Phuket Speeds Up Student Visa Certification Process to Reduce Overstay Cases

Phuket authorities are moving to speed up and improve the certification process for foreign student visas in an effort to reduce overstay cases and make the system more efficient.

The first meeting of a newly established committee responsible for redesigning the student visa certification system was held at the Chanpanwa Conference Room at Phuket Provincial Hall. The session was chaired by Deputy Governor Romdon Hayiawa. The committee was established on the orders of Phuket Governor Chotnarin Kerdsom following recent difficulties with visa processing.

During the meeting, the Phuket Association of Non-Formal Private Schools presented its concerns about the admission of foreign students and the preparation of documents required for Non-Immigrant “ED” visas and extensions of stay.

Among the proposals discussed were a review of existing regulations, additional staffing, dedicated channels for urgent coordination and mechanisms allowing agencies and other stakeholders to resolve problems jointly.

Officials also acknowledged that recent staffing disruptions had contributed to overstay cases. Two employees reportedly resigned suddenly without prior notice, affecting the processing of student visa-related documents.

In response, Phuket issued Order No. 9040/2569 on September 1, 2026, formally appointing the committee to study the existing system and develop a more resilient certification process.

Digital solutions are among the reforms being considered. These include workflow automation, online document submission, standardized checklists, status-tracking dashboards and alert systems to identify incomplete documentation.

The committee also discussed protocols for accessing information and sharing data between relevant agencies. Officials said better coordination and greater transparency could help reduce delays and prevent administrative bottlenecks.

The meeting brought together representatives from several sectors, including Phuket Education Office Director Pannapa Phromwichian, Immigration Police Inspector Lt. Col. Rangsinan Chanphet and Phuket Tourism Business Association President Sarayut Mallam, along with other stakeholders.

Participants agreed on the need for a more coordinated approach to the certification process, with the aim of creating a smoother system that allows foreign students to study in Phuket while reducing problems caused by delays in visa processing.