Can a NON-IMMIGRANT ED PLUS visa be converted to a NON-IMMIGRANT B visa in Thailand if I get a job?

Oct 14, 2024
2 months ago
M **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Can someone convert his NON-IMMIGRANT ED PLUS visa to NON-IMMIGRANT B visa if he gets a job from a company. Please enlighten me. Thanks in advance.
873
views
3
likes
20
all likes
9
replies
0
images
5
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
Converting a NON-IMMIGRANT ED PLUS visa to a NON-IMMIGRANT B visa in Thailand is possible but complicated. It mainly depends on whether you are on an initial 90-day visa or an extension based on education. If on a 90-day visa, you cannot convert and must leave Thailand. If on an educational extension, conversion is possible with significant paperwork. Often, employers may prefer candidates to leave Thailand and apply for the NON-B visa from a nearby Thai embassy due to the complexity of the in-country conversion process.
Roman ********
To my understanding, you cannot get conversions. But you have to take care of it at the Thai consulate outside of Thailand 🇹🇭. The sponsor has to complete the application 
Frank-Steven ***********
Yeah. They kind of didn't think that one through, as usual. ED Plus to allow people to stay for finding a job, but then no clear process on converting that visa. In theory, it is possible to get a B / working visa in country off of any current stamp - if the tons of required documents are provided. A little easier if aiming to work for a school / university compared to a private company. Brandon gave you the detailed outline.
Pertti *************
Converting in kingdom feels employers overwhelmingly difficult and 99% they send you out to apply initial visa.. Can't say why🤔
Brandon ************
That depends on a lot of things.

First of all, if you are on the initial 90-day non-ED visa, then you cannot change it to anything else. The only option you have if you're on the initial 90-day visa is to extend based on education. Otherwise you need to leave Thailand without a re-entry permit to end that stay and start on something new.

If you're on an extension of stay based on education (the stamp in your passport literally says "extension of stay") then MAYBE you can convert to non-B. You would need to check with the immigration office where the company is to see if they will allow it, and you will need to check with the company to see if they can provide the paperwork required. It takes a mountain of paperwork to convert to a non-B visa in Thailand and most companies either cannot or will not provide the required paperwork because of how much it is. Most companies send their prospective employees out of Thailand to apply for a non-B visa at a Thai embassy nearby as it requires much less paperwork.

If both the immigration office of the employer agrees and the employer can produce the paperwork AND you're on an extension and not a visa, then you would need to get a letter from the school with a date that you will stop studying, and take that letter to the immigration office that issued the education extension and get the extension cancelled. Then you would apply for the non-B at the immigration office of the company.
M **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
thanks for answering my question. I am on an extension of ed plus visa. So do I need to leave the country to apply or I can apply staying in Thailand. And do I need to cancel my education as well or I can continue my education with the non B visa as well.
Graham ******
@M *************
you can study on any visa
M **************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
I see but did not understand the part where it says I will need to get a letter from school that I stop studying. Can you enlighten me more about that please
John **********
@M *************
i assume you have an employer lined up that is willing to supply the paperwork you will need to get an in country non-b visa, most will want you to apply from outside Thailand as it requires less paperwork. So if you have all the paperwork for the non-b required by immigration you just cancel your extension of stay based on education and immediately then apply for an extension of stay based on the requirements for non-b. In order to cancel your extension of stay based on education you need a letter from the place you study giving the date you will stop studying
Brandon ************
@M *************
education extensions must be cancelled. But I'm not sure how the ED plus works since it's so new. You might need to ask your immigration office
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else