Guest post by Greg Smith
When you plan to reside in Thailand to continue your education, it is important to obtain a Thai Education Visa, also referred to as an ED-Visa. It will enable you to stay in Thailand for at least six months at a time instead of having to leave the country on a consistent basis in order to obtain tourist visas that only last for short periods of time. A tourist visa will only last for 60 days. A Thai Education Visa enables students to reside legally in the country of Thailand for a specific period of time so as to learn the Thai language and educate themselves about Thailand culture.
Image courtesy of Stuat Miles/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
What is an ED-Visa or Thai Education Visa?
An ED-Visa or Thai Education Visa is a specific permit that will allow a student to stay in Thailand for the purposes of their education. It will last for six months or more in some cases. It provides the student with a legal means of staying in the country to obtain the education they seek. The individual that has the ED-Visa will not need to exit the country multiple times to obtain tourist visas every 60 days. This can be quite expensive and cause difficulties in their education.
Who is able to apply for a Thai Education Visa?
In order to apply for this specific visa, the student must be at least 16 years of age. Any and all nationalities are able to apply for the visa and can obtain a visa for six months to a year. However, there are some countries in which the student must apply for the visa in their home country. These countries include: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and most of the Middle Eastern countries.
What documents are needed to apply for a Thai Education Visa?
Just as any permit, the Thai Education Visa requires certain documents. You will need to make sure that your passport is up to date. It will also need to be valid for 18 months minimum, longer is better. You will also need twelve pictures of yourself that are the size of a passport photo. The student will also need to enroll in school in order to obtain an acceptance letter. This letter is a very important piece of documentation that the student will need to have in order to be accepted for a Thai Education Visa.
What should be done before applying?
Along with the documents that you will need, you will also need to enroll in an English or Thai course that is full time.
How long does it take to obtain a Thai Education Visa?
It will take some time to receive the visa. It will take approximately 4-6 weeks to obtain a Thai Education Visa.
Can those not in Thailand apply for a Thai Education Visa?
No matter if the student is in Thailand or another country, they are able to apply for a Thai Education Visa. The student can file online and then mail in the appropriate documentation in order to obtain the visa.
What is required to keep the Thai Education Visa?
Most schools have requirements for the student in order to keep their Thai Education Visa. Typically the student is required to study for the minimum amount of 10 hours a week on average. This actually means that the individual will need 100 hours every 90 days during the time the student has the Thai Education Visa. The student will need 400 hours when they have a 12 month visa. The hours that are unused are deducted from the account every 90 days and is based on the date of expiration of the visa.
How long does the student need to study during the year in order to become eligible for a 12-month non-immigrant Thai Education Visa?
The student will need to register for at least 120 lessons or group classes for a 6 month Thai Education Visa. For a 12-month visa, the minimum is 200 lessons or small group classes.
What is the study schedule?
The schedules will be made according to the availability of the student. The student will be able to perform their studies during the days and the times of their convenience. In order to qualify for the Thai Education Visa, the student’s schedule for the classes will need to be a bare minimum of two lessons for four days per week. The lessons are typically 50 minutes long.
Even though there are specific steps that will need to be taken in order to apply and obtain a Thai Education Visa, it is not as complicated as some students may think. There are people to help the student in the process of obtaining the visa and will make it much easier.
Greg Smith is a consultant for Language Express. Get in touch with them if you’re on the lookout for an ED Visa in Thailand.
Thanks for the informations!
May i know how much is the cost to do the visa for 6 month since I’ll go to Thailand in Feb 2016 for exchange student program in Burapha Uni.
Big thanks!