INFORMATION KIT - Api-fellowships.org

1. PREPARATION PRIOR TO ARRIVAL IN THAILAND1-1. VisaNon-Immigrant Category “RS” visa is applicable for those who wish to conduct researchin Thailand and allows them to extend their stay in Thailand up to 1 year. In order to obtainthis visa, a permit from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) is necessary.To obtain the Non-Immigrant (RS) visa, it is a REQUIREMENT to get researchpermission from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT). For this purpose, Fellowsshould submit the following to their host institution 4 MONTHS IN ADVANCE so that thehost institution can assist with submitting the applications to the NRCT on their behalf.1. Completed Application Form (NRCT-01), which should be downloaded from theNRCT website: http://www.nrct-foreignresearcher.org;2. Details of the project, including the research plan, source of the funding andname(s) of collaborating Thai researcher(s);3. A letter of reference on official letterhead from the Fellows’ supervisor ordepartment head at their home institution to verify their position and institutionalaffiliation (for Fellows working independently, API Partner Institutions in theirhome countries are in a position to issue this letter for them);4. Three photographs sized 3 x 4 cm.;5. A copy of the Grant Letter from The Nippon Foundation;6. The complete report from the most recent project completed under the NRCT’ssupervision (if any).Foreign researchers will be classified into one of 4 categories by the NRCT (please referto Article 8 in Chapter 1 of the NRCT regulations) and API Fellows will be classified under the4 th category with the requirement of a deposit (10,000 Baht).Upon approving an application, the NRCT will issue a Research Permission Letter andwill send it to the Fellow and his/her host institution (for example, if you are affiliated at theInstitute of Asian Studies or IAS at Chulalongkorn University where the API office is located,the letter will be sent to both you and the API office). For those who will be affiliated with theIAS, please send a copy of your passport (only the pages containing personal information) tothe API office in Thailand. The IAS will issue a Letter of Visa Endorsement that will be sent tothe Fellows.It is strongly encouraged that you thoroughly study the NRCT Regulations on thePermission for Foreign Researchers to Conduct Research in Thailand B.E. 2550 and the NRCTGuidelines for Foreign Researchers. For Fellows who plan to bring their family members, pleasealso read the information on visa extensions carefully for a thorough preparation.The following are required to be submitted to the Royal Thai Embassy to request a Non-Immigrant (RS) visa:1. A passport with a validity of not less than six (6) months. A validity of 18 months isrequired for a one year visa application;2. A completed visa application form, available at the local Royal Thai Embassy or theRoyal Thai Consulate-General;3. Two (2) photographs (4 x 6 cm) that have been taken within the past six (6) months;4. The Grant Letter from The Nippon Foundation;