Applying For Non-imm Type "ed"

[TheChad]

Complete newbie here so excuse any ignorant jargon I use.

I'm here on Koh Tao and have decided I want to become Divemaster and Instructor. Dive school (authorised educational institution) has written me a letter supporting that I will be learning diving from them for 1 year. My existing tourist visa runs out on the 29/10 and seeing I have all the paperwork I would rather arrange Non-Immigrant "ED" visa now than do a standard visa run and apply later...I should have enough time to get to any neighbouring countries before existing visa expires.

The question is which country\consulate is my best chance for successfully getting my ED visa approved. Penang would be the most convenient for me but am hearing conflicting stories that they can be picky....or is that just with tourist visas. Kota Bharu I have heard again differing things. Vientiane I have heard is my best bet...but was hoping not to travel that far.

Any info from knowledgeable people would be great.

thanks heaps.

[jdinasia]

(authorised educational institution)??? ... The Thai Ministry of Education has given it some accreditation? Most likely you will be given a single-entry Ed visa at most regional embassies/consulates. You will likely get a non-imm-multi in Oz at an honorary consulate if you have the supporting documentation including receipts for the education.

[TheChad]

(authorised educational institution)??? ... The Thai Ministry of Education has given it some accreditation? Most likely you will be given a single-entry Ed visa at most regional embassies/consulates. You will likely get a non-imm-multi in Oz at an honorary consulate if you have the supporting documentation including receipts for the education.

There's that incorrect jargon i was referring too. Thanks for the info...obviously hoping for a multi-entry...I will ask and see what happens. Frustrating though as I am from Oz....wish i got my act together back there.

Leaning towards Penang then...unless anyone has any deal breakers on it???

Cheers.

[ubonjoe]

Most good results for Penang visa's are using an agent. The worst that can happen is another tourist visa.

I have seen good reports for the following agent and it could be a place to stay. Contact them and see what they think.

http://www.banananewguesthouse.com/

[TheChad]

Most good results for Penang visa's are using an agent. The worst that can happen is another tourist visa.

I have seen good reports for the following agent and it could be a place to stay. Contact them and see what they think.

Great call Ubonjoe...thanks very much. I emailed them immediately with the details of my situation and they just got back to me (very promptly and professionally)....may be of interest to you and others, see below;

"In Penang Thai Consulate, diving course is not under the category of education = ED visa. Only if you are studying in the universities, college or school. So, far the best we managed to get for our customers who is taking diving course is only 3 months visa and under the category of B visa.They need to show proof of the payment receipts (the full payment) and proof of your bank account which show your ability to bear the whole course expenses.However, chances is very mild even with 3mths visa."

They also informed me that "Forgotten to tell you that Penang Thai Consulate is close on every Saturday & Sunday. And the Monday, 27th Oct they are close too (it's a public holiday)".

This may have been obvious to those in the know but to a novice like me was news that I was glad to get ahead of time.

Anyhoo, back to the drawing board for me.

[ubonjoe]

Sounds like a tourist visa may be the only way. You might ask them about 2 entry tourist visas. That gets you almost 6 months with extensions and one border run.

[jdinasia]

In the long run it might be easier and faster to just fly to Perth, you probably could fly back the same day

[digitalchromakey]

I'm here on Koh Tao and have decided I want to become Divemaster and Instructor. Dive school (authorised educational institution) has written me a letter supporting that I will be learning diving from them for 1 year. My existing tourist visa runs out on the 29/10 and seeing I have all the paperwork I would rather arrange Non-Immigrant "ED" visa now than do a standard visa run and apply later...I should have enough time to get to any neighbouring countries before existing visa expires.

Don't know how long Koh Tao DM courses last, but I guess three weeks and then three weeks for an IDC. You could do that on a single entry tourist visa (60 days entry, plus 30 days extension).

Once you qualify as an Instructor you must have a work permit to teach courses. For this you will need an employer, the right paperwork and a non immigrant B visa.

Friendly advice and slightly off topic - you may have some problems being taken seriously as a dive professional elsewhere if you are purely Koh Tao DM and Instructor trained. Some of the Koh Tao 'styles' of dive instruction do not have a very good reputation worldwide. Don't believe what anyone tells you if they say breaking professional diving standards is part of doing the job; it's not. However, over the years I have also come across some very good instructors with high standards who have worked in Koh Tao.

[Falcon]

Hi,

As long as you hve a letter confirming that you are going to study then I would go to KL (Kuala Lumpur) Thai embassy to get the Non-ED as the girls they have on the counters are spot on and know their stuff. Once its accepted by them then the visa (next day pick up by 11:30am) i a sure thing. You will need the letter and a copy of their business/education confirmation (the latter is simply a 2 page copy). I do this myself but I am going to a Thai language school.

Penag is fine for the Non-ED as long as you have the confirmation/acceptance (first) letter from the minister of education, without this penang wont issue anything.

Hope this helps,

Falcon

[jdinasia]

AFAIK ... KL will NOT issue a non-ed-multi for a dive school