In a move to curb the misuse of student visas, Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) has implemented stricter regulations governing short-term study programs for foreign students, effective from 15 May 2025. The updated policy is intended to prevent individuals from using short educational courses as a pretext for illegal employment.
The revised guidelines require all educational institutions offering short courses to seek prior approval from the ministry by submitting comprehensive course details. These include course objectives, content structure, teaching methods, and instructor qualifications. At least 60% of the instruction must occur onsite, and the course duration cannot exceed 180 days. Institutions must also detail class schedules, student qualifications, application timelines, the number of foreign enrollees, the language of instruction, and methods of assessment.
Under the new framework, institutions are obliged to issue completion certificates and request temporary residence permits for foreign students only when such permits are essential to course participation. These permits are limited to a maximum of 180 days. Additionally, institutions must verify applicants’ prior academic history and report the details of approved students to MHESI within 30 days of receiving residence approval from the Immigration Bureau.
To ensure compliance, institutions are now required to track student attendance and submit monthly updates through the ministry’s foreign student database. These updates must include information on current enrolments, course completions, and students who have exited the program.
Failure to adhere to these requirements may result in MHESI recommending that the institution’s council revoke the relevant course.
The policy is part of broader efforts to ensure that Thailand’s short-course system is transparent, legally sound, and aligned with international standards. The measures also aim to reinforce oversight of foreign student activities and build trust in the country’s higher education offerings.
Details of the announcement were presented by Higher Education Minister Supamas Isarabhakdi. The ministry developed the new procedures in coordination with the Immigration Bureau.
