Answered5 years ago

Can I change my Non-Immigrant ED visa to a tourist visa in Thailand?

Visa Change Non-Immigrant ED Visa Tourist Visa Covid Visa Extension Thailand Immigration Expat Visa Options

Antonia ******

asked Nov 26, 2021

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Change Visa from Non-Immigrant ED to Tourist?

Hey everyone! I am currently an exchange student at Chiang Mai University and my student visa is valid until the end of January. I would like to stay in Thailand for a bit longer, both for research/ fieldwork and for a little vacation in the south, as I hadn't had the chance to go there yet.

Do you know if it is possible to change my visa to a tourist visa? And if yes, how? I've tried to google, but nothing came up. I would also have the option to apply for affiliated researcher status at CMU, however that doesn't guarantee an extension and it would also be way more complicated for me compared to just changing the type of visa 😅

Thank you in advance :)

Answer summary

It's not possible to directly change a Non-Immigrant ED visa to a tourist visa while in Thailand. Instead, you might consider applying for a Covid extension before January 25th, which requires canceling your current ED visa first. This will allow you to stay in the country for an additional period. It's also suggested to consult with your university regarding your visa status.

12 repliesnewest first

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Keven ****

Can't change Non-Immigrant ED visa to tourist visa. Can't and makes no sense. 😄

5 years ago

Stuart ********

Just change from ED visa to covid visa extension and u can stay until March 25th 2022

5 years ago

Garrett ***********

Can't get a tourist visa in country.

5 years ago

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

Like Stuart said, apply for the Covid extension before January 25th. Just know that you're going to need to cancel your ED extension first, so get paperwork from your school that says you will stop studying on a certain date, then go into immigration a few days before then and cancel your ED extension and immediately apply for Covid extension.

5 years ago

Antonia ******

Sorry, I'm not sure what you mean by ED extension - as in my ED visa?

5 years ago

Teya *******

@Antonia *****

Visa is what you apply from the embassy when you enter the country. If you are already in the country its called extension of stay which you apply from the immigration. Big difference.

5 years ago

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

@Antonia *****

do you have a full page sticker in your passport that's the last thing you received, or do you have a stamp from the immigration office that you got after first getting your ED visa and then having to go back? There's a big difference between a Visa and an extension.

5 years ago

Vyacheslav ************

Ask your university to keep your visa for a bit longer, or cancel your NON-ED, and go get Covid extension.

5 years ago

Stuart *********

You can’t get a tourist visa in Thailand. Up until 25th January you could apply for a Covid extension which would give you 60 days on application.

5 years ago

Antonia ******

But isn't the covid extension meant to be used in cases where you can't fly home because of covid? I'm from Germany and there are planes leaving every couple hours haha, so I am not sure how eligible I am for this

5 years ago

Bä ****

@Antonia *****

I’m from the U.S. been on cv-extension since covid started, coming up 2 yrs in March 2022....1 yr in Laos and my 2nd yr in Thailand....Once ASEAN borders opens and conditions improve things could change than back to border run. Just be agile...Only 2 things are for sure 1)Death 2) Taxes

5 years ago

Stuart *********

@Antonia *****

that’s the theory, but it should be called the “I don’t want to leave Thailand yet - because of covid” extension . Currently most offices aren’t requiring proof you can’t travel. That may change.

5 years ago