Visas and Accommodation
Accommodation in Bangkok
The BSM training facilities are located in an international office tower in downtown Bangkok, on Ploenchit Road in the heart of the central business district. Within walking distance, you will find the regional head-offices of Fortune 500 companies, a dazzling array of designer outlets, markets, malls, 5 star hotels and the embassies of Britain, the USA and Australia.
More importantly, you will also find accommodation suiting every budget imaginable. The BTS SkyTrain, which connects directly to BSMs office tower via a convenient footbridge, runs along Phayathai Road, Sukhumvit Road, Phahon Yothin Road and Sathon/Silom Roads while connecting to the underground train (subway/metro) system serving Ratchadaphisek Road. These roads contain the bulk of rented accommodation in Bangkok, which covers all budgets and styles.
To make the transition easier for you, we have selected a number of accommodation options and described them below. Once you have been accepted onto one of our programs, you will have the opportunity to make a booking for one of these places. Alternatively, you can make your own arrangements.
Budget Apartment – 3,000 Baht/month
The budget apartment is popular with Thai office workers. This is very modest accommodation and probably not suitable for foreigners who have not already experienced this type of accommodation first-hand. However, if you are adventurous and don't mind buying necessities such as a refrigerator, fan and bedding, can live without aircon and don't mind doing your own housework, this could be perfect for you!
Serviced Studio Apartment – 6,000 -10,000 Baht/month
This is generally the recommended option for foreign students studying in Bangkok. These single rooms are fully furnished and include cable TV, a refrigerator, telephone, air conditioning, cooking area, en-suite bathroom and a weekly cleaning service.
Condominium Unit – 10,000 – 40,000 Baht/month
Depending on the size of the unit you wish to rent in a condominium complex, the price can vary drastically. Condominiums are let privately by their owners, as opposed to apartments which are let by a single company. A furnished condominium unit with a modestly-sized living area and separate bedroom would be at the 10,000 Baht/month end of the scale, whereas a larger unit with more bedrooms and a full-service kitchen would be at the 40,000 Baht/month end. Most people in Thailand tend to 'eat out' on a daily basis due to the high availability and low cost of restaurant food, so a kitchen is not generally seen as a priority.
VISA PROCESS
BSM will process a student visa for full-time and short course students.
1. BSM will send the following documents to the student:
a. Purpose of Attending the Course Form.
b. Personal History Check Form.
2. The student completes and submits the documents to BSM at least 2 months before the term begins, along with the following.
a. One photocopy of every page of the student's passport.
b. High school/ Grade 12 diploma.
i. If the original diploma is not in English, and English translation is required.
ii. The translated document must feature the stamp of the translating agency.
iii. The student must submit both a copy of the original diploma and the translation.
c. Eight passport size photos.
d. The location of the embassy or consulate they will apply at.
e. Confirmation of payment to BSM.
3. BSM will submit all documents to the Ministry of Education.
4. Once the Ministry of Education issues the Letter of Approval, BSM will send it as part of a document packet to the student.
5. The student brings the entire document packet to the previously specified Thai embassy or consulate to apply for their visa.
6. The student travels to Thailand before the term starts.
a. Upon arrival in Thailand, an immigration officer will approve a three month stay.
7. The student must visit BSM at lease five days before the beginning of the term.
a. The Purpose of Attending the Course Form and the Personal History Check Form must be updated at that time.
8. BSM will inform the Ministry of Education of the student's arrival by re-submitting the above forms.
9. The Ministry of Education will issue an acceptance letter, allowing the visa to be extended.
10. The student will receive the acceptance letter and other relevant documents from BSM and bring them to the Immigration office at Suan Plu Road to request an extension of their student visa.
1. To request a student visa, a student must register for at least 5 classes at BSM.
2. The student must pay the tuition fee in full before BSM can process a visa application.
3. All forms must be completed by hand.
4. The student is responsible for the extension fee of 1,900 Baht, payable to the Immigration Office at Suan Plu Road.
a. This fee is the responsibility of the student, and will not be paid by BSM.
5. A service fee of 8,500 Baht is charged for procession the student visa.
a. The fee for renewing the visa is 8,500 Baht, each time.
b. The visa process is repeated at the time of each renewal.
1. Purpose of Attending the Course Form.
2. Personal History Check Form.
3. The student must submit confirmation of payment to BSM.
4. One photpcopy of every page of the student's passport.
5. High school/ Grade 12 diploma and translation (if necessary).
6. Eight passport size photos.