Answered5 years ago

How can I obtain a student visa for 18 months of study in Thailand across two institutions?

Student Visa Non Immigrant ED Visa Visa Extension Immigration Office Thailand Education

Sebastian *******

asked Dec 2, 2021

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Hi,

Next year I will study in Thailand at two different institutions for a total of 18 months. I need a student visa for both of these, but from what I've found student visas only last 12 months and you can't apply for a seperate student visa while in Thailand. Does anyone have any suggestions about how I can get a student visa to cover 18 months across 2 schools?

Thankyou

Answer summary

The user inquires about obtaining a student visa for an 18-month study period across two different institutions in Thailand, noting that student visas typically last 12 months and that they cannot apply for a separate student visa while in Thailand. Community comments suggest that a Non Immigrant ED visa can initially provide a 90-day stay, after which the user can apply for an Extension of Stay at the Immigration Office based on their studies. This procedure can be repeated as long as the user continues to study in Thailand.

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Robert *******

a Non Immigrant ED visa gives you 90 days of stay on arrival in Thailand. Before these 90 days expire you and the school representative visit with documents the Immigration Office and apply for an Extension Of Stay based on study in Thailand. You will get 90 days again and repeat procedure as long as you study.

5 years ago

Sebastian *******

Okay thankyou!

And there's no limit in how long you can stay? As long as you continue to get the supporting documentation and extension of stay?

Do you know anything about switching institutions? I wonder if it would require a second visa or just a change in the visa information.

5 years ago

Robert *******

@Sebastian ******

There is a limit. set by the type of education. For a master degree it could be a few years, for Thai language it is maximum 1 year.

5 years ago

Benjamin ******

What are you going to study?

5 years ago

Sebastian *******

First at Duke Language School (approved by Thai immigration as an ED visa institution) for 3 months. And then 12 months at Mahidol University in Salaya

5 years ago

Benjamin ******

@Sebastian ******

Have you talked to both Duke and Mahidol about this?

Duke Language is a Thai language school, and is classified as an informal school. A person can only study Thai for one year.

Mahidol is an Internationally accredited university. A person can study at a university as a formal student for as long as the program lasts.

I do not know if it's possible to go from an in-country ED visa based on studying Thai language to a one year extension of stay based on studying at a formal Thai university.

5 years ago

Sebastian *******

@Benjamin *****

I thought about coming on a tourist visa and then transferring to ED visa, but the tourist visa isn't long enough. But I've just learned that you can extend a tourist visa and then switch to an ED visa.

I believe that the Mahidol campus is Nakhon Pathom. I didn't realise they had Facebook pages. I'll contact them.

Thanks again for all your help

5 years ago

Benjamin ******

@Sebastian ******

A question that I want to ask is why are you seeking a three month ED visa to study Thai Language? A person doesn't need an ED visa to study in Thailand; they can study on any type of visa.

Each province has their own immigration office, website, and contact number(s). I drive by Mahidol Salaya about once a week, but I do not know if that is in Bangkok or Nakhon Pathom (it's right on the edge)

I know both Bangkok and Nakon Pathom immigration has Facebook pages; I suggest contacting them there.

5 years ago

Sebastian *******

@Benjamin *****

yes, I've spoken to both places, but they each only know about going to one. E.g. Duke says yes you can get an ED visa to study here, mahidol says the same, but the switch between the two is unclear.

I must have gotten the 1 year maximum for Ed visa from the language school requirements. It makes sense that I can continue at Mahidol until my program concludes.

I contacted the embassy here in Australia but they weren't sure and told me to contact immigration in Thailand. I've been trying to get into contact with immigration but can't seem to get through. The website only shows info about changing visa types e.g. Tourist to Ed. I tried calling the hotline +66 1178, but it says the number is invalid.

5 years ago