Staying in Chiang Mai long-term (one or several years) on a one year visa has quite a few benefits compared to flying in and out on short term visas like a tourist visa or doing visa runs. With short term visas, you always have to get extensions and leave the country every few months while perhaps you're not really in the mood for such a 'forced trip'. With a one year visa, you won't have to leave for the entire time, the only thing you need to do is to report to Immigration every 90 days (which is necessary for all one year visa, otherwise called non-immigrant visa). If you want to make a trip to another country, you can do that but you just have to remind yourself to get a re-entry permit first in order not to loose your visa.
So a one year visa gives you the peace of mind of not being forced to leave when you don't want to.
There are various grounds to stay in Thailand for one full year and to study something is one of them. A non-immigrant one year ED visa is one of the easiest visas to obtain for foreigners. Unlike a family visa, it doesn't require an awful lot of paperwork and unlike a retirement visa, it doesn't require a large amount of money stuck in a Thai bank. So the education visa is one of the easiest one year visa in Thailand one can get, and you can renew it a few times.
Nowadays, most schools in Thailand charge around THB 45,000 for a 1-year education visa which includes about 120-200 hours of study. This price assumes that you apply from a Thai embassy abroad, which is the cheapest way. If you apply from within Thailand and don't want to leave the country, add another THB 10,000-15,000 visa conversion fee. If the school is serious, it will require a minimum percentage of attendance.
So if you go by the 'normal' schools, expect to pay at least THB 45,000 and you need to put in the effort to really study.
If you're not so keen to study but it's mostly the convenience of being able to stay in Thailand for a full year without having to leave the country that you're interested in, there are certain schools in Chiang Mai which facilitate for that. You'll pay not more than a 'normal' school but the attendance record is not strictly kept, so you can be free most of the time.
These schools are listed below with the most attractive offers. We've selected those schools which offer you the plain and cheapest ED visa (expecting you not to attend school) or a very minimal level of attendance of 4 hours or so per week. What's interesting is that there are not only Thai language schools in the list, you could also study Chinese or English, and there are also some martial arts schools in the list.
If you change your mind about priorities and you do want to put in some real effort to study, of course that's always possible, you can simply add on some study modules.
All schools are fully recognized by the Thai Ministry of Education, so nothing to worry about for you.
TIP: Scores of education visa students typically go for the cheapest options, never study and always make visa runs to Vientiane in Laos. You could easily do that and stay in Thailand for many years, but in the end you will get a very limited experience. If you change your mindset and pay a little bit more money and effort, you could turn something that you have to do (getting your visa stuff done) into something that gives you a great experience (such as really learning Thai, self defense techniques or making an interesting trip in South East Asia that you will have fond memories of). You'll be surprised how much deeper you can get into Thai society by being able to read, write and speak Thai. And you'll be surprised how many interesting places you can visit from Chiang Mai with just a 1-2 hours flight at not much more costs.
SAVE MONEY & TIME BEING ON THE CHEAPEST AND EASIEST ONE YEAR VISA THAT CHIANG MAI HAS TO OFFER
Before covid-19, there used to be only one way to apply for a 1 year ED visa and that was to apply at a Thai Embassy abroad. That is, you'd contact the school of your liking, discuss and confirm your study package, pay the school a deposit or the total fee and the school would prepare all your documents within a few weeks and send them to the Thai Embassy of your home country or of your choice. You'd then go there and pick up your first entry ED visa, enter Thailand and the school would then help you to change it to a full 1 year visa.
This option is the cheapest and if you're still in your home country it's also very convenient as long as you apply in time.
Most schools need about 4-6 weeks to get all approvals from the Ministry of Education and get your papers ready for pick up at a Thai Embassy.
Since covid-19, things have changed and it has become possible to apply for your 1-year ED visa from within Thailand. That means that there is a conversion of your current visa, for example a tourist visa, to a 1 year ED visa. Due to the difficulty of international travel during the covid crisis, the authorities became more 'lenient' to this kind of arrangement and this leniency has stayed on since then. Thanks to covid.
This option becomes attractive when you're already in Thailand and you want to stay longer but you don't want to travel. There is, however, a substantial visa conversion fee1 that you need to pay, typically in the order of THB 15,000. The choice is yours then: either make an extra (forced) trip to Vientiane, Laos, which is probably going to cost you about 15K anyway (at least), or simply pay for the convenience of not having to leave the country.
For this option, most schools also need time to convert your visa. It's best to contact them as early as possible but expect that they need at least a month.
Inspiration Language School is an active and reliable school that offers a great variety of language study programs for foreign students:
The cheapest study program for Thai language including one year education visa starts at only THB 26,900 (!). This is the lowest price possible and applies for the situation that you apply through a Thai Embassy.
If you are already in Thailand and wish to convert your current visa to an ED visa, the lowest price possible is THB 41,000.
Both offers assume you are mainly interested in the visa and not really into study. If you do wish to study seriously, there are various study packages available that you can discuss directly with the school and add on: private classes, more intensive classes etc.
The school is based on Christian principles but of course welcomes anybody. There are two branches, one in Maehia area and one conveniently in NImman.
READ MORE AND CONTACT THE SCHOOL
The second on our list is started out as a martial arts and self defense school but has over time branched out to provide Thai language education visa and volunteer visa as well. This is a very well organized business that takes care of your application from beginning to end, and even helps you with your 90-day reporting. The school does not require you to speak Thai, attendance is very flexible (some students who contacted us actually live in Phuket!) and if you do want to learn the ins and outs of various styles of self-defense, the school will teach you that.
READ MORE AND CONTACT THE SCHOOL
This is another language school offers various education visa programs, popular because of its flexibility towards attendance of students. You can choose a term of 3 months, 6 months or 1 year.
The study program is 2 hours for 2 days a week, a very minimal requirement and again, attendance is not stricly monitored.
Classes are in groups of 5-10 people, not private, and the school will set the dates and times of the classes. A 1 year visa would comprise of 120 hours of lessons.
Besides lessons in Thai language, the school also offers English or Chinese language courses, which are a bit more expensive, though.
Learning level: all levels from beginner to advanced
Prices listed include the 90-day reporting fee of THB 1,900 that you have to pay at Immigration every 90 days.
READ MORE AND CONTACT THE SCHOOL
This school receives a lot of positive feedback from serious students who really want to learn useful and realistic self-defense techniques, while enjoying efficient and full visa assistance for 1 full year.
The program gives you ample time to do something else, but it is not suitable for those who hardly want to attend.
Tourist visas can be converted into education visa without you needing to leave the country.
Three programs available:
For the 1 year visa, it's a total of 180 hours of study, attendance required is only twice per week.
Fees include: all school training fees, immigration application costs, admin and paperwork service, VIP application process (fast, without queues), 90-day reports, ongoing support, first visa extension and 1 shirt.
READ MORE AND CONTACT THE SCHOOL
This is a small language school offering a plain one year education visa without much ado for THB 30,000 (again assuming that you're mostly interested in the visa, not in the study), while you can add on all kinds of study modules if you wish so.
READ MORE AND CONTACT THE SCHOOL
This is a unique school that offers a 6-months ED-visa for studying Muay Thai! Ideal for anyone who wants to stay long-term in Thailand and is interested to train and learn Muay Thai more than learning Thai language or self-defence techniques. Students of this school can repeat this 6-months visa many times (more than 5 years!). At the end of the 6-months visa, you'd have to leave the country for a short trip to any Thai consulate (usually Vientiane) to pick up your next ED-visa entry.
The school offers various training packages that are targeted at two kinds of students:
1. more serious students
This is designed for the more serious students. Students will have to train a minimum amount of hours per month and will have to pass examinations at each level, after that they will receive a certificate.
There are 5 levels for this group of students: beginner / intermediate / advance / referee / trainer. Each certification program takes 6 months of training.
Costs of the program:
2. less serious students
This is suitable for travellers who wish to stay in Thailand longer, doing some Muay Thai training and learning but not too much.
Costs of the program:
READ MORE AND CONTACT THE SCHOOL
纵览清迈价格最具吸引力的教育签证，这将使您能够在泰国呆一整年，无需中途离境。
泰国大多数学校对于1年教育签证的收费在45,000泰铢。
NOTE 1. One could also say 'visa convincing fee' as part of this money is needed to make immigration officers more lenient.
NOTE 2: Programs listed may be subject to change. Ultimate conditions are stated by the school at the time of registration.
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 | Pandey Vinod Kumar Posted on July 27, 2023 at 17:39:28 Kindly please mail me your fees and visa charges for one year advanced level Thai language course With regards |
 | Anthony Posted on April 28, 2023 at 08:55:58 About 1 year ed visa. Can you tell me more. I renewed my visa today in Pattaya. I still have 30 days but then I must exit country. Do you have options for me. I don't like leaving and coming back again and again. |
 | Chrizy Jinn Pangilinan Posted on April 18, 2023 at 05:11:36 SCHOOL 1 near Superhighway and intersection to Maejo Fully recognized Thai and foreign language school by Ministry of Education This school offers the ED visa for 1 year: 1 year Thai language course - THB 20,000 1 year English language course - THB 25,000 1 year Chinese language course - THB 25,000 Schedule: 2 days a week, 2 hours per day Learning level: all levels from beginner to advanced These classes are group study, not private class, and classes follow the schedule of the school. THE BUTTON IS NOT WORKING. I want to apply The school offers full assistance in all paperwork to get the education visa. This deal becomes all the more attractive if you apply from abroad, because then you can pick up your ED-visa there and enter Thailand with it and stay 1 year in a row. |
 | eyal raz Posted on March 06, 2023 at 20:01:48 hi,i like to join the no.1 thai language school,do i have to do the process in my home country or i can come to thailand with a tourist visa and then applay for a AD visa with your assistance? |
 | Q Posted on January 09, 2023 at 03:06:59 Does anyone know the name of SCHOOL 2 listed here? |
 | Ghanimuhammadusman Posted on November 13, 2022 at 23:57:02 Urgent change visa and .May i work sales , and teach Chinese English,. With learning Thai . +956968798 |
 | отлэ Posted on October 23, 2022 at 13:51:07 говносайт . никто нигде не отвечает вообще. скорее всего кидос. |
 | CM Locator Posted on September 29, 2022 at 08:06:44 @Andrew: all schools listed on our site are very flexible with attendance schedules. Just select the ones you like and contact them |
 | Andrew Posted on September 29, 2022 at 06:49:41 Hello, what is the exact time of two the hours lesson per day? I'm doing a remote job with computer and if the lessons clashes with my work time, it would be problematic. How many lessons acceptable to miss? Because I would like to travel within Thailand as much as possible. I should do this course only because of the visa. Does the vacation mandatory or not? Please help me to answer my questions! Thanks! |
 | Ohmar Posted on September 14, 2022 at 07:20:41 I want to know the cheaper learning school with ED visa in chaingmai . If you know, please |
 | Rob Gransjean Posted on August 10, 2022 at 13:45:20 Dear Mrs and Sir, I am in the Netherlands and want for 10 months from Oct 18, 2022 to 31 -7 2023 what do you want to know from me I am 69 years old and in good condition, what can I do first apply for 90 days here in the Netherlands and than the rest in Chiangmai and what are the total costs for arranging the Visa 10 months, you can also reach me Nova Watsap +31 0622568253 Mvg Rob Gransjean was already 6 months in Chiangmai in 2022 until the end of June |
 | Aung Kaung Thu Posted on July 22, 2022 at 10:46:29 Hi! Im looking for Ed Visa, being already in Thailand and Thai Language Classes that can be done online. Please advise. |
 | Sammuel Posted on June 06, 2022 at 15:10:10 Hi, I am on a visa on arrival and I have already used my extension. My visa expires jun 12th. Is there any way to extend so I dint have to leave Thailand and come back? |
 | Yasemen Kurttas Posted on March 22, 2022 at 09:57:36 Hello, I would like to apply for most budgeted option as soonest. Please assist. |
 | Lulu Posted on November 06, 2021 at 06:52:56 Hi, I live in KohPhangan, Im a Chinese passport holder. I would like to apply for ED visa. I came to THAILAND with a tourist visa. Now im have covid extention visa till 21th December. Please advise how to procee it. Thank you. Lu |
 | Pernille Posted on July 18, 2021 at 10:09:40 Hello, Me and my partner want to study Thai 1 year and get an educational visa. We are now in Thailand on visa extension, and need a visa before the end of august. Can we apply for an educational visa through a language school even though we are in the country? Thanks |
 | Dannylim Posted on June 12, 2021 at 03:58:41 Hi I am interested to enrol into a thai language learning course with flexible time. Kindly advice as Thailand is opening to foreigners soon. Thanks |
 | Lisa Posted on October 22, 2020 at 09:43:49 Hi, I have a one year education visa for Thai language. If I want to stay beyond one year, I have to extend my education visa but my school does not allow a second year. What are my options given the circumstances of being here during the pandemic? Thank you, Lisa |
| Admin Posted on September 26, 2020 at 07:41:09 @Alessio: Dear Alessio, all schools in Chiang Mai are able to provide for student visa, we have listed the most attractive ones on this page. Due to the covid-19 situation, they have been allowed to convert all kinds of visa to ED visa without you having to leave the country. However, in general the schools need 15 days, so you first need to be an a visa extension long enough to allow them to apply. |
 | Alessio Posted on September 03, 2020 at 08:22:56 Hi me( Italian) and my girlfriend (Chinese) we are with amnesty visa until the 26 and we are looking to get the student visa to live and study English in Chiang Mai , I need more infos about everything . Thank you so much! |
 | young ho Posted on August 21, 2020 at 07:09:59 I am in Thailand. Can I get 1 year student visa without leaving? How much would it be in total? |
 | Lis Posted on August 20, 2020 at 07:50:16 Hi! Im looking for Ed Visa, being already in Thailand and Thai Language Classes that can be done online. Please advise. |
 | Mr Casper Bezemer Posted on November 28, 2019 at 09:40:36 I’m from Netherlands just a tourist who work remotely online for my own company in Netherlands. I stay around 7 months per year in BKK and this time government told me I’ve been traveling too much on a Tourist Visa the last years. So looking for alternative solutions. I went to some schools for information about studying language but then you have to stay continue in the class. Looking for a more flexible option. Hopefully you know something. Best regards Casper |
| Mr Casper Bezemer Posted on November 28, 2019 at 09:40:18 Hello, I’m from Netherlands just a tourist who work remotely online for my own company in Netherlands. I stay around 7 months per year in BKK and this time government told me I’ve been traveling too much on a Tourist Visa the last years. So looking for alternative solutions. I went to some schools for information about studying language but then you have to stay continue in the class. Looking for a more flexible option. Hopefully you know something. I got your details from a Thai teacher in Chiang Mai who recommend your school. So I’m looking for something I don’t have to come every week to the class. Thank you. Hope I hear soon from you. Best regards Casper |
 | Lim Posted on October 17, 2019 at 15:58:15 Am keen in option 2 please email or contact me at 0992013773 |
 | Bernard lapay Posted on August 18, 2019 at 18:45:10 Just an inquiry for now.thank you |
 | Yun Sun-yong Posted on February 25, 2019 at 10:22:51 I want the first school. I am old as a Korean. I was born in 1972. Is there a problem? |
 | Nicholas Posted on November 26, 2018 at 01:17:47 How do I start applying for this course and visa? |
 | walter tshibasu curtis Posted on April 23, 2018 at 12:11:33 i want a visa for the students |
 | pol Posted on December 07, 2017 at 18:39:02 hey, none of the links seem to be working? thanks! |
 | Carl Franzén Posted on January 07, 2016 at 03:43:04 I need to extend my visa. Already extended my visa on arrival with 30 extra days which will expire soon. |
 | Martin Posted on February 02, 2015 at 06:02:12 Hi, Hope u got my 1st message , Pls lets get in contact to see yr services provided...I'm Norwegian call 0987549901 or required . Thx Thx |
| Martin Posted on February 02, 2015 at 05:59:26 hi I hv a 2 entry Visa and for my 1st entry back I got only 30 days in which I meant I should hv 60..?? But pls explain what services you do and reply back , I'm a Norwegian ph: 098 754 9901 And would be willing to look at yr services. All the best Martin |
 | Admin Locator Posted on January 29, 2015 at 06:18:02 Thank you for your inquiry, James. Our visa partner was having a temporary server problem, that's why the link didn't work. They will be in touch with you shortly. Meanwhile, if you wish to clarify more of your background (current visa, nationality, previous entries), you can send it to us on About Us / Contact us. |
 | James Posted on January 29, 2015 at 03:46:41 Please can you help me apply for a tourist visa. My wife is pregnant and due to give birth in 1 week, but our visa will run out in 2 weeks. Can you please help us to gain another 30 days on our current entry visa? Please call me on 09 9541 7707. James |
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