Thailand ED Visa

The ED (Education) Visa is Thailand's visa for students enrolled in Thai language schools, universities, Muay Thai training, or other educational programs. Get 90-day stamps with extensions up to 1 year, but requires actual class attendance.

90 Days

Initial Stamp

1 Year

Max Extensions

50-80K ฿

Annual Cost

12-20 hrs

Weekly Classes

What is the ED Visa?

The ED (Education) Visa is for foreigners enrolled in legitimate educational programs in Thailand. Originally designed for university students, it's become popular among digital nomads enrolled in Thai language schools or Muay Thai training programs.

The Reality: While some use ED visa as a "long-term tourist visa," Thai immigration has cracked down on schools that don't require actual attendance. Legitimate ED visas require 12-20 hours of class attendance per week and periodic immigration checks.

Note: With the introduction of the DTV visa in 2024, ED visa has become less attractive for digital nomads who don't genuinely want to study Thai language or train Muay Thai seriously.

ED Visa Quick Reference

Best For:

✅ Genuinely want to learn Thai language
✅ Serious Muay Thai practitioners
✅ University students (legitimate)
✅ Can attend classes 12-20 hrs/week
✅ Want structured long-term stay

NOT Ideal For:

❌ Don't want to attend classes
❌ Working full-time remotely (no time for class)
❌ Want travel flexibility
❌ Don't want immigration check-ins
❌ Just need tourist stay (get DTV instead)

ED Visa Requirements

From the School:

✅ Acceptance letter from MOE-approved school
✅ School registration documents
✅ Course curriculum and schedule
✅ Proof of payment (full course fee upfront)
✅ School owner/director letter

Personal Documents:

✅ Passport (6+ months validity)
✅ Passport photos (4-6 photos)
✅ Bank statements (some schools require 20K-50K THB)
✅ Criminal background check (some schools)
✅ Medical certificate (some schools)

ED Visa Costs

Item	Cost (1 Year)
Language School Tuition	30,000-60,000 ฿
Visa Application Fee	2,000 ฿
Extensions (3-4 times)	1,900 ฿ x 4 = 7,600 ฿
Books & Materials	2,000-5,000 ฿
TOTAL (1 Year)	42,000-75,000 ฿

Comparison: DTV costs 10,000 ฿ for 5 years (180+180 days per entry, no class attendance required). ED visa costs 42,000-75,000 ฿ per year AND requires 12-20 hours of weekly classes.

ED Visa vs DTV: Which Should You Choose?

Choose ED Visa if:

✅ You genuinely want to learn Thai language or train Muay Thai seriously
✅ You have 12-20 hours per week for classes
✅ You're under 50 and don't qualify for retirement visa
✅ You want structured schedule and learning goals

Choose DTV if:

✅ You work remotely and don't have time for classes
✅ You want maximum flexibility (no class attendance)
✅ You want to travel frequently
✅ You want cheaper long-term option (10K vs 50-80K per year)
✅ You have remote work or can enroll in soft power activity

Learn More About DTV →

Not Sure Which Visa is Right for You?

ED visa, DTV, tourist visa, retirement visa - each has different requirements and trade-offs. Get personalized guidance based on your situation.

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