Hi, folks. I am asking this, hoping that someone knows about these for sure, and so I can plan accordingly. 

 

I have decided to do my master's in Thailand. I have 2 questions :

 

1) I will be arriving in Thailand on visa exempt. Would it be possible for me to change my visa status to student visa (Used to be called 'non-immigrant ED' type. I guess it is probably the same) within Thailand (Once I have the acceptance letter from the university of course), or would I be required to leave Thailand and do it at a Thai embassy? Note : Visa exempt will give me 2 months. And, I will have 1 month of extension. So, I will have 3 months to apply for the university programs and then, if successful, handle the visa process. 

 

2) If I must do it outside Thailand, would I be required to do it at the Thai embassy in my home country or would for example a Thai embassy in a neighboring country like Cambodia or Malaysia be fine? It would be a hassle and also costly to have to go back home for that. 

 

In case you are wondering, the reason I am not applying for the universities before flying to Thailand is because I want to see the various universities myself and then be able to decide among them more efficiently. Also, the university application etc. process would be more straightforward in person. 

 

Thanks a lot. 

 

 

 

 

 

Most universities in thailand can provide the documentation so you can go to the immigration office and apply for the in country 90 day Non-ED visa based on higher education for 2000baht 

You WILL need to have a minimum number of days left on your visa exempt entry stamp (most offices require 15 days left except Chiang Mai requires 21) 

So while you're "browsing around" for universities ASK them if you can do the ED visa inside the country or if you have to go to a consulate in another country to get it 

IF you have to go to a thai consulate to get the 90 day non-ED visa you can use a nearby one. You go there, you log in to the eVisa system you upload the proof you're IN that country (visa/entry stamp) you upload the documents from the school, you fill out the data and you submit the application (most consulates you pay online too) then you wait IN that country until the visa is approved or rejected  

On 7/8/2025 at 12:10 PM, Tod Daniels said:

Most universities in thailand can provide the documentation so you can go to the immigration office and apply for the in country 90 day Non-ED visa based on higher education for 2000baht 

You WILL need to have a minimum number of days left on your visa exempt entry stamp (most offices require 15 days left except Chiang Mai requires 21) 

So while you're "browsing around" for universities ASK them if you can do the ED visa inside the country or if you have to go to a consulate in another country to get it 

IF you have to go to a thai consulate to get the 90 day non-ED visa you can use a nearby one. You go there, you log in to the eVisa system you upload the proof you're IN that country (visa/entry stamp) you upload the documents from the school, you fill out the data and you submit the application (most consulates you pay online too) then you wait IN that country until the visa is approved or rejected  

Thanks a lot.