Phuket Accelerates Student Visa Processing with New Committee to Combat Overstays

Phuket Province has established a new committee to expedite and streamline the student visa application process, aiming to address challenges such as delays and overstays. The initiative, led by Deputy Governor Romdon Hayiawa under the direction of Governor Chotnarin Kerdsom, seeks to improve the province's context for foreign student admissions. During the inaugural meeting at the Chanpanwa Conference Room, Phuket Provincial Hall, proposals from the Phuket Association of Non-Formal Private Schools were reviewed. The association highlighted difficulties in admitting foreign students and preparing documentation for Non-Immigrant “ED” visas and extensions of stay. Recommendations included revisiting existing regulations, strengthening staffing levels, creating urgent coordination channels, and establishing mechanisms for joint problem-solving. Officials also acknowledged that disruptions caused by the sudden, unannounced resignations of two staff members contributed to overstay cases. In response, Phuket issued Order No. 9040/2569 on September 1st, 2026, formally appointing the committee to study and design a more resilient system. Key reforms under consideration involve the adoption of digital tools such as workflow automation, online submission platforms, checklists, status tracking dashboards, and alert systems for incomplete documentation. The committee also discussed data access protocols and inter-agency information sharing to foster transparency and reduce bottlenecks. Representatives from various sectors, including the Phuket Education Office Director, Immigration Police Inspector, and the President of the Phuket Tourism Business Association, attended the meeting. They collectively emphasized the need for a streamlined, group approach to ensure foreign students can study in Phuket. Source: The Phuket Express