Did you know you can learn Thai and live in Thailand with an ED visa? Taking Thai language lessons allows you to live in Thailand by studying Thai language for a year or more. Added to that, learning the local language makes everyday life in Thailand much more enjoyable and far less frustrating.
In addition to our license for teacher training, TEFL Campus is also licensed to teach Thai by the Ministry of Education. Our teacher holds her her own teaching license and has over ten years of experience. Learn Thai in our small classes and get individual assistance based on your goals, needs and interests.
Because our teacher uses a combination of task-based learning and a student-centered approach to ensure you walk out of every class knowing your time and money was well spent.
This is important because most Thai language schools use outdated curriculum, and most Thai teachers rely on rote learning (memorization) to deliver lessons that focus on language learning as an academic pursuit rather than functional skills. Needless to say, this is not the most effective way to learn Thai.
We’ve tried to answer the most common questions below. Be sure to contact us if you don’t find the answers you’re looking for.
Please note that you must reside in Phuket during the duration of your visa in order to be eligible for this program.
We are only offering the 12-month program at the moment. The total cost for this program is 55,000 thb*.
The first payment will be 35,000 thb, while the remaining 20,000 thb will be paid in 5,000 thb increments each time the visa is renewed over the course of the year.
The prices quoted above are inclusive of tax and TEFL Campus will not collect any payment in addition to these fees.
* Please note that over half of the course fees are actually used to cover costs paid to Thai Immigration.
Fees are inclusive of lessons, materials, and administrative support. Visa applications, re-entry permits, and extensions are the responsibility of the student.
There are two required extra costs and one which you may or may not need:
1. The ED visa application is typically US$ 70
2. Each visa extension costs 5,000 baht (three total, every 90 days)
3. Re-entry permits (if you leave Thailand and come back on the ED visa) cost 1,900 baht
Please note each of these fees goes to The Thai government and TEFL Campus collects nothing from these costs.
Our classes are currently offered twice a week for 90 minutes each. We typically run classes on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9.00 to 10.30. As demand for classes grow, then we’ll begin to offer additional class times.
We start a new course every month.
2024 Dates
January 8th
February 5th
March 4th
April 1st
May 6th
June 3rd
July 1st
August 5th
September 2nd
October 7th
November 4th
December 2nd
No ED visa program is eligible for approval unless classes are taken onsite. Sorry, no online programs are available.
The entire process can take up to one month and we strongly encourage applicants to start this process as soon as possible.
While possible, we recommend limiting travel as much as possible. There are no official limits on the amount of times you can leave, nor how long you may leave for, but the assumption is that you’re here to study Thai and attending classes. Also, you must obtain a re-entry permit prior to leaving or your ED visa becomes null and void upon leaving.
You’ll need a current passport and an image file of a passport-style photo.
First, confirm your preferred course start date and we’ll ensure we have sufficient time to get all the documents in order for your planned arrival. Once confirmed and you’re ready to move forward, you submit a payment for 50% of your course fees.
Second, you’ll need to complete a few forms and provide us with copies of your passport as well as photo.
Third, TEFL Campus will submit all documents to the Ministry of Education (MoE). They will then provide a letter which is needed for formal ED applications. This process can take up to 20 days, but typically takes 10-14. Once we receive the letter, we’ll notify you that it’s time to pay your balance.
Fourth, Once your balance payment is received, we’ll send you a scanned, signed, and stamped image file of the MoE letter, along with a few other documents which you need to upload here in order to submit your formal ED visa application.
Fifth, wait for your ED visa application to be approved.
In the event your visa application is rejected by Thai officials, we’ll attempt to remedy the situation as quickly as we can at no extra charge. Assuming TFFL Campus provides all the necessary documentation and your application is rejected by officials, we’ll refund 80% of the fees paid. If TEFL Campus is at fault for the rejection, we’ll refund 100% of the fees. Please note that our applicants have a 100% approval rate as of August 2022. If you decide to withdraw your participation from the course after having received your ED visa, no refunds will be issued.
Once the ED Visa is issued, you have 90 days to enter Thailand. We recommend applying at least 2 weeks in advance, 3 weeks just to be safe.
It is not legally possible to change to an ED visa though the Phuket Immigration office. However, we can provide you with all documentation needed to apply elsewhere in SE Asia.
No, not legally.
Legally, almost anyone 12 years old and older may apply for the ED visa. Visa restrictions apply to certain nationals but we’re happy to assist with that on a case-by-case basis. As for TEFL Campus’ requirements, we need to know that you’re genuinely interested in learning Thai, and you can speak enough English to communicate with our administrative staff. You also need to be open-mined, tolerant of other cultures and personalities, and of sound mind.
If you’re still not sure if the time and monetary investment is worth it, consider our Top 4 reasons for learning Thai:
1. Save Money – Dual pricing is a reality in Thailand and tourists are often charged 2-10 times more than Thais. Learning the language allows you to communicate with locals on their level, which means you’re more likely to get the locals’ rate at the market and for essential services.
2. Avoid Risk – For decades, foreigners paid expensive fees for long and dangerous (sometimes deadly) mini-van rides to the nearest border. Added to that, Thailand’s crackdown on illegal immigration means officials are asking many more questions about one’s ability to stay in Thailand on a legal basis. They’ve even started cracking down on illegitimate ED visa programs—that’s why we run our courses in accordance with the law.
3. Earn Respect – Most Thais don’t expect foreigners to speak Thai, but when they do, they are typically quite impressed. If you’re involved in business, have children in Thai schools, or need to deal with Thais in a more official capacity (such as at the immigration office), this can come in rather handy.
4. Gain Understanding – You can’t really understand a culture unless you know how to communicate within it. Despite this rather obvious notion, there are plenty of long-term expats in Thailand who’ll tell everything (they think) you need to know about (their misunderstanding of) Thai culture. Don’t fall into this trap; put in the work to learn Thai and reap the rewards.