How To Fill A Gap In A Ed Visa

[karo]

Hi all!

I've been lurking around hoovering this brilliant site for info about visas, but seems I have to step out of the closet as a visa-ignorant and just ask you guys

I'm a newcomer to this visa thing and thought perhaps I could ask you veterans what to do with my little head ache:

I am currently studying gemmology in Bkk on a course to course basis. I was told by the study place that I would be able to get a continuous visa even though I had gaps in between courses (because I am also renewing my marriage wows and therefore have to take a break in sceduals). But now it seems I will after all have to do some border running my ED visa is due on monday 27th, tomorrow I'm leaving for Vientiane.(yes i'm writing this the last minute ).

I have obtained papers from my study place saying that I will continue studies from now on until 22nd of December which is for some reason longer than the course, I am finishing up here and going home (Norway) for xmas the 16th-29th December. So I'm back in thailand the 29th Dec, getting a 30 days tourist visa on entry. But my next course is not starting until 2nd of February until 12th of May, and they have given me papers for these exact dates. So I have a gap here of juuust a little more than 30 days...

Do I have to apply for two separate visas or will they -heheh- be reasonable and grant me one continuous visa for the rest of the stay until 12th of May?

And in case they dont, (which I suspect): since it is about 107 days or so until 2nd of February and my next course, I will also be prevented from applying for a second visa for that period, right? (because of the 90 days validity of granted visas)

In the end of January:can I go to the immigration office here i Bkk and get a few days extension on the tourist visa?

Sorry about the mess, I'm grappling wildly with this thing. Seems everything is off with just a few days. Well - Murphys law I guess...(I'm a believer )

Would be immensely glad if someone could offer me some advice of how to get this thing done with the least hassle and money

Regards, Karo

[ubonjoe]

The visa you are getting now will be a 90 day ED I assume since you have paper work from the school.

While in Norway why don't you apply for a 2 or 3 entry tourist visa. A 2 entry visa would give you 6 months with extensions.

Also if you can get some documents from school the consulate in Norway might issue a multiple entry ED visa.

Link to thai embassy in Oslo website: http://www.thaiembassy.no/index.htm

[karo]

The visa you are getting now will be a 90 day ED I assume since you have paper work from the school.

While in Norway why don't you apply for a 2 or 3 entry tourist visa. A 2 entry visa would give you 6 months with extensions.

Also if you can get some documents from school the consulate in Norway might issue a multiple entry ED visa.

Link to thai embassy in Oslo website: http://www.thaiembassy.no/index.htm

Hi Ubonjoe!

Thanks so much! Will try that.

When I came here I had a sigle entry ED visa from the Thai Embassy in Oslo. I was told by my study place that I would be eligible for a one year multiple, but when I applied in person at the embassy the staff was curt and not very forth coming. Why I didn't obtain a longer visa they wouldn't explain to me (I'm a very polite and nice girl ). Seems to me as soon as they have some power to exert over you, they will do what they can just for fun . Afterwards I learned that the Thai Consulate in Oslo would have been a much better choice, so I'm heading for that. (Wee, fresh air, goose bumps and hot chocholate, here I come...(..in two months)

But do you think it is legal to continue my studies on a tourist visa only? If it is possible to obtain a tourist visa w/ 6 months extension I'd go for that since I would like to stay and wrap up things after my studies.

I have as I said papers that I am enrolled until the 12th of May, so a ED visa will be issued I guess until this date exactly. Hmmm, but multiple entries is very practical...hmm tempting... I have read that it is quite difficult to get one though, that usually they give ED single entry only..? Anyone heard anything about Oslo?

again: thanks a million times

Karo

[ubonjoe]

As far as I know their is no legal problem with going to school on a tourist visa, The only restriction is you can't work.

The only advantage of the ED in your case is that you get 90 days per entry. Many get an ED because if attending a school that meets the requirements you can get a 1 year or 90 day extension at immigration.

If you get a 3 entry tourist visa that has a use by date of 6 months after issue you can get almost 9 months.

If they have any honarary consulates in Norway they would be a good choice. The ones in other countries are much easier to deal with than the official consulates.

[Maestro]

Yes, it is perfectly legal to study in Thailand after having entered on a tourist visa or even without a visa.

--

Maestro

[karo]

As far as I know their is no legal problem with going to school on a tourist visa, The only restriction is you can't work.

Ok, cheers, get it

The only advantage of the ED in your case is that you get 90 days per entry. Many get an ED because if attending a school that meets the requirements you can get a 1 year or 90 day extension at immigration.

See under about extensions.

If you get a 3 entry tourist visa that has a use by date of 6 months after issue you can get almost 9 months.

To extend such a visa I would only have to show up at immigration with my passport, right? No visa runs?

If they have any honarary consulates in Norway they would be a good choice. The ones in other countries are much easier to deal with than the official consulates.

What is the difference of a honorary and an official consulate...or do you mean embassy?

Thanks again, Ubonjoe

For information to others that have an ED visa and are planning to study in Thailand.

In my case I entered Thailand with a single entry 90 days ED visa. When it was time to extend it, I got the papers from my school saying I was enrolled at a course which lasted to such and such date. To my surprise the immigration then gives me an extension to the exact day I finish my course (which is also the day of my exam -very practical) and not the 90 days more I thought I would get. This screwed up my whole scedual in the first place, so now it's all a mess. So watch out for this scenario and get your school at least to throw on a few days extra on the end of a course.

Maybe it can help someone...

Regards, K

[ubonjoe]

To extend such a visa I would only have to show up at immigration with my passport, right? No visa runs? You would have to make a quik trip (same day) to the border exit and return ( border run) every 90 days after getting an extension at immigration for 30 days of your 60 day permit to stay. No trips to a consulate to get a new visa (visa run).

What is the difference of a honorary and an official consulate...or do you mean embassy?

An embassy takes care of the diplomatic business. A consulate does visas and etcetera and can physically be part of an embassy or a a stand alone consulate. These consulates are official offices of the Thai goverment. An Honarary consulate is one that is allowed by the Thai goverment to function as a consulate in an Honarary capacity to issue visas and etcetera.

Thanks again, Ubonjoe

Regards, K

Glad to help.

Joe