I am in the process of researching and I am a bit confused after reading some of the topics, I see so many people talking about obtaining their ED visa from consulates or embassies in other countries.. like penong and running into so many problems... To my understanding thus far, this is not even required in the USA right? You can go a local consulate or embassy, within your current area before visitng Thailand to obtain the ED visa?

Edited October 22, 201411 yr by shawn22

You can get one from your home country before traveling to here. But you have to pay 50% of the tuition at most schools to get the required paperwork from them.

But some embassies and consulates have more stringent requirements than the ones near here.

Many people choose ot arrive here on tourist visas and then check out the schools in person before enrolling.

You can get one from your home country before traveling to here. But you have to pay 50% of the tuition at most schools to get the required paperwork from them.

But some embassies and consulates have more stringent requirements than the ones near here.

Many people choose ot arrive here on tourist visas and then check out the schools in person before enrolling.

Oh I see. Do you think applying within the home country would save a lot of time, effort, and potential headache than doing there (having to leave the country to visit an embassy)?

It would just save the time and expense of having to go out to get a visa after arriving here.

You would certainly want to do a lot of research online to select the best school for the area where you plan on living before paying the 50% tuition before getting the visa.

It would just save the time and expense of having to go out to get a visa after arriving here.

You would certainly want to do a lot of research online to select the best school for the area where you plan on living before paying the 50% tuition before getting the visa.

I absolutely will, thank you!

Much easier from your home country. I sent the school the full amount for the 100 hour course and they sent the paperwork for the consulate to give me a 6 month ED. Visa. I explained to the consular officer in Canada that I would later retire in Thailand, he offered me a one year ED. Visa for a slightly higher fee than the six months that the school requested. I took it, that was 5 years ago. I am still here.

That is not going to happen in any country close to Thailand.

Much easier from your home country. I sent the school the full amount for the 100 hour course and they sent the paperwork for the consulate to give me a 6 month ED. Visa. I explained to the consular officer in Canada that I would later retire in Thailand, he offered me a one year ED. Visa for a slightly higher fee than the six months that the school requested. I took it, that was 5 years ago. I am still here.

It depends on the "home country". Some are easy some are not. In France for example one is asked to show fund of EUR 20,000 and studying the full day every day.