Ed Visa and the downside

[tmaker]

hi

just checking.

seems this type of Visa rules are tighten up .

anyone can provide a link or information on the latest rules ?

also, AS USUAL LOS do not mean LO sMILES ..

where to go to for a Bona Fide course ?

thanks guys...

[nowretired]

You should post the question here http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/forum/182-language-school-courses/

[Kitsune]

Rules wise anything goes with ED visa.

It depends where you are, BKK and Pattaya is pretty bad, the mood of the officer, and how much you are prepared to bribe.

Bona fide school does not mean anything anymore. The so-called "best schools" have been raided by immigration, the school did not tell the students that "rules have changed" until the last minute, leaving them in the pooh with immigration not granting extensions or for extortionate amount.

Only one rule: Talk to the students and ask how they get on with extensions.

[tmaker]

Rules wise anything goes with ED visa.

It depends where you are, BKK and Pattaya is pretty bad, the mood of the officer, and how much you are prepared to bribe.

Bona fide school does not mean anything anymore. The so-called "best schools" have been raided by immigration, the school did not tell the students that "rules have changed" until the last minute, leaving them in the pooh with immigration not granting extensions or for extortionate amount.

Only one rule: Talk to the students and ask how they get on with extensions.

lol...Pattaya.

intended to go there as it is nearest to my place.

seems also these are Visa -Factory instead of 'real' school....

[ubonjoe]

The big change it that the Ministry of Education now requires 8 hours of study a week to issue the documents to apply for an extension. Most schools now only offer 400 hours for a one year course of study.

Next is that you can only get 90 day extensions up to one year from the date you enter the country on a ED visa.

[Kitsune]

Rules wise anything goes with ED visa.

It depends where you are, BKK and Pattaya is pretty bad, the mood of the officer, and how much you are prepared to bribe.

Bona fide school does not mean anything anymore. The so-called "best schools" have been raided by immigration, the school did not tell the students that "rules have changed" until the last minute, leaving them in the pooh with immigration not granting extensions or for extortionate amount.

Only one rule: Talk to the students and ask how they get on with extensions.

lol...Pattaya.

intended to go there as it is nearest to my place.

seems also these are Visa -Factory instead of 'real' school....

There are lots of posters who have reported having to pay 5K (instead of 1900B) for extension in Pattaya.

They started by giving students the choice "pay 1.9K but we will go to school and check you're there, or pay 5K and we won't say anything "lol

Then they realized people were actually going to school,so they stop doing that and just ask 5K.

Visa factory versus "real school" is an urban myth created by schools to make you pay more. In practice no language school has ever ratted on its students' absenteeism, (they would lose their last students) so they are all potential visa mills.

Now prices having doubled in a year, students enrolling are actually serious about learning, but it does not make any difference, you are still treated like pond life in BKK unless you pay 5k and then it's all smiles and VIP service.

[Kitsune]

The most expensive schools are putting money on marketing and flash premises, definitely not on teachers qualifications.

I went once to a trial of a very famous school: the girl that called herself "teacher" never raised her gaze to the students. For the whole hour she just read from her textbook. No student-teacher interaction, no possibility to practice or say anything, no phonetic, no listening exercises, no oral or written, production, no roleplay of real situations,even the possibility to ask a question, just a mono-cord voice that reads a book for an hour like it was done in the 1950's.

[tmaker]

The most expensive schools are putting money on marketing and flash premises, definitely not on teachers qualifications.

I went once to a trial of a very famous school: the girl that called herself "teacher" never raised her gaze to the students. For the whole hour she just read from her textbook. No student-teacher interaction, no possibility to practice or say anything, no phonetic, no listening exercises, no oral or written, production, no roleplay of real situations,even the possibility to ask a question, just a mono-cord voice that reads a book for an hour like it was done in the 1950's.

yea

that's the worry about this type of 'teachers'...

[Bellacissa]

For what it's worth, I'm in a language school in Pattaya. I was told by the school that as of today, the "VIP Service" (pay 5000 baht and get your 90 day extension hassle free) has been eliminated. You pay 1900 baht and get a 15 day stamp. In those 15 days, you must attend 8 hours of class per week - 2 hours a day, four days a week. If immigration stops by and you're not there, your remaining 75 days will not be granted and you will have to leave the Kingdom.

I do attend classes regularly, so it's not that big of a deal for me, but I have to say that the VIP service was worth the extra baht. If only to avoid half a day of sitting at immigration and wondering what kind of mood the officer is in. Now, I get to make two trips to immigration instead. Oh, joy...