind, the chart clarifies things.

As a Canadian you qualify for the ‘Tourist Visa Exempt Scheme’ (VE), which means you can enter without a Tourist Visa (TR) and don’t have to buy a Visa On Arrival (VOA).

 

Nationals from the “21 countries” do not have that privilege and have to buy a TR or VOA.

 

VE — gets you 30 days that can be extended by another 30 days.

 

VOA — is only 15 days and can’t be extended.

It gets you 30 days + 30 days extension, but you have to prove you're flying out within 30 days? How can you do an extension then?

38 minutes ago, MysteryX said:

It gets you 30 days + 30 days extension, but you have to prove you're flying out within 30 days? How can you do an extension then?

Airlines don't care about your extension. They are the one who want to see the out flight. Once inside, you can either change the date (if possible) or throw the ticket and buy a new one. So it is always advisable to buy a cheap ticket for $50 to a place nearby. 

The airline in the US have been tightening the screws on the return ticket.  I had to explain to AA in Chicago I was on long stay and didn't need it...fine, but you would think k they would know the rules in a busy airport, but every country is different.  Luthansa made me sign a statement that I would pay for my own way back if refused entry....

Get the Ed. Visa in Canada. Talk to some schools, pay the money for your Thai course, the school will send docs for Thai Consulate. 

Canadian get visa exempt stamp for 30 days on arrival.  

 

Visa on arrival are for Chinese, Indian and a few other countries.

 

With no visa,  the airline will probably want to see a ticket out of Thailand within 30 days to let you board. 

 

Thai Immigration may check this too on arrival and ask to see cash money minimum 20,000 THB or equivalent in other currency.

 

Why not get a single entry tourist visa at the Thai Embassy in Ottawa or at a local Thai consulate if closer.

You get 60 days and more time to get you ED visa.

 

Then, no problem to board your plane and pass Thai Immigration when you arrive.

Two ways you can go.

Straight up apply for a Non-ED Visa from your nearest Embassy or Consulate. http://www.thaiembassy.ca/en/visiting-thailand/visas/types-visas-periods-stay-fees/non-immigrant-visa. (Looks like all you need from the Language School is a letter of acceptance.)

Fly into Thailand.

Just before the Visa expires (90 days) - apply for an Extension (1 year). (https://www.immigration.go.th/content/service_9) - TM.7 form (https://www.immigration.go.th/download/1486547929418.pdf

 

Remember to get a Re-Entry permit before leaving Thailand again or your Visa/Extension will be voided ! TM.8 form - https://www.immigration.go.th/download/1486547955788.pdf

(Single entry permit is 1,900 baht. Lets you leave and re-enter the country once without voiding your Visa or Extension.) 
(Multi Re-entry permit costs 3,800 baht and lets you leave and return as often as you want for the length of the permit - one year.)

Or.
Get a single entry Tourist Visa from your nearest Consulate/Embassy.

Fly into Thailand, get set up.

Got to Immigration and apply to convert your Tourist visa to a Non-Immigrant "ED" visa. TM.86 form - (https://www.immigration.go.th/download/1486548522842.doc)
Just before that expires, apply for an Extension. (https://www.immigration.go.th/content/service_9) - TM.7 form (https://www.immigration.go.th/download/1486547929418.pdf

 

Remember to get a Re-Entry permit before leaving Thailand again or your Visa/Extension will be voided ! TM.8 form - https://www.immigration.go.th/download/1486547955788.pdf

Obviously it would be simpler to get the Non-ED Visa before you fly over.

 

Note - you may be able to enter on the 30 Day Visa Exemption stamp and then get that converted to a Non-ED Visa.
"May" being the key word. You could also pay an agent a lot of money to do it for you.
If I recall, some Immigration offices will convert a 30 Day stamp and some won't. Not sure what the Chiang Mai office is like.

Also note that Immigration has been cracking down on ED visas and raiding numerous language schools to root out those that are using the ED Visas as a way to stay in the country without actually going to school (or meeting the financial requirements of another type of Visa).

 

23 hours ago, MysteryX said:

uh. OK still don't see the difference but never mind, the chart clarifies things.

 

Do they check for a return ticket at the Chiang Mai airport?

A visa on arrival means you receive a visa when you arrive ... only available to nationals of a limited number of countries.

 

A visa exempt entry means you are exempted from the need for a visa and receive a 30 day permission to stay when you get here without having a visa. This would be you, assuming you have a Canadian passport and aren't on Interpol's most wanted list.

 

The airline checking for a return ticket would be at departure in Canada before you leave, not after you arrive. Immigrations at arrivals may or may not be interested in the ticket out of Thailand although they certainly could ask to see a ticket  and cash in the pocket.

 

 

Edited January 7, 20197 yr by Suradit69

14 hours ago, MysteryX said:

It gets you 30 days + 30 days extension, but you have to prove you're flying out within 30 days? How can you do an extension then?

"How can you do an extension then?"

 

You go to an immigration office and apply for it.  Thai immigrations and the airlines are different, unrelated entities.

 

The airlines don't want to get stuck paying for your flight out of Thailand if you are refused entry because you have no visa (once again, a visa exempt entry means you don't have a visa) and if Thai immigrations deems you ineligible to receive a visa exempt entry.

 

 

 

 

Edited January 7, 20197 yr by Suradit69

Not sure where you are currently located, but if there is a consulate conveniently accessible, get a 90 day tourist visa.  Cheap and dirty, and it will give you time to play out your plan.  Why piss around with a 30 day tourist VE, if you haven't set up the school, visa, living arrangements.

You got 3 options;

 

1-30 days visa exemption + outward ticket + 1000$ in cash

2-Make a tourist visa at the thai embassy in Canada

3-If you know wich school your going with proper documents,make your ed visa in Canada

 

When checking-in even if you got a visa,they could ask you for a return ticket or outward,so be aware of that bettter spend 1000 bahts for a unuseful ticket than not boarding....

Kerryd are you saying I "might" be able to get education Visa from within Thailand without flying to Laos!??

 

I'm currently in China -- getting a Visa in Canada is not an option, and the consulates in China only serve Chinese citizens. I already got my flight straight to Chiang Mai.

 

Looking at buying a plane to Laos after 30 days -- but really, that flight is $107 via Bangkok, and I'd be much better to get a $32 flight to Khon Kaen and then take the bus from there, but that doesn't count as a flight out does it? Plus if I don't buy it right away, I can extend for another 30 days.

 

I'm aware that in "some" US airports they're getting very strict on return tickets. Once I was stuck at the San Diego airport and had to purchase a flight out from Mexico while in the terminal before they'd let me check in. Luckily I had time, but internet wasn't very good. Are they really going to check for that at a mainland China airport? Technically, even if I buy a flight to Laos, even to go to Laos they might want a return flight from there. One option is to go early enough at the airport so that if they insist on a return flight, I have time to purchase one online.

 

As for showing cash, do they ask everybody or only if a person looks poor? The rings I'm wearing are worth a lot more than 20000 baht. They accept cash and gold? I'll pull out my 12000baht 95% gold ring, then the other ring. Or really I should withdraw Chinese money for that amount before taking the flight and take the loss on conversion fees?

11 hours ago, MysteryX said:

Kerryd are you saying I "might" be able to get education Visa from within Thailand without flying to Laos!??

Must start with a Non-ED Visa from a Thai consulate for a language-school, but they might "convert" in-country for a 4-year-degree university.  
 

11 hours ago, MysteryX said:

I'm currently in China -- getting a Visa in Canada is not an option, and the consulates in China only serve Chinese citizens. I already got my flight straight to Chiang Mai.

 

Looking at buying a plane to Laos after 30 days -- but really, that flight is $107 via Bangkok, and I'd be much better to get a $32 flight to Khon Kaen and then take the bus from there, but that doesn't count as a flight out does it? Plus if I don't buy it right away, I can extend for another 30 days.

 

I'm aware that in "some" US airports they're getting very strict on return tickets. Once I was stuck at the San Diego airport and had to purchase a flight out from Mexico while in the terminal before they'd let me check in. Luckily I had time, but internet wasn't very good. Are they really going to check for that at a mainland China airport?

No way to know for sure at the airport - or if would be asked on-arrival - but is also a published requirement for a Visa Exempt entry, which is why the airlines often check for it.
 

11 hours ago, MysteryX said:

Technically, even if I buy a flight to Laos, even to go to Laos they might want a return flight from there.

Thai immigration and the airline to Thailand would only be concerned about your flight out of Thailand.
Any issues with Laos immigration, and a flight out from there, are unrelated.
 

11 hours ago, MysteryX said:

One option is to go early enough at the airport so that if they insist on a return flight, I have time to purchase one online.

 

As for showing cash, do they ask everybody or only if a person looks poor? The rings I'm wearing are worth a lot more than 20000 baht. They accept cash and gold? I'll pull out my 12000baht 95% gold ring, then the other ring. Or really I should withdraw Chinese money for that amount before taking the flight and take the loss on conversion fees?

Chang Mai airport has a more friendly reputation, but I would still carry the 20K Baht worth of cash or travelers checks (any currency).  

At the Thai immigration checkpoint, they are more likely to ask to see the money if you have a longer-history of visits to Thailand - especially longer-stays.  Same with the outgoing flight.  (just the odds - not a guarantee - up to the IO)

They only ask for these things when looking for a reason not to let you in, so would not accept barter (gold) - though wearing it might help your odds of the question arising in the first place.

If I carry a copy of my bank statement on my tablet, should be enough to prove enough funds if they ask -- unless they seek a reason to not let me in which they don't, it's my first entry for years.

 

As for outbound flight, I can always purchase at the airport if they don't let me board.

 

So I can stay in Thailand for 2 months then go to Laos get a non-ED visa.

2 hours ago, MysteryX said:

If I carry a copy of my bank statement on my tablet, should be enough to prove enough funds if they ask -- unless they seek a reason to not let me in which they don't, it's my first entry for years.

If they don't ask, then no problem.  And, yes, it is unlikely, given your long absence.

 

If they did, they would not accept anything but cash or travelers-checks.  The "show the cash" and proof of a flight-out questions are their "easy" ways to deny entry. 

 

Quote

As for outbound flight, I can always purchase at the airport if they don't let me board.

Yes, if immigration don't want to see it - then that is an option.  A throwaway flight to Malaysia (usually the cheapest option) from any Thai airport would work, if you need it.

 

Quote

So I can stay in Thailand for 2 months then go to Laos get a non-ED visa.

Yes.  30-days on entry, then a 30-day extension - getting school paperwork during this time - then out for a Non-ED Visa.  The schools provide instructions on this.

Edited January 12, 20197 yr by JackThompson