Can I border run to Vietnam and return to Thailand on a tourist visa after being on an education visa for over a year?

Jul 4, 2024
5 months ago
Mike *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
If I've been on an education visa for the last year+ can I border run, on a US passport, and come back with a tourist visa after a few days visit to Vietnam?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user asks if they can border run to Vietnam and return to Thailand on a tourist visa after holding an education visa for over a year. Responses indicate a high risk of being questioned at immigration upon return due to their previous lengthy stay on an education visa. Suggestions include considering a visa application online, using land borders, and preparing a plausible story to present to immigration. One commenter points out that the user may be on an extension of stay, which should be canceled with school documentation before departure.
Todd ***********
Get a 2 month tourist visa. You were studying for a year and now you want to travel for a few months and practice what you learned.
John **********
I guess you're not on a visa at all but an extension of stay based on education. You should cancel this with paperwork from your school before leaving
Terary **********
You can apply for a visa online. I have never had a ED visa but I have had a few questionable visas. I have been pulled aside at immigration a couple of times and each time, they said "when you come bacK...", not "don't come back" nor have I been denied entry.

You take a risk, so consider having a plan B. I would recommend crossing at a land border at least for the first time. This way if they deny you entry, you can walk back to where you came and try a different land border. Have a good story, you met a nice Thai lady and you're thinking about getting married, or something. Whatever the story, you will want to be able to provide proof.. Hence, if you go the girlfriend route, have a Thai lady friend available for the immigration office to call (it probably won't come to this but it's better to be safe).

Another thought, get a visa online, go talk to an agent about doing a border bounce (because you already have the visa you only need exit and come back). Agents often know which borders are easiest to cross and which immigration officers are friendly.
Graham ******
@Terary *********
You cannot get an eVisa from within Thailand and the Immigration Office know this so you are telling someone who is likely to be questioned on return to turn up with a Visa that was obtained fraudulently? Not good advice.
Terary **********
@Graham *****
I disagree - I have gotten evisa while in Thialand. Without any issues at immigration. I think the difference between what you are saying and what I am saying is experience. You are regurgitating what you've read and I am speaking from experience :)
Bart **************
@Terary *********
no, it's not experience. He's right, you cannot get an e-visa from within Thailand. That's not allowed. You have to use the channel of the country you apply from, i.e. where are you physically present. In Thailand that means you have to go the extension instead of visa application route, except for some specific visas that you can change to in-country. In Vietnam, you have to physically go to the embassy. E-visas are currently available only from a number of (mostly western) countries.
Terary **********
@Bart *************
Just received my eVisa from my home country while not in my home country. I am quite sure you are mistaken.
Graham ******
@Terary *********
You got it fraudulently as you mis-represented your "current location" when you applied
Terary **********
@Graham *****
They don't ask current location - they ask about residence.
Graham ******
@Terary *********
On the "Am I eligible to apply online?" section it clearly asks for "Current location"
****************************
Terary **********
@Graham *****
That may be the case, but that isn't the application. But as I pointed out above, our opinions aren't a concern to the people processing the application.

Come man you've been in Thailand to know - just because a thing says something, doesn't make it true
Graham ******
@Terary *********
I know people do it but you were directing someone likely to be pulled aside and questioned on re-entry down this route. I stand by my original comment, "Bad advice".
Terary **********
@Graham *****
I agree to disagree - but I see your point and I respect your earnestness.
Terary **********
@Rene *****
That's the pre-application, you'll need to go beyond that to get the actual application.

You know.. The truth of matter is your opinions aren't considered when they review the visa application (which so not what's in that screenshot).

If the embassy doesn't taken issue - why do you?? More curious what good does it do you to defend non-existent "rules"..

You act as though you've never been to Thailand.. People who have been to Thailand would know, people drive down the wrong side of the road all the the time. There are different rules for different immigration offices, police take bribes - etc etc
Rene ******
@Terary *********
in the Netherlands you have to provide ticket from the Netherlands for your e-Visa. No idea if you book a fake ticket and if they check when you come in where you come from
Bart **************
@Terary *********
I am quite sure that this is not allowed and that even though you succeeded it is not good advice.
Terary **********
@Bart *************
My experience with Thailand, where there is a rule, there is a loophole. Good or not, it works
Rene ******
@Terary *********
and/or you were lucky
Terary **********
@Rene *****
100% success rate suggests it's not luck.
Brandon ************
You run a very very high risk of being pulled aside at the airport and asked why you think you can come back to Thailand so fast after just living here for a year with an education visa.

Just having an education visa alone means you're probably going to be pulled aside and questioned any time you enter Thailand for the next couple of years.

But returning so soon after being here for a year is just asking for trouble.
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