People from around the globe end up staying in Thailand for one reason or another, and many of those people will have families or start families. And when you have children, the question of education comes up and what options are available.
Such options include whether to send your children to a state school or private school, and many foreigners send their children to international schools.
What is an International School?
An international school is a type of private school that caters to families from overseas. International schools will typically have foreign curriculums so, for example, a British family can give their children a British education while living in Thailand.
Of course, the British curriculum is just one example, and you will also find schools teaching curriculums from around the world. International schools are also typically open to children from around the world and are usually very well-equipped.
Some people might wonder if the prestigious nature of international schools offers any other benefits, particularly when it comes to visas.
The simple answer to the question is: No. Any non-Thai children attending an international school in Thailand must have the appropriate visa to do so legally.
Getting an Education Visa
To study at any Thai education institution, you will need to have an education visa first a Non Immigrant ED Visa.
Non Immigrant ED visa can be obtained at the Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate in your home country prior to traveling to Thailand. However, you must have supporting documents from your school to support the Visa application at the Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate. Therefore, it may be best to travel to Thailand on a Tourist Visa or Exempt Visa stamp to enrol your kids in a school that you like or want and obtain Non Immigrant ED visa at a Thai Immigration office.
To qualify for an ed visa, you will need documents including a letter of acceptance from a school and a copy of the school’s licence. Thai Visa Expert has extensive experience with Thai immigration matters, and we will be more than happy to tell you which documents you need.
Extending Your Visa
Non Immigrant ED (Education) Visa is for 90 days which can be extended yearly. Which is the most convenient way to stay and study in Thailand.
You will need the following documents to qualify:
- A valid passport and education visa
- One passport photo
- Photocopies of passport pages
- Birth certificates
- School letter and school registration
- House lease or registration documents
Other Important Visas
An education visa is clearly the best solution for people wanting to study in the country. However, parents of students will need another type of visa if they want to stay with their children in Thailand. Other people will want to stay for other reasons, so there’s a variety of options to choose from. But the most convenient visa for the parents is Guardian Visa.
Some of the most common include:
- Tourist Visa: As the name suggests, a tourist visa is the best option for short-midterm stays. A tourist visa will give you 60 days in the country, with a 30-day extension available. However, you are limited to how many times you will be granted a new tourist visa, meaning it’s not a good choice for long-term stays.
- Non-O: Non-O visas are usually used for people who want to stay with family in Thailand. Parents with children studying in Thailand might be interested in the Thai Guardian Visa, which will let them stay with their student children provided the child is under 20 years old.
- Non-B: The non-B visa is best for people who want to work in Thailand. The visa makes for a good long-term option, while it also lets you make an income during your stay. It’s important to note that you will also need to obtain a work permit before you can work legally.
We Make the Process Easier For You
Obtaining visas can be confusing, frustrating, and time-consuming. However, they are also legally necessary, meaning the inconvenience is unavoidable.
The team at Thai Visa Expert has extensive experience in helping foreigners obtain visas. As such we can advise you on your options and help ensure you have the appropriate documentation. We can also give you on each steps along with the banking in Thailand.
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