Guesses on how long the new Bangkok ED Visa will stay a good option

[Hal65]

At least here in Pattaya a new, more expensive ED visa is available through a uni in Bangkok. The cost is somewhat offset by only having to do a border run instead of having to stay in Vientiane for a couple days to get the ED visa from a consulate abroad.

 

Language Schools seem to be fast switching over, which I understand since their livelihood depends on it. 

 

For those of you who've seen this before, how long do you think the new ED scheme will work for?

 

I have been here 6 years. 5 of them were on ED visas from Vientiane. I'm hoping this scheme will last another 5 years although I doubt it. If they clamped down on Vientiane (and other local consulate) ED visas, then I think the underlying desire is still there and this new Bangkok ED visa will only last a couple years. That's just my guess.

[BritTim]

A "visa" that you get at a border crossing seems very odd to me. The only thing I can think of is that this is a conversion from a tourist entry to a Non Immigrant entry for study at a university. That would not even required a border bounce (for visa exempt entry) if you were already on a tourist entry with at least 15 days remaining.

 

If a genuine university course (albeit with language schools running the course) and students religiously attending classes, it is possible that Immigration will leave it alone. If it is basically a scam to get around the current problems with fake language courses just for visa purposes, there may be a pretty immediate crackdown. Alternatively, and this is what I really suspect, it is an agent assisted scam that can provide the kind of paperwork that allows it to get through in Pattaya (but likely not at most offices). In that case, if enough money is involved, it will probably survive.

[timendres]

I think the real issue is, can you justify attending Thai language schools for 10 years. As @BritTim has said, a lot depends on either the legitimacy of the schools and programs, or the clout of the agents involved. The first wave of immigration cleansing of ED visas has passed, I believe. The second wave will come when they see either enough abuse, or enough potential income.

[Maestro]

I believe the ED visa will always be a good option for foreigners who use it for the purpose for which it is issued.

[darrendsd]

9 minutes ago, BritTim said:

A "visa" that you get at a border crossing seems very odd to me

It doesn't work like that - you just need to do a border hop and that 30 day VE can then be converted to a ED Visa by Immigration

 

 

[garygooner]

The ED visa will always be around for actual students from legit & reputable schools. The question is for how many years can one person be allowed to do it. How long are courses, level 1 to 5. Repeat courses. Reading & writing. Also, if ur young how r u supporting yourself while studying? 

[darrendsd]

5 minutes ago, garygooner said:

The ED visa will always be around for actual students from legit & reputable schools

And they will always be around for those that don't wish to study

[PatOngo]

1 hour ago, Hal65 said:

I have been here 6 years. 5 of them were on ED visas from Vientiane.

Would I be right to assume you are 100% fluent in the Thai language?

[Hal65]

8 hours ago, garygooner said:

The ED visa will always be around for actual students from legit & reputable schools. 

In the case of the prior (out of country) ED visa scheme, there is a nearby country ban on all ED visas from year 2 onwards. The presumption is that anyone who studies Thai for more than 1 year is actually abusing the visa. Doesn't matter what school did the person's papers.

 

This is true in Vientiane, the destination that previously was the informal recipient of all the ED visa applicant travel/fees. But it is also true in Penang, KL, Yangon, Phnom Pen, HMC etc.

 

Once the Thai's make a new policy change there is not much nuance regarding legitimate or illegitimate students. They seem to issue blanket decrees that affect everyone. That's part of why I think this new Bangkok ED visa will not last very long either.

 

 

[Hal65]

8 hours ago, BritTim said:

If a genuine university course (albeit with language schools running the course) and students religiously attending classes, it is possible that Immigration will leave it alone. If it is basically a scam to get around the current problems with fake language courses just for visa purposes, there may be a pretty immediate crackdown.

 

Alternatively, and this is what I really suspect, it is an agent assisted scam that can provide the kind of paperwork that allows it to get through in Pattaya (but likely not at most offices). In that case, if enough money is involved, it will probably survive.

 

That is an interesting theory and would explain why the new visa is fairly costly (IIRC, it costs around 15,000 thb for just the visa. The school then charges a separate fee for their service).

 

A counter point would be, that I know of 3 places in Pattaya which offer this Bangkok ED visa.

 

So if it is an agent, they are a big one. And/or they are able to do a fair amount of business without concern. There are likely 10+ schools offering this visa here now.

[unsubscribe]

This sounds interesting, how expensive is the new visa?

[BritTim]

44 minutes ago, Hal65 said:

 

That is an interesting theory and would explain why the new visa is fairly costly (IIRC, it costs around 15,000 thb for just the visa. The school then charges a separate fee for their service).

 

A counter point would be, that I know of 3 places in Pattaya which offer this Bangkok ED visa.

 

So if it is an agent, they are a big one. And/or they are able to do a fair amount of business without concern. There are likely 10+ schools offering this visa here now.

15,000 baht is actually attractive. I assume this includes the conversion from tourist to Non Immigrant entry (official fee 2,000 baht) which gives you an initial 90 days, then a 12 month extension (official fee 1,900 baht). Compared to the old language school visas that give only 90 days plus three 90-day extensions (official fees around 7,700 baht, but often more to avoid serious hassle) this seems like a sweet deal.

 

Once one agent manages to arrange something like this with Jomtien immigration, other agents will be able to negotiate similar deals. Probably, each school has its own arrangement with one or other of the agents able to fix things with immigration.

[PatOngo]

2 hours ago, Nigel Sri Thanonchai said:

This ED visa has been on offer for 18 months already along with another where you pay 25 k up front and 9k every 90 days with no requirement to attend class ,renewable for 10 years

Sounds highly exploitable!

[FalangJaiDee]

2 hours ago, Nigel Sri Thanonchai said:

This ED visa has been on offer for 18 months already along with another where you pay 25 k up front and 9k every 90 days with no requirement to attend class ,renewable for 10 years

can you drop some links or names of where to find this visa?

[Metapod]

Why not just get elite visa instead? Sounds like you plan to be here longterm

[Tropposurfer]

21 hours ago, Maestro said:

I believe the ED visa will always be a good option for foreigners who use it for the purpose for which it is issued.

That'd be me. I'm a academic junkie haha and love study. I can combine the last years of my working life prior to retirement age onset (I study now - this is my 'work'), and decide slowly and deliberately if I want to apply at retirement age to retire in The Kingdom.

All above board, truthful, no scamming, no guilty conscience cause I'm not trying to rort the system as I actually study hard (hours every day). 

I got my ED visa in home country and will return home at the end of the years visa (single entry), renew for another year .... (if the visa criteria does not change) and return for another year, to once again attend classes 4 times a week, with simple 90 day reporting at my local I.O. 

I have seen with my own eyes I.O. officers make unannounced visits in my school and heard from other schools of ED visa peoples attendances being checked by I.O.