New Policy For Student Visa Extension?

[Bkkthebest]

Hi,

I am ready to do my student visa extension.

The school admin told me that i got to go to the immigration to stamp my visa every 90 days for a single entry visa and I GOT TO pay 1900 bhat for every stamp done. If i remember correctly, we do not have to pay for that before and that is only practised for multi-entry student visa.

If i chose a single entry, i need to get a re-entry permit ( as i need to fly out) that cost 1900 bhat. I thought it was 1000 bhat.

Does anyone has anymore information on this?

Edited December 4, 2007 by Bkkthebest

[lopburi3]

1. You can only obtain an extension of stay for 90 days at a time for some schools - it is not a visa - the cost is 1,900 baht each time.

2. If you want to travel when on an extension of stay you must have a re-entry permit to keep it alive - the cost is 1,000 baht.

[niebla]

I hope this is on topic. For a new education visa extention request, would it be better to start with a Non-Imm. single entry, or a multi entry, and then getting the extension? Assuming the visa would be issued in the USA and extended in LOS.

Thanks.

1. You can only obtain an extension of stay for 90 days at a time for some schools - it is not a visa - the cost is 1,900 baht each time.

2. If you want to travel when on an extension of stay you must have a re-entry permit to keep it alive - the cost is 1,000 baht.

[Bkkthebest]

1. You can only obtain an extension of stay for 90 days at a time for some schools - it is not a visa - the cost is 1,900 baht each time.

2. If you want to travel when on an extension of stay you must have a re-entry permit to keep it alive - the cost is 1,000 baht.

I am sorry but that is not what i have been told.

I was told that i am getting an initial 90 day student visa in my own country. Then i will to go to the immigration in Bangkok to do an extension of my current student visa for another 9 month. That would make it a year for my student visa.

What i do not understand is that why do a single-entry student visa need a have a stamp for every 90 days and need to pay 1900 bhat.

And as you have said that a re-entry permit is 1000 bhat and why do the school admin personnal told me that it is a 1900 bhat.

They just advise me to get a multiple entry, does multiple entry need to pay 1900 bhat for every 90 day stamp.

I am only planning to get a single entry one year visa and one re-entry permit only.

I am not sure the extension of stay, it came to me quite of a shock.

[huski]

1. You can only obtain an extension of stay for 90 days at a time for some schools - it is not a visa - the cost is 1,900 baht each time.

2. If you want to travel when on an extension of stay you must have a re-entry permit to keep it alive - the cost is 1,000 baht.

I am sorry but that is not what i have been told.

I was told that i am getting an initial 90 day student visa in my own country. Then i will to go to the immigration in Bangkok to do an extension of my current student visa for another 9 month. That would make it a year for my student visa.

What i do not understand is that why do a single-entry student visa need a have a stamp for every 90 days and need to pay 1900 bhat.

And as you have said that a re-entry permit is 1000 bhat and why do the school admin personnal told me that it is a 1900 bhat.

They just advise me to get a multiple entry, does multiple entry need to pay 1900 bhat for every 90 day stamp.

I am only planning to get a single entry one year visa and one re-entry permit only.

I am not sure the extension of stay, it came to me quite of a shock.

lopburi3 is correct, 1900 baht is the cost of an extension. If Thai Immigration is only allowing 3 months because of this type of extension, then you must provide the school's paperwork and re-apply paying 1900 baht each time. The length of an extension is determined by Thai Immigration, not the school which may be telling students old information.

A single re-entry permit (1000 baht, single entry) compared to a multiple re-entry permit (3800 baht) would most likely only be used, as each re-entry permit will be dated to expire with an extension, in this case at the end of 3 months.

[Bkkthebest]

lopburi3 is correct, 1900 baht is the cost of an extension. If Thai Immigration is only allowing 3 months because of this type of extension, then you must provide the school's paperwork and re-apply paying 1900 baht each time. The length of an extension is determined by Thai Immigration, not the school which may be telling students old information.

A single re-entry permit (1000 baht, single entry) compared to a multiple re-entry permit (3800 baht) would most likely only be used, as each re-entry permit will be dated to expire with an extension, in this case at the end of 3 months.

If i go for the multiple entry permit, do i still have to pay 1900 bhat every 90 days for a stamp?

Edited December 5, 2007 by Bkkthebest

[lopburi3]

You would have to pay for transportation out of Thailand, visa if required, and return every 90 days with a multi entry visa (and not using the 1,900 baht extension method).

[Bkkthebest]

You would have to pay for transportation out of Thailand, visa if required, and return every 90 days with a multi entry visa (and not using the 1,900 baht extension method).

I guess a single-entry will be more suitable then. It seems like if you get a multi-entry, you MUST travel out of Thailand. I find it ridiculous. Don't we have a choice to travel out or not?

[lopburi3]

You have the choice of traveling out every 90 days as on any multi entry visa or you have the option to pay 1,900 baht for extensions of stay with qualifying documents.

[davejonesbkk]

Where are you studying? I've heard different requirements for different schools....

[Bkkthebest]

You have the choice of traveling out every 90 days as on any multi entry visa or you have the option to pay 1,900 baht for extensions of stay with qualifying documents.

I am sorry but that is not the choice that i see it as something favorable. They give you a multi and you must travel out, I dun think that is what i call making a fair deal. Student are paying money to study in Thailand and they make you pay more if you wanna extend. I think it is a mistake for me to come here.

I was told that i would get a single-entry without any payment for the whole year. And come in the 2nd letter and the staff told me new policy and you got to pay. //extremely insulting comment removed and poster warned//

[bkkguy1970]

and the Ministry of Education is now saying that to get the letter you need for the extension every three months you have to send them both your passport and three copies of every used page in the passport - previously they did not need to see the actual passport, and just a copy of the photo and visa page!

obviously this long stay option is attracting increasing official "attention"

bkkguy

[Bkkthebest]

and the Ministry of Education is now saying that to get the letter you need for the extension every three months you have to send them both your passport and three copies of every used page in the passport - previously they did not need to see the actual passport, and just a copy of the photo and visa page!

obviously this long stay option is attracting increasing official "attention"

bkkguy

Hmmm.. That explains it. Well.. i am still not convinced on the 1,900 bhat every 90 days extension. Is this a new regulation or imposed for sometime.

[lopburi3]

It is a new regulation.

[jstumbo]

Don't they still give 1 year extensions for studying at a University? I thought the 90 extensions were only for studying Thai at a Thai language school.

If so:

If studying at a Thai University he would enter on a 90 day ED visa, get it extended for one year for a cost of 1900 baht. If he wanted to leave during that year he would need to get a re-entry permit for a cost of 1000 baht. If he got a one year multi entry ED visa instead, then I think he would have to leave the country at least every 90 days because that would be the maximum stay on a multi entry ED visa? Or he could get an extension on his one year visa for one year, but then I think he would need a re-entry permit to leave, which would kind of make getting the one year really pointless.

If studying Thai at a Thai language school, he could get the 90 day ED visa with the paperwork from the school. Then every 90 days he would need to get an extension at a cost of 1900 baht. If he wanted to leave the country and come back, he would need a re-entry permit at a cost of 1000 baht.

[Bkkthebest]

Don't they still give 1 year extensions for studying at a University? I thought the 90 extensions were only for studying Thai at a Thai language school.

If so:

If studying at a Thai University he would enter on a 90 day ED visa, get it extended for one year for a cost of 1900 baht. If he wanted to leave during that year he would need to get a re-entry permit for a cost of 1000 baht. If he got a one year multi entry ED visa instead, then I think he would have to leave the country at least every 90 days because that would be the maximum stay on a multi entry ED visa? Or he could get an extension on his one year visa for one year, but then I think he would need a re-entry permit to leave, which would kind of make getting the one year really pointless.

If studying Thai at a Thai language school, he could get the 90 day ED visa with the paperwork from the school. Then every 90 days he would need to get an extension at a cost of 1900 baht. If he wanted to leave the country and come back, he would need a re-entry permit at a cost of 1000 baht.

Thank you very much. It is clear now.

[cali4995]

and the Ministry of Education is now saying that to get the letter you need for the extension every three months you have to send them both your passport and three copies of every used page in the passport - previously they did not need to see the actual passport, and just a copy of the photo and visa page!

obviously this long stay option is attracting increasing official "attention"

bkkguy

Well, there's a shocker. We've somehow attracted unwanted official attention.

Never seems to be any rhyme or reason to these things. Even with a crystal

ball, just impossible to predict. What ever will they think to change next?

[Bkkthebest]

1. You can only obtain an extension of stay for 90 days at a time for some schools - it is not a visa - the cost is 1,900 baht each time.

2. If you want to travel when on an extension of stay you must have a re-entry permit to keep it alive - the cost is 1,000 baht.

Is it specifically for language schools? or only some language schools?

[Bkkthebest]

It is a new regulation. ( 1,900 bhat for every 90 day extension.)

Is it up to the discretion of the officials at the immigration to impose it on you or is that the rule for all?

Someone told me the reason for this is make sure the students are really studying instead of abusing it to stay in Thailand. My classmates told me that if they really wanna track students who are abusing the system, they should do more work on filtering than just imposing a price for the extension. This will not curb people from abusing the system. ( everytime they wanna set up new fees, this will be the excuse used)

Some of us are really doing something productive here and this new 1,900 bhat-for-every-90-day-extension fee will deter some real students from continuing their study. It is more likely to be the greed of the Thai government of using their commodity ( Visa) to pocket more money from foreigners. More foreigners will be more likely to leave Thailand and not getting serious in starting a life here after knowing the national language well. Some might even respect the language no more as such greed is showing. This is really rude. So much for promoting the culture and language. More like promoting greed.

Some of the students really have low tolerance for corruption and greed as it is such attributes that cause many of the world's problem.

[Fun2Fun]

Well..no crystal ball needed for this one...

As soon as schools started to advertaize with texts like this, 1 year ed visa - no visa runs required , it was just a mather of time.....

Edited December 6, 2007 by Fun2Fun

[sonnyJ]

Don't they still give 1 year extensions for studying at a University? I thought the 90 extensions were only for studying Thai at a Thai language school.

If so:

If studying at a Thai University he would enter on a 90 day ED visa, get it extended for one year for a cost of 1900 baht. If he wanted to leave during that year he would need to get a re-entry permit for a cost of 1000 baht. If he got a one year multi entry ED visa instead, then I think he would have to leave the country at least every 90 days because that would be the maximum stay on a multi entry ED visa? Or he could get an extension on his one year visa for one year, but then I think he would need a re-entry permit to leave, which would kind of make getting the one year really pointless.

If studying Thai at a Thai language school, he could get the 90 day ED visa with the paperwork from the school. Then every 90 days he would need to get an extension at a cost of 1900 baht. If he wanted to leave the country and come back, he would need a re-entry permit at a cost of 1000 baht.

That's exactly how it has always been, at least for four years anyway. I don't know what is new about paying 1,900 for an extension, any extension. When studying for example on a four year bachelor program first they give you 90 days extension then 6 months then 1-year, depending on your progress on your studies. I thought this was asked by the school but might be always under only immigrations decision. If your studies will last only 1 year, then expect to extend every 90 days, or get a multi entry visa and leave the country every 90 days.

Edited December 7, 2007 by sonnyJ

[cali4995]

It is a new regulation. ( 1,900 bhat for every 90 day extension.)

Is it up to the discretion of the officials at the immigration to impose it on you or is that the rule for all?

Someone told me the reason for this is make sure the students are really studying instead of abusing it to stay in Thailand. My classmates told me that if they really wanna track students who are abusing the system, they should do more work on filtering than just imposing a price for the extension. This will not curb people from abusing the system. ( everytime they wanna set up new fees, this will be the excuse used)

Some of us are really doing something productive here and this new 1,900 bhat-for-every-90-day-extension fee will deter some real students from continuing their study. It is more likely to be the greed of the Thai government of using their commodity ( Visa) to pocket more money from foreigners. More foreigners will be more likely to leave Thailand and not getting serious in starting a life here after knowing the national language well. Some might even respect the language no more as such greed is showing. This is really rude. So much for promoting the culture and language. More like promoting greed.

Some of the students really have low tolerance for corruption and greed as it is such attributes that cause many of the world's problem.

Bkkthebest, if you could only appreciate the irony of me explaining this, that

would be more than enough thanks. It would appear that obtaining a multi-entry

"ED" visa prior to your arrival would be an advantage. And Yes, it will cost more.

Quoting in US $ it's 60 for a single and 150 for a multi. And Yes, with this method,

you will have to make a border-run every 90 days. Currently, if you're studying

at a private Thai language school and only have a single-entry and wish to continue,

you would need to obtain subsequent extensions every 90 days. Which Yes, will cost

you an additional 1,900 baht each time. The problem, which is beginning to surface,

is that they are requiring more documentation, and according to the other poster,

your passport must be submitted to the MOE. So, I can only surmise, there will be

no more group letters for multiple students. Every student must have their own

letter. So, trying to be objective about this, it looks to be getting more difficult

for everyone, irregardless of where you study or how many hours per week.

Fair? perhaps not, but "we" have created these circumstances with the marketing.

[tropo]

Well..no crystal ball needed for this one...

As soon as schools started to advertaize with texts like this, 1 year ed visa - no visa runs required , it was just a mather of time.....

A lot of people seem to harp on this point.

Any school offering education to foreigners would need to make the visa situation perfectly clear.

[drenoi]

Can someone recommend a good/cheap/efficient etc company/organization for learning Thai. Is it best to take a program with a Uni? What Uni's offer programs? Has anyone had any good or bad experiences? I would like to apply with somewhere that could provide a ED visa as I am curently studying and working part time but am not eligible for a Non-B visa through work (part time) and can not get a ED visa through school..

If anyone has any good info you can PM me, thanks!

[sonnyJ]

Well..no crystal ball needed for this one...

As soon as schools started to advertaize with texts like this, 1 year ed visa - no visa runs required , it was just a mather of time.....

A lot of people seem to harp on this point.

Any school offering education to foreigners would need to make the visa situation perfectly clear.

Also the school is required to take care of all the paper work to guarantee the required extension of stay for the studies. Here's the envelope go to imm. office with 1,900 and a photo. Is it a surprise that they limit it to 90 days per time with all these private language schools, you don't study, no extension, simple.

[Bkkthebest]

It is a new regulation. ( 1,900 bhat for every 90 day extension.)

Is it up to the discretion of the officials at the immigration to impose it on you or is that the rule for all?

Someone told me the reason for this is make sure the students are really studying instead of abusing it to stay in Thailand. My classmates told me that if they really wanna track students who are abusing the system, they should do more work on filtering than just imposing a price for the extension. This will not curb people from abusing the system. ( everytime they wanna set up new fees, this will be the excuse used)

Some of us are really doing something productive here and this new 1,900 bhat-for-every-90-day-extension fee will deter some real students from continuing their study. It is more likely to be the greed of the Thai government of using their commodity ( Visa) to pocket more money from foreigners. More foreigners will be more likely to leave Thailand and not getting serious in starting a life here after knowing the national language well. Some might even respect the language no more as such greed is showing. This is really rude. So much for promoting the culture and language. More like promoting greed.

Some of the students really have low tolerance for corruption and greed as it is such attributes that cause many of the world's problem.

Bkkthebest, if you could only appreciate the irony of me explaining this, that

would be more than enough thanks. It would appear that obtaining a multi-entry

"ED" visa prior to your arrival would be an advantage. And Yes, it will cost more.

Quoting in US $ it's 60 for a single and 150 for a multi. And Yes, with this method,

you will have to make a border-run every 90 days. Currently, if you're studying

at a private Thai language school and only have a single-entry and wish to continue,

you would need to obtain subsequent extensions every 90 days. Which Yes, will cost

you an additional 1,900 baht each time. The problem, which is beginning to surface,

is that they are requiring more documentation, and according to the other poster,

your passport must be submitted to the MOE. So, I can only surmise, there will be

no more group letters for multiple students. Every student must have their own

letter. So, trying to be objective about this, it looks to be getting more difficult

for everyone, irregardless of where you study or how many hours per week.

Fair? perhaps not, but "we" have created these circumstances with the marketing.

Totally appreciated

I went to immigration this morning and was told to submit my application next month as my first 90 days expired on feb. So if you go too early , they will not want you. I am still trying to understand the logic of this.

If you walk along the way to the immigration, there are many food stalls you can get your food from. Yummy!!!!!

Edited December 7, 2007 by Bkkthebest

[Bkkthebest]

Don't they still give 1 year extensions for studying at a University? I thought the 90 extensions were only for studying Thai at a Thai language school.

If so:

If studying at a Thai University he would enter on a 90 day ED visa, get it extended for one year for a cost of 1900 baht. If he wanted to leave during that year he would need to get a re-entry permit for a cost of 1000 baht. If he got a one year multi entry ED visa instead, then I think he would have to leave the country at least every 90 days because that would be the maximum stay on a multi entry ED visa? Or he could get an extension on his one year visa for one year, but then I think he would need a re-entry permit to leave, which would kind of make getting the one year really pointless.

If studying Thai at a Thai language school, he could get the 90 day ED visa with the paperwork from the school. Then every 90 days he would need to get an extension at a cost of 1900 baht. If he wanted to leave the country and come back, he would need a re-entry permit at a cost of 1000 baht.

That's exactly how it has always been, at least for four years anyway. I don't know what is new about paying 1,900 for an extension, any extension. When studying for example on a four year bachelor program first they give you 90 days extension then 6 months then 1-year, depending on your progress on your studies. I thought this was asked by the school but might be always under only immigrations decision. If your studies will last only 1 year, then expect to extend every 90 days, or get a multi entry visa and leave the country every 90 days.

That is not always been this way. I was told that it is a new regulation for student visa.

[sonnyJ]

Don't they still give 1 year extensions for studying at a University? I thought the 90 extensions were only for studying Thai at a Thai language school.

If so:

If studying at a Thai University he would enter on a 90 day ED visa, get it extended for one year for a cost of 1900 baht. If he wanted to leave during that year he would need to get a re-entry permit for a cost of 1000 baht. If he got a one year multi entry ED visa instead, then I think he would have to leave the country at least every 90 days because that would be the maximum stay on a multi entry ED visa? Or he could get an extension on his one year visa for one year, but then I think he would need a re-entry permit to leave, which would kind of make getting the one year really pointless.

If studying Thai at a Thai language school, he could get the 90 day ED visa with the paperwork from the school. Then every 90 days he would need to get an extension at a cost of 1900 baht. If he wanted to leave the country and come back, he would need a re-entry permit at a cost of 1000 baht.

That's exactly how it has always been, at least for four years anyway. I don't know what is new about paying 1,900 for an extension, any extension. When studying for example on a four year bachelor program first they give you 90 days extension then 6 months then 1-year, depending on your progress on your studies. I thought this was asked by the school but might be always under only immigrations decision. If your studies will last only 1 year, then expect to extend every 90 days, or get a multi entry visa and leave the country every 90 days.

That is not always been this way. I was told that it is a new regulation for student visa.

There was a topic of this 'change' on TV some time ago. I still don't get it if for example 1 year Thai language school had ever given anyone straight 1 year stamp. The imm. at airport simply don't do it. Please someone tell me I'm wrong even it was 30 years ago.

[Bkkthebest]

Don't they still give 1 year extensions for studying at a University? I thought the 90 extensions were only for studying Thai at a Thai language school.

If so:

If studying at a Thai University he would enter on a 90 day ED visa, get it extended for one year for a cost of 1900 baht. If he wanted to leave during that year he would need to get a re-entry permit for a cost of 1000 baht. If he got a one year multi entry ED visa instead, then I think he would have to leave the country at least every 90 days because that would be the maximum stay on a multi entry ED visa? Or he could get an extension on his one year visa for one year, but then I think he would need a re-entry permit to leave, which would kind of make getting the one year really pointless.

If studying Thai at a Thai language school, he could get the 90 day ED visa with the paperwork from the school. Then every 90 days he would need to get an extension at a cost of 1900 baht. If he wanted to leave the country and come back, he would need a re-entry permit at a cost of 1000 baht.

That's exactly how it has always been, at least for four years anyway. I don't know what is new about paying 1,900 for an extension, any extension. When studying for example on a four year bachelor program first they give you 90 days extension then 6 months then 1-year, depending on your progress on your studies. I thought this was asked by the school but might be always under only immigrations decision. If your studies will last only 1 year, then expect to extend every 90 days, or get a multi entry visa and leave the country every 90 days.

That is not always been this way. I was told that it is a new regulation for student visa.

There was a topic of this 'change' on TV some time ago. I still don't get it if for example 1 year Thai language school had ever given anyone straight 1 year stamp. The imm. at airport simply don't do it. Please someone tell me I'm wrong even it was 30 years ago.

It is not about 1 year straight stamp, there is no such thing. it is about paying that bloody 1.900 bhat every 90 days.

Edited December 8, 2007 by Bkkthebest

[jstumbo]

Some of us are really doing something productive here and this new 1,900 bhat-for-every-90-day-extension fee will deter some real students from continuing their study.

If less than $20 per month for your paperwork to stay in the country is a big problem for a person, I have a feeling that Thailand does not care if the student came here or not.