Studying abroad is a good way to get cultured and acquire specializations that might not be available in your home country. It is also a great way to expand your network and meet other nationalities with the same passion as yours. Thailand is getting increasingly popular as an educational destination. In fact, people of any nationality are allowed to apply for a 1-year non-immigrant ED visa (education visa) to the country. This official document can then be renewed until you finish your studies in the country.
A Thai education visa can be acquired through any Thai embassy or consulate, except when you are living in places like Bangladesh, India, China, Iran, Sri-Lanka and the Middle East, in which case you should apply for a Thai ED visa in your home country. A student visa is valid for 90 days when you first receive it. Within its validity, you need to register and pay your tuition for that respective semester and then apply for a visa extension, bearing a letter that confirms your registration. You can typically apply for an extension that is enough to cover your entire study period. Here is a run-down of the things you need to do to acquire an education visa for student in Thailand:
Apply for your program of choice. Procedures for application vary from one university or institution to the next. Some programs you may apply for simply by sending your application form and certified copies of your transcript via mail. Others may request more comprehensive documentation. The same applies when paying your application fees and because transferring money from a foreign bank may cost great, some universities allow you to pay your fee at the day of registration, since this has to be done with your presence anyway. Exceptions may be applicable for distance or e-learning programs.
Once your application is accepted, you will receive a “Letter of Admission” with the official letterhead of the university department you will be studying at. This confirms your acceptance to the program and includes an invitation to begin your studies at the specified date. The acceptance letter is a legal prerequisite for a non-immigrant ED visa. Prove that you are serious with your studies and you will not have a problem applying for your visa.
The Actual application requires your Letter of Admission, a photocopy of your passport, recent passport-size photographs, and other supporting documentations. There are services that can help you streamline the application process and make it easier for you to secure your needed documentation. These types of services prove valuable especially if you want to speed up the process and start studying abroad in the most immediate time possible.