Students should apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa at a Thai Embassy or Consulate in their home country before coming to Thailand. It is also possible to arrive on a Tourist or Transit Visa and change it to a Non-Immigrant Visa in Thailand. Although Thailand allows many nationalities to enter for one month without a visa, those arriving in Thailand without a specific visa will need to leave the country in order to obtain the required Non-Immigrant Visa.
How to Apply for a Visa
Non-Thai students need a 'Non-Immigrant ED Visa' for study in Thailand and must have the following items:
1. A completed Visa application form.
2. A passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months and its copy,
3. Two 4x6 cm full-faced, bareheaded photos taken within the past six months,
4. Transcript/latter of acceptances from the concerned schools/universities or institutes
5. Official Note certifying the purpose of travel from the Government Agency/Embassies and Consulates/International Organizations/State Enterprises in Thailand
6. Evidence of adequate finance (20,000 baht per person and 40,000 baht per family)
Visa fee
2,000 baht for a single entry (effective for three months) and 5,000 baht for multiple entries (valid for one year)
Validity Period of a Non Immigration Visa
Non-Thai students will be granted a non-immigrant visa valid for 90 days. Qualified persons can obtain an additional 1 year stay permit from the date of entry, referring to Office of Immigration Bureau’s regulations on extension of stay.
Visa extension in Thailand
Non-Thai students can extend their non-immigrant visas before the expiry by submitting documentation as follows:
1. A photocopy of Passport
2. An official letter from Faculty/Institute/College affirming to student status.
3. A one recent photograph (4 x 6 cm.).
4. A completed visa extension form.
5. A visa extension fee of 1,900 baht.
For more information
The address of the Office of Immigration Bureau in central Bangkok is:
Immigration Bureau
Soi Suan Phlu
South Sathorn Road
Thungmahamek, Sathorn
Bangkok 10200
Tel: (0) 2285 5142, (0) 287 3101-10, or (if calling from outside Thailand 66-2-285-5142, 66-2-285-3101 to 3110
Website: www.immigration.go.th
Download form: www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/base.php?page=download
Summary of Countries and Territories entitles for Visa Exemption and Visa on Arrival to Thailand
1. Diplomatic/Official Passport (Bilateral Agreement)
1.1 Period of stay (30 days):
Brunei | Hong Kong | Mongolia | Singapore |
Cambodia | Indonesia | Myanmar | Vietnam |
China | Laos | Oman | |
Ecuador | Macau | Pakistan (Diplomatic only) |
1.2 Period of stay (90 days):
Albania | Czech Republic | Luxembourg | Russia |
Argentina | Estonia (Diplomatic only) | Malaysia | Slovakia |
Austria | France (Diplomatic only) | Mexico | South Africa |
Belarus (as of 28/12/2015) | Germany | Montenegro | Spain (Diplomatic only) |
Belgium | Hungary | The Netherlands | Sri Lanka |
Bhutan | India | Nepal | Switzerland |
Brazil | Israel | Panama | Tajikistan |
Chile | Italy | Peru | Tunisia |
Colombia |
Japan | The Phillipines | Turkey |
Costa Rica | Korea (ROK) | Poland | Ukraine |
Croatia | Liechtenstein | Romania | Uruguay |
2. Ordinary Passport
2.1 Nationals of the following countries may apply for Visa on Arrival:
Andora | Ethiopia | Maldives | Saudi Arabia |
Bulgaria | India | Malta | Taiwan |
Bhutan | Kazakhstan | Mauritius | Ukraine |
China | Latvia | Romania | Uzbekistan |
Cyprus | Lithuania | San Marino |
2.2 Nationals of the following countries may enter Thailand without a visa (Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme):
Australia | Greece | Malaysia | Slovenia |
Austria | Hong Kong | Monaco | Spain |
Belgium | Hungary | The Netherlands | South Africa |
Bahrain | Iceland | New Zealand | Sweden |
Brazil* | Indonesia | Norway | Swizerland |
Brunei | Ireland | Oman | Turkey |
Canada | Israel | Peru* | UAE |
Czech Republic | Italy | The Phillippines | UK |
Denmark | Japan | Poland | USA |
Estonia | Korea (ROK)* | Portugal | Vietnam |
Finland | Kuwait | Qatar | |
France | Liechtenstein | Singapore | |
Germany | Luxembourg | Slovak |
2.3 Nationals of the following countries may enter Thailand without visa (Bilateral Agreement):
2.3.1 Period of days (14 days):
Cambodia
Myanmar (International Airport only)
2.3.2 Period of days (30 days):
Hong Kong
Laos
Macau
Mongolia
Russia
Vietnam
2.3.3 Period of days (90 days):
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Korea (ROK)
Peru