VISA APPLICATION GUIDE
International Student Visas
International students require a Non-Immigrant ED visa to study in Thailand. Students should obtain this visa before entering Thailand and then extend the visa within Thailand as necessary.
International students (and all other long-term visitors) are also required to submit a simple notification form to Immigration every 90 days.
Details of current procedures are below. Students may also consult the websites of the Immigration Bureau, Royal Thai Embassies and Royal Thai Consulates for updates to procedures and requirements.
Visa Application for International Students
Once the international student's application to study at AIHM has been approved, an acceptance letter will be issued with an additional letter for the student’s visa application. International students are required to obtain a Non-Immigrant ED visa to study in Thailand, and this must be applied for at a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate before coming to Thailand.
Non-Immigrant “ED PLUS” Visa will be granted to international students currently studying at institutions. During the course of study, Non-ED PLUS Visa holders can depart and re-enter Thailand without the need for a re-entry permit. In addition, Non-ED PLUS Visa holders are allowed to extend their stay in Thailand for 1 year after graduation, to seek employment, travel or take part in other activities, and are eligible to change the type of visa in Thailand if employed.
Documents Required:
- Visa application form
- Passport with at least 6 months remaining validity. (The visa will expire with your passport, and process exists to move your visa to the new passport.)
- Two recent 4 x 6 cm photos
- Letter of acceptance from AIHM
- Letter from AIHM to support the visa application
- Sufficient financial evidence as required by the Royal Thai Embassy
Students who are already in Thailand
If you study high school in one of the international schools in Thailand, your visa from the previous school needs to be cancelled before applying the new one from AIHM.
Please note:
Documents required for the visa application can vary between embassy and consulate locations. Consult the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate in your home country for exact requirements.
Source: Consular.mfa.go.th
Extending Your Visa
Students will need to extend their visa periodically during their studies in Thailand.
Be sure to extend your student visa before the expiry date by submitting the following documents at the local Immigration Bureau:
- Application form for Permission to Stay in the Kingdom Temporarily – Form TM.7
- Notification form for Owner of the Residence Where a Foreigner Stays in Thailand – Form TM.30
- Certificate from AIHM (Thai)
- Copy of passport
- One recent 4 x 6 cm photo
- Tuition fee receipt
- Transcript
- Visa extension fee 1,900 baht
Students: If your visa is expiring, you must notify AIHM at least two weeks prior to the expiry date of your visa to allow sufficient time to prepare the necessary documents and have them signed by the administrators. Visa applications must be submitted in person at the Immigration Bureau.
It is the student's responsibility to ensure their visa is renewed before the expiry date. Staying in the country after the visa expires is a serious problem that will result in daily fines and possibly deportation. The visa expiry date will be stamped on the student's passport and will be recorded by the Immigration Bureau. In the case of a short accidental overstay, it may be possible to extend your visa. However, overstays of more than 90 days are considered a serious offense; in this case, the individual must leave Thailand and will not be able to re-enter to continue their studies.
Documents required to extend the visa in "overstay" status:
- Application form for Permission to Stay in the Kingdom Temporarily – Form TM.7
- Notification form for Owner of the Residence Where a Foreigner Stays in Thailand – Form TM.30
- Certificate from AIHM (Thai)
- Copy of passport
- One recent 4 x 6 cm photo
- Tuition fee receipt
- Transcript
In addition, overstays are subject to a fine THB 500.- per day, up to a maximum of THB 20,000.-.
Notification of Stay in Thailand – Every 90 Days
Individuals staying in Thailand for an extended period (including for purposes of study on a Non-Immigrant ED visa) are required to notify the Immigration Bureau every 90 days.
Documents required:
- Form for Notification of Staying in the Kingdom for More than 90 Days, Form TM.47
- Original passport
- TM.30
Please note:
A fine of 2,000 baht will be charged for late notification of staying in the Kingdom for more than 90 days.
Students can check the Immigration Bureau's website for more details and to inquire about any new procedures or changes to reporting requirements.
Re-entry Permit
Students on a visa who plan to travel outside of Thailand for a family visit, holiday or any other purpose must obtain a Re-entry Permit before leaving Thailand. Otherwise, the visa will be cancelled, and the student must complete the entire process of obtaining a student visa again at a Thai embassy or consulate outside of Thailand. Single and multiple re-entry permits are available.
Documents required:
- Re-entry Permit form – Form TM.8
- One recent 4 x 6 cm photo
- Copy of passport page with photo and personal information
- Copy of passport page with the Non-Immigrant ED visa
- Copy of passport page with most recent entry stamp
- Copy of passport page(s) showing previous visa extension(s)
- Fee of 1,000 baht for single entry or 3,800 baht for multiple entry
- TM.30
