Thailand Education Visa (ED) 2026: Study Thai, Muay Thai or at University
The Non-Immigrant ED visa lets you stay in Thailand while you study at a licensed school: Thai language, Muay Thai, cooking or a university degree. Here is how it works in 2026, what it costs, and when the DTV is the better choice.
Not sure ED or DTV fits better? Get a free assessment.
How the ED visa works
You enrol at a school licensed by the Thai authorities. The school issues an acceptance letter and, for language and other non-formal schools, a certification from the education office. With these you apply for the ED visa at a Thai embassy through the e-Visa system, or convert your stay inside Thailand if you have at least 15 days left.
Thai language, Muay Thai and cooking schools
- Extensions of up to 90 days at a time, at 1,900 THB each, up to one year in total.
- At each extension, immigration checks your course outline, timetable and attendance, and officers may test your Thai at the counter.
- Courses are usually paid upfront: Muay Thai programmes run roughly 80,000 to 120,000 THB for six months.
On Koh Samui, extensions are filed at the immigration office in Maenam. Koh Samui immigration guide
University students
Degree students at a Thai university receive extensions of up to one year at a time, arranged with the university's international office. Bachelor's and higher students may also qualify for the ED Plus visa.
What changed in 2025 and 2026
- Tighter checks on schools. In August 2025 immigration revoked permission to stay for nearly 10,000 students, and universities must now report attendance monthly for short courses.
- Less time to convert. With visa-free stays cut to 30 days in September 2026, there is a shorter window to switch to an ED visa from inside Thailand.
- Real attendance only. Schools report students who stop attending, and a report can end your stay.
ED visa or DTV?
| ED visa | DTV | |
|---|---|---|
| Validity | Single course, up to one year for short courses | 5 years, multiple entries |
| Money to show | Tuition paid upfront, modest proof of funds | 500,000 THB in savings |
| Age | 18 and over | 20 and over |
| Stay | 90-day extensions with attendance checks | 180 days per entry, +180 once |
| Remote work | Not allowed | Allowed for foreign clients |
| Best for | Students without 500,000 THB, under-20s, university degrees | Remote workers and Muay Thai trainees with savings |
If you have the savings and work online, the DTV is usually simpler. The ED visa suits people who want a structured course without the 500,000 THB requirement.
Get your visa sorted by a licensed specialist
We work with a licensed visa agency in Bangkok with French, English and Thai-speaking specialists. Tell us where you are and what you need: a specialist checks your situation and comes back with the right visa and a fixed quote before you commit to anything.
- Thailand Privilege, DTV, retirement, marriage and extensions
- Paperwork checked before it reaches the embassy or immigration
- Help in English or French, by email or WhatsApp
- Free first assessment, no obligation
Education visa FAQ
How long can I stay on a Thai education visa?
90 days at first, then 90-day extensions for language, Muay Thai and other non-formal schools, up to one year in total. University students can extend for up to a year at a time.
How much does an ED visa cost?
The visa fee is 2,000 THB and each extension costs 1,900 THB. Tuition is extra and usually paid upfront.
Can I work on an education visa?
No. Paid, unpaid and remote work are all not allowed on an ED visa.
Can I get an ED visa for Muay Thai?
Yes, at a gym licensed to issue education visas. Ask for the licence and the certification letter before you pay.
Is the ED visa or the DTV better?
The DTV suits people with 500,000 THB in savings who work online. The ED visa suits students without those savings, under-20s and university students.
Official sources we checked
Rules change often. These are the official pages to confirm before you apply.
Related guides
InsideSamui may receive a referral fee from its visa partner if you use their services after contacting us, at no extra cost to you. This page is general information based on official Thai sources and was checked in November 2026. Visa rules change often and decisions are made by Thai embassies and immigration officers, so confirm current requirements before you apply.
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