Which Thai Embassy best to apply ED Visa

[Foxhound]

Hi Folks,

Earlier this year, I had a Non-B Biz Visa for six months to stay in Thailand. Subsequent extension did not work out, hence, since then I have been on back to back 30-day visa exempt entry stamp. Been doing this for couple of months and I thought its time to opt for a better option before trouble finds me. I have few more years before reaching retirement age.

After consulting a Visa Company, seems that getting a ED visa is the best option for me. I was told, if approved, I can get a 15 month Non-B ED Visa. The first visa which I will get is only for three months and I can get it extended at local immigration for another three months, followed by a nine months extension, is this correct?

Which Thai Embassy is the least hassle to get a ED visa? As in no question asked assuming all paper works are correctly submitted? I was told to do it in Laos, KL or Singapore.

I am also holding a Temporary Thai Driving License which will expire early next year. Can I apply for another five years extension using the ED visa?

Hope. I can get as much info from fellow people before I embark into action.

[ubonjoe]

KL is not issuing ED visas unless attending a university. Laos or Penang are good locations. Singapore not so good as they can be unpredictable.

How long extensions are will depend where you are living. It varies from immigration office to office.

You can renew your licence with any visa.

[aussiejon1604]

Hi. I have just organised my granted first 3 month ed visa in Sydney Australia because my Non-Imm O visa was due to expire. This is not where you posted but my school did suggest Loas at around 9000 Baht from Pattaya. The visa run guys would organise your hotel and assist you with your visa. I chose Australia as you need to leave Thailand anyway to do it and I wanted to come home for a few weeks.

My school has suggested that after my intial 3 months I will get a full 12 months on application giving me 15 months in total for the first visa. I have had no suggestion of the 3 months then 3 months as your post suggests. I will however have to report every 90 days at a cost of 1900 Baht.This might be where your 3 month intervals come in. The 1900 baht fee might be me applying for extensions every 90 days. It might be best to clarify this. I definitely will be after reading your post.

The most important information to supply apart from copies of your passport, residence and passport photos is the schools registration details, the schools licenses and a letter from the Thai goverment accepting you as a student. This letter is the one thing that governs the two to four week delay in getting your paperwork in order before submission for an ed visa. Its best to make arrangements at least 4 weeks before your current visa expires. If your school is reputable they should explain everything and ensure you have all the paperwork before you go. Its in their best interests and yours mainly because you will probably have to pay some of the tuition fees up front. Do some research on the schools. I chose PLC in Pattaya and they were very thorough and I got the visa no problem. You will get the ed visa if the school is on the ball. There are no financial statements to supply either.

As far as your license. I have a one year car license and after talking to other expats they have suggested that you can only renew your license for the period of your visa. Eg 1 year visa equals 1 year license renewal. I could be wrong and I am sure others on TVF will be quick to set the record straight if I am.

Hope this helps.

[ubonjoe]

Drivers licences are issued for either 1 or 5 years the length of your permit to stay makes no difference.

[aussiejon1604]

Drivers licences are issued for either 1 or 5 years the length of your permit to stay makes no difference.

Thanks for clearing that up. I will pass the info along. Is it true though that you can get a 1 year license but the 5 year is only available apon the 1 year's renewal?

[ubonjoe]

First year is a provisional 1 year license then 5 years after that.