Your passport will be your best friend during your study year in Thailand. Photo by Jonathan Ikemura on Unsplash
Studying Thai or English in Bangkok on an ED Visa is an amazing way to live in the city, make friends and build a new skill step by step. But once the visa stamp is in your passport, a new question appears: what do I need to do now?
The good news is that life on an ED Visa is easy when you know the routine. In this post we share the key things every Bubble Language School student should keep in mind, based on the information on our Student Visa Info page.
One quick note first. Bubble Language School is a private language school registered with the Ministry of Education. We prepare school documents for our enrolled students, but we do not grant visas. Thai embassies and Immigration make the final decisions.
1. Your ED Visa is a study visa
This sounds simple, but it is the most important point. An ED Visa is for studying, so:
- Working is not permitted on a study visa.
- BLS does not support "student on paper" arrangements. We want you in class, learning and enjoying it.
2. Come to class regularly
The Ministry standard is 8 hours of class per week. At BLS we accept a minimum of about 2 hours per week (or 2 group classes). Immigration may check attendance, so regular classes protect your visa and, of course, help your Thai or English grow much faster.
A nice tip: treat your classes like a fixed appointment in your week. Many students pick the same days and times every week, so studying becomes a habit, not a chore.
3. Keep your calendar ready
Most ED Visa stress comes from one thing: missing a date. Put these in your phone calendar today.
90 day reporting
You need to report your address every 90 days. You can report up to 15 days early and up to 7 days late, and reports more than 7 days late are penalised. Your first report is made in person. Later reports can be filed online if they are accepted.
Visa extensions
Your stay is extended in steps. The first extension is usually about 1 month and later ones are usually about 2 months, depending on the Ministry letter. Do not leave it late: a late extension may give you only 30 days or a 7 day window to leave Thailand.
Re-entry permit before you travel
Planning a trip home or a weekend in another country? Get a re-entry permit before each trip abroad. A re-entry permit ends with each extension, so after every extension you need a new one before you travel again.
4. TM30: keep your address up to date
TM30 is the address registration for foreigners in Thailand. It is filed by your accommodation provider, such as your condo, apartment or landlord, and it must stay current. That includes after every move and every time you return from abroad. If you change rooms or come back from a holiday, ask your accommodation to check it for you.
5. Know how your program works
Your study plan and your visa go together, so it helps to know the shape of your program:
- Thai program: 14 months and 2 weeks in total, with Basic, Intermediate and Advanced levels. Students leave Thailand once after Intermediate and return on a new ED Visa for Advanced.
- English program: 12 months in total, with Basic, Intermediate and Advanced levels. Students usually stay in Thailand and extend five times.
Also remember: an ED Visa cannot be transferred to another school inside Thailand. If you want to change schools, you must cancel the visa, leave and reapply.
6. Finishing your studies the right way
When you finish or stop studying, there are two steps. First, get a cancellation letter from the school. Then get the cancellation stamp at Immigration. You must leave Thailand by the date on that stamp. Leaving without it can be recorded as an overstay, which nobody wants on their record.
Useful Thai words for visa days
A little Thai goes a long way at the Immigration office. Here are three words our students love to learn early:
- ตม. (dtɔɔ-mɔɔ): Immigration (short form)
- หนังสือเดินทาง (nǎng-sʉ̌ʉ dəən-taang): passport
- รายงานตัว (raai-ngaan dtuua): to report in, as in 90 day reporting
Try this simple sentence: มารายงานตัวค่ะ / ครับ (maa raai-ngaan dtuua kâ / kráp). It means "I am here to report in."
Questions? We are here to help
Visa rules can feel like a lot at first, but you do not have to figure them out alone. If you are studying with us or thinking about studying Thai or English in Bangkok on an ED Visa, our team is happy to answer your questions.
Message us on LINE Official @ibe_education, email admin@bubblelanguageschool.org, call 092 854 5564, or visit bubblelanguageschool.org. You are also welcome to visit us at Sukhumvit 81, near BTS On Nut.
Source: Bubble Language School Student Visa Info. Rules and processes are decided by Thai authorities and may change.