Visiting Thailand to look for Language Program at Thai University.

[amcab718]

So first of all, i have been saving for a while. Want to study in Thailand, but i am currently finishing my bachelors in I.T., What i would like to do is the following:

1. Visit Thailand for a period of time 3 to 6 months. ( Find a Language program i will be comfortable with, as doing it online doesn't sit well with me because i want quality )**

2. I will be staying in Chiang Mai, I need to find an apartment. ( Also do not want to do it online, as i want to be comfortable with my choice of accommodations )**

3. After I have found a program, I will enroll, most likely on dates around the expiration of my Tourist Visa so as to prolong my stay and enjoy my time for a bit getting to know the city before beginning course)

4. I will be arriving January 2017 so i have sometime, I will graduate May 2017 from University here in America (my last semester online, will not attend graduation ) will immediately start language program as dates available nearest after my graduation.

So brief recap, apply around September or November (Tourist Visa), Arrive January, look for residence and choice of school. Apply for Ed Visa for 1 year. (Can i do this while living in Thailand )

I have looked at multiple sites and i get various information about how to go about this. Given the changes and that i have not been to Thailand before what should i do. (I know i should visit first to see if i like it) Fortunately, i have been in various countries (Europe, Latin America and don't mind being far from home so that wont be an issue, and i have been thinking of this for a while and have my mind made up to go through with this. I have enough savings to fly back and forth multiple times a year, or even better surrounding countries as i want to travel a bit also since i will be around many interesting countries nearby.

Given what i have posted, what would you suggest i do and how should i go about it, are there multiple options? I will be visiting Dominican Republic but i am American, can i apply for Tourist visa from thai consulate there. (there is a consulate there in the capital). Only reason i ask is i may be staying there for a few months, if i could extend stay until December and make my move from there it would be wonderful. Otherwise I would come to U.S. and do it that way.

[ubonjoe]

You seem to have things planned out rather well. Just some points to help.

A single entry tourist visa would give you a total stay of 90 days by extending the 60 day entry from it for 30 days. The tourist visa will be valid for 3 months from the date issue.

You should not have have a problem getting the visa from the honorary Thai consulate in Santo Domingo I suggest you contact them to confirm, Contact info is at the bottom of this webpage. http://www.guidetothailand.com/thailand-travel-information/honcon-americas.php

You will probably have to make a trip out of the country to get a single entry non-ed visa since you will be in Chiang Mai. Vientiane Laos would be the best place.

If you were in Bangkok you could probably do a change of visa status to get a non immigrant visa since you will be studying at a university.

If you need more time after the 90 days from the tourist visa you could do a border hop at the Chiang Khong crossing (nearest to CM) to get a 30 day visa exempt entry that you could extend for 30 day at a immigration office.

[amcab718]

Is the application process for tourist visa really a two day turn-around? I have decided that i would in fact do this now in the upcoming month? Would two weeks be sufficient to apply and receive tourist visa? Given that all paperwork is in order.

[BritTim]

Getting tourist visas is usually very quick. Indeed, at consulates that allow you to make appointments, they are often issued while you wait.

In countries bordering Thailand, it is pretty much standard that you apply in the morning of one day and receive your passport back with visa early afternoon the following day.

The issue is not the time it takes. You need to watch out for consulates that only issue visas to nationals of the country where you are applying, or rogue consulates which for their own reasons make unreasonable document requests to avoid issuing visas at all.

[chrisinth]

Is the application process for tourist visa really a two day turn-around? I have decided that i would in fact do this now in the upcoming month? Would two weeks be sufficient to apply and receive tourist visa? Given that all paperwork is in order.

With regards to your tourist visa, to utilize the maximum number of days of stay, you need to apply for this as close to your departure date from the states/entry into Thailand as you can.

If you apply and get your tourist visa in the upcoming month, it will be invalid by January 2017.

[ubonjoe]

Is the application process for tourist visa really a two day turn-around? I have decided that i would in fact do this now in the upcoming month? Would two weeks be sufficient to apply and receive tourist visa? Given that all paperwork is in order.

With regards to your tourist visa, to utilize the maximum number of days of stay, you need to apply for this as close to your departure date from the states/entry into Thailand as you can.

If you apply and get your tourist visa in the upcoming month, it will be invalid by January 2017.

A single entry tourist visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issue. All you have to pay attention to is the enter before date on the visa to use it.

For a METV it does make a difference and effects the total number of days you can stay since you need to do the last entry before the it expires to get most out of it,

[HLover]

Is the application process for tourist visa really a two day turn-around? I have decided that i would in fact do this now in the upcoming month? Would two weeks be sufficient to apply and receive tourist visa? Given that all paperwork is in order.

With regards to your tourist visa, to utilize the maximum number of days of stay, you need to apply for this as close to your departure date from the states/entry into Thailand as you can.

If you apply and get your tourist visa in the upcoming month, it will be invalid by January 2017.

A single entry tourist visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issue. All you have to pay attention to is the enter before date on the visa to use it.

For a METV it does make a difference and effects the total number of days you can stay since you need to do the last entry before the it expires to get most out of it,

UbonJoe, your an excellent source of information, thank you sir.

[amcab718]

So just to update, yesterday i went applied for multiple entry visa as i thought it best to go that route. Today i went and received it no problem. The consulate here in NYC is very friendly and easy going the employees there are very friendly. Thanks everyone for your help. Oh and i have bumped up the trip as i won't need to take a trip to D.R. anymore. I'll be leaving in three weeks.