hi,

im looking to do a scuba course in koh tao that will last 7 months possibly and have been told i need a category "B" visa, but will only be issued a single entry 90 day visa. i have also been told i can extend this in thailand and read on a site that i might be able to extend it for a total of a year from date of entry. is this correct and how easy will it be to have it extended and are there any special requirements. 

 

thanks in advance 

 

When you say "do" a scuba course, does mean you would be an instructor or a student?

 

Also, how old are you?

 

Non immigrant B visas are for people working in Thailand. A one year extension of stay is possible with the support of your company, as long as you and the company fulfil minimum requirements. 

4 hours ago, blackcab said:

When you say "do" a scuba course, does mean you would be an instructor or a student?

 

Also, how old are you?

 

Non immigrant B visas are for people working in Thailand. A one year extension of stay is possible with the support of your company, as long as you and the company fulfil minimum requirements. 

 

I would be undertaking a scuba course to become an instructor, and i am 33. i was sent this pdf regarding the visa i would need to get before going. 

INFO - NON-IMM VISA (NI-VTCourseD&B).pdf

 

i was told i'd need a cat b visa as a scuba course is vocational

Edited August 20, 20169 yr by Yaker

17 minutes ago, Yaker said:

 

I would be undertaking a scuba course to become an instructor, and i am 33. i was sent this pdf regarding the visa i would need to get before going. 

INFO - NON-IMM VISA (NI-VTCourseD&B).pdf

 

i was told i'd need a cat b visa as a scuba course is vocational

That appears to be something new they are doing since most places will not longer issue a non-ed visa unless it is a school registered with the Ministry of Education.

Not sure about getting it anywhere else other than at the Hull consulate.

I am certain though you will not be able to get an extension of any length. After the 90 days ends you will probably have to go out for a tourist visa to complete the course.

I am not 100% on this as I have not seen this use of a B visa before - however I would be surprised if you got a 1 year extension of stay based on this visa.

 

I could be wrong, and I hope I am as it would make your life a lot easier after the initial 90 days expires.

 

Please keep us updated with how things go.

2 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

That appears to be something new they are doing since most places will not longer issue a non-ed visa unless it is a school registered with the Ministry of Education.

Not sure about getting it anywhere else other than at the Hull consulate.

I am certain though you will not be able to get an extension of any length. After the 90 days ends you will probably have to go out for a tourist visa to complete the course.

 

this is so confusing, i have had another email from the hull  consulate  after i asked about the visa and now they say i need a ED visa. i'll paste their responses below. 

 

"Reference your enquiry please note that you will be applying for the Non Immigrant Category B Visa on the basis of undertaking a Vocational Training Course (not an Internship) so please read the attachment and revert if you have any questions."

 

Regards,

 

Royal Thai Consulate

Hull 

HU13 9PB

 

first response which contained the PDF for cateagory B info marked for "scuba diving"

 

second response this morning.

 

 

"Reference your email please note that you are not entitled to a multiple entry visa for what you will be doing in Thailand.

You will need to contact the dive school and get their advice about how you can stay longer than 90 days.

 

Regarding your wish to apply for the visa at the Royal Thai Embassy in London that is entirely up to you in which case we advise you to check their websitewww.thaiembassyuk.org.uk.

Please be aware that their requirements may be different to ours.

 

Finally please note that the visa you will need to apply for is the Non Immigrant Category “ED” (not B as we incorrectly said below).

 

Regards,

 

Royal Thai Consulate

Hull 

HU13 9PB

 

i am even more confused and worried as 7 months is a lot of boarder runs for a tourist visa. 

 

Is there someone else I should contact for clearer info?

Edited August 20, 20169 yr by Yaker

You should look at this page on the embassy website. http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/49

If you got a single entry tourist visa before leaving the UK you would get a 60 day entry that can be extended for 30 days at an immigration office. Then you could go to nearby embassy or consulate to get another single entry visa. Those two visas would allow almost 6 months of stay. Then you could do a border run for a 30 day visa exempt entry that can be extended for 30 days. Only 2 trips out of the country to get about 8 months of total stay.