http://learnthaicmu.com/1-year-thai

Apologies to those annoyed by me posting this because I have posted something similar recently but I really felt a new and more focused thread might be better...

I am thinking of applying for this course with CMU. Does anybody have any experience or knowledge that could be useful?

I have been informed that attendance is just 6 hours a week and this is OK with immigration?

I am going to speak with them tomorrow but wanted to get some feedback from people here too if possible.

Edited February 17, 201610 yr by Chesterpot

Suggest you read the terms and conditions associated with the course you are interested in.

Despite the "headline" you will note a 1 year "visa" is not available or offered ,

http://www.learnthaicmu.com/1-year-thai/10-1-year-thai-language-culture-program/6-non-immigrant-ed-terms

Suggest you read the terms and conditions associated with the course you are interested in.

Despite the "headline" you will note a 1 year "visa" is not available or offered ,

http://www.learnthaicmu.com/1-year-thai/10-1-year-thai-language-culture-program/6-non-immigrant-ed-terms

Understood mate but realistically can one expect a visa to be issued and fulfilled for its duration if the student attends all classes?

Suggest you read the terms and conditions associated with the course you are interested in.

Despite the "headline" you will note a 1 year "visa" is not available or offered ,

http://www.learnthaicmu.com/1-year-thai/10-1-year-thai-language-culture-program/6-non-immigrant-ed-terms

Understood mate but realistically can one expect a visa to be issued and fulfilled for its duration if the student attends all classes?

The course you are considering will only enable a single entry 90 day stay VISA thereafter you are dependent on "extensions of stay" (which are not VISAS)

To qualify for an "extension of stay" the terms and conditions associated with the course must be met .

Chesterpot, seeing that your are a relatively new member of Thaivisa I hope that you won't mind if I point out a gross error in your topic topic title, which mentions a "Chiang Mai University - 1 Year Visa Course". Following the link in your post I see that the course is about a "Thai Language and Culture course", not about a course teaching you about visa.

Having said that, immigration offices generally grant a one-year extension for study at a government university for a degree-earning course. If you are not taking this course as part of studies for a bachelor, master or doctor degree, it will be at the discretion of the Chiang Mai Immigration office whether to give you an extension of stay stay for one year or for shorter periods at time. Whichever will be the case, you should be able to stay in Chiang Mai for 12 months without having to leave the country, only the interval at which you will have to apply for extensions of stay, with documents supplied by the university, would differ.

I wish you success with your studies and an enjoyable sojourn in Thailand. I am sure you will enjoy living in Chiang Mai.

Suggest you read the terms and conditions associated with the course you are interested in.

Despite the "headline" you will note a 1 year "visa" is not available or offered ,

http://www.learnthaicmu.com/1-year-thai/10-1-year-thai-language-culture-program/6-non-immigrant-ed-terms

Understood mate but realistically can one expect a visa to be issued and fulfilled for its duration if the student attends all classes?

The course you are considering will only enable a single entry 90 day stay VISA thereafter you are dependent on "extensions of stay" (which are not VISAS)

To qualify for an "extension of stay" the terms and conditions associated with the course must be met .

Fully accepting the risk of coming across as a complete moron, if I attend the classes and study as appropriate is there a reasonable risk I will not qualify for an extension of stay?

Chesterpot, seeing that your are a relatively new member of Thaivisa I hope that you won't mind if I point out a gross error in your topic topic title, which mentions a "Chiang Mai University - 1 Year Visa Course". Following the link in your post I see that the course is about a "Thai Language and Culture course", not about a course teaching you about visa.

Having said that, immigration offices generally grant a one-year extension for study at a government university for a degree-earning course. If you are not taking this course as part of studies for a bachelor, master or doctor degree, it will be at the discretion of the Chiang Mai Immigration office whether to give you an extension of stay stay for one year or for shorter periods at time. Whichever will be the case, you should be able to stay in Chiang Mai for 12 months without having to leave the country, only the interval at which you will have to apply for extensions of stay, with documents supplied by the university, would differ.

I wish you success with your studies and an enjoyable sojourn in Thailand. I am sure you will enjoy living in Chiang Mai.

Thank you very much Maestro for your kind and insightful input. I would not be taking the course as part of any degree - this would be just be learning Thai language and culture living in Chiang Mai.

I understand it's at the discretion of immigration and I must try my hardest to fulfill their criteria. I am really not one to break immigration rules, I sincerely do want to learn and meet all the requirements necessary,

I have been living in Chiang Mai briefly as a tourist and would love to extend my stay here. I have the funds, I just wish to find a legal means of living here a while longer without having to hop around other countries.

EDIT - Apologies about the title, I understand that literally it is incorrect - I meant in layman's speak. My chain of thought is around learning Thai combined with a visa enabling me to stay here, hence the factually inappropriate title.

Edited February 17, 201610 yr by Chesterpot

If you sign up for the course primarily for the purpose of extending your stay in Thailand, you may be running into some trouble. One of the criteria being taken into consideration by immigration – a major criterion, in fact – is your attendance record and your progress in the study of the Thai language.

Tacking a course at a University should allow a one year extension because it is considered a formal school. Studies at a informal school such as a language school will only allow 90 day extensions.