Can I change from the visa exemption to an ED or Volunteer visa in Thailand?

Visa Types ED Visa Volunteer Visa Visa Exemption Thailand Immigration Tourist Visa Visa Rules

January 2, 2021

4 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hey, Couldn't find the answer in other posts.

I plan to arrive to Thailand in Mid-End January, With the hope to be able to change to some longer term visa (ED or Volunteer).

I read here that it is possible with the TR visa.

My Questions is - 

1 - Is it also possible to change to ED/Volunteer visa with the new exemption visa (which i understood you get on arrival to thailand without need to contact the local embassy before flying).

2 - Is it formal and sure that with the exemption visa you get 45 days with the option to extend another 30 (stay up to 75 days)? I couldn't find any official source about it.

(if so it seems very similar to the 60+30 of the TR visa or am i missing something?)

Thanks for the info! 🙏

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is inquiring about the possibility of changing a visa exemption to a longer-term visa such as an ED (Education) or Volunteer visa upon arriving in Thailand. They ask if this is feasible with the new exemption visa, which allows for a 45-day stay with a potential extension of 30 days, similar to the TR (Tourist) visa's 60+30 days.

Ellie *******

You anyway need to contact Thai embassy in your country to get CoE even if you are entering Thailand on visa exemption. (and arrange ASQ facilities, etc, too). Visa exemption entry is now 45 days (temporary - extra 15days for compensation for ASQ) and eligible for extension for 30days.

4 years ago

Eldad **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellie ******

Thanks for the info!

(I thought to CoE and other arrangments are done withing the Thai Goverment website only)

4 years ago

James ********

@Ellie ******

good points 😊

4 years ago

Reply to

James ********

Get the tourist visa.

Get the CoE from your Thai Embassy.

Then after quarantine explore with several legitimate Thai language schools the Ed Visa for Thai language.

Serious study only.

As they need to obtain support of Ed Ministry and Thai Immigration to obtain the Ed Visa inside Thailand.

Good luck.

4 years ago

Eldad **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@James *******

So its not possible with only the exemption visa?

(I have some difficulties to get to the local embassy in the current situation)

4 years ago

James ********

@Eldad *********

you can try but earlier discussions were re tourist visa conversion to Ed Visa inside Thailand.

Suggest you contact in Bangkok...

...Duke Language School or

...Sandee Thai Language School

By call or email to ask them.

They both have met with Thai Education Ministry and Thai Immigration in Bangkok to secure cooperation support for this to happen...

At the normal schedule of fees school and immigration fees.

The Volunteer Visa is currently not being issued inside Thailand.

And limited to a few Thai Embassy's issuing them outside Thailand.

4 years ago

Eldad **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@James *******

Thank you!

4 years ago

Reply to

Eldad **********

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