Non-ED and study-abroad visas

Qualifications & requirements

Two sets of rules, depending on your direction: the Non-ED visa for studying in Thailand, and the visa types Thai students meet when heading overseas. Both are set out below.

Criteria for the Thai Non-ED visa

Hold a Non-Immigrant ED visa or a NON-IMMIGRANT ED stamp in your passport, valid for 90 days.
Be endorsed by the educational institution, which requests your stay or continued study — the institution issues these documents for its students.

What the application must show

Educational evidence relevant to the course you will study — certificates or transcripts.
Admission evidence: a letter from the Thai institution confirming your acceptance.
Financial evidence of sufficient funds for your stay, whether personal income or a sponsor's support.
A passport valid for at least 6 months, with at least one blank visa page.
Passport-size photographs, 4×6 cm.
The visa fee of 2,000 THB.
A fully completed application form.
A health certificate, in some cases.
Travel insurance covering the stay, where required.

Institution endorsement documents

The endorsement pack is the same for public and private institutions — private institutions additionally need Ministry of Education approval:

Endorsement letter from the university rector (addressed to the Immigration Bureau) for higher education.
Endorsement letter from the relevant Ministry of Education department, provincial governor or education area office, for levels below higher education.
Endorsement letter from the head teacher or manager, for international schools.
Copy of the school establishment licence, certified.
Copy of the school director's licence, certified.
Copy of the applicant's educational qualifications.

Supporting documents for the application

Form TM.87 — the application form; or TM.86 if changing visa type from inside Thailand.
Copy of the student's passport, every page, signed.
Acceptance letter issued by the educational institution — original, signed.
Approval letter from the Ministry of Education, for private institutions.
4×6 cm photographs, and the 2,000 THB fee.
Passport valid for at least 18 months on arrival, with at least one blank visa page.
Copy of your round-trip air ticket to and from Thailand.
Confirmation that the enrolment fee has been paid.
Proof of at least US$750 in the bank, re-confirmable every 90 days.
Commitment to attend classes — study must begin within days of arrival, and attendance requirements apply throughout.

Study-abroad visas for Thai students

A study-abroad visa lets Thai students continue their education overseas at secondary, undergraduate or higher levels. Three main types:

Student Visa

For degree-level study abroad. Requires an acceptance from the destination institution first — the Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) — which anchors the visa application.

Short-term Study Visa

For short courses, training or language study: up to 6 months for educational courses, or up to 11 months for English-language courses.

Child Student Visa

For students under 16 studying at primary or secondary level abroad. Requires a guardian or relative resident in the destination country, with documents proving their readiness to care for the student.

What a study-abroad visa allows

Stay in the destination country for educational purposes.
A fixed duration tied to the study programme.
Part-time work in some cases, depending on the country.
No permanent residence — the visa ends with the course.

Documents for a study-abroad application

Passport with at least 6 months validity, plus all previous passports.
Visa application form and the institution's acceptance letter.
One straight-faced photograph, 1.5×2 inches, taken within 6 months.
Certified copy of the national ID card or civil servant card.
Latest diploma or degree certificate with transcript.
Acceptance letter from the institution abroad.
Financial evidence of the sponsor, with certification and proof of your relationship.
The sponsor's employment and income evidence.
Accommodation guarantee letter with the guarantor's documents, if any.
Medical certificate and certificate of good conduct.

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