Can I change my visa status from student (ED) to business in Thailand?

Apr 21, 2024
8 months ago
Rosie *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Is it possible to apply for a Change of Visa from student (ed) to business? I'm currently on an ed visa but there's the possibility of working for a company so I may need to change in order to get a work permit. If so, what's the process?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Yes, it is possible to change your visa from a student (ED) visa to a business visa (Non-B) in Thailand, but you cannot do it directly. If you are on an initial 90-day visa, you may need to leave Thailand and apply for a Non-B visa at a nearby Thai embassy. If you are on an extension of stay, you must first obtain a cancellation letter from your school and cancel the extension at the immigration office. Failure to do so may result in fines and complications for future visa applications.
Brandon ************
You cannot change from education to work.

If you're on the initial 90 day visa, you could just leave Thailand without a re-entry permit and apply for a non-B at a Thai embassy nearby. Or if you can receive visa exempt just return without a visa and apply to convert at immigration (if your company can support an in county conversation, many cannot or will not).

If you're on an extension (the stamp in your passport says extension of stay) then you'll need to get a letter from your school stating when you'll finish studying. Take that letter to the immigration office that issued your extension and have it cancelled. Then you can follow the instructions above.

If you have an extension and don't cancel it first, you won't be able to get another long term visa or extension in Thailand until you do, and will be subject to a 500 baht per day fine for failing to cancel it.
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