Thailand’s New Visa Rules: What Changes in November 2025
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Thailand’s Immigration Bureau announced new visa exemption enforcement on November 12, 2025. Immigration officers can now deny entry after 2 visa runs without justifiable reason. Visa exemption extensions are limited to 2 times per calendar year (30 days, then 7 days). According to Thailand’s Immigration Bureau, this targets digital nomads and long-term visitors using tourist entries to live in Thailand instead of obtaining proper visas.
At GEOS Language Centre, our 20+ years of MOE recognition means we’ve processed thousands of ED visas with a 100% approval rate for complete applications. We help you transition from uncertain visa exemptions to legitimate long-term stay. Most GEOS students (80%) arrange their ED visa while already in Thailand, with our staff accompanying them to Chaeng Watthana Immigration for the application appointment.
If you have at least 45 days remaining on your visa exemption (and don’t need a criminal background check), you can apply from within Thailand. If you’ve used both extensions, you’ll need to apply at a Thai embassy abroad.
What Exactly Did Thailand's Immigration Bureau Announce?
On November 12, 2025, Immigration Bureau Commissioner Pol. Lt. Gen. Panumas Boonyalug announced four enforcement measures targeting visa misuse:
Measure 1: Visa Run Restrictions
Immigration officers will now deny entry to individuals who use visa exemption entries more than 2 times without a justifiable reason. This targets people using visa runs to live in Thailand long-term instead of applying for the correct visa category.
Measure 2: Border Area Screening
Enhanced screening at high-risk border crossings like Mae Sot, particularly for individuals with watch-list records or previous deportations.
Measure 3: Extension Restrictions (Effective November 13, 2025)
Provincial Immigration Offices will deny visa extensions or revoke visas for foreigners who have a history of visa run behavior. Additionally, visa exemption extensions are now limited to 2 times per calendar year (first extension: 30 days, second extension: 7 days). Foreign nationals entering via land border checkpoints are not eligible for extensions. Extensions will not be granted to individuals who depart and re-enter Thailand on the same day.
Measure 4: Overstay Enforcement
Increased operations targeting visa overstays across Thailand.
The Immigration Bureau stated these measures will not affect tourism but will “select quality international tourists that will generate revenue for the country.”
Who Is Actually Affected by These Changes?
You are likely affected if you:
- Have done 3 or more visa runs in the past 12 months
- Live in Thailand most of the year, but exit and re-enter every 30-60 days
- Work remotely from Thailand on visa exemption entries
- Plan to do another visa run after already doing 2 this year
- Have applied for visa extensions after doing multiple visa runs
- Stay 90 days at a time, multiple times per year, without returning to your home country
Immigration has already denied entry to approximately 2,900 foreigners in 2025 using these enforcement standards. Officers specifically flag foreigners who stay 90 days at a time, multiple times per year, without returning to their home country.
You are probably not affected if you:
- Visit Thailand once or twice per year as a genuine tourist
- Stay 1-2 weeks and return home
- Have a proper long-term visa (work permit, marriage visa, retirement visa, ED visa)
The announcement specifically targets individuals “posing as tourists to conduct various transactions” instead of obtaining the correct visa categories. This language points to digital nomads, long-term visitors, and expats who have been using the visa exemption scheme beyond its intended purpose.
What Does "Without Justifiable Reason" Mean?
Immigration officers will make case-by-case decisions. Based on what we see when accompanying students to Chaeng Watthana Immigration for their ED visa applications, officers typically consider:
- Your stated purpose for visiting Thailand
- Length of stays during previous entries
- Evidence of ties to your home country
- Whether you are working or conducting business
- Your overall entry/exit pattern over 12 months
There is no published definition of “justifiable reason.” Requirements may vary by immigration office and individual officer discretion.
What Are Your Options Now?
If you have been relying on visa runs, you have several paths to legal long-term stay:
Visa Type | Duration | Cost | Financial Requirement | Can Apply from Thailand? | Approval Certainty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ED Visa (GEOS) | Thai: 14 months; English: 12 months; Japanese: 15 months | Thai: 22,000 THB to start (49,000 total); English/Japanese: 27,000 THB to start (55,000 total) | None (when applying in Thailand) | ✅ Yes | 100% with complete docs | Digital nomads, long-term visitors, language learners |
DTV | 5 years (180 days per stay) | 10,000 THB + 500,000 THB bank requirement | 500,000 THB in bank + remote work proof | ❌ No (must apply abroad) | Depends on embassy | Remote workers with substantial savings |
Elite Visa | 5 years | 600,000+ THB | High upfront payment | ✅ Yes | Guaranteed (if you pay) | High-net-worth individuals wanting zero requirements |
Visa Runs | 60 days per entry | 3,000-5,000 THB per run | None | N/A | ❌ High denial risk after 2 runs | Short-term tourists only |
Note: Only an ED visa through MOE-recognized schools offers guaranteed approval when applying from within Thailand. GEOS accompanies all students to Immigration for the application appointment.
Education Visa (ED Visa)
Study Thai, English, or Japanese at an MOE-recognized school. First stamp provides 90 days, with subsequent extensions of 60-90 days each (up to 5 extensions per year). Total course duration: 12-15 months, depending on course length. Most flexible option for digital nomads and long-term visitors.
Advantages:
- Age requirement 16+ (no upper age limit)
- No proof of employment required
- No proof of funds required when applying from within Thailand
- Lower cost than the Elite visa
- Legitimate reason for long-term stay
- Can start within 2-4 weeks
Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
5-year multiple-entry visa allowing 180 days per stay (extendable to 360 days per year). Requires proof of remote employment or freelance work, plus 500,000 THB in a bank account.
Advantages:
- 5-year validity
- 180-day stays without extensions
- Lower cost than the Elite visa
- No class attendance required
Disadvantages:
- 500,000 THB bank balance requirement
- Must prove remote employment or freelance contracts
- Approval rates vary by embassy and documentation quality
- Cannot guarantee approval before the application
- Must leave Thailand to apply (cannot convert from visa exemption)
Many digital nomads consider DTV first because it does not require class attendance. However, at GEOS, we have seen students whose DTV applications were rejected return to us for an ED visa instead. The key difference is certainty. With an ED visa through GEOS, we can guarantee approval before you start the application process when you submit complete documentation, as we guide you. With DTV, approval depends on the embassy’s interpretation of your remote work documentation, and there is no way to know if you will be approved until after you apply. Additionally, DTV requires leaving Thailand to apply at an embassy abroad, while most GEOS students arrange their ED visa while still in Thailand, with GEOS staff accompanying them to Immigration for the application appointment.
Thai Elite Visa
Pay 600,000+ THB for a 5-year visa. No study or employment required.
Advantages:
- No reporting requirements
- Simplest long-term option
Disadvantages:
- High upfront cost
- No refunds if circumstances change
Why an ED Visa Is Often the Clearest Path
For most people affected by the visa run restrictions, the ED visa offers the best combination of accessibility, cost, and timeline.
Guaranteed approval: At GEOS, we can confirm your ED visa will be approved before you start the application process when you submit complete documentation, as we guide you. Our 100% approval rate for complete applications submitted with our guidance means no uncertainty. Compare this to DTV, which has variable approval rates depending on embassy and documentation, with no way to guarantee approval in advance.
Can apply from within Thailand: Most GEOS students (80%) arrange their ED visa while already in Thailand on a visa exemption. You do not need to leave the country and risk re-entry denial. DTV requires leaving Thailand to apply at an embassy abroad.
Lower financial barrier: Start for 22,000 THB with our Thai course (first term payment), not 40,000-60,000 THB upfront like many schools require. DTV requires 500,000 THB in your bank account plus proof of remote employment contracts. Many digital nomads do not have this level of documented savings or formal employment proof.
No financial documentation required: When applying from within Thailand, you don’t need bank statements or proof of funds. Compare this to DTV’s 500,000 THB requirement or embassy applications that require 3 months of bank statements showing a minimum $1,000 USD balance.
Clear timeline: The process from enrollment to ED visa approval takes 45 days when applying from within Thailand. Students applying from a Thai embassy abroad typically receive approval within 2-4 weeks.
Legitimate long-term stay: You are studying at an MOE-recognized institution, which is exactly what Immigration wants to see instead of repeated visa exemption entries.
Flexibility: You can start any week in our English program (open-book levels with direct method). No waiting for fixed intake dates.
Support through the process: GEOS staff accompany you to Chaeng Watthana Immigration for your initial ED visa application appointment. We handle the forms, navigate the queues, and answer officer questions. The approval appointment is a simple formality that students handle independently.
What Documents Do I Need to Apply for an ED Visa from Thailand?
When applying for an ED visa from within Thailand, you’ll need:
- Valid passport (at least 6 months validity)
- Passport photos (2 recent photos, white background)
- TM30 documentation (proof of address registration)
- Thai SIM card (Immigration calls to verify contact information)
- MOE acceptance letter from GEOS (we provide this after enrollment)
- Course enrollment confirmation (we provide this)
- 2,000 THB visa application fee (paid directly to Immigration)
Important difference: When applying from within Thailand, you do not need to provide bank statements or proof of funds. This requirement only applies when applying at Thai embassies abroad. GEOS students applying at Chaeng Watthana Immigration submit only the documents listed above, making the in-Thailand application process simpler and more accessible than embassy applications.
GEOS handles the MOE application and provides all school-issued documents. We collect your passport and photos during Week 1 of enrollment, then guide you through each step of the Immigration process with staff accompaniment.
For students applying at a Thai embassy abroad, additional requirements include:
- Bank statement (last 3 months, minimum $1,000 USD balance)
- Proof of current location (driver’s license, bank statement, or proof of stay)
- Criminal background check (required by some embassies)
Document requirements vary by embassy. Always confirm the exact requirements with the Thai embassy where you will apply before beginning the process.
How Much Does an ED Visa Cost Compared to Visa Runs?
ED Visa Total Cost (14-month Thai course):
- First term: 22,000 THB (4 months of classes + MOE letter + Immigration support)
- Second term: 13,500 THB (4 months of classes)
- Third term: 13,500 THB (6 months of classes)
- Total: 49,000 THB for 14 months of legal stay + language education
- Pay upfront option: 44,100 THB (10% discount)
Visa Run Cost (12 months):
- 6 border runs at 3,000-5,000 THB each: 18,000-30,000 THB (flights/transport)
- 6 nights accommodation near borders: 6,000-12,000 THB
- Extensions (2 per year max): 3,800 THB (1,900 THB each)
- Risk of entry denial: Cannot be calculated in money
- Total: 27,800-45,800 THB for 12 months of uncertain status
ED visa costs more upfront but includes education, guaranteed approval, staff support at Immigration, and zero risk of entry denial. Visa runs appear cheaper but offer no legal protection and may result in permanent entry denial.
According to the Thai Ministry of Education, only MOE-recognized schools can sponsor ED visas. GEOS has maintained this recognition for 20+ years.
Important: ED Visa Is for Genuine Education
Thailand’s Immigration Bureau is targeting foreigners who misuse visa exemptions to live in the country without contributing skills or value. An ED visa is not a loophole to stay in Thailand. It is a legitimate path for people who want to develop real language skills.
At GEOS, our courses are designed for genuine learning. You will attend classes, complete coursework, and develop practical language abilities. Immigration officers expect to see attendance records and progress when you extend your visa. This is why GEOS maintains in-person class requirements and tracks student participation.
If your goal is simply to stay in Thailand without learning, an ED visa is not the right option. If you want to learn Thai, improve your English, or study Japanese while living here legally, an ED visa through an MOE-recognized school is the appropriate choice.
How GEOS Makes the Transition Easy
Switching from visa runs to an ED visa sounds complicated. Most people worry about the paperwork, the embassy appointment, and the immigration office procedures. Here is where GEOS is different:
MOE recognition for 20+ years. We issue official acceptance letters that Thai embassies and immigration offices recognize immediately. According to the Thai Ministry of Education, only MOE-recognized schools can sponsor ED visas. Schools without MOE recognition cannot sponsor ED visas.
Staff accompaniment to Chaeng Watthana Immigration. GEOS staff will accompany you for your initial ED visa application appointment. We handle the forms, navigate the queues, and answer officer questions. You are not alone in the critical application step. The approval appointment is straightforward, and students handle it independently.
Pay-per-term flexibility. Start with 22,000 THB for the first 4 months of our Thai course. If circumstances change, you have only committed to one term. Compare this to schools requiring 40,000-60,000 THB upfront.
7-level English program. Most Bangkok schools cap at level 4-5. GEOS offers beginner through advanced (levels 1-7), meaning the course content is genuinely useful, not just a visa vehicle.
What Should You Do This Week?
If you have already used both your extensions this year (30 days + 7 days):
You cannot extend again until next calendar year. Your options are: (1) leave Thailand and apply for an ED visa at any Thai embassy abroad, (2) apply for DTV if you qualify, or (3) consider other long-term visa options. Do not risk re-entering Thailand on a visa exemption if you have a pattern of repeated entries.
If you have used one extension (30 days):
You can extend one more time for 7 days, giving you time to prepare documents. However, 7 days is not enough to process an ED visa from within Thailand (you need 45-50 days minimum). You will need to leave Thailand and apply at a Thai embassy abroad.
If you are currently in Thailand and have not extended yet:
You can extend twice (first 30 days, then 7 days) for a total of 97 days. However, to process an ED visa from within Thailand safely, you need at least 45-50 days remaining BEFORE you start the application (this assumes you don’t need a criminal background check, which adds 4-6 weeks). Check your current stamp expiration date and contact GEOS to verify your timeline.
If you are planning to move to Thailand:
Apply for an ED visa at a Thai embassy before arriving, or enter on a visa exemption and begin your ED visa application immediately (you need 45-50 days to process).
If you have limited time remaining and cannot process an ED visa:
Leave Thailand and return after January 1, 2026. Your visa exemption extension counter resets with the new calendar year, giving you 2 new extensions (30 days + 7 days). However, immigration officers may still question repeated entries if you have a pattern of living in Thailand on visa exemptions.
Timeline to ED Visa
Option 1: Apply from within Thailand (most common - 80% of GEOS students)
Total timeline: 45 days from enrollment to ED visa approval
Week 1: Enrollment and Document Preparation
- Contact GEOS to discuss your current visa status (you need at least 45-50 days remaining on your tourist visa or visa exemption if you don’t need a criminal background check)
- Enroll in your course and pay the first term (22,000 THB for 4 months of Thai, 27,000 THB for English or Japanese)
- GEOS collects your passport, passport photos, and TM30 documentation
- Purchase a Thai SIM card if you do not have one (Immigration will call you to verify contact information)
Week 2: MOE Application
- GEOS submits your complete application to the Ministry of Education, including an acceptance letter, course details, and supporting documents
Week 3: MOE Approval
- Wait 10 days for MOE to process and approve your application
- GEOS tracks your application status and informs you when MOE approval is received
Week 3-4: First Immigration Visit (Application Appointment)
- GEOS schedules your first visit to Chaeng Watthana Immigration
- GEOS staff accompany all students who applied during the same period as a group
- You pay the 2,000 THB visa application fee directly to the immigration officer
- Immigration verifies your phone number, checks documents, takes your photo, and gives you an appointment date for your second visit
- You must have at least 15 days remaining on your current visa before this visit
Week 4-5: Second Immigration Visit (Approval Appointment)
- Return to Chaeng Watthana Immigration on your appointment date with your blue receipt
- Immigration processes your application and issues your non-immigrant ED visa valid for 90 days
- Students need the blue receipt from the first visit to collect the approved visa
- This appointment is a formality (students handle independently)
- English students can start classes immediately after the Week 2 MOE submission. Thai and Japanese students wait for the monthly enrollment dates.
Option 2: Apply from a Thai embassy abroad
Total timeline: 4-9 weeks from enrollment to entering Thailand
- Contact GEOS and choose your course (Thai, English, or Japanese)
- Inform GEOS which Thai embassy you will apply to, so we can prepare documents according to their specific requirements
- Submit initial documents to GEOS (passport copy, passport photos, proof of current location)
- Wait for Ministry of Education (MOE) approval (2-4 weeks)
- Receive the MOE approval letter and complete the visa document package from GEOS
- Apply at your chosen Thai embassy with complete documents:
- Valid passport (at least 6 months’ validity)
- Completed visa application form
- Recent passport photos
- Bank statement (last 3 months, minimum $1,000 USD balance)
- Document showing current location (driver’s license, bank statement, or proof of stay)
- MOE approval letter from GEOS
- Enrollment confirmation letter from GEOS
- Wait for embassy processing (varies by location: 3-5 days to 3 weeks)
- Receive an ED visa and enter Thailand to begin your course
Note: Students needing criminal background checks should allow 7-9 weeks total.
Document requirements and processing times vary significantly by embassy. Always confirm the exact requirements with the Thai embassy where you will apply before beginning the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
The announcement states Immigration may deny entry after 2 visa runs “without justifiable reason.” This is not a hard rule, but enforcement discretion. Officers evaluate your circumstances individually. Immigration has denied approximately 2,900 foreigners in 2025 using these standards.
Yes, for genuine tourism. The policy targets individuals using a visa exemption to live in Thailand long-term, not tourists visiting for short holidays. If you visit once or twice yearly and return home between trips, you should not be affected.
Yes, but with restrictions effective November 13, 2025. You can extend your visa exemption 2 times per calendar year (first extension: 30 days, second extension: 7 days). Land border entries cannot be extended. Same-day exit/re-entry does not qualify for extensions.
Immigration officers may question your next entry or deny it entirely. Consider obtaining a proper long-term visa before attempting another border crossing. The Immigration Bureau has already denied entry to 2,900 foreigners this year using visa run patterns as criteria.
An ED visa provides a legal long-term stay (12-15 months), eliminates entry denial risk, and costs 49,000 THB total. Visa runs cost 27,800-45,800 THB annually but offer no legal protection and risk permanent entry denial. Learn more about Thailand’s ED visa requirements and process.
DTV requires 500,000 THB savings and remote employment proof. Approval rates vary by embassy, with no guarantee before applying. DTV also requires leaving Thailand to apply abroad. ED visa through GEOS has 100% approval when you submit complete applications with our guidance, costs 22,000 THB to start, can be arranged while in Thailand (80% of students), and we confirm approval before you begin.
Applying from within Thailand takes 45 days from enrollment to approval. Applying from a Thai embassy abroad takes 2-4 weeks. Both timelines include MOE processing and Immigration appointments. Timeline assumes you have sufficient days remaining on your current stamp.
No. An ED visa is for education purposes only. Working requires a separate work permit and a Non-B visa. Immigration tracks attendance and expects genuine study participation. Violating work restrictions can result in deportation and entry bans.
Yes. Most GEOS students (80%) arrange their ED visa while in Thailand on a visa exemption. You need at least 45-50 days remaining on your stamp to complete the process safely (or 90+ days if you need a criminal background check). GEOS staff accompany you to Immigration for the application appointment. This is a major advantage over DTV, which requires leaving Thailand.
You can apply at the nearest Thai embassy that serves your country. Requirements may vary by embassy location. Always confirm with your specific embassy before submitting documents. Some embassies have different processing times and document requirements than others.
No. Thai Immigration requires in-person attendance for ED visa courses. You must attend classes at our Bangkok location (Asok BTS/Sukhumvit MRT). Immigration officers verify attendance records when you extend your visa each term.
You can extend for another year with a different course (switch from English to Thai), apply for a different visa category, or return home. GEOS students often continue with our Japanese program after completing English. You cannot extend the same course indefinitely.
Yes. GEOS has been contacted by multiple individuals who received only 30-day visa exemption stamps at Bangkok airports after already using visa exemptions earlier in 2025. This appears to be at the immigration officer’s discretion when they see a pattern of repeated entries. According to our immigration sources, this is not a new official rule but rather officers exercising existing discretion. If you have done multiple visa runs this year, do not assume you will receive the standard 60-day stamp on your next entry.
Moving from Uncertainty to Stability
The visa run strategy worked until it did not. You knew this arrangement had an expiration date, and the November 12 announcement makes that clear.
At GEOS, we help students transition to a legal long-term stay every week. The process is straightforward when you have MOE recognition, experienced staff, and 20+ years of serving students in Bangkok. We guide every ED visa application with a 100% approval rate when students follow our complete documentation guidance.
Your next step is simple. Contact GEOS to discuss which course fits your schedule and goals. We will explain the exact timeline, costs, and documents you need. Our staff will accompany you from the acceptance letter through your ED visa application appointment at Chaeng Watthana Immigration.
Ready to secure your legal stay in Thailand? Contact GEOS Language Centre today. We are located at Asok BTS/Sukhumvit MRT in Bangkok. Consultations are free, and we can start your application this week.
Explore our weekly blog posts for more guides on living in Thailand, including opening Thai bank accounts, cultural integration tips, and navigating Bangkok as a long-term resident.
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