Can I Change My Education Visa to a Non-Immigrant B Visa for Work Without Leaving Thailand?

Education Visa Non-B Visa Visa Change Process

Jul 17, 2020

4 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello everyone. Question: is it possible to change edu visa to a non-im b visa for work at this time at this time? I have the work permit just not the visa.  If it is possible, does anyone know the best way to do this right now? I'd prefer to do in country if possible to avoid travel and quarantine. If I can't do in country, which is my best option travel wise? Trying to avoid double quarantine..😅 Any suggestions?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The community response indicates that you cannot change your visa type while in Thailand, except from a tourist visa to a Non-Immigrant visa. The best course of action is to consult with your employer about the possibility of applying for a new visa extension based on your employment. Keeping your current education visa valid and seeking advice at the immigration office might also be useful.

Tod *********

@Da***

, I wouldn't even consider leaving this country thinking you're going anywhere to get a Non-B visa and then get back because you'll be out of the country for a GOOD long time applying to get back in and meeting the requirements to get permission to re-enter..

Sit tight, stay on your extension now, OR have your employer go to the immigration office with you and see if you can cancel the ED visa extension you have now with a letter from your school and immediately apply for a new extension based on employment with documents from your employer.

4 years ago

Darin ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

ok cool! Thanks for the info. This is what I was thinking exactly but just wanted to see what is best first. Thanks for the confirmation. 🍻

4 years ago

Reply to

Darin ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Ok cool thx

@Tod ********

. I'll look into it more. Unfortunately my employer didn't seem to have any suggestions for me. This is why I'm asking this fourm for suggestions

4 years ago

Tod *********

So you're on an ED visa extension right now?

4 years ago

Darin ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

yes I still have 1 or 2 extensions left on my 1 year. 2-3 months each extension but I'm just worried about running out of time before boarders cool down with their mandatory quarantine rules. Mainly the countries I would need to get the work visa in. I don't mind 2 weeks quarantine in Thailand after I come back but I'm nervous about having to also do quarantine once I arrive in let's say Malaysia, before I can even goto the embassy.. not sure if anyone has any info on this?

4 years ago

Reply to

Darin ********

Tod *********

You CANNOT change visa TYPE inside the country (except a tourist visa to a Non-Imm visa).

Talk to your employer and see what they advise. Maybe you can meet the requirements inside the country to get an extension based on employment after you cancel your ED visa extension

4 years ago

Mike ********

@Tod ********

how could he possibly have a valid work permit on an Ed visa?

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Mike *******

I have no idea, nor do I care to even ask seeing as it's NOT thai VISA related. :P

I'll just believe what they said and leave it at that.

4 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

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