Can I change my COVID extension visa to a Non-ED visa without going back to my home country?

Non-ED Visa COVID Extension Visa Visa Conversion Thai Immigration Language Schools Visa Requirements

Aug 10, 2022

2 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi. Has anyone changed to a Non-Ed visa while being on a COVID extension visa. A lot of language schools say the initial visa has to come from the Thai embassies/consulates of one's home country/neighboring countries. And visa agencies quote a crazy price to get this done for you. Has anyone been successful at this conversion? Thanks.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The conversion from a COVID extension visa to a Non-ED visa is possible but depends heavily on support from your language school. The school must provide a considerable amount of documentation, and the local immigration office must approve the conversion. If the school does not support the application, or if the prior visa type is not suitable, you may need to exit Thailand and apply for the Non-ED visa from a neighboring country, which was the standard procedure prior to COVID-19.

Brandon ************

It's been done, but if your school won't support it then it's not possible. It's up to the immigration office to decide if they will allow, and the visa you had before you went on Covid extension also makes a difference, because you are essentially still on this same reason, just prolonged with covid extensions.

So first your school has to say they will support a conversion application (a huge amount of paperwork, probably close to 200 pages), and then the immigration office of the province of the school also has to allow these conversions. Without both, then it's not possible to convert.

If that's the case, then you'd need to go to a neighboring country and apply, which is the easiest option and what was always done before Covid.

2 years ago

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Brandon ************

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