I had a university ed visa for 4 years, after that Thai language for 9 months and a week ago tried to apply for Chinese language ed visa in Ho Chi Minh City and it was rejected. All documents were clear and proper, but still, it got a void stamp over the visa. I understand the reasons why it could happen such as too many visas and Thai immigration became strict now.

 

Anyway, I had to get back to Thailand, flew to Suvarnabhumi and had a long talk with immigration officers about my situation. They listened to me, understood it and allowed me to enter on 30 days stamp. I had a ticket out of Thailand that helped me a lot. Also, I am young and have intentions to study only, but it is hard to prove and doesn’t matter to discuss here.

 

I am looking for solutions to get the ed visa and trying to understand if it will be possible at all or just a waste of time. The school recommends me to change my passport and apply for ed visa once again in my home country or Laos. But I doubt that it will work. Would a new passport have more chances to get ed visa or Embassies and consulates have a database where they see all your previous visas? Next thought that I have is fingerprints at the airports for such people who change their passports, but I have never overstayed or blacklisted and assuming I will have a visa in my new passport, so there will be no doubts to allow me in entrance of the Kingdom. But still, do they have access to the database with all your visas and entries?

 

Are there any other solutions that you can suggest? I have all these questions just to understand if it is worth another try to keep studying in Thailand or it is the right time to pack and leave. Hope you can help me answer the questions and solve the situation!

If your budget allows, get a Thailand Elite visa. You can still study without an actual Non Ed visa.

 

Other than that, the suggestion to change your passport has some merit. Consulates, at the current time, cannot see your history of prior visas (though immigration effectively can). However, the visa denial in HCMC might not have been because of your visa history. It has been reported that both HCMC and Vientiane have changed their document requirements when applying for Non Ed visas to study at language schools.

They propably wounder why you can not study this many years in your home country before moving to another country. They probably also wonder how you study at university for 4 years, without the important essence of Thai language. After that Thai language and then Chinese. I suppose you are fluent in Thai language by now then? I would say your chances of getting an ED-visa somewhere else is very slim, I might be wrong, but I think they see you as one that just using the ED-visa to live in Thailand. Not saying it´s true, but they might think it looks suspicious.

Another member recently had very similar experience.

Saigon consulate returned his pp with visa and void stamp. 

He also had long continuous history of stay in los. He managed to fly to CM. Had considered getting new passport but didn't.

Think your only option is to try again at another consulate. Personally I would get new passport.

 

5 minutes ago, FredGallaher said:

Are you attempting to study Chinese at a Thai University or through a language school? If are enrolled in a degree program at the university, they probably have someone that can assist you. Some consulates may view independent language schools as dodgy, and don't require much actual class time. 

A language school. I tried to search for university courses, but found it only as bachelor degree which is not needed. 

10 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Another member recently had very similar experience.

Saigon consulate returned his pp with visa and void stamp. 

He also had long continuous history of stay in los. He managed to fly to CM. Had considered getting new passport but didn't.

Think your only option is to try again at another consulate. Personally I would get new passport.

 

Did he get it at another consulate with the same passport or not?

I was thinking that logically, the consulate would reject the visa application right away if it was void at another consulate before. Therefore, getting a new passport is a must. This is just my assumption.

25 minutes ago, Matzzon said:

After that Thai language and then Chinese.

He's got foresight....

Changing a passport used to work for criminals in the past but as reported in the newspapers, their new fingerprinting technology have caught some people.

 

Is there a limit to the number of years where you can get education visa in Thailand? I haven't seen any rules regarding this.

 

Did you take 4 years studying Thai or other subjects?

 

 

 

Edited August 31, 20196 yr by EricTh

7 minutes ago, EricTh said:

Changing a passport used to work for criminals in the past but as reported in the newspapers, their new fingerprinting technology have caught some people.

 

Is there a limit to the number of years where you can get education visa in Thailand? I haven't seen any rules regarding this.

 

Did you take 4 years studying Thai or other subjects?

 

 

 

I graduated bachelor degree here in Bangkok.

 

You can study for 8 years total in Thailand, that's what I heard from the university staff. It might relate to university degree continuous study or all studies combined (uni, schools, etc.).  

Pretty obvious your just gaming the system. The only question is whether an embassy or consulate will give you yet another go even after all the years and even after the decline. 

 

You studying Chinese just a laff because if you were serious about language and Thailand you'd continue to study that - and be fairly fluent by now. 4 years in country and uni level study.

 

Now, glomming on to any language school that will take you.

 

Move on. What possibly could be here that's so vital? 

 

I'd ask why don't you teach but fearful you might.

The school recommending to change your passport is perhaps the time to stop fooling people that you are here to study. 

OP, you might be wondering about some harsh sounding comments. My advice would be obtain a new passport. Then select another consulate. Make sure it has a border crossing. Hopefully you still have a visa exempt up your sleeve. Frankly your on borrowed time. Depending on age I would get an elite visa. 

TVF get a new thread every day...."how many TV can I get"..."how long can I stay in los". I don't get it. Unless these people have a gf here. Best solution for many is spend some extended period in another country. My vote Vietnam. Could easily get 8 months total in los. 

1 hour ago, Vinmz said:

Did he get it at another consulate with the same passport or not?

I was thinking that logically, the consulate would reject the visa application right away if it was void at another consulate before. Therefore, getting a new passport is a must. This is just my assumption.

It depends on the reason for the original rejection. If the rejection was a paperwork issue that is resolved, you might well be able to get your visa even at the same consulate without passport change. The trouble is that you and we are guessing as to the reason for the rejection.

2 hours ago, Vinmz said:

Hope you can help me answer the questions and solve the situation!

welcome to the new Thailand. I hope you look back fondly on the special times you had here.

 

please spread the word as quickly as possible.

48 minutes ago, FredGallaher said:

You could go for a second BA, but if at a good university it will require a lot of work. Language schools might be viewed as useful only to get a visa. Many people get multiple degrees. 

If you already graduated from a Thai university, why are you asking on this forum? I'm having trouble believing your story, sorry.

I kindly ask people here if they know a solution to that or what is the best way to do it or maybe they had similar experiences. And obviously, not asking to believe the story or trying to guess why I am staying here or assume the reason why the ed visa was rejected. By the way, the consulate hasn't provided any reasons.

 

I have specified and underlined what I am looking for in the topic. But people just keep digging the dirt. I get that it's a part of any forums. But still, it might be worth to start a discussion here.

1 hour ago, BritTim said:

It depends on the reason for the original rejection. If the rejection was a paperwork issue that is resolved, you might well be able to get your visa even at the same consulate without passport change. The trouble is that you and we are guessing as to the reason for the rejection.

I was rejected about two weeks ago, Monday 19th.

To answer your question I moved on - meaning I am here now visa-exempt and pack my stuff etc.

 

A new passport and applying in your home country could work out. SpanishExpat reported it worked for him to get ED visas in his home country. You have to decide if it is worth your time to:

- obtain a new passport in your home country or another country, not in Thailand, because mine was from the German embassy in Thailand and they didnt like it in Saigon

- invest all the time that comes with changing to a new passport (notify your bank, change driving license, green/blue book etc. to name a few)

- invest the time and effort to go to your home country now, not some time you wanted to go anyway

 

In my humble opinion it is not worth it - requirements might change and until you have a new passport in two months it might not work anymore. Look at how fast they cracked down on the consulates  starting around June or so with Vientiane.

 

So my opinion: buy Elite or get out. This is how I saw it for me too.

ED visa - might work if you invest the effort as mentioned above, but how long? What do you do in one year? Same same again.

25 minutes ago, Vinmz said:

 assume the reason why the ed visa was rejected. By the way, the consulate hasn't provided any reasons.

Was the same for me. I politely asked but I did not get any reason, nor did I get comprehensive 6 months bank statements back.

As far as I understand they are not obliged to give us any reasons for their decision, and that is how they handle it.

2 hours ago, cerox said:

Was the same for me. I politely asked but I did not get any reason, nor did I get comprehensive 6 months bank statements back.

As far as I understand they are not obliged to give us any reasons for their decision, and that is how they handle it.

I've been reading quite a lot of 'rejected' cases lately.

 

Could it be there are too many foreigners living in Thailand on education visa or tourist visa runs for too long?

i am at school on ed visa in my second year.  we were talking to the boss of the school the other day about all the rejections in laos etc, and she suggested a new passport as one way around it.  she was the head of the school and knows her stuff, so maybe there is some merit in getting a new passport

 

one guy at my school is in his 5th year of ed visas.  he gets his on australia tho

 

good luck OP - hope you can work something out

13 minutes ago, UKJASE said:

i am at school on ed visa in my second year.  we were talking to the boss of the school the other day about all the rejections in laos etc, and she suggested a new passport as one way around it.  she was the head of the school and knows her stuff, so maybe there is some merit in getting a new passport

 

one guy at my school is in his 5th year of ed visas.  he gets his on australia tho

 

good luck OP - hope you can work something out

 

Changing passports used to work before the fingerprinting technology which came in this year.

 

From your fingerprints, they will know whether you travelled to Thailand  in the past on different passports.

 

By the way, do they ever give any exam results to the immigration whether you are serious about studying or just using it as a means to stay in Thailand?

 

Edited September 2, 20196 yr by EricTh

49 minutes ago, EricTh said:

 

Changing passports used to work before the fingerprinting technology which came in this year.

 

From your fingerprints, they will know whether you travelled to Thailand  in the past on different passports.

 

By the way, do they ever give any exam results to the immigration whether you are serious about studying or just using it as a means to stay in Thailand?

 

i am not sure if the school pass on exam results.  i guess it depends on each immigration office's rules, and the school's reputation.  our school is reputable and teaches well

 

i use it as both a way to learn thai, and it allows me to stay in thailand after divorcing, and being below 50 years old

On 8/31/2019 at 12:46 PM, Vinmz said:

I graduated bachelor degree here in Bangkok.

 

You can study for 8 years total in Thailand, that's what I heard from the university staff. It might relate to university degree continuous study or all studies combined (uni, schools, etc.).  

How old is this information?

1 minute ago, scorecard said:

How old is this information?

For studies at a university or another type of formal school I would say it is current info.

On 9/2/2019 at 12:41 PM, EricTh said:

 

By the way, do they ever give any exam results to the immigration whether you are serious about studying or just using it as a means to stay in Thailand?

 

The answer is no. The only obvious case when you can be tested by Immigration Officer is speaking Thai with you if you are studying Thai and it is what they tend to use frequently. 

On 9/2/2019 at 2:59 PM, scorecard said:

How old is this information?

A foreigner can study for not more than 8 years at one particular educational institution. I am sure it is current info. At the same time, there is no time limit on different ones.