Ed Visa Questions And Return Ticket

[granuaile]

I will be going to Thailand to study Thai language for a year in the Fall, maybe longer, and I have already purchased a one-way ticket to BKK. I will apply for an ED visa

I have checked the Thai embassy's website here in the US as well as the relevant thaivisa.com pages, and there seem to be no requirements for a return ticket, which could be problematic since I am not sure I could book a ticket that far in advance and I am planning to continue studying in Thailand if everything works out.

I had not considered that I might need a return ticket but a friend of mine who is in Thailand on a B visa and told me that she had to book a return ticket, or at least she thought it was required and she booked a return flight.

Am I correct that I will not need a return ticket to obtain the ED visa.

Also, is there a downside to getting a multiple entry visa as opposed to getting a single entry visa. I saw on the application that you have to state the number of entries. Can I travel outside the country unlimited times, or do I have to get a re-entry permit if I leave in between the 90-day duration of the visa. If I get the single-entry visa is it difficult to get the extensions every 90 days. Also is it difficult to renew the visa in Thailand after a year (my understanding is that I can renew it for another year without leaving Thailand)...

I think the folks here in this forum can provide me with the insights I need, insights based on experience.

[ubonjoe]

A return ticket is not required for a visa. Some embassy/consulate websites say you do. When you apply for the visa don't use the embassy or one of the 4 official consulates. Use an honorary consulate. You can find a list on the directory page of the DC embassy website (use the pulldown menu).

A multiple entry visa requires you to leave the country every 90 days. So you have the time lost plus the cost to consider. You can get an extension of any entry you get with a multiple entry visa. You can leave and re-enter as many times as you want as long as the visa is valid. If you have a single entry you would have to get a re-entry permit every time you wanted to leave that would be valid for as long as your current extension is valid.

I assume you have already contacted the school you plan on attending and have asked these questions. They are the ones that can best answer your question about how easy it will be to get the extensions and etc.

With a single entry you won't have any problem with getting the extension depending upon the schools standing with the ministry of education. One of the schools that sponsers this forum has reported problems with getting the documentation from the MOE for the first extension before the 90 entry was runing out. It is not the fault of the school but the MOE is just slow.

You don't have to get a new visa after one year as long as you are still going to school and able to get extensions.

[bapak]

...

With a single entry you won't have any problem with getting the extension depending upon the schools standing with the ministry of education. One of the schools that sponsers this forum has reported problems with getting the documentation from the MOE for the first extension before the 90 entry was runing out. It is not the fault of the school but the MOE is just slow.

You don't have to get a new visa after one year as long as you are still going to school and able to get extensions.

What ubonjoe said above is good advice.... Not sure what the situation with MOE in Bangkok but in Pranburi documentation is available within days of submission by our school. And for sure, apply for Single Entry visa. Multi will mean a border run every 90 days.

Bapak