How much does a 1-year Student Visa cost in Thailand, and what are the current challenges with obtaining one?

Jan 13, 2023
2 years ago
Terry ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello everyone,

I do not have the required 800,000 Thai Baht for a 15 month retirement Visa but really want to stay 1 year. Does anyone know how much a Student Visa costs for a 1 year term?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the struggles of an individual seeking a one-year stay in Thailand due to insufficient funds for the required 800,000 Thai Baht for a retirement visa. Various comments mention that a Student Visa (ED Visa) costs around 40,000 to 65,000 Baht. However, updates indicate recent crackdowns on education visas and concerns about new scrutiny, especially for those over 50. Some users suggest contacting agencies for assistance, while others warn against potential legal issues with fraudulently obtaining visas or using dubious agents.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
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  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Terry ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I think not legal
Eric *******
An ED visa for 1 year cost around 40.000 Thb, depending on the total number of hours of study throughout the whole year.
Terry ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yessir Blake, awesome thank you. Any idea how much?
Blake ***********
@Terry *****
i think they charge 45k Bhat and they will pay for everything you need. Cost of the visa, cost to borrow the 800k bhat and what not. When my friend did it they pretty much just showed up to sign paperwork and was finished in 30 minutes
Robert ************
@Terry *****
You are a Fool, if you go for such a Scam. I don't believe any so-called "Agent" can "get around" the legal requirements. And, even if they did, it would be fraudulent, and if you are ever discovered you would be fined, possibly jailed, and definately deported. AND, instead of simply investing your money in a safe Thai Bank Account earning good interest, you would be "pissing away" 15K Baht or more?
Blake ***********
I know a thai lady in Chiang Mai that can help you get the retirement visa. She speaks really good English and has helped several people i know get around the 800k in your banks account issue.
Robert ************
@Blake **********
Sorry, don't believe it.
Richard **********
If you dont have 800k in a thai bank how can you survive for a year on a student visa? How do u have the funds to support yourself for a year with rent and food. All you people make me laugh with this stupid visa comments. Dont come to live if you cant afford it. Girls aint that good. Bounce in and out if the country on a 30 day stamp sounds better
Nick *******
@Richard *********
Bullshit. You can live in Thailand on half that for a year.
Richard **********
@Nick ******
we all dont eat 60 baht breakfast & dinners at cheap charlies.
Nick *******
Nick *******
@Richard *********
haha i don't need to. Lived here long enough to live here quite comfortable. I take it you are scottish by the look of your profile. The most tightest people on the planet lol.
Richard **********
@Nick ******
tight…. Its you moaning about 800k you dough ball. Probs piss that on a wall in 6 months while u live off it a year. Whos the tight one…LOL
Terry ********
@Richard *********
800k baht is far more than what is needed to live here comfortably. Very few Thais spend that much in a year.
Richard **********
@Terry *******
800k is pocket change to the working forigner
Terry ********
@Richard *********
if you’re working, you’re not going to be on a retirement extension, are you?
JP *******
@Richard *********
If you really can't fathom why someone doesn't want to leave 800k in a Thai bank, maybe you ought to stop laughing and start using your head a little more.
Richard **********
@JP ******
Have millions in mine for a few years. No issue there.
JP *******
@Richard *********
Congrats. What an amazing world we live in where a man can make millions without being able to read and comprehend a simple sentence or follow a topic on Facebook :)
Richard **********
@JP ******
Your comment is worthless then. Stop spouting grabage. Your a typical keyboard warrier under a fake profile with no pictures of post. 🫰
JP *******
"Stop spouting grabage."? Irony is delicious XD
Terry ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Richard *********
Mr McIntosh

I can live comfortably here unlike my country. So I seek advice not negative feedback
Terry ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you for the information
Martyn ***********
@Terry *****
contact
@Luckchanok *********
at maneerat travel soi
****
great service and long established well run. Cheaper than prices given above too...
Grant ***********
Susan *********
@Grant **********
…is Best Friend Visa still active and are they located near the Big C? Thank you!
Terry ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Grant **********
Awesome thanks Grant
Shayne **********
If you're over 50, there will be a lot of scrutiny getting an education Visa.
Terry ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes I just learned that and going to go another route. Best bet is hiring an Agency.
Daniel ************
around 65k
Bonnie *********
ED Visas are on hold during investigation of fake schools.
Mike *******
@Bonnie ********
Ed visas seem to be back on now. I know several people who are getting them.
Brandon ************
@Bonnie ********
Bangkok and Phuket are mostly back to normal now, but I'd stay far far away from anything to do with ED in Chiang Mai.
Mike *******
@Brandon ***********
hi mate, what makes you say that about Chiang Mai?
Brandon ************
@Mike ******
Chiang Mai was the center of the investigation and immigration cancelled thousands of ED visas from Chiang Mai. I'm not even sure if it's possible to get one there right now.
Mike *******
@Brandon ***********
seems to be ok in Chiang Mai now mate, Ed visas being offered through schools and the university.
Bonnie *********
@Brandon ***********
It wouldn’t be so bad if so many people didn’t brag about scamming the system.
Peter *********
Tik tok agency jontien can do for you no problem mate 👍
Terry ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Peter ********
Thanks Mate!!
Frank **********
If you use Visa Agent and do not have the funds required that is obtaining a visa fraudulently. You will always wonder if Thai Police will come for you.
Robert ************
@Frank *********
Exactly. Do it right, or don't do it.
Phil ********
@Kool ******
And therefore the fees charged allow for the loan, rather than actually having one's own 800 k in the bank?

Fascinating.

Thank you

Cheers 🍺
Kool *******
@Phil *******
if your credit limit was high enough, ask yourself how much a credit card would charge for that size of a cash loan if you made payments over the 12months. It's not really any different
Phil ********
@Kool ******
In the abstract, I can surmise how this as such falls under a loan loophole, so to speak... could you please explain further?

Cheers 🍺
Kool *******
@Phil *******
you have to meet the financial requirements, so a bank account with bt 800,000, at an interest rate of from bt14,000-bt35,000 for the year for the bank loan.
Terry ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank Todd! Much appreciated.
Terry ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank *********
I really love this country and I will figure it out sooner or later
Terry ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Frank Shevchuk Wow!!
Kool *******
@Frank *********
technically it falls under loansharking, that is grey area legal, as long as the interest rate isn't over the top credit card interest rate.

When the current financial rules went into place for the retirement visa, that being bt800,000 in your account at least two months before you apply, then the full amount in your account for three months after you get your extension stamp, then not dropping below bt400,000 for the rest of the year. This was done with the intent on putting too much tying up of funds for the loansharks, thinking they would stop those kind of loans, but the loansharks just adapted...lolol.
Terry ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank *********
I totally understand. Thank you guys for your time.
Todd *********
@Terry *****
Frank is not being honest with you at all
Garrett ***********
You can use an agency if you don't have the money. Thai Visa center charges around 32k baht for 15 months, you don't need the 800k.
Paul *****************
@Garrett **********
you need Sure
Garrett ***********
Craig ********
@Garrett **********
Several agents have informed me that starting in 2023 they are cracking down and ALL documentation must be present and 100% complete.

That means an updated bank book, 2 months of bank records printed out the day you go to immigration, signed by the bank. It must have 800k baht that has been in that bank for 60 or more days. If you are renewing a retiree visa you need 1 year of bank records and your balance must never go below 400k THB. Also a copy of your TM-30. An active lease agreement. You must not be delinquent on your 90-day reporting. Your fully filled out visa application. I think that's everything.

I have been informed by several agents that without all of these things, you will not get your retiree visa.

Of course it's always up to the IO you interview with. And maybe some agents can still get it done under the table for you with missing documentation. But from what I'm hearing, you might not have much luck getting that done.
Garrett ***********
Brandon ************
You need to be asking schools, not an internet forum. Just know there was a huge nationwide crackdown on education visas in the last 2 months, so expect attendance to be strictly taken and enforced, and for your learning progress to be evaluated at each of your 90 day extensions when you go to immigration.

We've also heard rumors that some provinces will no longer issue ED visas/extensions to those over age 50.
Terry ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Thank you will do. I want to learn the Thai language so yes, I will go that route
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