ED visa "crackdown"?

[DrH]

I want to start studying Thai September this year but my school informed me yesterday that the Ministry of Education just announced a policy change and beginning of July no language schools can help students with ED visa and, as a consequence, students will not be able to obtain ED visa. Perhaps the schools will be able to provide visa assistance again but it is not known when that would be..

I have not seen anyone mentioning this in the news or on this forum. Has anyone heard of that? Any opinions?

Apparently, this is the document that confirms this claim (I hope you can see it..):

http://www.nfe-opec.com/images/jirakorn2/slideshow/123.pdf

Thanks

MoE document.pdf

[Maestro]

The document is signed 13 May 2016 and it looks like it sets out new conditions that courses must meet (hours of teaching) so that the students can qualify for an extension of stay for the reason of education. Perhaps your school cannot meet these conditions, or cannot meet them at the old price for the course.

[lordblackader]

The problem is your school not meeting regulations, full stop.

You can still study and get an ED visa in Thailand with a legit school that meets the requirements; I'm nearly 6 months in on an ED, and while my Thai is still a touch rough I spend 8 hours a week in class learning it, and haven't had any issues at all with immigration so far.My sch

My school is still signing up new people, they actually started a new class on Monday.

[DrH]

I know that everyone can study and get an ED visa now - I agree with that. What I am told is that it will be possible to get ED visa only until end of this month. After that, I believe, schools will have to meet new requirements and wait for blessing from Ministry of Education which will take some time.

I signed up with a legit school who even encouraged me to call other schools (which I have not done) that are considered 'legit' (as opposed to visa 'mills') to be sure that they are telling the truth and that none of them will provide visa assistance now/soon.

Anyway, I am planning to wait and see what is going to happen before I make any move.

[ubonjoe]

It will be no problem getting the non-ed visa from an embassy or consulate. The problem will be getting the documentation needed to apply for a 90 day extension at immigration from the Ministry of Education.

[Chinohikari]

I have been told the same by a school but i can't find any informations about it, is it for every schools or just for some ? Does anyone have found news about it ?

[darrendsd]

It will be no problem getting the non-ed visa from an embassy or consulate. The problem will be getting the documentation needed to apply for a 90 day extension at immigration from the Ministry of Education.

Is this for all Schools unless they meet the new requirements set out by the MoE?

I hope your post does not mean no more extensions for anyone?

[ubonjoe]

It will be no problem getting the non-ed visa from an embassy or consulate. The problem will be getting the documentation needed to apply for a 90 day extension at immigration from the Ministry of Education.

Is this for all Schools unless they meet the new requirements set out by the MoE?

I hope your post does not mean no more extensions for anyone?

The OP only mentioned visas. I was merely pointing out there are different requirements for visas and extensions of stay.

I don't know what the new rules are nor where they came from. It might just be a letter from a provincial MOE office.

[NickJ]

The Crackdown on Ed visas started almost two years ago.......

[Suradit69]

...beginning of July no language schools can help students with ED visa and, as a consequence, students will not be able to obtain ED visa.

Are you talking about obtaining a visa from an embassy or consulate or are you talking about an extension of stay obtained from immigrations?

You don't really need an Ed visa or extension to do language study. You're free to study Thai on a tourist visa or even visa exempt entry.

[DrH]

I am talking about obtaining ED visa, not an extension. I understand that I do not need ED visa to study at language school but it makes things easier for someone like me who wants to take an intensive one-year course and does not want to leave the country every couple of months.

[ubonjoe]

I am talking about obtaining ED visa, not an extension. I understand that I do not need ED visa to study at language school but it makes things easier for someone like me who wants to take an intensive one-year course and does not want to leave the country every couple of months.

The non-ed visa will only allow a one 90 day entry. Then you will be applying for 90 day extensions at an immigration office.