Ed Visa Questions

[DegenFarang]

I was told if I signed up for 180 classes for 30k baht or so that I'd get a 12 month education visa. I've been going to 10 hours a week of classes for the four weeks they processed my application, it was approved, and now I have my documents.

I went to setup a visa run with Jack Golf and was told there is no Thai Embassy or Consulate in Poipet, I have to stay in a hotel there for 2 days, while they go apply for me - I have to pay 8,000 baht - and the kicker, only 2/10 of the applications they process are even approved!

So I'm thinking going to another city might be a better option? Anybody have experience with this. My Visa expires in like 2 days I need to figure this one out quickly.

How long does this take and what are my odds of success if I went direct to Phlom Pen, KL or Singapore instead?

Thanks for any advice or past experiences!

[lopburi3]

Probably KL is your best option. School should advise you.

[Penkoprod]

Does this visa run have to be done EVERY year that you apply for extensions?

Or will the same visa do, and its just a case of going to immigration every 90 days thereafter?

Penkoprod

[DegenFarang]

So far as I've been told a visa run is not required every 90 days - just a visit to immigration every 90 days. After one year it can be extended (up to 3 years?) - though I'm not sure if you have to leave after a year.

This is what the school has told me I can't attest to the accuracy of any of it.

I think I'll book a flight to either KL or Singapore for next week to do this. Anybody know which of these process faster or which is better?

Did I fall for some scam here or what?

[lopburi3]

It is not a scam in that you can obtain 3 month extensions of stay for language learning - but you can not obtain the normal one year extension of stay. So you will have to visit Immigration every 90 days with 1,900 baht and a new TM.7/school record to extend for another 90 days. You will not have to leave the country.

KL is better than Singapore by most accounts. Submit in morning and pick up next workday.

[Penkoprod]

If you look on their website if they have one it should state you need to do ONE visa run at the start of the course.

If one needs additional yearly visa runs the course gets extended for further years is what i was trying to find out as none of the schools sites i looked at mentioned further years:

If you paid 30,000 then its a little on the expensive side, but not scam level. Depends on the school really

Look for the sponsors links here on forum for things like costs etc

Air Asia are quite cheap flight wise, with KL probably the cheaper option acommodation wise i would think

Penkoprod

[MacWalen]

Probably KL is your best option. School should advise you.

We recommend Laos, Vientiane. KL and Malaysia in general was never a problem. You cannot get an ED visa issued at the border crossing neither you can any other type of visa other than a VOA. We always inform that students need to go to a Thai consulate or embassy. The information is also on our website in the visa section.

Walen School

www.thaiwalen.com

[MacWalen]

Does this visa run have to be done EVERY year that you apply for extensions?

Or will the same visa do, and its just a case of going to immigration every 90 days thereafter?

Penkoprod

You need to get ED visa only once, after that you can continue with the Walen school for 10 years. No need to go anywhere, just making extensions.

Walen School

[MacWalen]

So far as I've been told a visa run is not required every 90 days - just a visit to immigration every 90 days. After one year it can be extended (up to 3 years?) - though I'm not sure if you have to leave after a year.

This is what the school has told me I can't attest to the accuracy of any of it.

I think I'll book a flight to either KL or Singapore for next week to do this. Anybody know which of these process faster or which is better?

Did I fall for some scam here or what?

For Thai you can extend your visa for the total of 3 years, after that you would need to learn other languages, but you can do it for 10 years at the Walen school. The information you were given is accurate.

Walen School

[MacWalen]

If you look on their website if they have one it should state you need to do ONE visa run at the start of the course.

If one needs additional yearly visa runs the course gets extended for further years is what i was trying to find out as none of the schools sites i looked at mentioned further years:

If you paid 30,000 then its a little on the expensive side, but not scam level. Depends on the school really

Look for the sponsors links here on forum for things like costs etc

Air Asia are quite cheap flight wise, with KL probably the cheaper option acommodation wise i would think

Penkoprod

This is not accurate, the current price is 27,900 Baht not 30,000. We are actually a Thai school so you do not 'pay just for visa' but you get quality Thai course and visa assistance is provided free of charge.

Walen School

[Penkoprod]

If you look on their website if they have one it should state you need to do ONE visa run at the start of the course.

If one needs additional yearly visa runs the course gets extended for further years is what i was trying to find out as none of the schools sites i looked at mentioned further years:

If you paid 30,000 then its a little on the expensive side, but not scam level. Depends on the school really

Look for the sponsors links here on forum for things like costs etc

Air Asia are quite cheap flight wise, with KL probably the cheaper option acommodation wise i would think

Penkoprod

This is not accurate, the current price is 27,900 Baht not 30,000. We are actually a Thai school so you do not 'pay just for visa' but you get quality Thai course and visa assistance is provided free of charge.

Walen School

That 30,000 figure was quoted by the OP and all i said it was a little on the high side. And, quite where you see i said that "you just pay for visa" has me even more puzzled, .

I have emboldened the OP's remarks in case you have problems with it.

I was told if I signed up for 180 classes for 30k baht or so that I'd get a 12 month education visa. I've been going to 10 hours a week of classes for the four weeks they processed my application, it was approved, and now I have my documents.

Penkoprod

[DegenFarang]

Probably KL is your best option. School should advise you.

We recommend Laos, Vientiane. KL and Malaysia in general was never a problem. You cannot get an ED visa issued at the border crossing neither you can any other type of visa other than a VOA. We always inform that students need to go to a Thai consulate or embassy. The information is also on our website in the visa section.

Walen School

www.thaiwalen.com

Thanks for the reply Mac. And yours is a good school. I am enjoying the classes. If I might give you some negative feedback though, they focus WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too much on the alphabet and NOT NEARLY ENOUGH on how to speak. I want to learn how to speak Thai. Writing and spelling it would be nice but first and foremost I want to speak it.

I'm going to complete my 180 hours with you but I am going to take private lessons on the side as well just focused on speaking.

Great school though, and fantastic instructors. Very professional all around.

Looks like I will go to Laos, I've been wanting to visit there anyway.

[DegenFarang]

Penkoprod

That might seem expensive just for a Visa - but they do a lot of work for you getting the visa, a lot of it. And on top of that you get 180 hours of high quality classroom education. Seems like a fair price to me. You might be able to get it cheaper from some shady place who doesn't expect you to go to school, but I for one hate those because they put a cloud over the whole industry. People should be actually going to classes to get their Visa - and if you spend that much time in one place, you probably want a high quality school.

So whats the best way to go to Vienetene or whatever. Do a Jack Golf 2 day run or what? Or fly there? I've never been.

[MacWalen]

Correct me if I am wrong, but do you go to Laos to get a new ED visa? If so the good news is that you do not need to get a new one if you want to continue for the second year. You can use the same one, all you need is new paperwork from the Ministry of Education and with that you will be able to extend it, no need to leave the country.

Regarding the spelling, we do spell words before we make questions with them in books 1 and 2 and it should not take much time, in book 3 we do not spell words anymore. I observe lessons regularly and there it a lot of speaking taking place, I am not sure what class you were in but if a class is not spelling well then it is possible to go a little too slow and thus not have enough speaking time. Fortunately students should be getting faster and faster with every lesson. We believe that without knowing the Thai alphabet very well it will be difficult to make a fast progress later.

I will look into it, was it too slow with every teacher or with just some? Lesson should be moving like a Shakespeare play without a boring second. That is the idea, not always easy to implement unfortunately. Thanks for the feedback.

Walen School - Never A Boring Day

www.thaiwalen.com

[Penkoprod]

Penkoprod

That might seem expensive just for a Visa - but they do a lot of work for you getting the visa, a lot of it. And on top of that you get 180 hours of high quality classroom education. Seems like a fair price to me. You might be able to get it cheaper from some shady place who doesn't expect you to go to school, but I for one hate those because they put a cloud over the whole industry. People should be actually going to classes to get their Visa - and if you spend that much time in one place, you probably want a high quality school.

So whats the best way to go to Vienetene or whatever. Do a Jack Golf 2 day run or what? Or fly there? I've never been.

Why dont people ACTUALLY read what people say???

You said you were paying 30,000 for a course in Thai....right??

I said thats a little on the high side...right???

Then macwalen chipped in with his part about his school charging only "27,900 Baht not 30,000" to more or less agree with me that 30,000 was too high....right???

NOWHERE did i say that what Wahlen is charging was expensive (unless you are paying THEM the 30,000 that is)

Maybe the pair of you should take an ENGLISH class together !!!!!

Penkoprod

[DegenFarang]

Correct me if I am wrong, but do you go to Laos to get a new ED visa? If so the good news is that you do not need to get a new one if you want to continue for the second year. You can use the same one, all you need is new paperwork from the Ministry of Education and with that you will be able to extend it, no need to leave the country.

Regarding the spelling, we do spell words before we make questions with them in books 1 and 2 and it should not take much time, in book 3 we do not spell words anymore. I observe lessons regularly and there it a lot of speaking taking place, I am not sure what class you were in but if a class is not spelling well then it is possible to go a little too slow and thus not have enough speaking time. Fortunately students should be getting faster and faster with every lesson. We believe that without knowing the Thai alphabet very well it will be difficult to make a fast progress later.

I will look into it, was it too slow with every teacher or with just some? Lesson should be moving like a Shakespeare play without a boring second. That is the idea, not always easy to implement unfortunately. Thanks for the feedback.

Walen School - Never A Boring Day

www.thaiwalen.com

What is slowing down the lessons is us having to spell out each word each time. But the lessons do go fast, very fast. As I thought probable, you have a reason for the alphabet emphasis - it will make it easier later. Carry on then. I for one look forward to every lesson. Nice looking faculty too

SOMEBODY PLEASE CONFIRM

If I go to Laos with my Walen ED Visa documents and take them to the Thai embassy, I can get the visa there. Mac you seem to have said this is good then said 'correct me if I am wrong'. I need to know quickly, I"m already on overstay with my current visa.

Thanks

[lopburi3]

If you are on overstay the normal advise is fly out. You could be checked on the way to border and arrested. Probably will not happen but be aware overstay is not always a 'wink and grin' experience.

[MacWalen]

You will get your ED visa if you go to a Thai embassy in Vientiane, positive.

Walen School

[DegenFarang]

If you are on overstay the normal advise is fly out. You could be checked on the way to border and arrested. Probably will not happen but be aware overstay is not always a 'wink and grin' experience.

Is this correct? I already booked my bus ticket to Laos.

I have seen many people in poipet paying for overstay. They even had an overstay and non-overstay line - and the overstay line was longer!

I don't want to get f'n arrested though - but I hate flying. Jesus you just scared the hel_l out of me. What are the odds of me getting arrested. FWIW I will be about one week overstay when I go. And the reason for my overstay is I have doctor appointments scheduled and just had dental surgery etc. Maybe if I bring proof of this that will help me?

fuc_k - SCARED FARANG RIGHT NOW

[lopburi3]

There will not be a problem at the border - it is regular police checks that can be. But the chance is very low and have not seen any recent reports - believe police have been told to cool it in this regard but there is always the chance of someone having an issue.

You could apply for an extension of stay for medical reasons - have doctor prepare paperwork explaining and take to Immigration and they may accept that - although doctor appointments can normally be scheduled around a visa trip so it may depend on there doctors opinion of your condition.

[johnefallis]

Don't shake in your boots, the odds are very low you get checked and arrested, unfortunately the form of transportation you are most likely to get checked on is the bus (checkpoints). I found that the train is the best way to go about the Vientiane, Laos visa run (2nd class sleeper), in your case the best advice came from Mac Whalen to fly out. One other option is that it is possible to get a medical visa without leaving Thailand (60 days), but I understand that the institution must make the request for you. Otherwise nobody cares much, you can fly out cheaper. Whatever method you choose, just go, and take your 500 baht per day with you because they will want it at the border!

Good luck!

P.S. Thanks for the good responses Mac, I'm looking forward to also attending your school next time I come back to Thailand. I've been watching things closely the last year here and am thoroughly impressed with your operation.

John

[MacWalen]

Thanks John, good to hear that. Looking forward to seeing you at the Walen school. Soon there will be 4 choices of locations, 2 in Bangkok, Pattaya and Chaing Mai.

Walen School

www.thaiwalen.com

[DegenFarang]

60 day medical visa extension will be no problem at all. Thank you for that information sir. That is exactly what I'm going to do.

[DegenFarang]

Thanks John, good to hear that. Looking forward to seeing you at the Walen school. Soon there will be 4 choices of locations, 2 in Bangkok, Pattaya and Chaing Mai.

Walen School

www.thaiwalen.com

Ok but shorter skirts na krab?

[granuaile]

Thanks for the reply Mac. And yours is a good school. I am enjoying the classes. If I might give you some negative feedback though, they focus WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY too much on the alphabet and NOT NEARLY ENOUGH on how to speak. I want to learn how to speak Thai. Writing and spelling it would be nice but first and foremost I want to speak it.

I'm going to complete my 180 hours with you but I am going to take private lessons on the side as well just focused on speaking.

Great school though, and fantastic instructors. Very professional all around.

Looks like I will go to Laos, I've been wanting to visit there anyway.

It's good to see this. I too really want to study Thai language and culture, and I registered for classes at Walen.

I received the papers from Walen sometime back and I just applied last week for my visa, with the consulate having jurisdiction over my state here in the US. I have butterflies in my stomach though waiting to get it back. Hopefully it will be approved. I had thought maybe to send it to one of the honorary consuls as advised here but I never received a response from them to my email asking for information about applying so sent it to the consulate. If it isn't approved I suppose I will buy an onward round-trip ticket to Kuala Lumpur or maybe Jakarta (does anyone know if Jakarta is a problematic place to get a visa) and reschedule teh starting date for my courses.

Anyway it is nice to see this recommendation of the school. I want to learn written Thai as much as spoken. I am hoping if I locate to a mostly Thai neighborhood such as Ngamwongwan or Lakrabang or other place it will help the spoken. My last trip to BKK, I really felt uncomfortable gettiong on vans sometimes not being able to read the signs. But that could make for an adventure.

Looking forward to the next year at least studying Thai language,....

Macwalen, you indicated that Walen teaches other languages. I am interested in learning other Asian languages once my Thai is proficient. I have studied only Chinese in the past, but am interested in many languages. On the website I had just seen mention of English and Thai.

Grace

[granuaile]

Thanks John, good to hear that. Looking forward to seeing you at the Walen school. Soon there will be 4 choices of locations, 2 in Bangkok, Pattaya and Chaing Mai.

Walen School

www.thaiwalen.com

Can you say where the other location in BKK will be? If someone has already applied are they restricted to classes at the Sukhumvit site?

Granuaile

[MacWalen]

I cannot tell you till we sign a contract for the new place and this has not been done yet but expect to do it within this month, after I can tell you about the new location. If students would like to move from one location to another no problem.

Walen School

[alin]

How much space do the 90-day extensions for the ED visa take in a passport?

Are these the same size as the tourist visa extensions?

[lopburi3]

All extension of stay stamps will be about the same size but may contain other printed stamps so likely to cover at least half page or more. It will vary from office to officer.

[alin]

Thank you, Lopburi3. How about the re-entry stamps? I've seen some pics on Google, but I'm not clear about their size. Do they take a whole page, or is there still some place around for entry-exit stamps or even an extension?