BANGKOK — After authorities discovered that some foreigners who have violated Thai laws have used student status as an excuse to stay in the country long-term and work illegally, the Thai government is moving to close this loophole by enforcing stricter controls over short-term education programs.
Deputy Government Spokesperson Karom Phonphonklang announced that the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) aims to address the problem of student visa abuse by foreign nationals by issuing a new regulation titled “Criteria and Guidelines for the Administration of Short-Term (Non-Degree) Study Programs for Foreign Students in Higher Education Institutions 2025,” which came into effect on May 14.
The regulation provides a legal framework for the issuance of residence permits for foreign students based on cooperation between MHESI and the Immigration Department.
Key points of the new regulation include:
1. Institutions offering short-term courses must demonstrate professional competence and preparedness in terms of curriculum content, qualified teaching staff and clearly defined learning outcomes.
2. Institutions must submit detailed course information to the Office of the Secretary of State of MHESI. This includes the course name, responsible department and faculty, objectives, structure and content, instructional format with at least 60% on-site and no more than 40% online, length of program with no more than 180 days, daily and weekly schedules, student qualifications, application period, number of foreign students admitted, language of instruction, learning location, and methods of assessment. Attendance records must also be submitted.
3. Institutions must issue formal certificates and apply for a temporary residence permit for foreign students for study purposes. Each stay must not exceed 180 days and must be consistent with the need and structure of the course. Academic records must be verified, especially for students who were previously enrolled in other programs at a Thai higher education institution.
4. Once the Immigration Bureau grants permission to stay, institutions must report the foreign student’s information to MHESI within 30 days.
5. Institutions are required to monitor attendance and submit monthly progress reports through the MHESI international student tracking system. These reports must clearly list all currently enrolled students, those who have withdrawn, and those who have completed the course.
6. If a facility is not in compliance, MHESI will notify the facility’s Board of Directors to consider terminating the program.
Supamas Isarabhakdi, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, explained that the government aims to raise the standards of short-term education in Thailand with transparency and legal clarity. The aim is to prevent the entry of foreigners under false pretenses and ensure that education programs are managed efficiently.
“This regulation requires higher education institutions to follow strict procedures and report regularly to the MHESI. This will help build confidence in the integrity and quality of Thailand’s education system and make it more attractive to international students,” she said.
__________
