For genuine students · Updated April 2026

Thailand Education Visa (ED) — Thai language, Muay Thai, university

For genuine students at MOE-accredited schools. After the 2025 crackdown that revoked nearly 10,000 fake-school visas, the ED is only safe at properly verified institutions.

Course min

6+ months

Attendance

80%

Mandatory

Tuition (Thai)

30–80k THB

Per extension

1,900 THB

Every 90 days

Get ED consultation

2025 crackdown context: The Thai Ministry of Higher Education revoked nearly 10,000 student visas linked to fake schools. The ED visa is fully legitimate — but only at properly MOE-accredited institutions with real classes and attendance reporting. Verify any school before paying.

Eligibility

Valid passport (6+ months remaining)
Genuine enrolment at MOE-accredited school with real classes, real attendance tracking
Payment of 50%+ of course tuition
For some nationalities (UK, US): criminal background check required
No income / bank balance requirement (unlike DTV)
No employment of any kind permitted (including remote)

Approved activities

Thai language schools (typical: 12–14 months, 30k–80k THB)
Muay Thai training at MOE-licensed camps (typical: 12 months all-in 120k–135k THB)
English / Japanese / Chinese language at MOE-licensed institutes
University degree programmes
Vocational / technical training
Approved internships

Application process (Pattaya in-country path)

Arrive on 60-day tourist visa or visa-exempt entry
Enrol at chosen MOE-accredited Pattaya school within first week
School submits to Ministry of Education for approval (2–4 weeks)
MOE issues official approval letter
Submit application at Immigration (school typically accompanies you)
Processing ~16 working days
Receive 90-day Non-ED visa stamp
Renew every 90 days at Jomtien (1,900 THB)

Critical: verify your school before paying

The 10,000 visa revocations in 2025 hit students who paid "ghost schools" — institutions with MOE letterhead but no real classes. Before paying any school, verify:

Show me your MOE registration certificate (legitimate schools display proudly)
Can I visit the school in person and sit in a class?
How do you track attendance, and how often do you report to MOE?
Avoid: schools that "guarantee" approval, online-only courses (no longer accepted), schools advertising only on visa-tourism sites

Read our complete MOE verification guide.

Pattaya specifics

Pattaya is one of Thailand's most active centres for ED visa schools — particularly Thai language and Muay Thai. Only a subset of Muay Thai gyms hold valid MOE licenses — most are sports facilities, not educational institutions. We refer only to verified MOE-current Pattaya schools.

Frequently asked questions

Can I do Muay Thai on an ED visa?

Yes — at MOE-licensed Muay Thai camps with real attendance tracking. Most Pattaya gyms aren't licensed; verify before paying.

Can I work remotely on an ED visa?

No — all employment prohibited, including remote work for foreign clients. The DTV is the right visa for remote workers.

What's the attendance requirement?

80% minimum. Schools report monthly to MOE/Immigration. Below 80% = visa extension refused. Officers also test language students at extensions ("can you say a few Thai words after 3 months?").

How do I verify a school is MOE-accredited?

Ask for MOE registration certificate. Visit physically. Sit in a class. Cross-check with PCEC or our network. Full verification guide.

For remote workers

Get matched with a verified Pattaya MOE school.

We refer only to MOE-current Pattaya language schools and Muay Thai camps with real classes, real attendance, and clean compliance histories. No fake schools, ever.