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Non-Immigrant ED — foreign Buddhist monk study

ThailandCulture, faith and volunteering

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Explore pathways in Thailand Read the five questions ↓

What exact activity, role or purpose qualifies?

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists, among the purposes of entry for the Non-Immigrant ED visa, "For monk, nun, and priest to study Dharma in Thailand", and describes category "ED" as including study as a foreign Buddhist monk. The qualifying activity is the study of Dharma in Thailand by a monk, nun or priest; missionary work and other religious activities fall under the separate category "R".

See recorded sources

What organisation, institution, religious body, charity, teacher or host must support the activity?

The supporting body is the National Office of Buddhism: for a monk, nun or priest studying Dharma in Thailand the only purpose-specific document listed is a letter from it. Unlike the other ED purposes, no temple, monastery, school or university letter or enrolment confirmation from an institution is required.

See recorded sources
  • Required Documents for the following purposes
    For monk, nun, and priest studying 5. Letter from the National Office of Buddhism Dharma in Thailand
  • Required Documents for the following purposes
    To study at basic education level 5. Letter from relevant authority under the institution Ministry of Education or International School (primary, elementary, and secondary 6. Letter confirming enrolment details from school) school, signed by an authorized person with a copy of ID card or passport of the signer

What proves the placement, role, affiliation, experience or cultural/religious/voluntary activity?

The placement is proved by a single letter from the National Office of Buddhism; no ordination record, monastic status certificate or religious qualification is separately asked for. Every ED applicant also uploads the passport or travel-document biodata page, a photograph taken within the last six months, a document indicating current location, an e-ticket itinerary and bank statements for the past three months showing a balance of no less than 30,000 THB issued within one month, covering tuition fees and living expenses.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The document does not say what the National Office of Buddhism letter must contain, nor whether any proof of ordination or monastic standing is required.
  • Required Documents for the following purposes
    For monk, nun, and priest studying 5. Letter from the National Office of Buddhism Dharma in Thailand
  • Required documents
    1. Biodata page of Passport or Travel Document 2. Photograph taken within the last six months 3. Document indicating current location: 3.1 For Japanese: A driver’s license or My Number Card For non-Japanese: A residence card that is valid for at least three months 3.2 E-Ticket itinerary 4. Financial evidence covering tuition fees and living expenses: Bank statements for the past three months showing a balance of no less than 30,000 THB issued within one month.
  • Required documents
    The following documents must be uploaded in large and clear JPEG and PDF formats. (The file size must not exceed 3MB)

Can the person receive salary, pocket money, accommodation, meals or reimbursement? Can they undertake other work?

The checked official sources did not provide enough route-specific evidence to confirm whether a monk, nun or priest studying Dharma may receive pay, allowances, accommodation or reimbursement, or undertake other work.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Neither source addresses stipends, alms, board or lodging for this purpose, nor whether any other work is permitted.
  • Required documents
    4. Financial evidence covering tuition fees and living expenses: Bank statements for the past three months showing a balance of no less than 30,000 THB issued within one month.
  • 3. NON-IMMIGRANT VISA, 2. DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
    - Official Note certifying the purpose of travel from the Government Agencies /Embassies and Consulates / International Organizations / State Enterprises inThailand. ("F" / "B" / "ED" / "M" / "R") - Letter of approval from the Ministry of Labour (To obtain this letter, the prospective employer in Thailand is required to submit Form WP3 at the Office of Foreign Workers Administration, Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour Tel 02-2452745, 02-2453209 or at a Provincial Employment Office in the respective province. Further information is available at www.doe.go.th/workpermit/index.html) ("B")

How long can they stay, can they change host/activity, can family accompany, and can the status be extended?

The duration of visa printed against the studying purposes is 3 months, and a single-entry ED visa is valid for 3 months from the issue date. The official source describes no extension, renewal or change of host for this purpose and does not address family accompaniment; the separate Non-ED Plus arrangement is limited to international students at universities in Thailand at bachelor's degree level or above, so it does not cover Dharma study.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • No extension, renewal, change-of-host or family provision is stated for this purpose.
  • The fee is published in yen by one mission and is not stated to apply at every Thai mission.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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