Non-Imm Ed Visa From Singapore

[bklyn2bkk]

Just got back from Singapore and wanted to share my experience with acquiring a non-imm ED visa.

I've registered with a reputable language school in Bangkok and they provided me with all the documents needed to apply for an ED visa. In fact, they supplied me with some extra docs that were not part of the "required documents" list on the Thai Embassy Singapore website. The school also included a personalized letter to the embassy on my behalf.

Upon submitting all my paperwork to the window agent at the embassy, I was informed that they now also require a "tax clearance certificate" from the school. This is also referred to as "paaw ngaww daaw" in thai. Without this document, they would not accept my application. And since the embassy is only open until 11:30AM each day for visa applications, I needed to hustle. After contacting my school, who was also completely unaware of this new requirement, they were able to fax me a copy and I was able to submit my application around 11:10AM the same morning. Phew!

Fortunately, everything worked out and I was issued a single-entry non-imm ED visa the following day. I had wanted to point out to the window agent at the embassy that their website made no mention of the tax document in their list of documents needed for ED visa application, but decided not to push my luck.

I hope this info is helpful for anyone planning on applying for ED visa in Singapore.

P.S. Despite the visa hassle, a few days in Singapore (i.e. cleanliness, order, and western conveniences) does 'a body good!

[Maestro]

Very useful information about this new development. Thank you for posting it.

[4evermaat]

you went through all of that just for a single entry ED visa? Seems a bit much.

[bklyn2bkk]

you went through all of that just for a single entry ED visa? Seems a bit much.

This is the standard procedure for obtaining a non-imm ED visa. My understanding is that most embassies will not issue a multi-entry for a language student. The only part of the whole process that was out-of-the-norm was the required tax document. I agree with you that it is "a bit much" to go through to obtain a visa, but with no other long-term options, it is the only visa choice I have.

[4evermaat]

This is the standard procedure for obtaining a non-imm ED visa. My understanding is that most embassies will not issue a multi-entry for a language student. The only part of the whole process that was out-of-the-norm was the required tax document. I agree with you that it is "a bit much" to go through to obtain a visa, but with no other long-term options, it is the only visa choice I have.

I guess using the honarary consulates in USA, I take for granted. Depending on who you went through, you just needed to fill out the visa application along with passport photos, fee, and letter of invitation. Just re-uped for another year about 2 months ago, right around the time where the "crackdowns" started occurring at the consulates in the region. I just have to do a visa run every 3 months. Need to go get me one of those jumbo towel blankets anyway....I cannot find them anywhere in thailand. Not the same thickness or size (70 x 90).