Can I change my guardian visa to an ED visa in Thailand without leaving the country due to COVID-19 restrictions?

Question

I'm wondering who at immigration to ask about this situation, or if I can possibly find a solution here.

I am currently on a guardian visa following my children as they attend international school. I have been accepted at Payap University and they say that policy (and the education authority) states that I need to change to be on an ED visa.

With the current COVID situation, I am not able to leave the country to change visas and come back in....or if I am technically able ... A 14 day quarantine by myself is not possible as I have to tend to my two children.

So Payap recommended I speak with someone at immigration to ask if they will either:

A: allow me to remain on the guardian visa due to the COVID situation.

Or B: allow me to change to the ED visa without leaving the country.

I have heard that option B was previously possible, but that next year it will no longer be possible. True? False?

Any help will be much appreciated

Thank you 🙏

Ask Thailand · Answer

The user is currently on a guardian visa and looking to change to an ED visa upon acceptance at Payap University. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, they are unable to leave the country for the visa change and seek clarification from immigration. Responses from the community indicate that it may be possible to change visas without leaving, and there are claims that current regulations do not strictly require an ED visa for attending university. However, there are suggestions that rules may change in the future, highlighting the need for the user to confirm with immigration directly.

Meredith ********* · Answer

Hello all. I had a slight update that may not change any of the answers, but I felt it is necessary to add.

I spoke with the university today and mentioned what I had learned here.

She agreed that right now there is no rule regarding it but that the government official who is in charge of it all is changing to a new person next year and there are a lot of changes and new rules coming out, and the university was forwarned about the one regarding the "students must have student visas" . And therefore highly recommend I speak with an official at immigration.

Seeing as rules seem to change so quickly I may go ahead and speak to immigration. I always dot my "I"s and cross my "t"s with this stuff....but sometimes they whirl around and change an "i" into a "Q".

Meredith ********* · Answer

This is all very clarifying, thank you very much all.

Tod ********* · Answer

[mention redacted] there is nothing in any of the rules that says you can't study (at a private school or university) on ANY entry stamp or visa or an extension of stay.

Don't believe their line about "some education authority saying you need to change" it is totally made up..

Duncan ******* · Answer

Chiang Mai Immigration will allow you to swap - go see them at the Airport branch to confirm.

Can I change my guardian visa to an ED visa in Thailand without leaving the country due to COVID-19 restrictions?

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