Hey,

I was wondering if anyone can fill me in on the current ED-visa rules.

I first got my ED visa in KL in June last year, the visa in my passport doesn't contain any kind of expiration date,

When I entered Thailand I was stamped in for 3 months, which I then extended and was granted another 5 months, which I then extended and was granted another 8 months.

Those 8 months are due to expire in a few months. I was wondering if it's likely to get extended again or rejected?

I attend a recognised school and attend every class, but there its still alot to learn esp. with reading and writing.

I've heard you can only extend 3 times... but then I also have friends here who have extended 3 times but been stamped in for around a year each time, totalling 3 yrs against my 15 months

Can anyone clue me in on the current situation

Cheers

Chris

You should be able to get new extensions of stay as long as you continue studying and the school gives you the necessary paperwork for the extensions.

1. All visas have an expiration date on them. There should be two dates - one the date issued and the other the date by which it must be used. If a single entry 2,000 baht visa that would be 90 days after issue.

2. Normal extensions for part time study of Thai language is 3 months each time. You also say 3+5+8 = 15 months total which is not my math. Normally full time university type study would be one year extensions each time.

1. All visas have an expiration date on them. There should be two dates - one the date issued and the other the date by which it must be used. If a single entry 2,000 baht visa that would be 90 days after issue.

2. Normal extensions for part time study of Thai language is 3 months each time. You also say 3+5+8 = 15 months total which is not my math. Normally full time university type study would be one year extensions each time.

Well i'm not making this stuff up, my visa, which i am looking at right now (the printed sticker in my passport) contains the following info:

type of visa - no-imm

category - ED

no. of entry - s

fee - 220rm

issued at - kuala lumpur

date of issue - 8 june 2011

enter before - 7 sept 2011

passport no - 3037*****

no. of accompanying children - 0

remarks - blank

authorised signature - signed

Other than a simple typing error on my behalf (16 not 15) the other information provided is also correct, thus why I came to this forum.

entered kingdom on 09 June 2011, admitted until 06 sept 2011

Extension of stay granted on 5 sept 2011, admitted until 8 Feb 2012

Extension of stay granted on 3 Feb 2012, admitted until 8 Oct 2012

3+5+8=16

Any info based on this greatly appreciated...

How long you can study and get extensions at the same school depends on the course and approval of the ministry of education. Some courses are approved for 3 years and some for 5 years or longer.

One can always go and take another course and continue to study when a course has ended.

enter before - 7 sept 2011

That is the visa expiration date - the date it can last be used for entry.

Those are very unusual extension dates and extensions do not normally have (admitted) in there wording - it is an extension of stay permitted up to specific date - did they correspond to class study semesters perhaps? As said there is no specific limit of 3 extensions but it might help to know what location this is at and the school (at least type).

Thanks for the responses,

The school is a private school licensed by the ministry of education in Phuket,

and yes the dates on the stamps in passport don't seem logical. as its a private school I study every week, with the exception of songkran there's no holidays/end of terms....

I would assume that as long as the school gives me the necessary paperwork it shouldn't be an issue extending again, as i haven't been in the kingdom very long, but there must come a day when it won't be extended again. I hope i'm fluent by then!!

OK Phuket has been known for strange extensions of stay for language study - up to full year - while other immigration offices changed to 3 months several years ago.

As said if you can no longer stay for learning Thai you could for something else and still continue Thai as you do not require the visa to enroll in language study.

Ok sounds very strange? Im in Phuket and I did ED visa in Penang,Malaysia.Get 90 days at the border when I went back.After this first 90 days I went to Phuket immigration and get another 9 month..That makes it a total of 12month and thats what it should be.I have to go every 90 days and make a what the call a notification of residence.But If you get that long good for you,don´t ask immigration if its correct or not,just enjoy.

Edited May 25, 201214 yr by crille30