There are a lot of reasons why most foreign students opt to study in the tropical country that is Thailand.
First, the very serene and warm climate offers a sense of comfort and relaxation which is very conducive for studying. Second most universities in Thailand offer programs which are globally accredited and internationally recognized. And third the very affordable cost of living.
Among the courses and programs available in Thailand which may be chosen by foreign students are: education, economics, accounting, information technology, medicine, business administration (marketing, finance & banking), biotechnology, architecture, mass communications and journalism, science and technology, and of course Thai language.
Thailand Visa Procedure
Step 1. Apply at a university of your choice, for the course or program desired.
Each university in Thailand follows internal rules different from the others. In some cases, mere photocopies of the required documents are sufficient while for some, the original certified copies are required. These documents must be submitted with the properly accomplished application form of the university where the foreigner is applying.
As there are several programs or courses which an applicant may choose from, it is advisable for the student to initially select as many programs as he or she wants. During the final stages of the application, the potential student may then choose from the programs of the university where he is accepted.
Step 2. Letter of Admission
Upon receiving the Letter of Admission from the university where the foreign student applied, he is now considered as accepted for the program.
The letter will indicate the date which the student should start attending the scheduled classes for the semester he is applying for, as well as all the subjects which he was allowed to enrol for that particular semester.
The minimum number of subjects which a foreign student is allowed to enrol is at least three (3) subjects per semester.
Step 3. Applying for the Thailand student visa (requirements)
Letter of Admission
Valid passport
Recent passport size photograph
Once the potential foreign applicant has secured these three requirements, he may now file his application for a student visa at the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate in his country.
If the applicant is already in the country under a valid tourist visa, there is no necessity to depart from the Kingdom of Thailand to convert the tourist visa into a student visa. If, however, the applicant is inside the country without a valid visa (as in the case of residents of neighbouring countries who do not need a visa to enter the country), then they will be obliged to leave Thailand and apply for the student visa outside the country.
Step 4. The ninety (90)-day student visa
Under Thai law, the initial student visa which will be issued to the foreign student shall be valid for only ninety (90) days. During this ninety day period, it is the foreign student’s duty to register with the Thai university and pay the corresponding tuition fee for his studies.
Upon confirmation of compliance of these twin requisites (payment and registration), the student may now avail of the full one-year student visa in Thailand, without need of leaving the country, as in the case of a visa run.
Step 5. Responsibilities of the foreign student
After the Thailand student visa is issued, Thailand law mandates such holders to notify the government of their location and status every ninety (90) days. This provision was enacted as an added protection to the welfare of the visa holder. According to the rules, the foreign student must accomplish a simple form and indicate therein their current address, in order for the appropriate Thai immigration office to establish their whereabouts at any given time.
Said form may be accomplished by the student in Immigration Bureau anywhere in Thailand, or even by mail at some locations. Thai law strictly implements this rule. Thus, foreign students are warned to abide by the procedure or face the danger of losing their Thailand education visa.