Can I change a TR or STV visa to an ED or Volunteer-O visa in Thailand without leaving the country?

Visa Conversion TR Visa STV ED Visa Volunteer-O Visa Thailand Immigration Language Schools

Dec 22, 2020

4 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello,

Currently in France, if I comeback to Bangkok with a TR visa or a STV, can I change it for an ED visa (with a Thai language school) without leaving the country? Same question with a Volunteer-O visa? 

I read that possible for some others long-term visa but didn't see anything about ED and Volunteer visa.

(ED visa and volunteer visa seems to be close at the moment at the Paris Embassy, but TR and STV are open, who know why.....^^)

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The conversation discusses the possibility of changing a TR (Tourist Visa) or STV (Special Tourist Visa) to an ED (Educational Visa) or Volunteer-O visa without leaving Thailand. It clarifies that an STV cannot be converted to any other visa while in the country. However, a regular TR visa can potentially be converted to a Non-Immigrant Type visa at an immigration office if supported by documentation from a relevant school or organization. Participants suggest contacting the intended school before arriving to ensure they can facilitate the in-country visa conversion and encourage seeking advice on suitable language schools through local Facebook groups.

Benjamin ******

I'm going to shut down this post. Language schools that convert STV or TR visas into ED visas are outside the scope of this. If you want to know which schools may allow converting TR visas into ED visas, post on a local Facebook group.

Good luck!

4 years ago

Benny *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks

@Tod ********

. Clear explanation like always. I was a bit worried about changing a TR visa to an ED visa inside the country because when I tried few months ago they didn't accepted it (and at that time already a visa run to Laos wasn't possible). So, I would be pretty disappointed if once I back with a "regular" TR visa (after gone thru the all process), I can't get another visa inside the country. I will probably ask some advice on the school choice (but that's probably not the group to post for that), but if you have some school to advise to me (or a group where I could ask) I wouldn't mind ^^ (I looking for a good price/quality deal, I don't want a visa seller school, but neither I have the budget to pay an excessive price). Thanks again

@Tod ********

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Ben ****

, you need to be contacting the SCHOOL you're going to enroll in before you wing your way here on a tourist visa to make sure they can indeed get the in country Non-ED visa.

Unfortunately this is a VISA advice group, not a what school can I go to.

Post on a f/b page related to where you're going to live in thailand and ask your questions about language schools there. You'll get answers for sure

4 years ago

Benny *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

Ok, Thanks. I will comeback live in Bangkok.

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Ben ****

post in a bangkok f/b group and ask about language schools that can do ED visas in country

4 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

You still go thru the whole entry request process (100K USD covid insurance, fit-2-fly cert from a doctor, 15 day booked quarantine, and Certificate of Entry from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs) BUT you can enter on a tourist visa and do the in country conversion

4 years ago

Tod *********

You CAN come in on a "regular" tourist visa and then convert it inside the country to a Non-Immigrant Type visa at the immigration office with documentation from your school or the foundation you will volunteer with.

4 years ago

Benny *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

I just thought about : If I come with no visa and get the "normal" 30-day on arrival (I not remember the name of that thing sorry ^^). Can I get a Visa from that or should I have a real visa (TR) in order to change it (for an ED)?

4 years ago

Reply to

Benny *****

Tod *********

You cannot change an STV (Special Tourist Visa) to any other visa inside the country once you enter on it. All you can do is get stamped in for 90 days, get TWO additional extensions of 90 days each and then leave when they're done.

4 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

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Can I change my visa status from an ED visa to a Non-O visa while in Thailand?

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