Getting into Thailand before the semester begins

[labuda]

Hi guys,

compared to the advanced visa hustling that seems to be going on here, this is probably an easy case so I hope you can help me

I am university student in my 20ies and in the fall semester I will do an exchange semester at Chula.

I plan to do that on a non-immigrant ED multiple entry visa.

The thing is that I would like to go to Thailand quite some time before the classes begin. Lectures start in August and I would like to go there in June. From what I know, I definitely need to have the Letter of Acceptance to apply for the visa.

But once I have that, can I come as much as 2 months earlier or does it have to be within a certain time window before the semester begins?

If the acceptance letter comes late or I can't come in on that visa before classes begin, what would be my options?

I am thinking of coming on a tourist visa in June and then get the non-immigrant visa in the region later. Is that as easy as getting multiple tourist visas or more of a headache?

Cheers,

labuda

[ubonjoe]

You don't need a multiple entry visa unless you want travel a good deal during your studies.

You can get a single entry non-ed visa and the apply for an extension of stay. And then get a re-entry permit for you trips out. You will find it easier to get a single entry than a multiple entry visa.

If you get a single entry and enter in June you would still be able to apply for the extension during the last 30 days of your 90 day entry. You should be able to apply for the ED visa in June even though the classes don't start till August.

You could get a single entry tourist visa also the would give you a 60 day entry and then extend the entry by 30 days at immigration. Then go out for a single entry non-ed at a nearby embassy or consulate.

[MikeENZ]

Ubonjoe. Probably not the best advice to give.

My girlfriend is a year long exchange student from UCSD studying at Thammasat.

Of the students there every single one who got a single entry regretted it and ended up upgrading to multi at immigration. You will have the option of either, the only difference is a tiny amount of cost. If you come from a first world uni, you won't have a problem with getting a multi entry.

Most students here are jetting off all the time, be it laos, cambodia, burma, vietnam etc.. and its not just the cost, but the hassle of going to immigration that drives them nuts. We've found especially with the protests going on that its far easier for the GF to just jet off every 3 months or border bounce than bother with immigration. I'm on a tourist visa, and its much, much harder.

Get your ED visa before you come. Your schools EAP advisor will sort you out (what school are you with?) then do it all on a ED visa. A year long ED visa will give you around 15 months if you time your entries right. You should be able to come as soon as your visa is approved.

[samran]

Ubonjoe. Probably not the best advice to give.

My girlfriend is a year long exchange student from UCSD studying at Thammasat.

Of the students there every single one who got a single entry regretted it and ended up upgrading to multi at immigration. You will have the option of either, the only difference is a tiny amount of cost. If you come from a first world uni, you won't have a problem with getting a multi entry.

Most students here are jetting off all the time, be it laos, cambodia, burma, vietnam etc.. and its not just the cost, but the hassle of going to immigration that drives them nuts. We've found especially with the protests going on that its far easier for the GF to just jet off every 3 months or border bounce than bother with immigration. I'm on a tourist visa, and its much, much harder.

Get your ED visa before you come. Your schools EAP advisor will sort you out (what school are you with?) then do it all on a ED visa. A year long ED visa will give you around 15 months if you time your entries right. You should be able to come as soon as your visa is approved.

Surely you can just get the re entry permit at the airport rather than muck around with all of that? Assuming they get the years extension first..

[ubonjoe]

It is his choice as to what he gets. I did state it was not needed unless he wanted to travel a lot.

Also he might of not been aware that a single entry with an extesnion was an option.

Not everybody has the funds or desire to "jet off" every 90 days.

[labuda]

wow, thanks for all the replies!

You should be able to apply for the ED visa in June even though the classes don't start till August.

You could get a single entry tourist visa also the would give you a 60 day entry and then extend the entry by 30 days at immigration. Then go out for a single entry non-ed at a nearby embassy or consulate.

This sounds very promising:

Essentially, I should be able get my ED visa and come to thailand as soon as I receive the letter of acceptance.

And even if I come as a tourist first, I can still get the ED visa in a nearby country. Would they give me a multiple entry one in Cambodia, Laos etc. or should I expect to only get single entry if I am not in my home country and in SEA?

As to single vs multiple entry: Not sure which one I will take yet. But single entry is definitely an option given that I don't plan to travel that much

[ubonjoe]

You will not get a multiple entry ED visa any where nearby.

The problem with the multiple entry visa is that you have to leave every 90 days and then if you decide to get the extension later it does you no good because you cannot use it. With the extension you can get a multiple re-entry permit and can travel when you want to.

If you get tourist visa you might not even have to leave to get the ED since you will be attending a university. They may have enough pull so you could do a change of visa status at immigration to get a non immigrant visa entry.

[labuda]

The problem with the multiple entry visa is that you have to leave every 90 days and then if you decide to get the extension later it does you no good because you cannot use it. With the extension you can get a multiple re-entry permit and can travel when you want to.

So if I get single entry + extension of stay + single or multiple re-entry permit, I have the same flexibility in leaving the country, but don't have the hassle of having to leave the country or report every 90days?

If you get tourist visa you might not even have to leave to get the ED since you will be attending a university. They may have enough pull so you could do a change of visa status at immigration to get a non immigrant visa entry.

That sounds vey sweet! I didn't even know such an option exists. Given that it is Chulalongkorn and that one of the bigger immigration bureaus is just next door in chamchuri square I might actually give this a try.

[ubonjoe]

You would still have to do the 90 day reports if you are in the country for 90 days. But you can do those by mail and not that big a deal to do in person.

The immigration office at Chamchuri square is only for those with BOI privileges. You would use Chaeng Wattana.

They often do the change of visa status for those doing studies at the university level.

[labuda]

You would still have to do the 90 day reports if you are in the country for 90 days. But you can do those by mail and not that big a deal to do in person.

The immigration office at Chamchuri square is only for those with BOI privileges. You would use Chaeng Wattana.

They often do the change of visa status for those doing studies at the university level.

Good to know and thanks again!

I will ask around to get a feeling on when i can expect the letter of acceptance. If it is too late I will enter as a tourist and try to upgrade the visa status at Chaeng Wattana.

Does changing the visa status come with any special fees or is it similiar to what I would pay if I get the non-ed from the start?

[ubonjoe]

It is 2000 baht for a non immigrant visa which is the same as you pay at an embassy or consulate. But in reality it will cheaper because of the exchange rates most embassies and consulates use.

[labuda]

I just got my official invitation letter and am doing my application for the NON-ED visa now.

One final question on the single versus multiple entry discussion:

Is it corect that if I get the multiple-entry one, i absolutely HAVE to leave every 90 days? Doing a report in Bangkok will then not be an option anymore?

[ubonjoe]

If you get a multiple entry visa you can still apply for an extension of stay during the last 30 days of any of the 90 day entries the visa allows.

But your visa would be of no use after that because if you used it to make an entry it would cancel your extension. You would need a re-entry permit to keep your extension valid if you wanted to travel.