Education visa in Thailand
An education visa in Thailand is issued to allow the foreigner the opportunity to mainly study the Thai language or take up other similar courses at an accredited language school in Thailand. You don’t necessarily have to study a language, people have been known to get an education visa to study other skills such as: Thai Boxing or Scuba Diving.
If you are going to obtain an education visa then you must be aware of the certain criteria and the new procedure put in to force by the Thai Immigration Bureau to stop foreigners taking advantage of the visa and residing in Thailand illegally.
Due to the shortage of long stay visas available for foreigners under the age of 50 years and not working legally or married legally to a Thai National the education visa is deemed as a potential way of learning a new language and also spending time in Thailand, but it has its rules!!
Rules for obtaining an Ed Visa
To start the process of obtaining an ED visa you must first visit a school that is registered by the Thai Ministry of education, you must choose the course you wish to attend and then pay the fees required by the school.
The school will or should know the correct documents you require to start the process and help you obtain your first 3 month Non Immigrant ED visa.
The visa can only be obtained from a Thai consulate outside of Thailand normally from a neighboring Country like Laos or Cambodia.
So making sure you have all the documents from the school you then travel to the Thai consulate outside of Thailand who will at their discretion issue you with a 3 month Non ED visa.
When you re enter Thailand through the airport or across a land border you will be issued a 90 day visa which will then legally allow you to continue your studies.
The new rules introduced by the Thai Immigration in 2013 state that every 90 days you must appear at your local Immigration office to be issued with a further 90 days and note this is not given to you automatically you will be tested by the Officer in Thai to make sure that you are definitely and seriously studying a language. You will also need to report your address to immigration every 90 days.
If you fail the small test then the Immigration officer has the power to presume you are not taking your studies seriously and cancel your visa placing a void stamp over the current visa issued.
So it is advisable to make sure that you study or risk losing your visa to stay in Thailand.
If all is well and you pass the small test after 90 days then the Thai Immigration officer will issue you with your next 90 day visa. This will happen 3 times making your visa in total a full year. As the extensions are given the testing gets more difficult as you should be learning at a higher level.
Renewing your Non Immigrant Ed Visa
When your 1 year has ended then the new rules are simple you must start the whole process again as the visa is given 1 year at a time. So a new course, new documents and a trip outside of Thailand to obtain a new Non Immigrant ED 3 month visa, you cannot continue extending the 1 year visa indefinitely it has to be done annually.
After 1 year when you leave Thailand to obtain a further 90 day Non Immigrant ED visa you will be asked by the Immigration officer to supply a letter from the school to confirm that your studies have been completed for the year with the school so please try not to forget to obtain the letter from the school.
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Russ J.
05:14 20 Nov 24
Amazing service. Renewed my UK passport today. Friendly and efficient staff. Would highly recommend Key Visa
Armani G.
18:35 06 Nov 24
This was the best visa service I have ever experience very fast I got my retirement Visa and bank account all the staff was very professional, I highly recommend this agency. You will never regret it thanks very much much to all the staff at the visa service. Your sincerely, ARMANI
negnirty
06:55 31 Oct 24
Timely and great service for extending my tourist visa. 15 minutes, a quick trip to immigrations for a photo. Passport was ready the next day.
Spencer S.
10:11 15 Oct 24
I have been using Key Visa for 15 years always a great service
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15:51 23 Sep 24
Andrew M.
09:53 03 Sep 24
Received my new UK passport today. Great service from Key Visa who I thoroughly recommend. I had other quotes as much as 9000 bhts more than I paid for Key Visa… Thanks to all the staff that helped. Five Gold stars to all 😆
bahrc2c
06:44 20 Jun 24
Good service and fast
Steve G.
09:49 01 Jun 24
Have been getting info regarding child's 1st UK passport and also UK visa from Thailand.Very helpful,and as soon as I need to will be using them.Totally trustworthy.
bri P.
06:00 25 May 24
I would once again like to thank Ann and the staff at keyvisa for a great service. I have been using them since 2016 both for passport renewal and also for my annual visa. They are a very professional company and always willing to help. Many thanks and keep up the great work.
เป็ด ฤทธิรงค์ ส.
22:49 15 May 24
Geoffrey E.
10:17 11 Apr 24
Keyvisacompany wow ! After badly let down and costly by other company totally ripped off keyvisacompany had help me to get married and new visa for my wife who now stay with me in UK , keyvisacompany office in Pattaya are nice people speak good English with less hassle and patient they even take you by their car to Bangkok embassy and their lady waiting for you to access your need and return without having to worry what to do so thank you again for truthfully service as said on your web site Thank you 🙏
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04:16 09 Mar 24
Dolby D
10:51 04 Mar 24
The best place for anything visa related , dealt with them for a good few years now and cannot fault the service !! Truly exceptional company xx malc
K C
09:54 03 Mar 24
I've used this agent for the last 3 years. They can help you navigate the system.
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05:46 13 Feb 24
Absolut perfekt. Professionelle Beratung, Sachkundiges und sehr freundliches Personal. Schnelle und preiswerte Bearbeitung. Kann ich uneingeschränkt weiterempfehlen.
Duane T.
05:51 06 Feb 24
Darren was so easy to work with and made everything simple to do for us this is the second time …
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11:26 18 Jan 24
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16:36 01 Jan 24
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07:21 19 Dec 23
Ray Z.
09:08 18 Dec 23
Key Visa is the best. I couldn't ask for better service in regard to renewing my U.S. Passport. Imagine an Embassy where they don't want their citizens appearing in person? Key Visa helped to alleviate a lot of stress and anxiety regarding this matter. I paid the fee, gave them the photos and some information....and they did the rest. My renewed passport was back in less than 6 weeks and now, all the stress is gone. I cannot thank Key Visa service enough. Nice staff as well. Ray Zimmerman U.S.A.
N L.
13:47 08 Dec 23
I have used this service for obtaining a second UK passport. Excellent service where I obtained my passport hassle free. Just doing the same again. Highly recommend you use. Darren sadly passed away and his wife continues the business. I was able to get my second British passport renewed with excellent service a few days ago.
Ray N.
04:06 01 Dec 23
If you are considering to get married to your thai partnerThen I recommend key visaIt was a stress free procedure thanks to kook who was very professional, and arranged everything for us in a very short time periodMany thanks Ray and kai
Chris S.
04:03 23 Nov 23
Good visa agent. Ann is Thai but succeeded the business from her falang husband who recently passed to the best of my knowledge. She is efficient and knowledgeable and my visa process was less expensive than my experience in Phuket as well. I would recommend Key Visa to future Visa seekers.
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02:55 16 Nov 23
Super easy process. I got everything I needed done. It was taken care of quickly after the first session which included getting a Thai bank account and my O retirement visa. Very professional service
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04:45 11 Nov 23
This has been my "go to" visa/passport agency for the last 10 years. They have always been friendly and professional..........have never let me down. Recommended by me 100%.
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08:28 07 Nov 23
It took about 3 weeks for the UK to process my daughter's passport. We had to send better quality pictures and documents, which caused a slight delay beforhand, but overall, their service was excellent. I'm grateful to the Key Visa staff for their help in renewing my daughter's passport, and I would definitely use their services again.
Oi Y.
06:39 06 Nov 23
This is the 2nd time I have used Key Visa and the service they provide is fantastic the 1st was with Darren was just so good he told me every step of the process and what I needed to do and bring in with me he made sure I understood how and what would be the process of applying for my Visa to stay in Thailand. And with the passing of Darren his wife Ann has kept the business running which I am so grateful for as they in my opinion are the best service you can get. We have now engaged them to do a visa for my Thai partner for a visit to Australia to see and spend time with my Aussie family and see some of Australia as she so wants to see snow. Once again I thank you Ann and all her staff for their help and support
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11:39 16 Oct 23
Today was my worst nightmare .. dealing with a problem ... I can't commend enough how GREAT k Aun & the staff of Key Visa went above & beyond to help me .. I have used their service for several years & wouldn't hesitate to to use professional agents .. that guarantee their work ... I am eternally grateful.. best wishes ... toph ...
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01:24 13 Oct 23
Non imm "O" extension quick efficient no hassles service.
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00:30 15 Sep 23
Very knowledgeable and excellent customer service. Best visa agent ever.
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14:08 05 Sep 23
Great Visa Company Located in Pattaya Thailand which offers reasonable prices and noteworthy services
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06:23 25 Aug 23
UK passport renewed in just over 3 weeks, very professional staff, can’t thank them enough, highly recommended
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10:13 21 Aug 23
Excellent.
D S.
14:09 18 Aug 23
Good and reliable service
David G.
06:52 01 Aug 23
Steve T.
04:30 30 Jul 23
Always excellent service for this retired American.
Stephen L.
04:22 27 Jul 23
Excellent service. I got my retirement visa here it was quick and painless.
J T.
13:29 21 Jul 23
So far so good. If you want to make some money in Thailand, don't open a bar, get into opening a visa consultant agency.However this agency has been good so far on a small matter l used them for.I definitely recommend them.
Michael M.
08:53 15 Jul 23
We have been trying for a long time to get an Australian tourist visa for our Thai friend. We applied in the past using an Australian immigration lawyer based in Australia and the application (which was expensive and time consuming) was rejected for lack of evidence (intention to return to Thailand etc). Second time round we used Gemma from Key Visa and were successful. Unlike our first agent/lawyer, Gemma examined our evidence in detail and gave suggestions as to where it could be improved. It's clearly beneficial to use an agent who is familiar with this specific visa stream (ie someone in Thailand familiar with getting Thai people into Australia) and the "no win, no professional fee" clearly incentivizes them to help as much as possible. As always in Thailand the service is not perfect and there are some communication gaps etc, but we are very happy with the outcome and would recommend these guys 100%.
gary K.
14:41 14 Jul 23
Andy W.
11:20 12 Jul 23
Once again i would like to thank the staff at keyvisa for there service .
The P.
06:10 06 Jul 23
Excellent, professional, trustable Agency. The best Visa Agency services I've been use in many years here in Thailand. A little issue... They told that my passport will back in 30 days. Actually 33 days..
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14:53 27 Jun 23
Got my first retirement visa with these. Great service. Everything sorted by them.
Charles Robert H.
00:53 16 Jun 23
Very helpful. The place to go if you want solutions to your visa problems.
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00:40 05 Jun 23
Very fast, simple smooth, efficient service.
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03:04 21 May 23
If you need assistance with any visa related this is the place in Pattaya.
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07:41 05 Mar 23
Key visa was the best. Sadly the owner, Darren, past away December 22.
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03:43 13 Feb 23
Absolutely fantastic service great staff totally stress free and professional services I highly recommend.
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11:33 09 Feb 23
Dave C.
14:30 08 Feb 23
been using this company for years, great service.
Keith J.
04:01 26 Jan 23
Tom A.
23:04 21 Jan 23
kook A.
10:17 18 Jan 23
DAVID C.
06:47 17 Jan 23
Recently obtained a visa for myself and British passport for my partner..No hassle no immigration queueing. Great staff great service thank you Key Visa Thailand…..
Frank J.
10:43 01 Jan 23
Very helful and efficient.
Francisco M.
08:20 31 Dec 22
I went to key visa company for a consultation about marriage visa. it turned out they don't do that type of visa but there was another option and the lady was professional and courteous. but since my visa is not finalized I can't honestly give a full report on visa company.
tony L.
01:17 30 Dec 22
The service and support I received from Darren & his Team in relation to a recent Passport Application for my son was exemplary.The service & professional way in which they expedited the application & explained clearly each step of the process's involved, was faultless.All of which resulted in a speedy & positive result.Darren & TeamThank you very much & I wish you all,A Very Happy & Prosperous New Year 2023 ( post Covid)Tony
Kristijan C.
16:48 22 Dec 22
Great helpful staff
Sean T.
11:39 21 Dec 22
Job done, Thank you team and sorry to hear of the passing of Darren 🙏
Thomas K.
14:21 13 Dec 22
Thank you for your reply, but there is no ringtone or pickup when ringing your office and none of my mails and messages have been answered.
Michael S.
15:42 10 Dec 22
I read today that Darren suddenly has passed away - far too early in his life.It's never too late to write a review and his services on his company - named Key Visa Co. - so I will use this review to say that I have always been satisfied helping me by his large knowledge about the visa system in Thailand.Every time I met him I was surpriced to noticed his honest and friendly commitment, and over the years I was always convinced that he was not only helpful but also indicated in his way of recognizing his customers. You could always count on him and I was never disappointed.It pains me that he has passed away at such an early age, but I believe that his customers will always remember him as a businessman who only wanted to give his customers the best possible experience and service.He will be missed!R.I.P. Darren.
C B
15:54 09 Dec 22
Seems to know about visas in Thailand
Peter W.
07:23 08 Dec 22
The Key visa team led by Darren have 18 years of experience navigating the visa minefield.I am just one of Darren’s satisfied clients.
Chris T
13:24 03 Dec 22
Fast and friendly
Ross C.
16:28 30 Nov 22
Fantastic company. Darren & his team couldn’t of been better! Polite, responsive, knowledgeable and most importantly they know what they’re doing & get the job done!! Very pleased with the entire process start to finish, me & my GF will be using the company for all of our visa needs moving forward! Thank you Darren & the team!!UK tourist visa application for Thai national.
Leo T.
09:53 25 Nov 22
Fantastic service
Christopher W.
08:01 25 Nov 22
key Visa has a proven track record. They have got me a retirement visa for years and renewed my passport without me having to go to Bangkok. They also got my daughter, born in Thailand, an English passport.Use Key Visa to sort out your retirement visa problems and for getting passports renewed or being obtained for citizens of dual nationalityExceptionally efficient
finlay S.
10:06 24 Nov 22
Had to renew my uk passport and chose key visa to deal with my application as I am up country in Chaiyaphum province.Great service from Darren and staff always quick and friendly replies to emails.Passport back in 11 weeks time it takes for uk to process.Collected by Key visa and posted by ems to me with old passport and letter to transfer visa stamps to new passport.Great service.
Michael H.
07:31 20 Nov 22
Michael “Mick” N.
11:05 19 Nov 22
Polsky E.
01:56 11 Nov 22
After attempting for 2 days to get a retirement visa myself with my Thai girlfriends help to no avail and being left totally frustrated I eventually gave up and contacted Darren. After consultation with Darren he calmly brought me back down to earth, reassuring me that the visa would be procured with little effort by myself. I left feeling very confident and reassured at what Darren had said. Yesterday I collected my passport with said visa for 15 months. Many thanks to Darren and team, Key Visa did a great job.
Bryan P.
02:53 06 Nov 22
Very pleased with the service I received here. Darren was very knowledgeable. Now my retirement Visa has been issued. I am delighted with Key Visa. Fantastic service. I am very grateful.
Tim M.
08:08 30 Oct 22
No wasting time
Martin William B.
09:43 27 Oct 22
Only go to the best !!!
Joe on the Go !
02:44 24 Oct 22
Maurice P.
10:51 21 Oct 22
Having had a difficult time renewing my UK passport I have to thank Key Visa service for their excellent help in difficult times in successfully getting my updated passport. Covid has played a big part in delays from the passport office along with increased demand and the Ukraine conflict but for those non UK residents this has caused many delays. Darren and his staff have been most helpful in ensuring this was completed as quickly as possible and I thoroughly recommend their service to anyone who are looking for this type of service. Many thanks for a five star service.
berny P.
06:23 20 Oct 22
Australian friend having problems with thai wife spouse visa, agency are being very helpful with a excellent customer service
Christopher B.
15:21 18 Oct 22
As always absolutely top class advise and speedy response - these guys have been looking after us for around twenty years and in my opinion the very best.
Jim T.
07:55 15 Sep 22
Thanks to Darren and his team for renewing my retirement visa and re-entry permit! I got it back in ONE DAY! Awesome service. I highly recommend Key Visa and will definitely be using them again in the future!
Brenda B.
03:16 12 Sep 22
Friendly and efficient service ...
Nicholas D.
22:35 19 Aug 22
In difficult times they got the job done. UK passport renewal in 2022. My only gripe is my emails and phone calls went unanswered during the process. I was rude to the lady in the office. Sorry about that. When we asked for my (old) passport to be sent back on short notice for the 90 day renewal they sent it back immediately. Thanks guys. Sorry for the trouble
Steve H.
06:47 12 Aug 22
Darren and his staff are friendly, helpful and most of all very knowledgeable. If you need real and accurate advice then look no further.
สาวLA.ร้อยเอ็ด C.
05:33 05 Aug 22
Ian L.
04:53 08 Jul 22
Darren and his team are truly excellent offering an exemplary service. Was updated regularly as visa was processed and everything went smoothly. Darren took time to explain the process and was always available to answer questions. Highly recommended. Thank you
Wayne C
01:52 07 Jul 22
Great service from Darren and his Team, highly recommended! They get the job done courteously and professionally every time.
