Visa Information for Student or Intern
It is of the utmost importance you have a current visa with the right classification. There is a monetary penalty of 500 baht per day for overstaying your visa and possible deportation (at your expense) if you overstay or have the incorrect visa.
Remember it is your responsibility alone to make sure your visa is current and up-to-date.
Students/interns and staff are responsible for payment of all visa fees. The Office of International Affairs (OIA) provides documentation and advice as a free service.
The OIA will not permit any staff or student to commence study or work without the correct type of visa.
To learn how to change your visa type watch our video here.
Entering Thailand on a Non Immigrant (ED) Visa
A student or intern may enter Thailand under a non-immigrant (ED) visa. These are normally issued by the Thai Consulate in your home country before you travel to Thailand. They are normally issued for a period of 90 days starting from when you arrive in Thailand.
On or before the 45 day period expires you will have to apply for a visa extension at the Maha Sarakham Immigration Office. You can apply up to 45 days before BUT NOT AFTER (no excuses for Public Holidays etc).
Visa Extension (TM7)
The OIA staff can assist you in obtaining a visa extension. Please come to the OIA office at least 45 days before the expiry date on your visa.
The OIA staff can advise you, assist and provide you with the correct documentation required for a visa extension.
Please watch our video guides on:
|
REQUIREMENTS FOR VISA EXTENSION
|
|
DOCUMENT
|
STUDENT
|
INTERN
|
SUPPLIED BY
|
| Covering Letter From MSU |
YES
|
YES
|
OIA |
| 1 passport sized photo |
YES
|
YES
|
Student/Intern |
| Student ID Card |
YES
|
YES
|
Student/Intern |
| Original Passport |
YES
|
YES
|
Student/Intern |
|
Photocopy of:
Passport front Page and Visa stamped pages |
YES
|
YES
|
Student/Intern |
| Student Registration Document |
YES
|
NO
|
Student – available online from MSU |
| Course and Subject Registration Document |
YES
|
NO
|
Student – available online from MSU |
| TM7 Visa Extension Form |
YES
|
YES
|
Available at the OIA |
| TM8 – Single or Multiple Re-Entry Form * Extra set of photos, passport front page and visa stamped pages required |
Optional
|
Optional
|
Available at the OIA
|
Visa Extension (TM7 cONT.)
The TM7 (temporary visa extension) form is available at the OIA, Maha Sarakham Immigration Office and online. It is advisable to fill in the TM7 form at the OIA to make sure there are no mistakes.
When presenting your documents at Maha Sarakham Immigration it is best to bring extra passport photos.
It is also advisable to get the mobile phone number of one or two of the OIA staff in case there are complications at the immigration office.
Some of the immigration office staff speak English but it is best to assume you will be dealing with a non-English speaking person.
You also need to consider if you are going to leave Thailand and return before your visa expires (form TM8 required).
IMPORTANT REMINDERS :
You can apply for a visa extension and re-entry permits up to seven days before BUT NOT AFTER (no excuses for Public Holidays etc) your visa expiry date.
Your visa will expire when you leave Thailand unless you have a single or multiple entry permit. You must get the re-entry permit from Maha Sarakham Immigration BEFORE you leave Thailand if you intend to re-enter on the same visa.
Single and Multiple Re-Entry Permit (TM8)
If you intend to leave and then re-enter Thailand before your visa expires you need to apply for either a single or multiple entry visa at Maha Sarakham Immigration Office BEFORE YOU LEAVE Thailand.
The form required is TM8 (Application for re-entry Into the Kingdom, available at the OIA, Maha Sarakham Immigration and online.
You can apply for either a single entry (1,000 baht) or multiple entry (3,800 baht) permit.
You can apply for a re-entry permit at the same time you apply for the visa extension.
Watch our guide on applying for re-entry here.
