Non-Immigrant ED Visa (Education)วีซ่า Non-Immigrant ED (การศึกษา)

Authorises a stay for study or training — university degrees, Thai-language courses, Muay Thai, cooking schools, internships and other approved training. Normally issued as a 90-day single-entry visa abroad (or via e-Visa), then extended in-country in increments matching the course length. Since 2024 it has come under markedly increased scrutiny.

Duration

Initial visa is typically 90-day single-entry. Extensions are filed in-country in increments matching the course (commonly 90-day blocks, longer for degree programmes), each conditional on a fresh school letter and genuine attendance.

Extensions

Extended in-country at an Immigration office. Language-school programmes typically support 1–2 years of extensions; after that, Immigration may question why studies have not been completed.

Financial requirement

Most consulates require proof of approximately 20,000 THB available to support the stay (the schema notes “~20,000 THB/month for 6 months, or a maintained balance per the consulate”). Exact rules vary by mission — confirm with the issuing consulate (as of 2026-05-24).

Fees

Government visa fee: Non-Immigrant single-entry 2,000 THB; multiple-entry 5,000 THB. Mission-level fees vary and are charged in local currency. In-country extension fee paid separately (commonly ~1,900 THB per application — verify for 2026 at the filing office).

Processing time

e-Visa / consular processing varies by mission — commonly several business days to a few weeks. Confirm with the issuing mission.

Who it’s for

• International students enrolled at a Thai university or accredited institution
• Learners on Thai-language, Muay Thai, cooking or other accredited course programmes
• Interns and trainees on approved placements
• Not for short visits to “look at” schools — you must already have an offer/enrolment confirmation

Key documents

• Completed visa application + recent passport-style photo (white background)
• Passport valid ≥6 months with blank pages
• Acceptance / enrolment letter from the institution
• Institution’s licence / registration / Ministry of Education approval documents
• Proof of funds (per consulate)
• For extensions: school attendance confirmation letter and course progress evidence

Staying compliant

• 90-day reporting once you stay 90+ consecutive days
• Attendance is monitored — institutions are expected to file status/attendance reports; language schools commonly require ~80% attendance, and non-attendance can lead to visa cancellation
• TM.30 address notification on each arrival/move
• A re-entry permit (TM.8) is required to preserve permission-to-stay when leaving on a single-entry ED

Common pitfalls

• Enrolling at a language school with low weekly contact hours purely for visa purposes — high refusal risk
• Poor or non-attendance leading to school reporting and visa cancellation
• Weak or incorrect school letter at extension stage (the most common extension failure point)
• Insufficient or unclear proof of funds for the specific consulate
• Leaving Thailand on a single-entry ED without a re-entry permit (voids permission to stay)