Visa Information

What is a visa?

A visa is a legal document which allows you to stay in a foreign country for a set period for a specific purpose. This is a legal requirement determined by Thai immigration law not by ISDSI itself. Without a student visa, students will NOT be able to enter Thailand and participate in the program. 

Timing of the Visa Process 

The Thai visa process can be complicated and confusing, therefore it is important that you follow all of the directions and timelines provided to you by ISDSI. Please take the visa application seriously as it is a vital step in preparing to study abroad in Thailand. However, don't be anxious about the process, as all students who follow the instructions and timeline provided by ISDSI have so far been able to receive their visa.

All applications for Thailand visas are handled digitally on their e-visa website. Therefore, students do not have to go in person to submit their visa application and don't have to pick it up as it will be mailed back.

Once a visa is issued for Thailand, it is only valid for 90 days from the date of issue, therefore students cannot apply for the visa until: 

• Late May/June for Fall semester students

• November for Spring semester students)

ISDSI will host an online orientation to provide students with detailed instructions on the visa process.

Banking Statements Needed for Visa Application

One of the documents required in the visa application is proof of financial means; students can start working on this as soon as you have confirmed you place on the program. 

For this, the Thai government requires 3 months of bank statements showing a minimum balance of $1,000 each month. 

This means that if you apply for your visa in early June, your bank statements for March, April and May need to have a minimum balance of $1,000 at the end of the statement. 

This means that if you apply for your visa in November, your bank statements for August, September, and October need to have a minimum balance of $1,000 at the end of the statement.

As a result of this requirement, ISDSI advises students to try and get $1,000 in your bank soon and leave it there for the next 3 months. If you need to borrow it, that is ok as you will be able to give it back after you receive your visa.

A few detailed notes to consider based on our past experience with Thai Consulates. 

• The bank needs to be an actual bank in the US. Credit Unions are not accepted; PayPal accounts etc are not accepted.

• The statement needs to be an official bank statement showing your name and the bank name and address. Online statements or screenshots are not accepted. The statement also needs to show itemized transactions for the month.

• If you think it will be impossible for you to get $1,000 in your account over 3 months, then there is an alternative option of using a financial sponsor but the requirements for this are more complicated. Please email admissions@isdsi.org if you think this will apply to you so we can explain this process to you.