How Many Entries Can I Get from the Thai Embassy in USA?

[eldragon]

I'm a US citizen. How many entries can I get on a tourist visa issued in USA? I assume it's at least two, but can I get three? I'm traveling to USA, then coming back for a short, potentially six month course. The course may end up being a little longer. I'm just wondering if it's worth it to get an ED visa or if I should just come in on a tourist visa. Tourist visa seems to give you a little more freedom as it doesn't require you to be bound to the school and allows you to leave the country with a re-entry permit.

Also, do I need to apply for the ED visa when I'm in USA? The school is telling me yes, but I'd always heard you could convert a tourist visa to an ED visa if you had sufficient time remaining on the visa.

[ubonjoe]

There have been reports of the embassy in DC and the consulates issuing 3 entry tourist visas.

You could get re-entry permits if you wanted to leave the country during the 60 day entries the visa gives. It does not add any time to your stay it only keeps the 60 day permit to stay valid when your re-enter the country.

In my opinion it is best get a tourist visa and then check out a few schools before you decide on one. You can attend school on a tourist visa.

A good option is to get a multiple entry non-ed visa in the states that would give you 90 day entries for a year.

You cannot covert to a ED visa here. You would need to go to a nearby embassy or consulate to get a single entry non-o visa.

[eldragon]

There have been reports of the embassy in DC and the consulates issuing 3 entry tourist visas.

You could get re-entry permits if you wanted to leave the country during the 60 day entries the visa gives. It does not add any time to your stay it only keeps the 60 day permit to stay valid when your re-enter the country.

In my opinion it is best get a tourist visa and then check out a few schools before you decide on one. You can attend school on a tourist visa.

A good option is to get a multiple entry non-ed visa in the states that would give you 90 day entries for a year.

You cannot covert to a ED visa here. You would need to go to a nearby embassy or consulate to get a single entry non-o visa.

Is the process different if it's a university? B/c I have several friend that go to uni and claim they converted in TH. Anyway, I already have a school in mind. I'm just not sure if an ED visa is worth all the hassle and inevitable confusion.

How do I apply for the multiple entry non-ed visa? Are there any requirements? It's basically a one year visa that requires me to leave every 90 days?

[ubonjoe]

It is different for a University because they can get one year extension because they are considered formal schools. Language schools fall under the non-formal schools and you only get 90 day extensions and have to go out for a new every year.

For the multiple entry ED visa the paperwork would be the same as the single entry. The best place to get one in the states would be at a honorary consulate in person (no mail in applications are allowed).

List of honorary consulates with contact info here: Honorary consulates in US.pdf

They also would be a good place to get your tourist visa if you decide on that option.

[eldragon]

It is different for a University because they can get one year extension because they are considered formal schools. Language schools fall under the non-formal schools and you only get 90 day extensions and have to go out for a new every year.

For the multiple entry ED visa the paperwork would be the same as the single entry. The best place to get one in the states would be at a honorary consulate in person (no mail in applications are allowed).

List of honorary consulates with contact info here: Honorary consulates in US.pdf

They also would be a good place to get your tourist visa if you decide on that option.

It's odd that none of those are in the Midwest part of USA. Oh, well. Thank you, sir.

[tlock]

FWIW I've gotten triple entry tourist visas from Washington DC, Houston, and LA in the past.