Can I convert a tourist visa to an education visa in Thailand without leaving the country?

Tourist Visa Education Visa Visa Conversion Thailand Immigration Visa Requirements Expat Advice

Nov 30, 2024

18 hours ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I would like to know if it's possible to convert a tourist visa to an education visa without returning to my country of origin

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Yes, it is possible to convert a tourist visa to an education visa in Thailand without having to return to your country. This process requires coordination with the school you plan to attend, as they must apply for approval from the Ministry of Education. Generally, you need to start this process shortly after your arrival, ensuring that you have at least 14-21 days left on your current visa when you submit your application. Many expats have successfully completed this process without leaving Thailand.

Michelle ***********

My husband changed his visa on arrival to an Non Ed visa but his school did it for him

11 hours ago

Michael ********

I have recently done it you don’t have to leave the country to get an education visa

15 hours ago

Eric **********************

It's very easy that's no issue

16 hours ago

Olivia *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Eric *********************

does the passport nationality matter , I have a Botswana passport

16 hours ago

Eric **********************

@Olivia ******

16 hours ago

Reply to

Eric **********************

Yes

16 hours ago

Da ****

yes thats possible and many people did that and still do. your school will guide you through the process. easy.

16 hours ago

Duncan *******

It costs more to do it in country, but you can also apply in neighoring countries - places like Penang and Vientiane are a nice trip away.

17 hours ago

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

@Duncan ******

doesn't cost more. Every visa is 2000 baht paid directly to immigration

13 hours ago

Reply to

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

Sacha ****

Ask the school perhaps?

17 hours ago

Himanshu *****************

Yes it is possible, it is standard process here in Thailand to obtain education visa while in Thailand.

Simply you must have a tourist visa with 25 days validity. Because the ed visa process takes 3 weeks.

Including ministry of education and immigration.

You won't need to leave Thailand.

17 hours ago

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

It's possible yes. But you have to get started quickly after arriving in Thailand because the school has to apply to the Ministry of Education for approval. This can take 2-4 weeks. Then you'll have to go apply for the visa and you must still have 14-21 days left on your permission to stay when you apply. So you'll need 1.5-2 months to complete the process.

17 hours ago

Michael ********

Yes

17 hours ago

Rolf *********

You can change to any visa from tourist visa if you fulfill the requirements without leaving the country. There are agents that does this for you if you don’t know how to apply yourself.

I’m changing my tourist visa to a marital visa shortly.

17 hours ago

Maksym ***********

@Ro**

Jönsson why use agent? This is job for school, it prepare documents and interact with MoE and then prepare documents and then help to apply in immigration

17 hours ago

Rolf *********

@Maksym **********

sure if you change to ed visa which was the question. But since I answered that it is possible to change to any kind of visa I added to use an agent. Of course not necessary if you’re a student at a school. My mistake to answer more than was asked for 🙏

17 hours ago

Graham ******

@Rolf ********

but no legal visa application requires an agent

13 hours ago

Reply to

Graham ******

Paul ***************

See an agent

18 hours ago

Tim *********

yes

18 hours ago

Vili *********

I did it come with tourist visa and school did for me and make education visa without leaving thailand

18 hours ago

Olivia *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Vili ********

thank you

18 hours ago

Reply to

Olivia *******

Graham ******

You need to ask your school not Facebook as it is the school who will provide the required documents

18 hours ago

Olivia *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Graham *****

I understand that I was just wandering if people have experienced this conversion

18 hours ago

Graham ******

@Olivia ******

yes, many have as it's a common thing to do

13 hours ago

Olivia *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Graham *****

thank you 😊

11 hours ago

Reply to

Olivia *******

SteBu ******

Imho you can’t convert any visa. But you can apply for the desired Visa

18 hours ago

Da ****

@SteBu *****

you can very well change visa. inform yourself about the TM86. And changing from TR/Exemption to ED is often done inside the country.

16 hours ago

SteBu ******

@Da ***

to my knowledge, is not possible from a visa exempt AND not from TR to ED

16 hours ago

Da ****

@SteBu *****

then you are misinformed. people do it all the time. 100% legit… to change it to ED you need at least 3-4 weeks left on your stamp, in some provinces more. as the process takes time. letter from MOE + process in immigration. its standard and commonly used. i have friends that even changed visa to retirement inside the country.

15 hours ago

Uwe *********

@Da ***

Retiremet is possible…

15 hours ago

Da ****

@Uwe ********

so is ED

15 hours ago

Reply to

Da ****

Olivia *******