Student Visa in Thailand

A student visa (ED visa) is one of the ways to stay in Thailand for a long period of time without having to apply for a work visa or frequent visa runs. It is intended for foreigners who come to the country to study at officially registered educational institutions.

Who is this option suitable for?

●       Foreign students studying in Thai universities and language schools;

●       Freelancers and remote workers who cannot obtain a work visa but want to stay in the country legally;

●       Expats wishing to extend their stay in Thailand without having to leave every 30-60 days;

●       Travelers who want to learn Thai, yoga, martial arts or other disciplines.

What are the benefits of a student visa?

●       Long-term stay – a visa is issued for 3 months with the possibility of extension up to 1 year.

●       Legal stay in the country – no need to apply for permanent visa runs or look for other ways to extend it.

●       Flexibility in learning – you can choose a language school, university or specialized courses.

●       Easy renewal - just attend classes and submit documents to the immigration service every 90 days.

However, it is worth considering that the ED visa does not give the right to work in Thailand. If a foreigner is officially employed, he will need a work visa and a work permit.

Which educational institutions qualify for a student visa?

A student visa can be obtained through accredited educational institutions that are officially registered with the Ministry of Education of Thailand.

Language schools (study of Thai and English)

The most popular option among tourists and freelancers is language schools. They offer Thai and English language courses, the duration of which meets the requirements of the immigration service.

●       Thai language courses – from 3 months to 1 year.

●       English language courses – usually 6-12 months.

●       Training can be face-to-face or combined (with online classes).

Universities and educational programs

For students who want to get a full education, programs are available at universities and colleges. Depending on the direction, you can choose:

●       Bachelor's and Master's degrees – for long-term study at universities.

●       Short-term courses – can be related to business, design, art.

●       Preparatory programs – if further admission to a university is planned.

Yoga, martial arts and meditation courses

Some schools that teach Muay Thai, yoga and other practices are also allowed to issue student visas. Such programs are especially popular in tourist areas such as Samui, Phangan, Phuket and Chiang Mai.

Requirements for an educational institution to obtain a visa

In order for a school or university to be able to issue a student visa, it must be officially registered with the Thai Ministry of Education. Not all educational institutions have this right, so it is worth checking the accreditation of the school before submitting documents.

It is also important to consider that the immigration service monitors class attendance. If a student does not attend classes, his visa may be revoked.

What documents are needed to obtain a student visa?

To apply for an ED visa, a standard package of documents is required.

Main documents:

1. Passport – must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of application.
2. Photographs 3.5×4.5 cm – usually 2-4 pieces are required, depending on the requirements of the consulate.
3. A completed application form – this can be obtained from the consulate or from the educational institution’s website.
4. Invitation letter from a school or university – the educational institution issues official confirmation of enrollment.

Financial documents:

Some consulates require proof of financial solvency. This may be:

●       Bank statement showing at least 20,000 baht (~550 dollars) in the account.

●       A letter from a sponsor if the student is unable to provide their bank statement.

Additional documents:

1. Rental agreement for housing in Thailand – required to confirm place of residence.
2. A certificate of no criminal record – may be required for some courses (especially long-term programs).

Depending on the country of application, the list of documents may differ, so before submitting an application, it is worth checking the current requirements at the consulate.

The process of getting a student visa in Thailand

Obtaining a student visa in Thailand consists of several stages. It is important to choose an educational institution in advance, prepare the necessary documents and follow the established procedures.

Step 1: Select an institution and submit an application

Before you apply, you must choose an accredited school or university that is authorized to issue student visas. Once you have chosen an educational institution, you will need:

●       contact school representatives and clarify the curriculum;

●       clarify what documents are required for admission;

●       fill out the form and pay the registration fee (usually from 5000 baht).

Step 2: Wait for approval and receive documents from the school

Once the application is submitted, the educational institution processes the documents for the student visa. The process takes from 1 to 4 weeks depending on the type of program. Once approved, the student receives an official invitation (Letter of Acceptance), which is necessary to apply for a visa.

Step 3: Submitting an application to the consulate or immigration office

A student visa can be obtained at a Thai consulate outside of Thailand. The most popular countries to apply for are Laos, Malaysia, and Cambodia. In rare cases, it is possible to obtain a visa from within Thailand, but the process is more complicated.

Step 4: Enter Thailand and register at school

After receiving a visa, you must enter Thailand within 90 days. Upon arrival, the student must:

●       register at the school and sign an agreement;

●       pass the first immigration control and get an entry stamp;

●       register with the Thai Immigration Service (TM30).

Step 5: Renew your visa every 90 days

An ED visa is issued for 90 days, but can be extended up to 1 year. To extend, you must visit the immigration office every three months, submit documents from the school and pay a fee.

Where can I apply for a student visa?

You must apply for a student visa outside of Thailand, as it can only be obtained within the country in rare cases and for special reasons.

The most popular countries to apply to are:

●       Laos (Vientiane) is one of the most popular options among expats. The Thai consulate in Laos is stable and rarely refuses visas.

●       Malaysia (Penang, Kuala Lumpur) – suitable for those who want to apply for a visa in a neighboring country without long trips.

●       Cambodia (Phnom Penh) is also a popular option, but recently the requirements for documents have become stricter.

The issue of obtaining a student visa within Thailand remains controversial. It used to be possible, but now most foreigners are forced to travel abroad to apply. In some cases, schools can help with the application process within the country, but these options require additional costs and intermediaries.

Immigration laws in Thailand are constantly changing, so it is important to stay up-to-date with current information and consult with your school in advance.

Cost of student visa in Thailand

The cost of obtaining an ED visa is determined by several factors: tuition fees, fees and extensions.

The visa application itself at the consulate costs 2,000 baht, but the main costs are related to education. In language schools, annual courses cost from 25,000 to 50,000 baht. University programs and specialized courses can cost significantly more.

Renewing a student visa every 90 days costs 1,900 baht. Additional fees may apply for school registration, paperwork, and immigration reports.

Total budget for a one-year student visa: 40,000 to 80,000 baht, including tuition, fees and related expenses.

What to do after receiving a visa?

Once you have successfully obtained your student visa and entered Thailand, it is important to follow the immigration rules to avoid fines and visa cancellation. The first step is to register at the educational institution, where you will need to sign a contract and receive confirmation of enrollment.

Although many schools offer flexible hours, immigration officials require at least 50-70% attendance. Some schools may require signatures on registration sheets or record attendance with photo reports. If a student fails to attend classes and does not provide an explanation, the school may cancel the visa and report the violation to immigration authorities.

The main rule is to comply with all visa conditions. Every 90 days you must renew your residence permit, attend classes and update your registration details. The Immigration Service may conduct random checks, especially in popular tourist areas, so it is important to always have your passport with your visa and proof of school registration.

If a student violates visa conditions, the consequences can be serious. At best, it is a fine for an expired visa; at worst, it is visa cancellation and deportation. If the violation is serious, such as falsifying documents or working without a permit, it is possible to be banned from entering Thailand for several years.

Is it possible to work with a student visa?

A student visa does not give the right to officially work in Thailand. Any paid activity without a work visa and permit is considered illegal and can lead to deportation.

Officially, foreigners with an ED visa can only study, but in practice, many find ways to earn extra money. Common options include online work, remote freelancing, or starting your own business outside of Thailand. These activities are not prohibited if they do not affect the local labor market.

Working without permission in bars, cafes or travel agencies is a serious violation. If immigration authorities detect an illegal worker, this can lead to fines, visa cancellation and deportation.

After completing the program, you can change your student visa to a work visa (B-visa) if you find an employer willing to issue a work permit. To do this, the company must be registered in Thailand, meet the requirements for hiring foreigners, and submit all the necessary documents to the immigration service.

What restrictions are there for students?

In addition to the work ban, students with an ED visa cannot:

●       doing business in Thailand;

●       leave the country without obtaining a Re-Entry Permit (if you leave without it, the visa will be cancelled);

●       stay in the country after the visa expires without renewing or changing status.

Extension and change of visa type

A student visa is issued for 90 days, but can be extended up to 1 year. However, an extension is only possible with proof of study and fulfillment of all program conditions.

How to extend ED visa after the first term expires?

To extend your visa, you must submit your documents to the immigration office 2-3 weeks before the visa expires. Required documents include your passport, a letter from your school, a receipt for tuition fees, and an application for extension.

Immigration authorities may additionally request proof of attendance or schedule an interview, especially if the student has rarely attended school.

Is it possible to change a student visa to a tourist or work visa?

Changing visa status is possible, but requires leaving Thailand. If a student wants to switch to a tourist visa, it is easiest to do this in neighboring countries (Laos, Malaysia, Cambodia). To obtain a work visa, you need to find an employer who will issue a Work Permit and submit documents for a B-visa.

In some cases, changing a visa is possible within the country, but this process is more complicated, requires intermediaries and additional costs.

What to do if your extension is denied?

If the immigration service does not extend the visa, the student is given a limited time to leave the country (usually 7 days). In such cases, you can:

●       Try to appeal through the educational institution;

●       Apply for a new visa abroad and reapply for study;

●       Switch to another type of visa (for example, a tourist visa).

If no action is taken, the student faces a fine for overstaying his/her visa and a possible ban from entering Thailand.

Conclusion

A student visa is a convenient way to stay in Thailand for a long time, but it is important to follow all the requirements. Attending classes, renewing your visa on time, and not violating any rules will help you avoid problems with immigration.

When choosing an educational institution, it is worth focusing on officially accredited schools in order to avoid visa refusals. It is also important to consider financial costs, as a student visa requires regular extensions and tuition fees.

Compliance with the rules will allow you to legally stay in Thailand and enjoy a comfortable life in the country without unexpected problems with immigration.