Bangkok: ‘MOE-Immigration Bureau’ tightens control on universities accepting international students, preparing to announce measures to scan non-degree programs before accepting students. The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) and the Immigration Bureau met to set guidelines for solving the problem of visa issuance for foreign students to study at Thai higher education institutions and issued new measures to control the operations of universities that offer non-degree courses or short-term courses for foreign students.

According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Supamas Isaraphakdi, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), indicated that guidelines and measures have been established requiring universities to submit non-degree programs intended for international students to the MHESI for review and approval. This step is mandatory before accepting international students. Once a program has been deemed appropriate by the MHESI, the Immigration Bureau will be informed to proceed with visa approvals. The issued visa will align with the program’s duration, not exceeding six months. Failure to adhere to this process will result in the inability of students to apply for visas.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Supachai Patumnakul, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, highlighted that periodic inspections and monitoring will be conducted to ensure student enrollment and graduation compliance. Universities are also required to report the annual number of graduating international students to the Ministry.

For non-degree programs delivered online, clear specifications regarding the proportion of online teaching are mandatory to maintain standardization, transparency, and verifiability. Degree programs with over 60% online learning must be reported to the Ministry as well.