Is there a Thai visa for learning the language that allows long-term stay?

Sep 19, 2017
7 years ago
Rachel *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I read on the internet there is a visa that allows you to stay in thailand as long as you undertake thai speaking lessons. Can anyone shed any light on this please? Is this true? How long do you get to learn the language? Etc etc...any advice is appreciated.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Yes, there is an education (ED) visa that allows you to stay in Thailand while studying the Thai language at an approved school. You can initially receive a 90-day visa, which can be extended every 90 days for up to 15 months, as long as you maintain your enrollment and attend classes as required. Schools typically require a minimum of 10 hours of language study per week to comply with immigration rules, and they often have module-based programs of 3 hours per day, 5 days a week.
Raymond *****
๐Ÿ‘
Ron *******
So you don't really want to go to school?
Tod *********
@Rac***
, as
@Jor***
, said if there isn't a school on the island that's approved by the Ministry of Education to offer ED visas, you're not gonna be able to get one.

At the present time there is no distance learning that carries an ED visa.
Jordan ********
You would have to move unless there's a school on a island.
Rachel *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am currently on a tiny island and have a 9 yr old, hence why I asked if possible could you school yourself via the internet, bit like those in rural Australia do because getting to a city 3 times a week is mere impossible.
Rachel *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Tod. Are there any that offer on line learning?
Tod *********
online distance learning is not approved for an ED visa.

You hafta go to a school the required hours per week.
Tod *********
After touring over 20 thai language schools in Bangkok and reviewing 15 or so for my friends learn thai website I can say the two best schools right now for learning thai are

DLS (Duke Language School 3rd floor Trendy Building Sukhumvit Soi 13)
@https://www.facebook*********************
RTL (Rak Thai Language 10th floor Mahatun Plaza Ploenchit BTS)
@https://www.faceb******************
Tod *********
Most schools group lessons come out around 100-120 baht an hour. Those schools run "module based" levels and each one is 3 hours a day, 5 days a week for a month.

According to the MOE rules you need to study thai 10 hours a week to be enrolled in a year class to get extensions at the immigration office.

The schools that aren't making students study in class that long are gaming the system.
Tod *********
I said "I have found", meaning that's my personal experience. Your mileage may vary ;)
Tod *********
I have found that people who usually ask that question are not interested in studying a language :/ They're just using the ED visa as a reason to stay here.

good things are not cheap, cheap things are not good..
Rachel *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks Tod. Do you know if there is a list of approved language schools available?
Stephan ****
*********************************
i go here next month and i pay
*****
baht for a year
Tod *********
There is no list, if a school offers an ED visa they're approved. You need to check for schools in the area where you are in thailand.
Tod *********
You are talking about an education visa. You can stay up to about 15 months, by studying a language at a school approved by the Ministry of Education. You get a 90 day visa and then you go to the immigration office and extend that every 90 days for the duration of the time you're studying.

Contact some language schools and see what they offer.
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