Renewing ed visa in Vientiane

[Ned]

A friend of mine is going to Vientiane tomorrow night to renew his ed visa. His current one (he's had it for almost three years) expires in August. He doesn't anticipate a problem with getting another one for another three years.......and I hope he's right.

I asked him if he has a Re Entry Permit just in case he is refused. He doesn't have one.

Would they give him a Tourist Visa in the event that they refuse him a new ed visa?

Thanks

[craigp]

Do you know if he's ever been tested on his Thai? Or been asked for proof of attendance etc?

[Colabamumbai]

They always gave me one if I was missing a document.

[Colabamumbai]

Do you know if he's ever been tested on his Thai? Or been asked for proof of attendance etc?

Has nothing to do with getting a visa or an extension.

[ubonjoe]

A ED visa is only valid for 90 days or one year if it ia a multiple entry.. I assume he has been getting extensions of stay at immigration. There is no 3 year limit on an ED visa entry.

He can continue his extensions of stay for as long as he can get the supporting documents for it.

He should not a have a problem getting another visa because he does not have one that is valid. His extension of stay will end as soon as he leaves the country.

[craigp]

Do you know if he's ever been tested on his Thai? Or been asked for proof of attendance etc?

Has nothing to do with getting a visa or an extension.

He was asking about if he might be refused. These are reasons he might be refused, are they not?

[Tokay]

There is no 3 year limit on an ED visa entry.

Some of the schools now suggest that after 3 years on ED that you leave Thailand for a while before replying for a new one, as there is now a risk of being denied on back to back ED after 3 years. Magic number I suppose. Of course it's always up to each Embassy or Consulate. I know someone going through this right now and he was told to go out for a while, then go to Laos, as they usually only deny Chinese applicants for ED.

[Tokay]

Do you know if he's ever been tested on his Thai? Or been asked for proof of attendance etc?

For applying for a new visa, that shouldn't be an issue. Just on check-ins have they been testing ED holders, and usually with basic conversation.

[jan2557]

I was on a series of ED visas for close to 2 years -- mid 2011 to early 2013 -- and not once did an immigration official ever try to test me. In fact, I don't even remember any official addressing me in Thai during the times I was applying for a visa or doing a 90-day check-in.

[ubonjoe]

There is no 3 year limit on an ED visa entry.

Some of the schools now suggest that after 3 years on ED that you leave Thailand for a while before replying for a new one, as there is now a risk of being denied on back to back ED after 3 years. Magic number I suppose. Of course it's always up to each Embassy or Consulate. I know someone going through this right now and he was told to go out for a while, then go to Laos, as they usually only deny Chinese applicants for ED.

You do not do back to back visas. You are applying for extensions of stay based upon attending school.

Perhaps what the schools are saying is because the course of study they offer does not qualify for additional extensions of stay you go out for a new visa and start the same course of study all over again.

There are language schools that can offer up to 5 years for studying Thai language.

You can also change to a different language to study without needing a new visa.

[craigp]

I was on a series of ED visas for close to 2 years -- mid 2011 to early 2013 -- and not once did an immigration official ever try to test me. In fact, I don't even remember any official addressing me in Thai during the times I was applying for a visa or doing a 90-day check-in.

Chiang Mai Immigration told me they would be testing me in Thai had I chosen to do the ED visa for a second year. (I won't be) But they never tested me during the first year. They did ask me once how well I could speak Thai, I just replied 'nid noi mak mak' with a smile and that was that.