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Thailand

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At a glance

Living index rating
Very affordable
Monthly rent
฿5,000 – ฿10,000 in a dorm; ฿10,000 – ฿20,000 for a condo room in Bangkok
Monthly food
฿3,500 – ฿6,000
Other monthly expenses
฿3,000 – ฿5,000 (utilities, transport, phone, personal)
Visa processing time
About 5 – 10 working days
Family allowed for students
Limited

Visa requirements

  • Non-Immigrant ED visa (or ED PLUS for bachelor's level and above at participating universities), applied for through the Thai e-Visa system
  • Acceptance letter and a letter from your institution to the immigration authorities
  • Passport, photos and proof of funds or sponsorship as requested
  • After arrival your stay is extended yearly, and you must report your address every 90 days
  • Students aren't allowed to work in Thailand

Work permit after studies

  • ED PLUS holders can extend their stay for 1 year after graduating to look for work or travel, and can change visa in Thailand if they're employed
  • Work needs a Non-Immigrant B visa and a work permit from an employer; the Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa suits highly skilled professionals

Citizenship route

  • Permanent residence is possible after 3 years on a non-immigrant visa with a work permit and a qualifying income, but there are annual quotas per nationality
  • Naturalisation after 5 years of permanent residence, with Thai language and income requirements

Family details

  • Dependent children under 20 of students on full-time, long-term courses can apply for a Non-Immigrant O visa
  • Spouses usually need their own visa, and family members can't work

Universities in Thailand

Top-ranked

All other universities and colleges (140), A–Z

This guide is for general information. Visa and immigration rules change often, so always check the official government website before you apply. Last updated 6 October 2026.