The visa is procedural, not competitive.
Unlike student visas for some Western countries, Thailand's Non-Immigrant ED visa is not decided on an interview or a points test. It follows your acceptance letter. What it does demand is that you keep up with reporting once you are there — and that is where students get caught out.
From acceptance letter to campus.
- Prerequisite
Get the acceptance letter
The university issues an acceptance or admission letter after you accept your offer. Nothing in the visa process can begin before this document exists.
- In India
Apply at the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate
You will need a passport valid at least six months with two blank pages on both sides, the completed visa form, a recent 4 × 6 cm photograph, the acceptance letter and academic records. Fees are set per country at the mission.
- On arrival
Enter on a 90-day permission to stay
The initial entry gives you 90 days in Thailand. This is normal and not a sign that anything is wrong — the extension covering your full programme is done inside Thailand.
- Before day 90
Extend through Immigration, with the university
The International Student Office supports the extension using your enrolment record. Each extension carries a ฿1,900 fee. Degree students typically extend for the length of the academic year rather than in short increments.
- Every 90 days, ongoing
File the TM.47 90-day report
Anyone staying more than 90 consecutive days on a non-immigrant visa must report their address every 90 days — in person, by post or online. Late filing carries a ฿2,000 penalty. Put it in your calendar on day one.
- Before any travel
Buy a re-entry permit before you leave the country
The ED visa is single-entry. Leaving Thailand without a re-entry permit cancels your extension and you would have to start again. Single re-entry ฿1,000, multiple ฿3,800. This is the most expensive mistake a student can make — including on a quick trip home.
An education visa is issued for study. Employment in Thailand requires a work permit, a separate authorisation with its own conditions, and an ED visa does not by itself grant the right to work.
Paid internships are different. The Graduate School has confirmed a special arrangement for Indian students; those placements are made by the university and sit under its own rules. Ask your department. Do not build a budget on informal part-time earnings outside that arrangement.
A campus visit, industrial tour or week-long workshop does not use the ED student visa. Groups travelling for short programmes should confirm the correct visa category with the India Office before booking flights. Visit formats →