student visa in thailand
If you are planning a long vacation to Thailand, you will need the right visa. This can be a confusing process to go through, but with tips from the right websites and blogs it’s much easier. Touriago.com is one of the best websites for having information about getting a student visa in Thailand.
Thailand is an attractive destination for young people, especially for those who are willing to study there. A lot of people go to the tourist office in concern about learning English in Thailand. Studies show that foreigners learn Thai faster than locals. This is because they concentrate on their studies rather than distractions. It is hard to go with a tourist visa as a student. It may take you up to six months or more to obtain one because it is difficult to prove that you will return home after studying there. You are advised not to overstay your visa in order not to break the law. If you want to stay longer, you can apply for a long-stay visa before the expiration of the first one.
Acquiring your Thai student visa is a fairly straightforward process. The purpose of this guide is to walk you through the steps of obtaining a non-immigrant Thai visa so that you can study in Thailand. This is also handy for anyone who has completed their degree in Thailand and wants to stay long term.
Thailand is a popular destination for international students. Many people come to study at one of the many universities, colleges and English language schools in Thailand. There are also many vocational schools that offer short-term courses in Thai language or other subjects.
If you are planning to study in Thailand, you need a student visa. The process of getting a student visa is similar to getting a tourist visa, but there are some important differences:
You must have proof of enrollment at an educational institution in Thailand (university or college). You can find this on your acceptance letter or course registration form. If you don’t have these documents yet, it’s still possible to apply for a visa while waiting for your acceptance letter; this will allow you to enter Thailand early so that you can begin your studies when classes start later in the year.
You will also need proof that you have enough money to support yourself while studying in Thailand – usually around 20,000 Baht per month (around US$600). It’s important to note that if you don’t have this amount of money in your bank account at all times during your stay, you may be fined up to 1 million Baht (around US$30,000).
Getting a student visa in Thailand is as easy as 1, 2, and 3.
Step 1: Get your documents in order. You’ll need to have your passport, birth certificate, and proof that you’re going to be studying in Thailand. If you’re not a Thai citizen, you’ll also need to show proof of financial independence.
Step 2: Obtain an application form from the embassy or consulate closest to where you live.
Step 3: Submit your application and documents at the embassy or consulate. You can expect to wait at least one week for processing time, but this varies depending on where you live and which government office processes your request.
How Can I Get a Thailand Student Visa?
You have to apply for a Thai Student Visa (Non-Immigrant Visa Category “ED”) at a Thai Embassy or Consulate near you. Before you apply, you must have already been accepted into the Thai educational institution, and the school has to provide you with an enrollment letter. The application process for a Thai Student Visa is as follows:
- Contact the Thailand Embassy or Consulate where you will submit the visa application. You can also visit their website if one is available. Learn about the opening hours, working days, and their preferred method of paying for the visa fee.
- Make an appointment, if one is required. You can find a list of the diplomatic mission offices of Thailand here.
- Collect the required documents for a Thai Student Visa.
- Submit the documents and visa application. Depending on which Embassy/Consulate you apply in, you can submit the application:
- In-person
- Through the post, in which case you have to enclose a pre-paid and self-addressed envelope
- Wait for the application to be processed.
- Collect the passport and visa. If you applied by mail, they will be mailed back to you.
If your Thailand Student Visa is approved, you have to enter the country within the time stated on your visa, otherwise, it will expire.
Note:
- If you have entered Thailand on a different type of visa (eg. a Thai Tourist Visa), you can apply to change the category of your visa at the Office of the Thai Immigration Bureau in Bangkok. You must apply before your current visa expires.
- If you have entered Thailand using a Visa On Arrival, you cannot change the category of your visa. You must leave Thailand and apply from a Thai Embassy or Consulate abroad.
- If you have entered Thailand under the visa-exemption program, have to leave the country and apply from a Thai Embassy or Consulate abroad.
How Long Does It Take to Process a Thailand Student Visa?
The processing time for a Thailand Student Visa depends on the Embassy or Consulate through which you apply. You should give it about 5 – 10 business days, although some offices claim to process your visa in as little as two days.
How Long Is the Thai Student Visa Valid?
A Thailand Student Visa is valid for a maximum of 90 days for a single entry or multiple entries. Even though your course of study is most likely at least one year, you’ll still get a 90-day visa. However, before your visa is up, you can apply to extend it at the Thailand Immigration Department for a fee of 1,900 Thai Baht. You have to extend it every 90 days before the expiry of the existing visa.
How to Apply for a Thai ED Visa
To apply for a Non-Immigrant ED Visa you must make your application at a Thai Embassy or Consulate outside of Thailand. Applicants from the following nations will be required to apply for an ED Visa at a Thai Embassy or Consulate in their home/residential country or at a designated Thai Embassy: Bangladesh, China, India, Iran, Sri-Lanka and Middle Eastern countries.
In order to make your application you will first need to be enrolled in a recognized full-time education course which meets all the requirements of the visa and you must have paid at least 50% of the total course costs, or the full amount of the course.
Once you have enrolled, the school or institution will need to provide you with all the necessary paper work in order for you to make your application. In some cases it may be possible for the school to mail the paperwork directly to the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate at which you are applying.
Applications for ED Visas usually take around 4-5 business days.
Conclusion
Thailand is a good options for the students who want to study in the lower cost. However, those who want to stay and work can get into legal trouble. According to the Thai government, most of the international students overstay their visas and work. This is something that needs serious attention, especially if you are making Touriago your full-time job. You need to keep in mind that Thailand has very strict penalties and regulations against people who overstay their student visas, so make sure you do not violate any visa rules by becoming a tourist or by working. Study in Thailand will be all good if you plan your trip correctly.
Those looking to travel in Thailand, particularly students looking to travel on a budget, ought to consider the option of living in a dormitory while studying. This will provide not only ease but also an opportunity to meet fellow travelers and others who, like you, are on a budget but want to avoid the hassle of renting an apartment. This saves the student time and money, which could be used for more enriching pursuits than locating an apartment through classified ads. So if you’re ever considering a vacation or study abroad in Bangkok , Chiang Mai , or any other city Thailand has to offer, we highly recommend checking out Touriago.com as they have extremely affordable student dorms in top locations throughout Thailand .