Thai Language School ED Visa Chiang Mai: How It Works
How the Thai language ED visa works in Chiang Mai: study requirements, costs, the application process, and whether you can work.
Thai language study is the most popular ED visa route in Chiang Mai. Here’s exactly how it works, what it costs, and what’s expected of you.
What is the Thai language ED visa?
A Non-Immigrant education visa obtained through enrolment at a Ministry of Education-registered Thai language school, beginning as a 90-day stamp with extensions available every 90 days, typically for one year per enrolment.
Why Chiang Mai for Thai language study?
Chiang Mai offers clear, standard Thai dialect instruction, a lower cost of living than Bangkok, immigration staff experienced with the ED visa process, competitive tuition rates, and an established expat community to support the transition.
How much Thai do you have to study?
Classes typically run 3–10 hours per week, with 80% or more attendance required over each extension period.
How to get a Thai language ED visa in Chiang Mai
Enrol at a licensed school, apply for the visa from abroad (generally the cheapest route), then extend every 90 days at Promenada Resort Mall immigration office with the required documentation from your school.
Cost of a Thai language ED visa in Chiang Mai
Approximately 20,000–38,000 THB per year, including tuition and extension fees combined.
Can you work while on a Thai language ED visa?
No, the ED visa doesn’t permit employment. Remote work for foreign clients or employers exists in something of a grey area; if this matters to your situation, a DTV may be a more appropriate fit than an ED visa built around study.
Frequently asked questions
Is applying from outside Thailand actually cheaper? Yes, converting from inside Thailand typically adds 10,000–15,000 THB in conversion fees compared to applying from abroad first.
What happens if I don’t hit 80% attendance? This puts your renewal at risk. Schools report attendance to immigration, so consistent attendance matters for maintaining your visa status, not just for learning the language.
Is this the cheapest ED visa route available? Generally yes. See our cheapest ED visa options guide for a full cost comparison against other study program types.