Ed visa without leaving Thailand

[article22]

19 hours ago, Ivanow said:

Yes. I have classes two times/week. 2 hours each. If agents want to screw with you/extract tea money, they have numerous tools at their disposal anyway, but like I said, I never had to pass any test until now.

Also, I'm pretty sure you can get ED visa for signing up for English course, instead of Thai one, but I'm not certain (I recall reading something like this in school's leaflets, but it was 9 months ago, so don't quote me on this one - better ask school directly).

 

My total cost was 17k for year of lessons (It was promotion, standard price is, I think 22k) + 15k for visa (Before corona, it was optional - I could go to Vientiane to get it myself, but school staff gave me like 50% chance of success, since I had some previous stamps from visa runs to Cambodia, while if I paid it, I could stay in Pattaya and have guarantee. Now that Laos has borders locked, I'm pretty sure you will need to pay it) + 1900 + 1900 + 1900 = 37,7k THB (Total yearly cost will be 39600, since I have 1 more 90 day extension to go).

THE Language School on Jomtien 2nd Road, near that golden statue, where baht buses turn from Thappraya road to Beach road.

I was at the language school Easy ABC in Jomtien for 2 years and the 90 reporting got worse and worse for all of us. In the end I threw away my ED visa as it got stupid (talking 10+ hrs at the Immigration and collecting stupid new docs) and went back to a STV.

By the end of the 1st year or starting on the 2nd they will start asking you more and more questions and then testing your reading/writing in Thai, they also go to your class a few times a year and want to take a photo of you in class.

 

They have really clamped down on farangs using the ED as a route to stay in the country long term, and as mentioned earlier, Vientiane has stopped issuing ED visas now - so getting a renewal is much harder.

 

I have never gone down the Agent route as they are risks associated with it, but they are making life so difficult for actual students that I see little alternative.

Be good to keep this thread updated on how people got on with using Agents to get a ED visa and how much was spent.

[wadman]

I called "The languag school" in Jomtien.  They said they were too busy to do education visas, but can do a volunuteer visa for 55k + mandatory 300 baht per 90 day reporting.  They also said it would take 1 month to get the visa!

I have been told this Friday is the deadline for getting an education visa.

[apluspls]

The other thing to bear in mind about ed visas is that if you have any overstay stamps at all in your passport, you can't get one.

[wadman]

57 minutes ago, apluspls said:

The other thing to bear in mind about ed visas is that if you have any overstay stamps at all in your passport, you can't get one.

Yes, the lady at pro language was flipping through my passport pages. At first, I thought she was looking for my most current entry stamp, so I told her the date. She said then that was looking for overstay stamps. Luckily I don't do overstays, in any country. 

[apluspls]

How's everyone's visa situation? The deadline for getting that 55k 15 months visa is this week and I think I'm going to go for it unless anyone has found a cheaper solution.

[CoupleinSyd]

They are reports that Tourists can get an extension if they can't fly or are medically unfit to fly. Has anyone tried the Dr's Cert extension yet?

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[apluspls]

I'm glad I didn't waste money on an ed visa or volunteer visa. It looks like an automatic extension until 31 October and then you can apply for rolling 60 day extensions after that.

[socrates]

21 minutes ago, apluspls said:

I'm glad I didn't waste money on an ed visa or volunteer visa. It looks like an automatic extension until 31 October and then you can apply for rolling 60 day extensions after that.

Rolling 60 days - where was that announced - any link?

[apluspls]

1 hour ago, socrates said:

Rolling 60 days - where was that announced - any link?

Nothing official at the moment. It should all be clear tomorrow afternoon.

[socrates]

2 hours ago, apluspls said:

I'm glad I didn't waste money on an ed visa or volunteer visa. It looks like an automatic extension until 31 October and then you can apply for rolling 60 day extensions after that.

I don't quite understand aren't all the new visa initiatives being discussed for people entering from outside the country

If you were looking at these two visa options it tells me you are currently in Thailand - so it would only cover you until the end of October anyway

Or have I got it wrong?

 

[apluspls]

9 minutes ago, socrates said:

I don't quite understand aren't all the new visa initiatives being discussed for people entering from outside the country

If you were looking at these two visa options it tells me you are currently in Thailand - so it would only cover you until the end of October anyway

Or have I got it wrong?

 

I don't understand what you're saying at all I'm afraid. Yes I'm currently in Thailand so what do you think only covers me until the end of October?

If rolling 60-day extensions become available for those in the country as has been rumoured then that obviously takes me well beyond the end of October.

Edited September 28, 2020 by apluspls

[socrates]

I don't understand what you're saying at all I'm afraid. Yes I'm currently in Thailand so what do you think only covers me until the end of October?
If rolling 60-day extensions become available for those in the country as has been rumoured then that obviously takes me well beyond the end of October.

And again I ask where has that been written - that's all I am asking

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[davidge]

6 minutes ago, socrates said:

And again I ask where has that been written - that's all I am asking

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It hasn’t. 
A further extension to the Visa Amnesty until the 31 October has been proposed, mainly due to how busy immigration offices have been in the last few days. It has to be confirmed by Cabinet tomorrow.

Immigration also said that anyone wanting to stay beyond then must apply to Immigration before October 3.

Absolutely nothing about any further extensions of amnesty.

[socrates]

It hasn’t. 
A further extension to the Visa Amnesty until the 31 October has been proposed, mainly due to how busy immigration offices have been in the last few days. It has to be confirmed by Cabinet tomorrow.
Immigration also said that anyone wanting to stay beyond then must apply to Immigration before October 3.
Absolutely nothing about any further extensions of amnesty.

As I expected - the 60 day rolling extensions is wishful thinking - I have read about all the other rumoured initiatives that have yet to be confirmed and the 60 day bit is nowhere to be seen...

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[Ohyesuare]

9 hours ago, socrates said:

As I expected - the 60 day rolling extensions is wishful thinking - I have read about all the other rumoured initiatives that have yet to be confirmed and the 60 day bit is nowhere to be seen...

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https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL4N2GP1OQ

 

After October, a new immigration regulation will allow foreigners to apply for 60-day extensions to remain in the country if they are unable to leave due to limited flights or other issues, Pornchai Kuntee, deputy commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, told Reuters.

[socrates]

6 minutes ago, Ohyesuare said:

https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL4N2GP1OQ

 

After October, a new immigration regulation will allow foreigners to apply for 60-day extensions to remain in the country if they are unable to leave due to limited flights or other issues, Pornchai Kuntee, deputy commissioner of the Immigration Bureau, told Reuters.

Thank you - that's what I was asking for - a link ...

[davidge]

12 hours ago, davidge said:

It hasn’t. 
A further extension to the Visa Amnesty until the 31 October has been proposed, mainly due to how busy immigration offices have been in the last few days. It has to be confirmed by Cabinet tomorrow.

Immigration also said that anyone wanting to stay beyond then must apply to Immigration before October 3.

Absolutely nothing about any further extensions of amnesty.

 

12 hours ago, socrates said:

As I expected - the 60 day rolling extensions is wishful thinking - I have read about all the other rumoured initiatives that have yet to be confirmed and the 60 day bit is nowhere to be seen...

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Reuters are now reporting the 60-day extension but I haven’t seen it anywhere else. Let’s see what comes out of today’s Cabinet.

[davidge]

The Cabinet approved the Amnesty extension to the 31 October.

Immigration have said that anyone who wants to stay beyond that must apply at an Immigration office with the reason why they can’t fly home.

Anyone who already paid for a 30-day extension can return to Immigration and get a new stamp to 30 November. 

Immigration Official said that 60-day extensions would be available after that but wasn’t sure yet what paperwork would be required.

[Czmate]

15 hours ago, apluspls said:

If rolling 60-day extensions become available for those in the country as has been rumoured then that obviously takes me well beyond the end of October.

Well done mate sounds like you’ve got your finger on the pulse.

[socrates]

The Cabinet approved the Amnesty extension to the 31 October.
Immigration have said that anyone who wants to stay beyond that must apply at an Immigration office with the reason why they can’t fly home.
Anyone who already paid for a 30-day extension can return to Immigration and get a new stamp to 30 November. 
Immigration Official said that 60-day extensions would be available after that but wasn’t sure yet what paperwork would be required.

I have a feeling the 60 day extension will have some financial requirements - so Agents will be helping to show money into the bank - everyone earns as always...

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[MangoLove69]

On 23/08/2020 at 23:48, DaveStarl said:

Yeah its VIP Visa over in Jomtien. Find them on FB.  I'm heading there when I get back early next week to sort it out.  I should make a post to see if anyone on the board can recommend them.  They've been doing visas and DL's and bank accounts for awhile presumably.  

Just found a language school in Phuket (Bamboo Oriental Phuket)  offering 8000/12000+12000 for a 6-mo/12mo ED visa. Gotta pay 5000 per 90 days on top but works out to 40,000 for 12 months and you get Thai classes which I'd like anyway.  I'd have to get to Phuket for my 90-day renewals tho, but I go often to visit friends anyway.  

Decisions! Leaning towards the Vol-visa.

EDIT: Check the thread to see if anyone recommends VIP: https://forum.pattaya-addicts.com/topic/346355-vip-visa-pattayajomtien-has-anyone-used/

I also had an agent mark a price sub 55k after some negotiations so I guess I'll go with the 3month+12 month extension route instead of gambling on 60day extensions. 

[DaveStarl]

On 19/04/2021 at 17:04, Turtle123 said:

I also had an agent mark a price sub 55k after some negotiations so I guess I'll go with the 3month+12 month extension route instead of gambling on 60day extensions. 

Yeah my visa has worked out awesome.  The online 90-day renewal system is down so they did it for me for 300b which was great because I wasn't in town and you can only do it where you got the visa.   You might additionally negotiate for free 90-day reports and help getting a bank account as these probably don't cost them much if anything.  The stress, time, and cost of these 60-day visas probably works out to being more than just paying the 55k if you value your time at any reasonable rate.  

[MangoLove69]

On 21/04/2021 at 16:36, DaveStarl said:

Yeah my visa has worked out awesome.  The online 90-day renewal system is down so they did it for me for 300b which was great because I wasn't in town and you can only do it where you got the visa.   You might additionally negotiate for free 90-day reports and help getting a bank account as these probably don't cost them much if anything.  The stress, time, and cost of these 60-day visas probably works out to being more than just paying the 55k if you value your time at any reasonable rate.  

Yah well factoring the stress and time factor tips the scale a little more as well as free bank account and 90 day reporting would help. My big thing is if I mess up the timing with staying here legally then I don’t want to risk being deported or having a blemish on my record. I need to stay for at least a year no matter what. Basically for health reasons so my life depends on it you could say. Also just about to sign a 6 month contract