Institution not recognised
A language or vocational school without a valid MOE licence, or a school on the immigration watch list.
The fix. Choose licensed institutions; Vistolane checks the licence number before filing.
Thailand Non-immigrant ED student visa for Indian students
Indian students admitted to a Thai university, international school or Ministry of Education-approved course apply for a Non-immigrant ED visa on thaievisa.go.th: INR 7,000 for a single entry valid three months, giving 90 days of stay on arrival, which the Immigration Bureau extends year by year for THB 1,900 while the institution confirms enrolment. Processing at the New Delhi embassy or the consulates takes about 10 working days. Tuition at public universities such as Chulalongkorn, Mahidol or Thammasat runs THB 100,000 to 400,000 a year for English-taught programmes; students may not work in Thailand without a separate work permit.
Thailand Non-immigrant ED visa (study): quick answers
Who qualifies for a Non-ED visa? Anyone holding an acceptance letter from a Thai institution recognised by the Ministry of Higher Education or the Ministry of Education: degree programmes, exchange semesters, international school places, Thai-language schools and vocational courses. The institution issues the admission letter and, for universities, a letter from the registrar addressed to the embassy; language schools must be licensed and attendance is checked at each extension.
What does it cost? INR 7,000 for the single-entry Non-immigrant visa at the New Delhi embassy or the consulates, valid three months for one entry. In Thailand, each extension of stay costs THB 1,900, a re-entry permit THB 1,000 (single) or THB 3,800 (multiple) if you travel home mid-course, and the 90-day address report is free.
How long does it take from India? About 10 working days once the embassy receives a complete e-Visa file, plus the time the university needs to issue the admission and embassy letters, usually two to four weeks after the tuition deposit. Apply six to eight weeks before the semester starts in August or January.
At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visa type | Non-immigrant ED, single entry, 90 days on arrival, extendable yearly |
| Government fee | INR 7,000 single entry; THB 1,900 per extension in Thailand |
| Processing | About 10 working days at the embassy or consulate |
| Funds | THB 20,000 per person (about INR 55,000) on the e-Visa statements; universities ask for tuition proof |
| Work rights | None without a work permit; internships need a Non-B and permit |
| Dependants | Spouse and children on Non-immigrant O visas (INR 7,000 each) |
| Reporting | 90-day address report to immigration while in Thailand |
| Verified | 29 Oct 2026 against the New Delhi embassy fee table |
Who qualifies, and what the institution must provide
The visa is tied to an institution rather than to a points test. Universities, including the international colleges at Chulalongkorn, Mahidol, Thammasat, Chiang Mai and the Asian Institute of Technology, issue an acceptance letter and a request letter addressed to the Royal Thai Embassy confirming the programme, its dates and that tuition has been paid or is due. International schools issue a placement letter for the child and the parent applies for a Non-O guardian visa. Private language and vocational schools must be licensed by the Ministry of Education and their students face closer scrutiny after 2024 crackdowns on visa-mill schools.
The applicant must show the embassy a passport valid for six months, the institution's letters, academic transcripts, bank statements with at least THB 20,000 (the embassy's general guideline for Non-immigrant visas) and, for minors, parental consent. English-taught degrees do not need a Thai test; Thai-taught programmes set their own language requirements.
The ED visa does not allow employment. Students on paid internships or part-time work need their employer to obtain a work permit and switch them to a Non-B status, which is possible from inside Thailand with the institution's consent. Graduates who find a job change to a Non-B at the Immigration Bureau without leaving the country.
Fees and what they cover
| Item | Fee | Paid by |
|---|---|---|
| Non-immigrant ED visa, single entry | INR 7,000 | Student, online on thaievisa.go.th |
| Extension of stay (one year at a time) | THB 1,900 | Student, at the Immigration Bureau |
| Re-entry permit, single or multiple | THB 1,000 or THB 3,800 | Student, if leaving Thailand mid-stay |
| 90-day report | Free | Student, online or in person |
| Tuition (public university, English programme) | THB 100,000 to 400,000 a year | Student |
| Health insurance | About THB 10,000 to 20,000 a year | Required by most universities |
The multiple-entry Non-immigrant visa at INR 13,500 is rarely issued for study; students who travel home take a re-entry permit instead. Vistolane charges the INR 7,000 fee at the official rate and books the extension appointment before the first 90 days end.
How the application runs, step by step
- Secure admission and pay the deposit. The university issues the acceptance letter and an embassy request letter, usually within 2 to 4 weeks.
- Apply on thaievisa.go.th. Choose Non-immigrant ED and the post for your state; upload the passport, photo, letters, transcripts and 3 months of statements.
- Pay INR 7,000 and wait about 10 working days. The e-Visa PDF arrives by e-mail; check the visa category and validity before travel.
- Enter within 3 months of issue. Submit the TDAC within 72 hours of arrival; the officer stamps 90 days.
- Extend at the Immigration Bureau. Before day 90, file TM.7 with the institution's letter, THB 1,900 and a photo for a one-year extension; repeat each year and report your address every 90 days.
Timeline for an Indian student
| Stage | Typical time | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Admission letters | 2 to 4 weeks | University registrar issues both letters |
| e-Visa processing | About 10 working days | Embassy or consulate reviews online |
| Entry | Within 3 months of issue | 90 days stamped |
| First extension | Same day, before day 90 | THB 1,900 with the enrolment letter |
| Annual renewal | Same day each year | Attendance and enrolment checked |
Semesters start in August and January; most Indian students apply in June or November. Students at Thai-language schools are typically granted extensions in shorter blocks and must show attendance records.
After arrival: extensions, reporting and switching
The 90-day entry stamp is only the beginning. The one-year extension is granted at the Immigration Bureau office for the province of study with the institution's letter, a copy of its licence, the student's transcript or attendance record and THB 1,900. Every 90 days of continuous stay the student reports an address online or in person, and leaving Thailand without a re-entry permit cancels the extension.
Graduates may switch to a Non-immigrant B visa inside Thailand once an employer obtains a work permit, or to the DTV if they take remote work for a foreign company. Spouses and children accompany on Non-O visas and may attend school; a spouse may not work without a permit.
Document checklist: identity and forms
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Passport valid 6 months with blank pages | Colour scan of the bio page |
| Photo taken within 6 months | White background, no glasses |
| Thailand Digital Arrival Card | Within 72 hours before arrival |
Study
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Acceptance letter from the institution | Naming the programme and dates |
| Letter to the Royal Thai Embassy | From the registrar or school director requesting the Non-ED visa |
| Institution's licence or MOE approval | Required for schools and language institutes |
| Transcripts and certificates | Highest qualification |
Funds and family
| Document | Standard the officer applies |
|---|---|
| Bank statements for 3 months | At least THB 20,000 equivalent; tuition receipt if paid |
| Parental consent and birth certificate | Applicants under 20 |
| Health insurance | Where the university requires it |
Why applications on this route get refused, and the fix
Weak enrolment evidence
Only an offer e-mail, or no letter addressed to the embassy.
The fix. Ask the registrar for the formal admission letter and the embassy request letter.
Funds or sponsor unclear
Statements under THB 20,000 or a parent's account without a sponsorship letter.
The fix. Add the sponsor's letter, their statements and the relationship proof.
Attendance failures at extension
Thai-language students who missed classes are refused extensions and must leave.
The fix. Keep attendance above the school's threshold; switch programmes formally if needed.
Working on an ED visa
Caught working part-time without a permit; fines, deportation and a ban.
The fix. Have the employer apply for a work permit and change of status first.
Official sources
Questions, answered
How much is the Thailand student visa for Indians?
INR 7,000 for the single-entry Non-immigrant ED visa, paid online on thaievisa.go.th. Extensions in Thailand cost THB 1,900 a year and a re-entry permit THB 1,000 or THB 3,800.
How long can I stay on a Non-ED visa?
90 days on arrival, then yearly extensions at the Immigration Bureau for as long as the institution confirms enrolment and attendance; a four-year degree means four extensions.
Can I work in Thailand on a student visa?
No. Employment needs a work permit from the Ministry of Labour and a change to Non-immigrant B status; some universities arrange this for internships. Graduates switch to Non-B once hired.
Which Thai universities do Indian students choose?
Mahidol, Chulalongkorn, Thammasat, Chiang Mai, Kasetsart, the Asian Institute of Technology and Assumption University for English-taught degrees in medicine, engineering, business and hospitality.
Does Vistolane file Thailand student visas?
Yes. Vistolane checks the institution's licence, prepares the e-Visa file, charges the INR 7,000 fee at the official rate and sets reminders for the 90-day report and the yearly extension.