BANGKOK: -- MAY 5
The Ministry of Eduction (MOE) yesterday announced new, stricter requirements for Education visa extensions.
New application forms for education visa extensions have just been released.
The new requirements are:
1. Two year visa history of the student now required (currently only required for applications submitted in Bangkok)
2. Extra documents required
• Proof of income. (to see if the student can support themselves and not work illegally)
• Reason for long stay in Thailand, if extended time in Thailand prior to application. (to check the student is not just a visa runner who cannot get any more tourists visas.)
Pending applications must be resubmitted using the new forms.
The ED visa system has been scrutinised by The Thai Immigration Bureau and Ministry of Education for a long time, and it's widely known that foreigners have been abusing the ED visa system.
Thai Visa believe the new, stricter requirements is to prevent applicants using ED visas to work illegally in Thailand.