School Application Process — Entry Test, Interview, Children's Visa in Krabi
From shortlist to offer letter + Non-Immigrant ED visa for children
2 international schools — Krabi International School (British, THB 220k) and Aonang International (mixed). Limited options — families wanting Tier 1 may need to commute to BIS Phuket or homeschool.
Recommended places & options in Krabi
Krabi sits on the Andaman coast — 25% cheaper than Phuket, ~8,000 expats (Swedish, German, British). Krabi Airport offers direct flights to 6 countries. Suited to quiet families and long-stay travellers.
- Krabi International School (KIS)
- Aonang International School
- Lanta International (branch)
- Akhanetra International (Trang)
- BIS Phuket (commute option)
- International Pioneers (Trang)
Krabi-specific tips
- 1
KIS admits mid-term — Cambridge Primary curriculum
- 2
IB-focused families can board at UWC Phuket from Y9
- 3
Homeschooling is an option — 30+ parent families in Krabi
General steps (5 steps)
- 1Get records from prior school
Official transcript 2–3 years + 1–2 recommendation letters + Principal signature + English translation with Apostille (if from abroad)
- 2Apostille / legalise birth certificate
Hague countries: apostille / non-Hague: legalise at Thai embassy + Thai translation via MFA / 2–4 weeks
- 3Apply to 3–5 schools simultaneously
Leverage offers — pay separate fees (THB 3K–10K per school)
- 4Entry test + interview
Child: literacy + numeracy + reasoning + child-friendly interview / Parents: 30–60 min with Head / English required
- 5Apply ED visa after offer
School issues letter + student ID — use to apply for Non-Immigrant ED visa at a Thai embassy (annual; extend at Immigration in Thailand)
Top neighbourhoods in Krabi
- Ao Nang (sea-view)
- Krabi Town
- Koh Lanta (retiree/digital nomad)
- Noppharat Thara
- Nong Talay (quiet)
- Koh Phi Phi
Scandinavian (Ao Nang), German (Krabi Town-Nong Talay), British/Australian (Ao Nang-Koh Lanta)
Frequently asked questions
How much does school application process — entry test, interview, children's visa cost in Krabi?
Top THB 200-280k · Mid THB 150-200k · cheapest among expat hubs. National benchmark: Application THB 3K–10K + entry test 3K–8K + ED visa 2K–5K/year.
Which neighbourhoods in Krabi are best for expats?
Top picks: Ao Nang (sea-view), Krabi Town, Koh Lanta (retiree/digital nomad), Noppharat Thara.
How long does school application process — entry test, interview, children's visa take?
Standard timeline Full process 6–12 months. Krabi is similar — NYC can pre-book to complete in a single day.
What about internet and getting around in Krabi?
500 Mbps-1 Gbps fiber THB 690-990 · 5G in Krabi Town-Ao Nang. Transit: Cars/motorbikes — limited Grab, songthaew Ao Nang-Krabi Town THB 50, ferry to Koh Lanta THB 250.
When is the best season in Krabi?
Tropical — rain Apr-Nov (SW monsoon), high season Dec-Mar
Can my child join without English?
In K1 to Grade 3 yes — young children acquire the language quickly and most schools provide EAL support. From Grade 4 upward an English entry assessment around CEFR B1 is standard, and schools may require a term of intensive EAL before full mainstream placement.
ED visa vs Dependent visa?
If a parent holds a Non-B, Retirement or LTR visa, the child normally takes a dependent visa tied to that parent, which is simpler to renew. If no parent has that status, the child needs an ED visa issued on the school's letter and renewed annually with attendance evidence.
Does heavy absence affect ED visa?
Yes. Schools report attendance to the Ministry of Education, and falling below roughly 80% puts the visa letter at risk. Immigration has enforced this more strictly since 2023, and a renewal can be refused outright where the record shows the student is not genuinely studying.
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