Non-Immigrant Education (ED) Visa

The Thai Education Visa, officially known as a Non-Immigrant Education (ED) visa, is intended for foreign nationals aged over 12 who plan to stay in Thailand for the purpose of attending a recognized full-time educational course.

Applicants enrolling in the Chiang Mai University TEFL on-campus program are eligible for Non-Immigrant ED Visa assistance. Chiang Mai University is the sole TEFL provider in Thailand capable of furnishing the necessary paperwork to apply for a Non-Immigrant ED Visa within 15 working days of successful program application.

It is important to note that visa approval is not guaranteed and depends on the specific Embassy or Consulate where the application is submitted.

Requirements

To apply for a Non-Immigrant ED Visa, you must formally register, be formally accepted, and make a deposit to study in the Chiang Mai University TEFL course. After meeting these requirements, you will be asked to provide scanned copies of the following documents to our Course Administrator for processing:

1. A passport or travel document with at least 6 months validity from the planned date of arrival in Thailand.
2. Ensure the scanned passport photo page is in colour and legible.

Scanned documents can be emailed directly to the Course Administrator at tefl@cmu.ac.th. Additionally, applicants must confirm the Embassy or Consulate where they intend to submit their visa application, as the official documents provided will be addressed to that specific Embassy or Consulate.

Once received, our Course Administrator will begin processing your supporting documentation. It will take up to 7 working days to process the necessary paperwork, which will be emailed to you. If you require the original document, we can courier the paperwork to you (via DHL) for an additional fee. The documents sent to you will include:

• The official letter of request for a Non-Immigrant ED visa signed by the Director of the Institute.
• A copy of our registration documents for the Language Institute Chiang Mai University.
• A copy of the Official Government Identification Card for the Signatory of the official letter (Director of the Language Institute Chiang Mai University).
• A copy of the Course Syllabus for the Chiang Mai University TEFL program.

Important Note:

Upon entry into Thailand, an applicant will be granted a 90-day stay from the date of entry. Please note that the education visa must be applied outside of Thailand. The Thai embassies might require additional personal document beyond what we can provided for you, such as a criminal records or education certificate. We recommend checking with your designated embassy or consulate again before proceeding.

Important note for those opting to apply for an ED visa at the Thai Embassy in Myanmar:We’ve heard that there’s a high volume of visa applications at the Thai Embassy in Myanmar. If you’re considering this option, please ensure to thoroughly check the application process, expected duration, and procedures to apply to avoid any potential complications or delays. 

How to Apply

To apply for a Non-Immigrant ED Visa, you must submit your application at a Thai Embassy or Consulate outside of Thailand. Download an application form from the Embassy or Consulate website and attach it to the supporting documents provided by Chiang Mai University. Follow any additional guidelines as shown on the Royal Thai Embassy (or Consulate) website.

Processing times vary depending on which Embassy or Consulate you are applying to, but applications can usually be processed within 3-5 working days of submission.

Other Visa Options

1. Thailand Visa Exemption (VE): This option allows tourists from 64 countries to enter Thailand without a visa. They are granted a maximum stay of 90 days if entering Thailand via an international airport or through a land border checkpoint from neighbouring countries.The 64 countries eligible for Visa Exemption include Andorra, Argentina (90 days), Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil (90 days), Brunei, Cambodia (14 days), Canada, Chile (90 days), Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea (90 days), Kuwait, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar (14 days only), Monaco, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru (90 days), Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam.
2. Single Entry Thai Visa (SETV): Issued to various countries for tourism purposes, this visa allows a stay of 60 days, extendable for an additional 30 days if required. Application for this visa type must be made at a Thai Embassy or Consulate outside of Thailand, which could be in a neighbouring country (e.g., Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia) if you’re not in your home country.
3. Thailand Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV): Replacing the old triple entry tourist visa, the METV comes with specific and stringent requirements. However, it offers flexibility by allowing entry and exit as many times as desired once the visa is activated (entered Thailand).It is essential to leave Thailand every 60 days or request a 30-day extension at a Thai immigration office, providing a total of 90 days per entry. Extensions can be obtained every 60 days, allowing a person to spend a significant part of 9 months in Thailand if the dates are managed correctly.