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Can I change my Non-B visa to an ED visa in Thailand or do I need to leave the country?

Non-B visa ED visa Extension of Stay Thai visa application process Work Permit cancellation Tourist visa Visa change procedures Expats in Thailand

May 4, 2019

5 years ago

Martín ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

dear expats, my current work permit based non imm visa is about to expire, and i would like to take a few months off of work to study thai and enjoy in general, so i'd like to apply for ed visa. can my non b visa be changed into an ed visa here, do i have to go apply for a tourist visa outside, or what would be the best move for me? keep in mind that i cannot get visa on arrival due to my nationality

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TLDR : Answer Summary

An expat is inquiring about transitioning from a Non-B visa to an ED visa while planning to take a break from work. Responses indicate that generally, one cannot convert a Non-B visa directly to an ED visa within Thailand and may need to exit the country to apply for a new visa. It is advised to obtain necessary documents from the educational institution prior to resigning from employment and to cancel the Work Permit and Extension of Stay in advance.

Robert *******

Tell the school to get all documents ready before you stop working, take all the documents with you to a Thai Consulate and apply for the Non Immigrant ED visa.

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Tod *********

@Martín *******

you are correct (y) that is the plan you need to follow

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Martín ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

thank you very much, this makes it clear then. I should enroll ASAP and get the documents, so when i finish working i can just go cancel to chaengwattana, fly out and get the ed visa in a neighboring country consulate

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Tod *********

@Martín *******

you HAVE to cancel your Non-B extension at the immigration office FIRST (that is how you officially cancel and extension) just stamping out of the country on it won't cancel it officially

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Robert *******

If the school can manage to get all your documents before your last day of working.

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Martín ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

so, enroll, get all documents, leave the country (hence cancelling the non b) and get the ed visa from the consulate?

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Martín ********

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Martín ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

i know my last day, so i should cancel in advance? where is this paperwork done? one of the school options told me that you cannot change the non B into non Ed and that i need to make the change to a tourist visa first. What would you recommend?

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Tod *********

you are on an EXTENSION (not a visa)

To officially cancel it you go cancel your work permit at the Ministry of Labour, then take that receipt and your termination paperwork to the immigration office where you got your extension

they will cancel your extension stamp and stamp you in until the date on the termination paperwork. THEN you can leave thailand on that date..

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Martín ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

aah, i see. Cancelling has to be done in thailand? just leaving will not work?

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Tod *********

@Martín *******

no, I mean get the documents for your ED visa from your school, then CANCEL your Non-B extension, then leave the country, go to a thai consulate and get a single entry Non-ED visa.

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Martín ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

you mean get documents, get out of the country with a reentry permit on my non b, get the ED visa and come back, finish working and then go in-out to activate the ED visa?

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Tod *********

I have never seen a Non-B extension be canceled and an ED extension be approved from it.

Why not enroll in the school, get the paperwork from them to get the 90 day ED visa from a thai consulate in a nearby country THEN cancel your Non-B extension leave the country and get a 90 day single entry ED visa.

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Tod *********

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Robert *******

Thanks, you have an Extension of Stay based on working and permitted to stay till 04 June 2019 but you must work, If you stopped working the Work Permit and this Extension of Stay must be cancelled on the day you stopped working. If you still work and know the last day you will work get a letter from your employer stating that date, cancel in advance your work permit and this Extension of Stay and you have time to make travel plans. If you already find a school who will help you with all documents needed you can apply for the Non Immigrant ED visa or if not apply for a Single Entry Tourist Visa at a Thai Consulate.

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Martín ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

i have an extension of stay based on work permit, i believe

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Martín ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

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Robert *******

I just posted the difference between a visa and an Extension of Stay. I like to avoid giving incorrect advice, so please look inside your passport and check or post a picture without personal details.

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Robert *******

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Robert *******

There are two different things, a Work Permit that allows you to work inside Thailand and a Visa that allows you to stay inside Thailand. Question now is what kind of visa do you have now or do you have an Extension of Stay from Immigration Office? This info is needed because there are different procedures if you want to leave to country to obtain a new visa.

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Robert *******

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