Ask question
This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

What are the current costs and requirements for obtaining an education visa in Thailand?

Sep 30, 2020
6 years ago
Dawn **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
What does immigration charge for an education visa? Had heard it was 10k but today immigration requested 20k.
1,940
views
40
all likes
14
replies
8
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The cost of obtaining an education visa in Thailand varies. While standard fees for in-country NON-ED visas are around 2000 baht for the visa and 1900 baht for an extension, some individuals have reported unexpected higher charges from immigration offices or schools, with figures mentioned as high as 20,000 baht. Costs may differ based on the school and location, with hints that some agencies may offer services that involve additional "greasing" fees to facilitate visa issuance. It's noted that education visas may not currently be issued in-country without specific approvals.
Chan ****
I thought this type of education can be pursued online. What's the visa for?
Like
Reply
Tod *********
the visa is to stay IN thailand :P I think they're not all that concerned about what they're actually studying. ;)
Like
Reply
Reply to
Tod *********
Reply
Jay *****
Ed visas are not being issued in-country. Here is the letter dated 11 Aug from ministry of education requesting immigration to issue them in Thailand, but not approved as yet. Normally 2000, but unsure what they offered you as they cannot issue an Ed visa.
Like
Reply
Dawn **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jay ****
thanks Jay
Like
Reply
Jay *****
Like
Reply
Tod *********
just so you know
@J**
there are private schools in Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, Prachuap, and Surat Thani that have ALL found ways to 'grease the wheel' and get in country 90 day non-ED visas issued from their immigration offices.

You can't do it in Bangkok, that's 100% certain but in the cities I mentioned there are schools that CAN do it
Like
Reply
Jay *****
@Tod ********
I know in Pattaya you cannot as all agencies have said no more non-ED visas, only volunteer.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Jay *****
Reply
Tod *********
Actually
@Da**
, ALL immigration offices the country over charge only 2000baht for a 90 day in country Non-immigrant visa of ANY type.

The fee you're talking about is what the school you're enrolling in charges and that depends on how much they have to "grease the wheel" to have the immigration office issue a back door, under the table in country ED visa for studying at a private school. ;)
Like
Reply
Ivan ************
@T**
I heard at least one report that immigration in Chiang Mai were issuing Ed visas directly, you need to documentation from the school obviously but people go in with that and actually deal with them directly for the conversion.

The guy who told me this said they charged him the extra fee directly as well. IIRC it was 11k.

I don't know about Dawn's specific situation but it's possible that it was actually immigration who asked for the money directly.
Like
Reply
Dawn **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ivan ***********
it was for a friend of mine. She had the school representative with her at CM immigration. The school thought the cost would be 10k, but the immigration agent said 20k. Given that the new extension lasts through Nov she said told immigration she would come back.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Dawn **********
Reply
Dawn **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Like
Reply
Reply to
Dawn **********
Reply
Shayne **********
Depends on which agency/school you are going through.
Like
Reply
Bobby ********
It's 2000 for the visa, 1900 for extension. Click on link and scroll to item 3.

*******************************************
Like
Reply
Apex ********************
1,900 baht.
Like
Reply
Reply to
Apex ********************
Reply
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.