Can I apply for a DTV visa without canceling my education visa first?

Aug 19, 2024
4 months ago
Valid ED - multiple entry re-entry permit.

Left country, applied for DTV. Approved, just flew back in.

Handed over passport, printout of DTV and just got stamped in with no issues whatsoever.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user successfully returned to Thailand on a valid education visa after applying for and receiving a DTV visa. The discussion highlights various concerns regarding the necessity of canceling the education visa before applying for a DTV visa, and issues faced by others who might want to switch visas. Several commenters share their experiences and advice on handling education extensions, re-entry procedures, and the implications of maintaining two active visas.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Tod *********
@Mark *****************
I would still take documentation from your school and GO cancel that current extension re-entry at the immigration office that issued it

We don't know if it will cause you grief down the road.

People on ed visas/extensions have flown out, came back on free stamps, went out again gotten Non-B visas at an embassy, came back in again wtihout issue but when they went to get an extension they were denied until they got the earlier extension/re-entry officially cancelled,

AND

they were also charged 500baht a day for every day that they didn't cancel that ED extension (up to 20K baht fine)

Just saying is all
Ryan ************
Will you cancel the ED visa inside the country or there is no need? I will go to immigration here to ask about this also.
Kami ******
Congrats!! I love it!! Simple & Seamless❤️❤️
Renee *****
What country did you get DTV ?
Zoe *******
@Mark *****************
did you fly back to the UK to apply or just leave Thailand and apply with the EVISA system online? I'm flying back to the UK in a few weeks specifically to apply and the flights are horrendous prices.
Wannikea *********
@Zoe ******
just go to a nearby Thai embassy and apply.
Tim ***********
interesting. My school has told me that the visa must be cancelled prior to getting a new DTV visa - they said you can't have 2 active visas at the same time.
Incognia **********
@Tim **********
so why embassies cant see this status?Why they dont coordinate each other?
Gregor **********
@Incognia *********
because embassies and immigration are run by two different ministries, and actually don't communicate much with each other. The threadstarter is soon about to find out that he will get a problem, because he didn't cancel the ED-extension of stay, before he applied for another visa
Tim ***********
@Gregor *********
This is what is the concerning part. Just because the embassy overlooked it, doesn't mean its the correct way. They are issuing the visa based on criteria and qualification - they aren't necessarily looking at the existing visa. The rule is the rule and it might be an issue with immigration later on.
Gregor **********
@Tim **********
R. Lagas already smelled the rat. The rule is: as long as you have a still valid visa or a still valid stay permit, you need to cancel it before you are free to apply for another type of visa
Michael ********
Nice ! So your ed visa was still technically valid for you to come back in on right? I am currently on edu visa, was thinking to leave (thus ending the visa) and coming back with DTV but now considering to do a re-entry just in case 🤔

Probably won’t do it because I’m anticipating success with the DTV
Lloyd ********
Michael ********
@Lloyd *******
wrong how? He said he had a valid ED with multiple re entry permit. This means education visa with multiple entry right? Obviously getting the DTV would cancel the Ed visa. But if the DTV wasn’t approved, wouldn’t the edu visa still be valid then?
Tim ***********
@Michael *******
No, the DTV doesn't cancel anything. You cannot have 2 visas at once. The embassy is one entity, immigration is another - they are different. The immigration rule is you have to cancel the ED visa or extension of stay BEFORE you apply for another visa.
Robert *******
@Michael *******
wrong, please read the STM2 form you signed during the application for the Extension of Stay based on Education.

But you did not read, you need to cancel your Extension of Stay BEFORE you leave the country at the Immigration Office who stamped it into your passport. Just as reminder, the first few words of this stamp is the Immigration Office location.
Michael ********
@Robert ******
Thanks. But wouldn’t leaving without a re entry permit then cancel whatever visa you currently hold? OP had a multiple re entry permit, currently I don’t have a re entry permit and to my understanding leaving Thailand should end my current visa.
Robert *******
@Michael *******
Nope, the holder MUST inform the Thai Immigration Office where the stamp is issued if the reason of this stamp change as mentioned on the STM2 Form acknowledge of terms and conditions which the person did sign to understand.

BUT to make things clear, hereby the form
Michael ********
@Robert ******
thanks man! Good to know
Mark ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
James Miller yes 180.
Robert *******
And are you going to cancel your Extension of Stay based on education?

Or do you wait 6 months to find out that you forgot to do it and face a fine?
Lloyd ********
@Robert ******
Beautiful reply :-)
James ********
Were you stamped in for 180 days?
Colin *********
Remote Worker, Freelancer, Soft Power option? Others would be interested to know, especially if it was a soft power option
Paweł **********
Suvarnabhumi Airport?
Tim ***********
Where did you go and how long did it take?
James ********
@Tim **********
suggest you read his other post and the replies to it.
James ********
Tod *********
Congrats, glad it worked out, that was what people were waiting to hear about (y)
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