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Can I use a student visa to switch from Thai language classes to Chulalongkorn University?

Thailand visa rules Education visa Thai language classes Chulalongkorn University GI Bill student visa visa transition expat advice

Sep 4, 2025

3 days ago

Andre ***************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello my name is andre, i have been planning on moving to thailand for the past couple years and I think it's finally time to take the leap. Would I be able to take six months to a year of thai language classes out in town underneath the education visa and then leave the school once i'm completed with the program to then attend school at chulalong? Im a veteran and would like to use my gi bill. In my head, i would be underneath a student visa, but they would just have to change the details underneath my file.When it came for immigration. Or would they look at it like i'm applying for a second student visa... And start putting up a fuss and start scrutinizing and asking questions, regardless, they'll ask questions. Does anybody here know anyone or anything about the possibilities of approval for this visa strategy.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user, Andre, is exploring the possibility of initially taking Thai language classes under an education visa and then transitioning to formal studies at Chulalongkorn University. It was advised that he might need to cancel his initial education visa and apply for a new one when switching to the formal institution. Additionally, there are insights regarding the GI Bill and its application for universities in Thailand, emphasizing that obtaining a degree could assist in acquiring permanent residency or citizenship in the future.

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Jeremy ********

The GI bill has approved universities that they pay for in Thailand utilize that for your university of choice

once approved and enrolled you will get the overseas BAH with school paid for as long as you keep a 2.5 GPA

If you go to a university you will get the new Ed plus visa which gives you 4 years plus an extra year after you graduate to look for a job or start a business , the Ed plus visa also allows you to open a bank acct…

By graduating from a Thai university it helps out in the future if you want to obtain Thai PR or citizenship

The regular Ed visa is easy to obtain via an accredited language school

In both visas you will have to apply at a Thai embassy or consulate outside of Thailand

Good luck

3 days ago

Brandon ************

You will likely need to cancel your language school extension and then leave Thailand and apply for a new education visa, as you are switching from informal school to formal school.

The only people who can really answer this though would be the university and your immigration offices, since both of them would need to support you switching your extension from not only one school to another, but one education type to another.

3 days ago

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Brandon ************

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What should I know about studying Thai on an education visa while planning to live in Chiang Mai for a year?

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