Education (ED) visa
the current situation
The easiest way to obtain a student ED visa at the moment is to have it issued in Phuket. To do so, you need to enter Thailand with visa-exemption (issued on arrival at the airport) or a 60-day tourist visa (issued by a Thai embassy or consulate).
If you enter with a visa exemption it will be granted for 30 days. Some nationalities can then extend it for a further 30 days at an immigration office, which provides ample time to apply for an ED visa. Some nationalities cannot get an extension, so will have to make a border run to get a new stamp if the process is extended.
If you enter with a tourist visa it will be granted for 60 days, which you can then extend for a further 30 days at an immigration office. This also provides ample time to apply for an ED visa.
Please contact us for full details of the process if you would like to obtain an ED visa.
Note: It is only possible to switch from a tourist visa to an ED visa within Thailand. It is NOT possible to switch from a special tourist visa, non-immigrant ‘B’ visa, volunteer visa, or any other type of visa.
under normal circumstances
The process detailed below relates to normal circumstances, whereby you can have an ED visa issued by your nearest Thai embassy or consulate before travelling to Thailand. Many embassies and consulates are NOT issung ED visas for language study at present. Please see above for the current process.
Note: if you will be studying for 3 months or less, we strongly recommend you apply for a 60-day tourist visa from your nearest Thai embassy or consulate. It is the quickest, easiest and least expensive way to obtain a visa. The tourist visa can be extended at Phuket Immigration for a further 30 days by completing a form and paying a fee, giving you a total stay of 90 days.
apply in Thailand
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Enrol with Patong Language School for at least a 3-month language course. Confirm your enrolment by paying for the first 3 months of study or 50% of the total, whichever is greater. Complete our ED visa application form.
You will need:
- Your original passport with TM6
- Eight passport photos (white background)
- Personal details (address, phone number, monthly budget, etc.)
1 business day
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Return to our office to sign your completed application.
We will apply for your visa documents at the Ministry of Education.
2 – 4 weeks
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We will contact you when we receive your visa documents. You may pick up your documents at any time during business hours. Any balance must be paid at this time.
arrange your trip
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Arrange your trip to a Thai embassy or consulate. You can book one of the many visa run tours or arrange your own transportation and accommodation.
apply for the visa
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Apply for your ‘ED’ visa at a Thai embassy or consulate using these documents:
- passport
- passport photo
- school documents (license and letter)
- receipt for your course from our school
- completed application form
- other documents depending on the Thai embassy or consulate where you apply for the ED visa
1 – 2 days
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Pick up your passport with your new ED visa and return to Thailand.
within 14 days
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Begin your lessons within 2 weeks of arrival in Thailand, if you haven’t already begun.
Bring your passport to our office so we can make a copy and verify your visa with the MoE. We will also need extra passport photos for visa extensions.
enjoy your stay!
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Enjoy your time in Thailand without visa runs.
apply before travelling
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Enrol online with Patong Language School for at least a 3-month language course. Confirm your enrolment by paying for the first 3 months of study or 50% of the total, whichever is greater.
Complete our online ED visa application form and email us a scan of your passport.
1 business day
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We will email you the completed application to be printed, signed, scanned and emailed back to us.
Once we receive it back we will apply for your visa documents at the Ministry of Education.
2 – 4 weeks
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We will email you when we receive your visa documents. Any balance must be paid at this time, along with the courier fee for us to send the original documents to you.
apply for the visa
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Apply in person or mail your application to a Thai embassy or consulate using these documents:
- passport
- passport photo
- school documents (license and letter)
- receipt for your course from our school
- completed application form
- other documents depending on the Thai embassy or consulate where you apply for the ED visa
1 – 10 days
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Receive your passport with your new ED visa.
enter Thailand
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Enter Thailand with your ED visa.
within 14 days
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Begin your lessons within 2 weeks of arrival in Thailand.
Bring your passport to our office so we can make a copy and verify your visa with the MoE. We will also need extra passport photos for visa extensions.
enjoy your stay!
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Enjoy your time in Thailand without visa runs.
Frequently asked questions about Thailand ED visas
How much is an ED visa?
There is no charge for an ED visa. Patong Language School offers this service free for students. The only fees you will pay are to the office issuing or extending your visa.
Do I have to get an ED visa to study a language in Phuket?
No, it is possible to study even on a tourist visa. If you decide to stay longer than 3 months to study, we will be happy to help with your Thailand ED visa application.
Do you guarantee that I will get an ED visa?
While we can’t guarantee it, your course fee is fully refundable if your ED visa application is declined. So far we have a 100% success rate. We do not give refunds once ED visas have been issued or you have started your classes.
What nationalities can apply?
Anyone can apply for an ED visa, but persons from any country in Africa, Middle East or South Asia are often rejected. Some nationalities are required to apply for the ED visa only at a Thai embassy in their home country – please check before travelling.
How much does the ED visa cost?
The fee for a single entry ED visa is around 2,500 Baht, depending on where you apply. Students who are studying for more than 3 months must also pay a visa extension fee to the Phuket Immigration office – the total amount will depend on the length of your studies.
Can I change my tourist visa or type B visa for an ED visa in Thailand?
Sorry, it is not possible to change visa types within Thailand. You will have to make a trip to a neighbouring country to do this. We can provide the necessary paperwork to apply for a change to ED visa at the consulate in Penang, Malaysia.
At the moment it IS possible to change from a tourist visa to an ED visa in Thailand. Please contact us for details.
How long does it take to get the documentation for the Thailand ED visa?
Once you have enrolled for a language course we will make an application to the local Education Office. It takes them from 1-3 weeks to issue the letter you will need to submit with your ED visa application. Once you arrive back in Thailand you will be stamped for a 90-day stay. Extensions can be made in Phuket town after this without making visa runs to the border.
Minimum study hours to qualify
We assist in arranging Thailand ED visas for students that study languages with us full-time. This means a minimum of four lessons per week.
- 6 months (96 lessons)
- 12 months (200 lessons)
Do I have to report to Immigration?
As with any non-immigrant visa, it is necessary to report to the Immigration department every 90 days.
How long can I study on an ED visa?
You can study for 3 months or longer on an ED visa. Please contact the school directly for the most up-to-date information about the maximum duration of an ED visa.
Is it possible leave Thailand once I have an ED visa?
You can leave Thailand but your ED visa will be invalidated if you do not obtain a re-entry permit before exiting. This should be applied for at the Immigration Department in Phuket Town and there is a small charge. The re-entry permit allows you to re-enter with the unused portion of your ED visa reactivated (not extended).
Is it possible to work with an ED visa?
You cannot work on an ED visa. If you find work in Thailand you must apply for a non-immigrant O or B visa and a work permit.
Can I re-apply for an ED visa?
This will depend on how many ED visas you have had, what language you studied and how long you studied for. Contact us with the details of your studies and we will let you know what your options are.
Can I change schools and keep my ED visa?
Sorry, no. Phuket Education office does not allow students to keep their ED visa when changing school. You will have to apply for another ED visa outside Thailand. Contact us and we will let you know what your options are.
Do I have to make visa runs?
No, you don’t need to leave Thailand for the duration of your visa.