Review passport, nationality, previous visa and course eligibility requirements before paying.
Eligibility and previous visa history
What passport condition does the school check before accepting a student?
Before accepting an application, we check that the passport has at least 6 months of validity and 4 blank pages when you apply. If your passport expires during your course, you can get a new passport, and your extension stamps are carried over to it. We also review the applicant's current permission to stay and Thailand entry history. Under current Immigration practice, the in-country route requires a Tourist Visa (TR-60), which we highly recommend, or a visa-exempt entry with enrollment and payment within 2 working days of arriving. It also requires at least 50 days of permitted stay remaining and no more than 2 Thailand entry stamps in the current calendar year. Having 75 days left gives a comfortable margin. The 50 days are counted on the day you enroll and pay at the school, and 1 extension of 30 days can count toward them. A visa on arrival cannot be changed to an ED Visa inside Thailand. You can enroll first and extend afterwards, but if Immigration refuses the extension, the school is not responsible. Your current entry must also be a stamp in your passport. If you got a paper slip or a sticker from an automatic gate, go back to the airport immigration office to change it to a normal stamp first. The whole process takes 45 to 60 days. If you are currently in Thailand on your 2nd entry, you can still apply in Thailand if you meet the other conditions. Please send your passport photo page and entry stamps for review.
My passport expires before my course ends. Can I still enroll?
Yes, if you have at least 6 months of passport validity and 4 blank pages when you apply. If your passport expires during your course, you can get a new passport, and your extension stamps are carried over to it. For example, a passport with 11 months of validity left is enough to apply for any of our courses, including a 12-month course.
I entered Thailand through an automatic gate and got a paper slip, not a stamp. Can I apply in Thailand?
Not with the slip. If you entered through an automatic gate and got a paper slip or a sticker instead of a stamp in your passport, go back to the airport immigration office and ask them to change it to a normal stamp in your passport. After that, you can apply in Thailand if you entered on a Tourist Visa (TR-60), or visa-exempt and you enroll and pay within 2 working days of arriving, and you meet the other conditions. A visa on arrival cannot be changed to an ED Visa inside Thailand. Next time you arrive in Thailand, use a staffed immigration counter so you get a stamp.
I applied for a Thai Tourist Visa. How long will it take?
The Thai embassy processes your Tourist Visa, not our school, so we cannot see its status or give an exact time. Processing time varies by embassy, and a week is often still within the normal range. When you receive it, send us a copy so we can check your permitted stay and plan your ED Visa application.
Is there a minimum number of previous Thailand entry stamps required?
No minimum number of previous Thailand entry stamps is required. However, under our current school screening policy, the in-country ED Visa route is limited to applicants with no more than 2 Thailand entry stamps in the current calendar year, from 1 January to 31 December. If you are currently in Thailand on your 2nd entry, you can still apply in Thailand. Please send your passport photo page and entry history so we can review your case.
Does a transit through Thailand count as an entry?
No, not if you did not get a Thailand entry stamp in your passport. If you got an entry stamp, it counts as an entry.
I've spent several months in Thailand this year on tourist stamps. Will that hurt my ED application?
If your current entry is your 1st or 2nd Thailand entry of the current calendar year, you can apply in Thailand if you meet the other conditions. On a Tourist Visa (TR-60) you need at least 50 days of permitted stay when you enroll and pay. On a visa-exempt entry, sometimes called a tourist stamp, you need to enroll and pay within 2 working days of arriving. If your passport shows more than 2 Thailand entry stamps in the current calendar year, you cannot apply in Thailand. Enroll with us remotely instead, wait for the Ministry of Education approval, which takes 5 to 6 weeks while you can be anywhere, and then apply at a Thai embassy abroad. Most of our students apply in Vietnam.
Can students who previously held an "ED Plus" (university-affiliated) visa apply for a standard ED visa through a language school?
A previous ED or ED Plus visa does not automatically prevent an application with our school. We review your earlier study, passport and Thailand entry history before confirming an application route. For a new course, you cannot repeat the same language. The exit from Thailand after the first 8 months of a course longer than 8 months is part of the same course, not a new application. Applicants from countries where English is a native language cannot use an English course for ED Visa purposes. Applicants from China, Taiwan or Singapore cannot use a Chinese course for ED Visa purposes.
Can I change my Non-O, Business B, or DTV visa to an ED Visa?
Only a Tourist Visa (TR-60) or a visa-exempt entry can be changed to an ED Visa inside Thailand, and a visa-exempt entry only if you enroll and pay within 2 working days of arriving. A visa on arrival and any other visa, such as a Medical Visa (MT), Business Visa (Non-B), Non-O or DTV, cannot be changed in Thailand. Apply for the ED Visa at a Thai embassy abroad instead. Citizens of Iran must apply in Iran, or in another country where they hold a long enough permit to stay.
Are there nationality restrictions, or an age limit?
There is no maximum age limit, and the minimum enrollment age is 15. Eligibility depends on your nationality, chosen course, visa history and application location. You cannot study your own native language or the main language of your nationality. Applicants from China, Taiwan or Singapore cannot use a Chinese course for an ED Visa, and applicants from countries where English is a native language cannot use an English course. Some nationalities cannot apply through our school, and citizens of Iran must apply in Iran or in another country where they hold a long enough permit to stay. See the full list in our ED Visa country requirements at https://docs.bkklanguageschool.com/articles/1788594740-ed-visa-country-requirements-for-2026. Please send your passport photo page, chosen course and intended application location so we can review your case.
Is a diploma or a certain education level required?
No. There is no education requirement. You do not need a diploma or school certificate to enroll.
I'm an Iranian citizen. Will you confirm my eligibility before I pay?
Yes. We accept applicants from different countries, including Iran. Iranian citizens must apply through the Royal Thai Embassy in Tehran, or at a Thai embassy in another country where they hold a permit to stay long enough to wait for the visa approval. A criminal background check might be required. Send a clear passport copy and your Thailand entry stamps from the last 2 years. We will review your eligibility before you pay, but the final decision belongs to the relevant authority.
I had a student visa on an old passport in 2021 and now have a new passport. Will that affect my application?
A new passport does not remove your previous ED Visa history. Tell us about your earlier study and provide information from both passports so we can review your application route. For a new course, you cannot repeat the same language. The exit from Thailand after the first 8 months of a course longer than 8 months is part of the same course, not a new application.
Other school services and policies
Can I study English and Chinese at the same time?
An ED visa can only be tied to 1 language course. However, you can enroll in English with your ED visa and pay separately to also join Chinese classes through the school's other department.
Do you offer IELTS preparation?
No. The school focuses on practical, everyday language courses with its own certificates. We do not offer preparation for IELTS, TOEIC or any other exam, and we do not partner with outside testing organizations for these services.
Do you offer Business English, a speaking-only course or an intensive course?
No. We do not offer Business English, a speaking-only course or an intensive course, and we cannot estimate or guarantee an IELTS score.
Do you offer TOEIC preparation?
No. The school focuses on practical, everyday language courses with its own certificates. We do not offer preparation for TOEIC, IELTS or any other exam, and we do not partner with outside testing organizations for these services.
Do you offer HSK, BCT or other exam preparation?
No. We do not offer preparation for any exam, including HSK, BCT, IELTS and TOEIC. Our courses focus on practical, everyday language.
Is there a student ID card?
No, the school does not issue a student ID card.
Can I switch my study language partway through the course?
No, changing your enrolled language partway through is not possible.
Can I request instruction supported in Chinese or another language instead of English?
Our language courses are taught in English. We do not offer instruction or full translation in Chinese, Russian or another supporting language on request.
My English is not very good. How will I follow the class?
All our classes are taught in English, and this is the same for every student. Many students with little English use a translation app during class, and classmates who share your language often help as well. Complete beginners are very welcome, and the teacher will help you follow along.
Do you provide accommodation or a dormitory?
No. We do not provide accommodation or dormitory facilities. We can recommend an agent who may help you find accommodation.
Are most students Thai or international?
Most students are international.
Can I film or take videos at the school?
No. We do not allow filming or taking videos at the school, including during a visit.
What is the minimum enrollment age, and what is needed from a parent or guardian for a younger student?
Students must be at least 15 years old to enroll. For students aged 15 to 17, a parent or guardian must contact the school first and give consent to the enrollment. Students aged 18 and over can enroll on their own. For students aged 15 to 17, the school does not handle housing or age-related arrangements, but we can refer you to an agent for these arrangements. This referral does not cover visas for parents or other family members. Our team will confirm the parental consent form, whether a local adult is needed, and the legal entity details for your case. Because Thailand's age of majority is 20, a Thai embassy or consulate may ask applicants under 20 for extra documents, such as a birth certificate, copies of the parents' passports or IDs, and a notarised parental consent letter. Requirements vary by embassy, so please check with the one where you will apply. Any visa for a parent or guardian is separate from the student's ED Visa and is not provided by the school.
I read about a Ministry of Education or OPEC rule online. Does it apply to my course?
The school handles all Ministry of Education requirements and prepares every Ministry of Education document you need to submit. Ministry rules change, and pages published online are not always current, so we do not confirm rules from other websites. Your course follows the school's class schedule.
Where can I be while the Ministry of Education processes my documents?
Anywhere. During the Ministry of Education stage, which takes 5 to 6 weeks, you can be in Thailand on your current stay or abroad. It matters only at the next step. To apply in Thailand, you need a valid permitted stay when you go to Immigration. To apply at a Thai embassy abroad, you must be in that country when you submit and stay there until your visa is approved.
I'm an Iranian citizen. Is a police clearance certificate required, and what type?
Under Thai immigration requirements, Iranian citizens might need a criminal background check. Please message us with a clear photo of your passport photo page, and we will check the requirement for you. Iranian citizens must apply in Iran, or in another country where they hold a long enough permit to stay. The embassy may also request a criminal-record certificate or other documents under its current procedure.
I'm a Finnish citizen. Do I need a police clearance certificate?
Finnish applicants are not listed as requiring a criminal background check in our current country requirements. Requirements can vary by application location and may change. Please see the ED Visa country requirements article and confirm the current requirements with the responsible embassy or consulate.