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Why was the ED visa renewal for Thai language studies rejected at the Thai Consulate in Vientiane?

ED VisaThai Language CourseVisa RenewalVientiane ConsulateVisa Policy ChangesImmigration IssuesExpat Visa Help
Oct 7, 2018
6 years ago
Niko *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Asking for a friend...please help if you know any information regarding this issue or can advise what next step. TIA!

ED Visa for learning TH language in CNX

She finished 1yrs year beginner course, got all paperwork from school and Minister of Education, went to Vientiane for her ED visa renewal. Rejected by the Thai Consulate there with reason “cannot issued 2nd year ED Visa for same language course even though her paper stated it’s for “Advanced course” (different from 1st year)

Was told by the Consulate officer to either take a “different language” course if she wanted apply at same Consulate at Vientiane or go to different Consulate if she’s going continue with same Thai course. This happened last week.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A person is seeking assistance for a friend whose ED visa renewal for an advanced Thai language course was rejected by the Thai Consulate in Vientiane. The consulate stated that they cannot issue a second-year ED visa for the same language course. Comments from the community suggest that there are recent policy changes limiting the issuance of ED visas and recommending alternative options, such as applying at different consulates or enrolling in different language courses. The conversation highlights confusion regarding the current visa policies and experiences of others facing similar rejections.
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Robert *******
This is only at the Thai Consulate in Vientiane, so many other options like Penang, Kotha Baru, KL. Singapore etc etc.
6 years ago
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Jonathan *********
I just called the two big visa app companies. Both were extremely honest. One told me it is super expensive but you don't need to do education visa and pay 60K to get 1 year extension. The other told me it is a mess right now and nobody knows what is going on, but a lot of people are getting denied and we need to wait for things to get sorted out. Doesn't really answer your questions but let's you know everything is in limbo right now. Let the storm pass I guess and go from there. Both in the end said it was best to go through legitimate school to see if you can get approved.
6 years ago
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Ivan ************
@Jona****
 you will be fine, you will not have any problem doing it with the agency. It's just quicker to do it on a plane, rather than the 14 hour bus, that's all.
6 years ago
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Jonathan *********
I don't know
@Álvaro *********
. I have used an agency with my school the last two times and had no issue, but know the policies and immigration main officer have changed. I leave in two days so I will find out. Hope I have good luck. Just got new passport so we will c.
6 years ago
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Álvaro **********
5K is roughly the cost of doing by yourself, but going by plane... And it's so easy that I cannot imagine what is the agency doing...

In addition, in the Vientiane Consulate is strictly forbidden to use agents, you should queue and apply by yourself...
6 years ago
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Jonathan *********
You could go by yourself but I always go through an agency. It's just easier. Yes long 2 days but worth it. It's like 5K baht for 14 hour bus ride, hotel, and they take care of all the paperwork. I leave in two days so I will let you know how it goes.
6 years ago
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Toby ********
@Jonathan ********
 how did you get on at Vientiane?
6 years ago
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Ivan ************
I am pretty sure there no issue with a first Ed visa, it is subsequent ones that are the problem.
6 years ago
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Jonathan *********
@Álvaro *********
 Let me know how it goes bud. I will do mine in two weeks. If this is your FIRST ED visa u should have no issues!
6 years ago
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Álvaro **********
I'm waiting for the paperwork from ministry to go to Vientieane to do my first ED visa... bad news for me :( I hope it will be OK when I go :/
6 years ago
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Álvaro **********
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Tod *********
I just emailed two well known and totally above board (meaning they're NOT visa millz) thai language schools in Bangkok that send hundreds of students to Vientiane every year.

IF anyone is gonna know what's what about this one ED visa per calendar year it's one of these schools.

I'll report back as soon as they answer me.
6 years ago
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Tod *********
These would be the people to call. Someone needs to have their school call OR call themselves (Seeing as I'm in the USA right now, it's not gonna be me this time, sorry :/ )

*****************************************************
6 years ago
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Ivan ************
I have been told it is no longer possible to go to Vientiane for a second year for the same school. This is a recent policy change. You need to go to a different consulate.
6 years ago
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Ivan ************
I heard of two other people who were rejected for a second year Ed visa in Vientiane. This was from the school involved. It was a sudden change around a month ago and they were surprised by it themselves- previous students had not had this problem.
6 years ago
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Ivan ************
This is either an additional rule to the one Ed visa per calendar year rule, or the translation in that document doesn't capture the meaning/ interpretation/ implementation of it fully. OP seems to have been in the same situation, with a year long course.
6 years ago
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Tod *********
@Ivan ***********
 The rule is ONE 90 day single entry ED visa in a calendar year. I have not heard ANY verified reports of people getting knocked back getting a new ED visa from Vientiane IF their earlier ED visa was from 2017. ONLY people who had visas issued by Vientiane in 2018 and wanted another one from them this year.
6 years ago
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Ivan ************
I've been told that they are knocking back people applying for a second year in the same school, if their first year visa came from Vientiane. These are people on a year course, so by definition they would have got their first year visa the previous calendar year.
6 years ago
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Tod *********
you can go to Vientiane for the second ED visa IF it is after Jan 1 because they have a one ED visa per calendar year rule and that's from Jan 1 to Dec 31
6 years ago
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Tod *********
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Ron *******
I'm guessing this is why they have simply made the rule that as from 15th October, they won't issue anymore than 1 ED visa per year full stop
6 years ago
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Koos *****************
@Robert ******
 i have a language school in khon kaen. The ministry told me, there are now 3levels for a student to complete. Those 3levels are done in 1 year. Advance courses for a second year are not allowed anymore. The students have to study a different language.
6 years ago
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Koos *****************
@Robert ******
 i have no idea about that. All i can say in khon kaen they dont allow it. Maybe some tip money paid to someone but not the right one.
6 years ago
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Robert *******
So that means the documents the friend of OP showed in the Consulate where not correct, if I understand you correctly/
6 years ago
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Robert *******
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Jonathan *********
Disturbing news as I am going next week to do mine.
6 years ago
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Robert *******
Check your papers and discuss with the school if all is correct.
6 years ago
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Robert *******
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Robert *******
If they are the same papers, she would than start her first course. Papers must have a different text.
6 years ago
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Niko *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes, got all paperwork from both school & ministry of education, school prepared all that, same for the 1st year, no problem before
6 years ago
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Robert *******
You apply for a Visa with documents of the school and the Ministry of Education. Not with a receipt of the school and test results.
6 years ago
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Niko *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
In the paperwork got her test result that she passed the test for beginners course
6 years ago
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Robert *******
And now the question is: Did the paper really mention Advanced course or was it the same course?
6 years ago
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Niko *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
on the receipt from school it stated “advanced Thai course” and she call in front of the officer so the school owner talked to the officer directly and was told that is the case now
6 years ago
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Niko *****
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