US Student Visa

The United States welcomes Thai nationals who wish to study in the US. Before you apply for a US Student visa, like all other student visa applications, you are required to be accepted and approved by the school or program. Once accepted, the educational institution needs to provide you with the necessary approval documents which need to be submitted when applying for a US student visa from Thailand.

If you wish to study in the United States then they will welcome Thai nationals to come to the United States to study. Now before you apply for the US student visa, like all other student visa applicants. They will require that you have been accepted as well as approved by the school or program. Now once you have been accepted. The educational institution will need to provide you with the necessary approval documentation which needs to be submitted when applying for a US visa from Thailand.

There are two types of US student visas. These are shown below.

The most common US student visa is the F1 student visa. An F1 visa will be required if you are going to study in the United States at an approved school, be this an accredited U.S. college or university, a private secondary school or even an approved English language program. Note that you will need the F1 visa if the study program is longer than 18 hours a week.

The most common US student visa is the F1 student visa. You will be required to have an F1 visa if you are going to study in the United States at an approved school, be this an accredited U.S. college or university or even a private secondary school. This or an approved English language program. Note that you will need the F1 visa if the study program is longer than 18 hours a week.

If you are going to be a student in the US and will engage in a non-academic or vocational study, or attending for training at a U.S. institution, then you will need to apply for an M-1 visa. There is an extensive list for this, a number of Certificate and executive education programs as well as Professional exchange programs. You will need to contact us if you are planning on going to the US on one of these programs. So we can guide you on what has to be done.

If you are going to be a student and engage in non-academic or vocational study. This could also be for training at a U.S. institution then you will need to apply for an M-1 visa. There is an extensive list with these. There are a number of Certificate and executive education programs as well as a number of Professional exchange programs. You will need to contact us if you are planning on going to the US on one of these programs. Allow us to check this for you.

US law does not allow foreign students to attend public elementary schools. This is from kindergarten to Grade 8. This is also a prohibition on publicly funded adult educational programs. You cannot obtain an F1 visa for this. This would be very rare for a Thai person to apply for secondary school on this basis. If you have a work permit for the US and you have dependent children, then speak to us about this.

There is an option for Grades 9 to 12 at a public school but you are limited to 12 months at the school. The school will need to indicate on the Form I-20 that you have paid the unsubsidized cost of the education.

• The Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) Form.
• Your valid Thai passport with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay.
• One (1) 2″x2″ (5cmx5cm) photograph taken within the last six months.
• A receipt showing payment of your DS160 non-refundable nonimmigrant visa
• A receipt of your I-901 SEVIS payment
• An approved Form I-20 from your U.S. school or program.
• Financial and any other documents you believe will support your application.

• Any documents showing strong financial, social, and family ties to Thailand
• Original Bank statements or original bank books.

If financially sponsored by another person, bring proof of your relationship to the sponsor as well as the Affidavit of Support and Financial documentations on sponsorship. Also your academic documents include original school transcripts and diplomas or any other english language certifications.

The US student visa from Thailand (F1 or M1) is required to study in the United States. Some Thai nationals, much like other foreign nationals, may not have the intention to study once in the US on a US visitor’s visa, except to undertake recreational studies which are not for credit toward a degree or academic certificate. There are certain short term non-academic courses which do not require a study visa and which are allowed on  a US tourist visa. See also the US visa denial in Thailand on this website. See also the B1 visa as well as the B2 visa.

The consular officers will conduct a visa interview. Most students tend to be in their mid-20’s or even older when they leave for the US to study. Interview questions would cover mostly regarding the intended course to take, how well you know the course you wish to attend in the US, relationship with sponsors if being sponsored and your plans after the said course in the US.

The visa interview would normally be required and these will include the renewals.

Bangkok interview wait times as of June 2022. Any visa interviews are generally required for the US visa applicants with limited exceptions. The Consular officers require a US visa interview with any US visa applicant. For new students the visa can be issued up to 30 days in advance which is typically a month before the start date for a course. You will not be allowed to enter the US on your student visa more than 30 days before the start date of your course. Speak to our immigration lawyer for more assistance.

There is a specific waiting time for all non-immigrant visa interviews  as well as for immigrant visa interview appointments. Note that you will need to apply early as it does take a while to obtain the visa interview appointments as well as visa issuance. Also see the US tourist visa for a Thai girlfriend.

Speak to our immigration lawyer in Bangkok for further assistance when it comes to applying for a US  Student visa in Thailand. See this website for more information as well as speaking to us online. When dealing with immigration it is always best to take proper legal advice as well as ensure that all your documents are correct.

Note that outside of the US student visa from Thailand there are also other US visas such as the IR1 visa for married people as well as the CR1 visa from Thailand, if you are married to an American citizen.