If you want to study in Thailand, it is possible to extend your stay pursuant to Immigration Bureau Order Sections 2.8 and 2.9 of Immigration Bureu Order No. 327/2557. The parents of the foreigner granted such an extension may also receive an extension.

The length of each extension will depend on the type of school and course of study. The Educational Institution must be approved by the relevant Government agency and except for international schools and those of higher education, be  confirmed by the relevant Government agency.

Please CLICK HERE to check our Latest Thai Immigration Information page for updates or temporary changes that are not included in these pages.

Extension Period by Type of Institution

INSTITUTION

Government

General

Non-Formal

EXTENSION PERIOD

Up to One Year

Up to One Year

Up to 90 days

RENEWABLE

Yes

Yes

Yes

The Extension Period must be certified by the institution.

General institutions are non-governmental which are usually International Schools or Institutes of Higher Education such as private Universities.

Non-Formal schools are those types specified by the Private Education Commission. These types are usually for the study of Religion, Thai Language, Arts & Sports (diving, Thai boxing, etc.), Vocational, Tutoring, and Skills Development. Note: Although extensions for Non-Formal institutions are renewable, they cannot exceed one year from the date of entry into Thailand.

Type of Visa Entry

Enter Thailand with a Non-Immigrant Category "Ed" Visa issued by a Thai Embassy or Consulate. Click here for information on obtaining a category "Ed" Visa.

Upon initial entry, the holder of this type of Visa will be granted a 90 day permission to stay.  This period can be extended at a Thai Immigration office within Thailand.

The extension period must be confirmed and requested by the Educational Institution, the Educational Institution must be approved by the relevant Government agency (usually the Ministry of Education), and, except for international schools and higher education, be  confirmed by the relevant Government agency.

Note: If planning to study and not already accepted by a school in Thailand, you can enter Thailand with a Tourist Visa (60 day permitted stay) or Visa Exempt (usually 30 days, but currently 45 days to allow for COVID-19 quarantine).  Both types of entry can be extended one time for an added 30 days.  This will give the person time to find and obtain the necessary acceptance documents needed by Thai Embassies/Consulates to issue the "Ed" Visa.

Parents Applying for an Extension

In the case of parent(s) of the foreigner with the “ED” visa, they can be granted an extension of stay for the same period. They will need to have entered Thailand on a Non-Immigrant Visa (usually category "O") receiving a 90 day permission to stay upon entry then apply for the extension. They will also need to have at least 500,000 baht on deposit in a Thai . For the first extension, it needs to have been on deposit at least 30 days and for subsequent extensions, on deposit for the previous 3 months.