Hey all, we're moving back to Thailand from Philippines and plan to get an ED visa for our child (we will have LTR, but told by school that child cannot attend on LTR). We expect to apply for ED e-visa utilizing the Manila embassy, but a requirement popped up for US$2K in bank for three months before applying. I had not expected this and all of my money is in brokerage accounts. 

 

In the past for most visas, I know brokerage accounts (even with cash balance and immediate access) were not accepted. Does anyone know if that is also the case for ED visas?  The $2k in bank is so small as to be pointless (Tuition is bt 1mil/yr), but I'm sure they won't overlook it. Any experience here on this issue (ideally Manila)? The embassy makes it impossible to ask them directly. Thanks. 

Maybe you can get a representative of the BOI to explain to the school that attending school as the dependant of a LTR visa holder is perfectly fine, there should be no need to apply for an ED visa at all.

Of course I have been through this at length with the school, which is one of the big 3 in BKK. It makes no sense that a child on a 10 yr dependent visa cannot even attend school, but the school insists that is the stance of the Thai authorities. Bizarre, but that is their position so ED visa is the only alternative. 

Sounds more to me like they want you "locked in" to a visa based on them.  Kind of like how employers don't like it when their employees work on a marriage visa/extension, because then their permission to stay isn't at the whim of the employer.  

 

The school doesn't want to let foreign students attend on any visa other than an ED visa sponsored by the school, that way if you think of looking elsewhere in a subsequent year, you'll have to worry about the visa and maybe it's just easier to keep him at that school.

 

There is ABSOLUTELY NO ED VISA REQUIREMENT to attend any school in Thailand as far as the Thai government is concerned. That is a bold lie from the school, and they know it.  

 

Ask the BOI to write you a letter that says an LTR dependent is free to study at any institution and submit that to them and see if they continue with their BS.  If they do, tell them you want them to support you converting to an ED visa inside of Thailand.  That way they'll have to produce about 200 pages of paperwork for you. Then you can take that to immigration and get your child onto ED visa without leaving Thailand (assuming he qualifies for visa exempt entry).

I appreciate the input, and it should be obvious that a child on LTR visa can attend school, but the school has a government liaison officer with direct contact that indicates otherwise. I'll be in BKK in a week so will stop by the BOI office to see if they can assist. FYI, not that it's reliable, but an AI query indicated that a child dependent CANNOT attend with just the LTR - not sure what their source was. In any case, I'm still back to the required ED visa $2k in bank question that was my original query. No response to that and local embassy is impossible to contact. 

2K? 2,000 USD? Where does this come from? It's a very small amount of money, so I am surprised... Should it be on a bank account which holder is the child or one of the parents? Such a small amount... Just do as they ask. What difference does it make? 

However, I'm pretty sure it does not make any sense. I've inquired about admission at an international school, they did not care at all which visa my son holds.

On 3/29/2025 at 2:17 AM, eppic said:

I appreciate the input, and it should be obvious that a child on LTR visa can attend school, but the school has a government liaison officer with direct contact that indicates otherwise. I'll be in BKK in a week so will stop by the BOI office to see if they can assist. FYI, not that it's reliable, but an AI query indicated that a child dependent CANNOT attend with just the LTR - not sure what their source was. In any case, I'm still back to the required ED visa $2k in bank question that was my original query. No response to that and local embassy is impossible to contact. 

Try using Facebook messenger if the embassy has a Facebook page. Thai embassies are notoriously bad at replying to e-mail or answering the phone, but they seem okay at answering Facebook sometimes.

16 hours ago, MART said:

2K? 2,000 USD? Where does this come from? It's a very small amount of money, so I am surprised... Should it be on a bank account which holder is the child or one of the parents? Such a small amount... Just do as they ask. What difference does it make? 

However, I'm pretty sure it does not make any sense. I've inquired about admission at an international school, they did not care at all which visa my son holds.

Yes, the amount is absurdly small, but very clear. I asked the school liaison officer and they also weren't aware so it's likely a specific requirement for the Manila embassy. The problem isn't the amount, it's the three months of statements before applying. The Manila embassy is absolutely impossible to contact by email, phone or Facebook. I have already looked into all of these methods. 

8 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

Try using Facebook messenger if the embassy has a Facebook page. Thai embassies are notoriously bad at replying to e-mail or answering the phone, but they seem okay at answering Facebook sometimes.

Thanks, but no dice, they are impossible to contact by any method including FB. My only option may to simply submit with what we have and hope for the best, then use an agent if that fails (school suggested an agent as an option) 

2 hours ago, eppic said:

Yes, the amount is absurdly small, but very clear. I asked the school liaison officer and they also weren't aware so it's likely a specific requirement for the Manila embassy. The problem isn't the amount, it's the three months of statements before applying. The Manila embassy is absolutely impossible to contact by email, phone or Facebook. I have already looked into all of these methods. 

Typical... Try your luck with a cover letter explaining your situation. Provide evidence of the LTR visa(s), funds in brokerage account and $2K not seasoned for 3 months. It is not unlikely to work.