Education Visa (ED Visa)
Study Muay Thai or Thai in Chiang Mai, Bangkok or Sakon Nakhon on an education (ED) visa. We match you with the right school and handle the paperwork.
This suits you if
- You want to train in Muay Thai in Chiang Mai for up to a year
- You want to learn Thai or English at a language school and stay long-term
- You are already in Thailand on a visa exemption or another visa and want to change to an ED visa
- You are ready to attend classes or training as the school and Immigration require
What happens, step by step
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Choose your programme
Tell us where you live, how long you want to stay and how much time you can commit. We recommend the programme that fits.
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Eligibility check
Send photos of every non-blank passport page. We check your travel history and remaining stay before you pay anything.
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School enrolment and documents
We arrange enrolment with the school or gym and prepare the visa documents with you.
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Visa application or change of visa
Apply at a Thai embassy abroad, or change your visa inside Thailand at Immigration. We book the appointments and accompany you where needed.
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Extensions through the year
We remind you before each extension, prepare the paperwork and book the next appointment.
Documents to prepare
- Passport with enough validity for the whole programme, with photos of the data page and every non-blank page
- Recent passport-style photos on a white background
- Your arrival card or latest entry stamp
- TM30 address notification for your current residence (we can file it for you)
- Thai phone number, email address and current address in Thailand
- Police clearance certificate for some nationalities on the Muay Thai programme
- Any further documents the school or Immigration requests
Study in Thailand, stay for a year
An education (ED) visa lets you stay in Thailand while you study at a recognised school or training centre. It is a good option if you want to learn Muay Thai or a language seriously and stay longer than a visa exemption allows. Since 15 September 2026, visa-free entry gives only 30 days, so many long-stay visitors now look at the ED visa or the DTV.
NomadNest works with schools and gyms in several locations. We help you choose the programme that fits your plans, then handle the paperwork for the first visa and every extension.
Programmes we handle
Chiang Mai Muay Thai (3+3+3+3)
A 12-month programme at a Chiang Mai Muay Thai gym: an initial three-month visa followed by three extensions of three months each. You can apply at a Thai embassy abroad or change your visa inside Thailand if you have at least 25 days left on your stay. The programme can be renewed each year, for up to four years. Train regularly and keep photos or a log of your sessions, as Immigration may ask about your training.
Chiang Mai language school (3+6+6)
Thai (default) or English lessons with a Chiang Mai language school. You start with a three-month visa, then extend for six months and another six months. Classes are online once a week and you must keep at least 80% attendance; poor attendance can block your next extension. Each step takes two days at Chiang Mai Immigration: document submission on day one and photo and stamp on day two.
Bangkok language school (3+3+3+3)
A language school programme in Bangkok with a three-month visa and three extensions. Each extension is done in person in Bangkok, so this suits people who live in or travel often to Bangkok. You must follow the school’s study requirements throughout.
Sakon Nakhon school (3+12)
A programme in Sakon Nakhon in the northeast. You fly to Sakon Nakhon for the change of visa (a same-day trip), post your passport to us for the three-month stamp, then return about two months later for a 12-month extension. Classes start after the visa is granted.
How we help
- Eligibility first. We review every passport page before you pay, because travel history can affect an ED application.
- Paperwork and appointments. We prepare forms, arrange enrolment and book Immigration appointments.
- Reminders. We remind you before each extension so your stay never lapses.
- Reporting. ED visa holders still need 90-day reports and TM30. We can handle both.
Things to know before you start
- An ED visa is a study visa. You must attend your classes or training as the school and Immigration require.
- If you leave Thailand during your stay, you need a re-entry permit to keep your visa.
- Some applicants need a police clearance certificate, and Immigration may ask for additional documents.
Compare all options in our guide ED visa options in Chiang Mai.
Price
Prices depend on the programme and your situation. Message us for a quote.
Questions clients ask us
Which ED visa programmes do you offer?
Muay Thai training in Chiang Mai (3+3+3+3 months), a Thai or English language school in Chiang Mai (3+6+6 months), a language school in Bangkok (3+3+3+3 months) and a school in Sakon Nakhon (3+12 months).
Do I have to attend classes or training?
Yes. An education visa is for genuine study. The Chiang Mai language programme requires at least 80% attendance at its weekly class, and Immigration may check your progress at extensions. For Muay Thai, train regularly and keep a record of your sessions.
Can I change to an ED visa without leaving Thailand?
Often yes, if you have enough time left on your current stay. For most programmes you need at least 25 days remaining (30 days or more is best for the Chiang Mai language programme). We check this before you commit.
Do I need to go to Immigration in person?
Yes, for the first application and for some extensions. How often depends on the programme: Bangkok and Sakon Nakhon programmes need trips to those cities; the Chiang Mai programmes are handled at Chiang Mai Immigration.
Can my previous travel history affect my application?
It can. Frequent border runs, past overstays or many short entries may lead to extra questions or extra Immigration requirements. That is why we review every passport page first.
How much does an ED visa cost?
It depends on the programme, whether you apply abroad or change visa in Thailand, and your current stay. Message us for a quote.
Not sure which visa fits you?
Tell us your situation and we will recommend the right route — free, no obligation.