I wondered if there is specific criteria for offering student visas for those not studying full-time at universities.  For example, I have seen student visas offered by language schools for signing up for Thai courses or Muay Thai places even offer them.  Is this regulated at all I wonder and if so what are the requirements of the establishments in order for them to be able to assist in obtaining them for their customers?  Surely there should be some minimum requirements with regards to the company providing the service and the course itself or am I being too logical?

 

If attending a informal school such as you describe the extensions of the 90 day entry are only for 90 days and they can only be applied for up to total stay of one year. After the year it requires leaving the country to apply for a new non-ed visa. 

A third party is not required to a apply for the extension. Most school scan provide the required documents for the non-ed visa and extension of stay.

34 minutes ago, stament said:

Is this regulated at all

The short answer is "not much", lol

While there are legit schools doing legit visa's, there is another end to the spectrum doing student visa's for anyone.

If you ever meet a 40 year old youtuber living the dream in Thailand, a drunk who calls himself a "bar manager", or anyone where you wonder how they are staying in Thailand, its most likely on a bogus student visa.

Edited November 20, 20205 yr by Peterw42

27 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

If attending a informal school such as you describe the extensions of the 90 day entry are only for 90 days and they can only be applied for up to total stay of one year. After the year it requires leaving the country to apply for a new non-ed visa. 

A third party is not required to a apply for the extension. Most school scan provide the required documents for the non-ed visa and extension of stay.

 

Thanks for your reply.  So informal schools such as language schools and muay thai places don't have to meet any formal criteria as such to be able to offer student visas to people (when I say offer I mean assist in getting them based on their courses) for X Baht.

 

22 minutes ago, stament said:

Thanks for your reply.  So informal schools such as language schools and muay thai places don't have to meet any formal criteria as such to be able to offer student visas to people (when I say offer I mean assist in getting them based on their courses) for X Baht.

The schools will provide all the standard supporting documents needed to apply for a non-ed visa and extensions. In some cases a agent will be needed to to help if the standard documents are not enough to apply.

8 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

The schools will provide all the standard supporting documents needed to apply for a non-ed visa and extensions. In some cases a agent will be needed to to help if the standard documents are not enough to apply.

Understood, but don't these establishments need to be accredited in some way or is merely offering a course sufficient?

 

27 minutes ago, stament said:

Understood, but don't these establishments need to be accredited in some way or is merely offering a course sufficient?

 

I think they have to be accredited by the ministry of education. When you sign up with a school they have to send some documents to the ministry of education and get their approval for you.