What are the costs and entry conditions for an education visa for Thailand?

Nov 11, 2023
a year ago
Maxim *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi all, as far as I’m concerned education visa is best for 1 year stay right? Whats the total cost? Can have multiple entries? Thanks!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
An education visa (ED visa) is best for a one-year stay in Thailand, primarily intended for studying. The initial cost is approximately 2000 THB, with 1900 THB for subsequent extensions, plus any fees from the school. Attendance in person is generally required; leaving the country on this visa can lead to entry issues, as the visa is designated for study attendance. Multiple entries aren't typically allowed without a re-entry permit, which is issued on a case-by-case basis, usually restricted to periods when the school is closed for holidays.
Shlomo ***********
Is there a school that issues visa and can teach me Isaan? I’m not interested in missing classes. I want to take the classes and learn the language.
Steve *******
The cost is 2000bt for the initial 90 days non imm ED visa. Subsequent extentions are 1900bt. Then whatever fees your school charges for tuition and administration
Nathanielle *************
As someone who has done it I know how it works. There’s what is technically allowed and what is actually done. Like a lot of things here in Thailand. Cost is dependant on your school yes. Attendance to class is required at least for lesson 1 yes. Do you have to attend other classes physically. No. There’s no checklist that gets reported. Should you be learning Thai. Yes I’m my opinion as much as poss. Can you leave on an ed visa for holiday. Technically no but actually yes if you take that leave within your permitted term break (just work it out with your school and they provide a letter). Will this be ok at the border or airport. Maybe maybe not. Depends on who you get right?! If you state you’re travelling for emergency or to see someone who is sick that’s better than saying I’m going for a stag do. You get my point. The 1 year visa is mistakenly promoted as one year. It’s actually broken down into quarters. So it runs out and then you get it re issued and restanped and forms up to your eye balls filled in with photo of you at immigration to check you’re in the country. But don’t worry that’s why you’re paying the school to do all the admin for you. Despite all this it’s quite painless in the scope of painful things in Thailand
Maxim *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nathanielle ************
thanks a lot for the info very informative 😊
David ********
@Nathanielle ************
How long ago did you attend, as I attended in 2020 (Covid lockdown converted from the 'amnesty' visa just in case they suddenly ended the Covid amnesty policy.

The rule was you need to attend 80% of the classes minimum, and attendance was taken daily, with a weekly class photo that the school used to confirm your attendance.

Yes, the school does handle all the paperwork, so that is easy, but I don't think they let you get away with skipping class. They might cover for one or two classes by claiming you were attending via remote Internet, but they made it clear that was not going to happen on anything like a regular basis as their license would be n the line.
Nathanielle *************
@David *******
last year. Yeah skipping class was totally fine. It’s on you and not monitored. They have your money you check in first day and that’s all that counts. But I’m not advising people do that but it’s something that happens. Life gets busy. You miss one class get caught behind. Or you’re advanced so don’t need to attend some. Ultimately speak to the school.
Wolfgang *******
Immigration allows you to leave the country with a re-entry for no longer than 2 weeks, once a year. If possible you should use the school holidays. If you travel around they will deny to enter the country because it looks like you're misusing your visa.
Maxim *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wolfgang ******
2 weeks will be enough, thanks for the info. Is reentry permit issued for a specific period? Or I can apply in advance and then just leave whenever for a week or so and come back?
Wolfgang *******
@Maxim ********
No specific period
Bob **********
Get one the.
Roberto *********
ED visa is not Multi-Entry. The point of this visa is to come to Thailand to study. You might be permitted to get a re-entry permit during any period your school closes for holidays etc, but that will be a case by case situation
Roberto *********
@Maxim ********
Re-entry permit is issued up to the expiry date of the current entry stamp, that's if you're eligible to get one
Maxim *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Roberto ********
Is reentry permit issued for a specific period? Or I can apply in advance and then just leave whenever for a week or so and come back?
Frank **********
Ed Visa is for learning and studying not to travel around.
Phil ******
@Maxim ********
agree with
@Brandon ***********
. He's covered your question.
Brandon ************
The cost is whatever your school charges for classes.

You can apply for a re-entry permit but you're all but guaranteed to be stopped by immigration upon trying to enter Thailand because the reason you have an education visa is so you can attend class in Thailand. If you leave Thailand you're not attending class in Thailand. There are multiple stories of people who have been denied entry after leaving and trying to return to Thailand with an Education visa because they're not fulfilling the terms of their visa.

If you want to get an education visa you'll need to attend classes, in person.

Every 90 days you'll need to go to immigration and apply for an extension with a large amount of paperwork from your school including your attendance records, and the immigration officers may ask you questions in Thai to test your progress.

You're recommended to not leave Thailand at all until the end of your program.
Jon ******
@Brandon ***********
are there specific borders that do not allow non-ED multiple visa entry?
Maxim *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Is reentry permit issued for a specific period? Or I can apply in advance and then just leave whenever for a week or so and come back?
Brandon ************
@Maxim ********
a re-entry permit is valid until the stamp you purchased it for. It doesn't add any extra time, it just prevents your stamp from being cancelled when you leave the country.
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