While Thailand is famous for being a tourist destination, it’s a prime spot for education as well. It’s home to a handful of world-class institutions that offer affordable yet quality education.
As you would with most countries, you need to get a Thailand student visa before starting your studies in this country. Here’s everything you need to know about getting one.
Steps on Applying for a Thai Student Visa
Here’s everything you need to do to secure a Thailand student visa.
Step 1. Apply to a Thai University
Once you have chosen a university or program, you may go ahead and apply. Some universities accept soft copies, though some may require you to send the requirements by mail. You will need to pay the Thailand student visa application fee before your documents can be processed.
Step 2. Wait for Your Acceptance Letter
As mentioned above, you need an acceptance letter before you can apply for a student visa. To get a student visa for Thailand, you will need to be enrolled in at least three courses per semester. But to be on the safe side, you need to be admitted to at least four courses for every semester.
Step 3. Collect All the Visa Application Requirements
See to it that you have all the documents listed above.
Step 4. Submit Your Documents
You may proceed to the embassy/consulate in your home country or country of residence. Make sure to check the embassy’s website for submission details as some only accept documents on a particular day or timeslot.
It’s also best to call the embassy to ask if you need to set an appointment or not. If you live far from the embassy, you can submit the documents through post.
Step 5. Wait for Your Student Visa
The embassy will process your Thailand student visa application within five to 15 days. It may go longer, though, depending on the case. Because of this fast processing time, students are cautioned from applying too early. The visa validity may expire right before your intended entry to Thailand. Since fees are non-refundable, you will need to redo the application process once again to get a new visa.
Step 6. Fly to Thailand
In some cases, the ED visa granted is only valid for 90 days. However, some may receive a one-year visa validity. If the former is the case, you will need to apply for an extension.
Step 7. Apply for a Visa Extension as Needed
To extend your visa validity, you need to have a registration confirmation letter from your university. You need to present it to the authorities to get your stay extended.
Step 8. File for a 90-day Notification
Apart from applying for a Thailand student visa extension, you will need to notify the Bureau of Immigration every 90 days regarding your address. It’s free of charge, and all you need to do is fill up a form.
You will get a notice for the date that you need to notify the bureau once again. You may do so seven days before the deadline, and up to seven days after that if you miss it.
If you cannot notify the authorities, you will need to pay a fine amounting to THB 2000 or $60. If you fail to do this multiple times, your visa may be revoked.
Documents Needed for Thai Student Visa Applications
The Thailand student visa is known as the non-immigrant visa category ED. It is given to applicants who wish to pursue higher studies – or participate in an internship in Thailand.
To get the ED visa, you need to prepare the following:
- Passport – the expiry should not be within six months. An extra page is also required for the visa placement
- Completed Application Form – you need to provide your personal details, travel document information, the purpose of stay, and reference person/address in Thailand.
- Two passport-size Photos – your pictures should have been taken in the last six months. It must be set against a light-colored background. When getting your picture taken, you should have a full-faced view. Additionally, you must not wear a hat or dark-colored glasses when you get your photo taken.
- Original Letter of Acceptance – your institution will provide this once you have been successfully admitted to a program. This document should include the university letterhead, program, number of courses per semester, plus the start date. Make sure that an authorized official from the university signs your acceptance letter!
- Recent Bank Statements – To get a Thailand student visa, you need to demonstrate that you have enough funds to cover your studies. The recommended amount that your bank account should reflect is $700. If you’re bringing your family, the amount should be $1,500. Make sure that the bank statement reflects your name. If your parents are going to sponsor you, you need to submit proof of your relationship (birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.) with them.
- Copy of Flight Reservation – It should show the date of your arrival in Thailand.
- Residence Permit – If you live in a country where you are not a citizen, you will need to show a permit/card demonstrating proof of residency in the said nation.
- Additional Documents are Needed for students 20 years old and below – Applicants aged 20 years old and below should submit the following documents as well:
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- Notarized copy of applicant’s birth certificate
- Notarized parental consent allowing the applicant to study abroad
- Notarized copy of parents’ marriage certificate
- Notarized copies of both parents’ passports
Important: non-English documents have to undergo a certified English translation service from the Thai embassy.
FAQs: Student Visa Applications for Thailand
How Much Money Do You Need for a Thai Student Visa?
A single-entry ED visa costs $80. Should you apply for a multiple-entry visa, you will need to pay $200. You will also need to shoulder the postage cost if you decide to send the application via mail.
As an international student, adherence to the above steps we mentioned above would make your visa acquisition seamless. Put your documents together and begin the preparation process as early as possible so as to have an easier time. All the best in getting to Thailand!
We hope this article on the Thailand Student Visa was helpful! If you’re interested in studying abroad, make sure to check out the Study in Thailand and Available Programs for International Students pages for more articles.
