An Education Visa (or ED Visa) is applicable to those individuals who come to Thailand for the following purposes:
- To study
- To join a work-study or observation tour
- To participate in projects or seminars
- To attend a conference or training course
- To study as a foreign Buddhist monk

Students seeking permission to study in Thailand should apply for an ED Visa at least a month before their trip to Thailand or if you are already in Thailand, you should apply for the visa at least five weeks before your current visa expires.

Who is OLA International?
OLA International is a partner company of Island TEFL. OLA International was formed in 1989 and is a language course provider. OLA is approved and certified by the Thai Ministry of Education 145/2532.

How long will my visa be valid?
The duration of the visa depends on the length of the students’ chosen courses. We can offer students an ED Visa from 1-10 years duration, and a combination of Thai Language and various other courses.

What are the steps in obtaining ED Visa from OLA/Island TEFL?
1. In order to obtain an ED Visa, students will need to purchase a 1-year ED Visa package through Island TEFL.

2. After submitting all the necessary documents, OLA will send a request to the Thai Ministry of Education for a “Verified Letter”. This process will normally take 2-3 weeks, but it can take up to 5 weeks.

3. OLA/Island TEFL will send the “Verified Letter” letter to the student which is required by the student in applying for an ED Visa.

4. If the students are applying for an ED Visa, and receive the “Verified Letter” in their home country, they will need to go to the local Thai Consulate/Embassy where they will be issued a one-year non-immigrant ED Visa. If the students are applying for an ED Visa from within Thailand, once they receive the “Verified Letter” they will need to take this to a Thai Consulate/Embassy outside of Thailand where they will be issued a one-year non-immigrant ED Visa.

ED Visa candidates can go to neighbouring countries, such as Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, and Singapore. Some people however, from countries such as India, China, Pakistan and certain Middle Eastern countries will need to go back to their home country to apply for an ED Visa.

5. Upon arrival, students will be permitted to stay in Thailand for 90 days and then with the necessary paperwork provided by OLA (another letter from the MOE, certifying the enrolment), students will be able to extend their stay every 90 days at the local immigration office for the duration of the course.

What are the necessary documents in applying for an ED VISA?
1. Visa application form (Supplied By OLA/Island TEFL)

2. “Verified Letter” from the Thai Ministry of Education
Seven photographs (2” x 2”)
Four copies of passport (certify every page)
Two Purpose of Attending the Course Letters (provided by OLA/Island)
Four History Check Forms( provided by OLA/Island TEFL)
Two copies of transcript (for students registering for English courses only)
** If the students are not in Thailand, OLA/Island TEFL will send documents #3 and #4 to the students via email for students to fill out. The completed documents must be sent back by post only.

3. Student’s passport
**People of certain nationalities may be asked to show other documents. Please check with the Thai Embassy website, www.thaiembassy.org for your most convenient location.

Should you have further questions or require additional information, please contact philip@islandtefl.com or call us at: