Phuket Fast-Tracks Student Visa Certification to Tackle Overstay

Phuket—

Provincial authorities in Phuket are accelerating reforms to the certification process for foreign student visas in an effort to curb overstay problems and improve efficiency.

At a meeting held at the Chanpanwa Conference Room, Phuket Provincial Hall, Deputy Governor Romdon Hayiawa chaired the first session of the newly established committee tasked with redesigning the student visa certification system to better align with the province’s context. The initiative was ordered by Governor Chotnarin Kerdsom, following recent challenges in visa processing.

The committee reviewed proposals from the Phuket Association of Non-Formal Private Schools, which explained 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 recent disruptions caused by the sudden resignation of two staff members without prior notice, which 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 include 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.

The meeting brought together representatives from multiple sectors, including Phuket Education Office Director Pannapa Phromwichian, Immigration Police Inspector Lt. Col. Rangsinan Chanphet, Phuket Tourism Business Association President Sarayut Mallam, and other stakeholders. Together, they stated the need for a streamlined, group approach to ensure that foreign students can study in Phuket.