Has anyone obtained a new ED visa after 3 years?

[NolaK]

The long version of the question:

Has anyone successfully obtained a new ED visa after 3 years?

The long version of the question:

I have attended years of language classes on an ED visa, the first year was at Walen and the second two years at Pro Language both in Chiang Mai.

I’d like to continue with my classes. I am still not great at Thai especially the writing and I also still have 2 years before I am old enough to get a retirement visa.

Pro Language says I can go out to Lao or Penyang and get a new ED visa and start the process over again with no problem (other than going to Lao and starting the process over again – ha ha). Hoverer just a few months ago they told me I could still do a third year at their school.

I am fine with either. However, I am not in a position to pay for next year’s classes and then be denied a visa because I got nervous and stepped on my own tongue when immigration asked me to write or chat about their legal forms, nor do I want to move at the last moment due to simple misinformation/miscommunications. If I am going to need to move to Siem Reap for 2 years with my entire household and dogs I would prefer it not be in a last minute rush because I was denied a visa. Plus, during that 2 years away, I’d no doubt forget all the Thai I have learned.

Anyway, I would like to hear from anyone who has successfully gotten a second ED Visa this way before I make any decisions.

I am earning my BA degree online and all these classes are starting to add up, so I am also open to any other options that don’t involve me hauling myself from San Kamphaeng to town twice a week on my Moped of Death, until I turn 50 of flying all over to renew a tourist visa once or twice a year.

Thanks all!

Nola

[davejones]

If you can go to Laos to start the ED visa process again, why don't you do that instead of moving to Siem Reap for 2 years. I'm not sure what you're finding difficult. Just hire a visa expert and get them to sort it out.

[NolaK]

If you can go to Laos to start the ED visa process again, why don't you do that instead of moving to Siem Reap for 2 years. I'm not sure what you're finding difficult. Just hire a visa expert and get them to sort it out.

I'm not sure what you're finding difficult either. Again, I would just like to hear from anyone who has successfully obtained a new ED visa after 3 years in this way, or knows if this is somewhat commonplace? I don't know myself of anyone who has done this and I have received some conflicting information from the school, as mentioned above. I do not feel a need to toss money to lawyers if this has been done successfully and is a normal practice. I'm looking for some basic conformation, then I will happily go to Lao, Penang or wherever. However, I don't think in a system filled with miscommunications that asking for just a little outside confirmation is that wild of an idea. Isn't that what forums can help with?

[darrendsd]

Yes I got my 4th year last month

It depends on the school for how many years students can study, some schools are given 3 and some 5 by the Education Dept

If your school is only giving 3 look for another one that will give 5, you can transfer schools for the remaining 2 years if needs be you just need to complete the paperwork to do this

[Mario2008]

Note that your study options are not limited to Thai language. As long as the school and its course are approved you will be fine with any other study.

[NolaK]

Yes I got my 4th year last month

It depends on the school for how many years students can study, some schools are given 3 and some 5 by the Education Dept

If your school is only giving 3 look for another one that will give 5, you can transfer schools for the remaining 2 years if needs be you just need to complete the paperwork to do this

Perfect. Thank you. I appreciate the reply and the peace of mind. That's just what I needed to know.

Cheers!

Nola

[PoodMaiDai]

Note that your study options are not limited to Thai language. As long as the school and its course are approved you will be fine with any other study.

I didn't know that.

How does immigration test you on another language? Seems like an easy way out for those not really going to school.

[PoodMaiDai]

Nola, as a worst case, just start the process all over OR head to Bali and get the 6 month tourist visa, that should be extendable to 9 months if you do it right. That will get you almost all the way through a year, then you can do it all over again. Not the cheapest route, but you don't have to worry about being grilled by immigration, which can be intimidating.

[falkan]

leave the country get a tourist visa, get a new passport, transfer the tourist visa to your new passport then convert the tourist to a ED visa would look like you just started with the classes ?

[willynoone]

I be in a school in Nonthaburi for 2 years before i change to Bangkok school, and Nonthaburi Immigration like to "test" student, many times..

Immigration come to school,and see if the student is really at school, talk to you there, take picture and 1 times video film us...

Might test you on you 90 days..

But really, i do think everyone can do the little "test".. They not monster that want you to fail so they can cancel your Visa...

Even so i have see a few got there Ed-Visa cancel, but that because they never come to school and learn...

The might start by asking you to write you name in Thai...

I do think that everyone after 3-4 times at school can do this, the first thing we start doing, and was told to practice at home was this,and it is Easy..

Then they ask you name, you age, what country you from, how long you be in Thailand, how long you study...

Ask where you live in Thailand..

Then they "might" ask a control questions like.

This year rain season is very cold/have snow ??

Or That car is blue (where it might be red)

And so on !!

To check if you understand them..

So don´t be that afraid about the test, if you go to school, you can do it...

About how many years on a ED-Visa, it is very strange, some schools say 9 years, some 5 years, some 3 years, i am on my 3 years, and next year, IF i want to keep on it, i be told by my new school i have to go out and get new ED-Visa again..

You can study many thing on ED-Visa, if English is not you main language, you can study English, many do this, as for many it is the second language they learn at there home and have it easy about it.. There is other language aw well, it is all up to the school..

You can study cooking...

I read about a few place have for studying muay thai..

And i am sure there is more...

Have you find out what to do...

[darrendsd]

About how many years on a ED-Visa, it is very strange, some schools say 9 years, some 5 years, some 3 years, i am on my 3 years, and next year, IF i want to keep on it, i be told by my new school i have to go out and get new ED-Visa again"

I didn't need to leave the country to obtain my 4th year, maybe you need to talk to your school again about this

[Mario2008]

The course of a school must be certified to obtain an extension of stay from immigration. The certification by the Ministry of Education determines how long you can study at the school. That is why some courses are 3 years, others 5 years or even longer.

But it is strange that in this case the OP has to get a new ED-visa. I would say he needs a new course.

[ESCAPIS]

I am exactly at the same situation.

Have studied for 4 years and now I am on my 5th and final year , as offered by ProLanguage in Asoke.

I still need 2 years to retire. There has been a mention of schools certified for longer than 5 years in above posts, could someone name them?

[Phronesis]

I am in a similar situation to the OP. I would also be interested in schools that offer longer than three years in Phuket.

[DowntownAl]

I've been going to Pro Language for 2 years now too. If there's one thing I've learned, they know what they're talking about. If you were told you can get a 3rd year extension you will get that. I've been told the same thing. When I went to Immigration last month for my extension (for my second year) I was a little tense since I'm in my mid 60s and many rumours about about being turned down (because as one of the girls said, "you're reallly, really old") or just being given a 90 day extension instead of the "normal" one year extension. So, I sat down with the girls at the front desk and whined about it, one of the girls offered to meet me at immigration the day of my appointment. When we sat down in front of the officer and he started pursuing the paperwork, she got his attention, wagged a finger at him and said "nèung bpee, nèung bpee", he nodded and I was given a full year extension. They're good folks at PL. Sit and talk out your concerns, they're very good at what they do, and for god's sake, toss all the hearsay and bar talk you've heard out the window, it''ll make your life a whole lot easier.

[Mario2008]

Remember that study is not limited to Thai language. You can always study something else, as long as the course is approved.

[falkan]

leave the country get a tourist visa, get a new passport, transfer the tourist visa to your new passport then convert the tourist to a ED visa would look like you just started with the classes ?

still no one tried this yet??

[lopburi3]

Visas are never transfered.

[falkan]

Visas are never transfered.

If got a tourist visa and getting a new passport sure they can transfer my tourist visa into my new passport?

[ubonjoe]

A visa will not be transfered you have to use both passports until the visa expires. On departure from the country immigration will stamp your entry/permitted to stay and then stamp you out of the country.

Change of visa status from a tourist visa to a ED visa entry at immigration are seldom done and if done it is normally only for university level studies.