Answered8 years ago
Can I leave Thailand for 30 days on a 12-month Education visa?
I am British and have a 12 month Ed visa are there any restrictions on how long I can leave the country for? ie if I need to travel to the UK, for instance, can I go for 30 days? My extension thingy I have to do is in May so would plan to be back before then.
Answer summary
A British expat with a 12-month Education (ED) visa in Thailand is considering a 30-day trip back to the UK and wants to know if there are any restrictions on leaving the country. Key points from the discussion include the importance of obtaining a re-entry permit before leaving to maintain visa status, ensuring compliance with the Ministry of Education (MOE) attendance requirements, and preparing for potential questioning by immigration upon re-entry. The consensus is to communicate with the attending school to ensure proper documentation and approval for absence.
31 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Tod *********
and I think on that note, we're done. We know the O/P is on an ED visa extension NOT a visa and that they need a re-entry permit BEFORE they leave the country to keep their current extension date valid
Stuart **********
You do need to buy a reentry permit before you leave though
Stuart **********
I have done this on an ed visa, when I returned to Thailand I was taken to a little office and an immigration officer asked me a few questions in Thai that were at around the level I should be at given the amount of time spent on an ed visa. I answered in Thai, he smiled and laughed and then sent me straight through the priority lane. You have nothing to worry about if you are legitimate
Tod *********
Get a re-entry permit and come back before your extension expires. Be prepared to be questioned by the immigration office about why you had to leave on an ED visa extension AND you should be fine.
I'd also have the proof of funds, proof of onward travel and proof of a hotel booking or lodging just in case they ask <- because they CAN ask.
I'd also have the proof of funds, proof of onward travel and proof of a hotel booking or lodging just in case they ask <- because they CAN ask.
Evgenia *************
IRL you CAN'T go out of Thailand. There are a lot of people stopped by Immigration in both of Bkk airports by a reason - you are not a real student. Just for fun, to show a power. Nothing helps. IDC and deportation. I don't recommend you to go out of Thailand. You have a big Chance to be refused on arrival
Tod *********
you CAN exit/re-enter thailand. you might be questioned but you are NOT locked into being stuck in the country..
I know of only ONE verified case of someone denied entry on an ED visa extension. I do know of several people being questioned, but let in.
I know of only ONE verified case of someone denied entry on an ED visa extension. I do know of several people being questioned, but let in.
Jools ******
OPI am planning on my partner, who will be attending the classes, to forward me all the lesson material and to continue to study. I don't want to miss the study time but may not have a choice.
Robert *******
That is what I advised: Than you need to get a letter from your school that you're allowed to leave for this period, visit Immigration Office to get a re-entry permit IF you do come back before the Extension of Stay is permitted up to date ../../.. stamped in your passport.
Jools ******
OPYes I am not going to book anything until I have spoken to my school, I just wanted to know if its technically possible first
Glen *********
Robert Lagas that’s what I’m saying he needs to ensure MOE has approved the non-attendance or he could lose his visa extension. Not wise to guess!
Robert *******
@Glen ********
We do not have to know the details, but I guess schools can give permission to go back home in different scenario's. This decision is between the school, MOE and the student.Glen *********
Jools Gray it’s not the study part that is compulsory which is implied anyway, it’s the attendance...so many hours a day/so many days EVERY week...you can’t attend if your outside the country...that’s why I posed the question above whether the school has any legal role to allow your non-attendance for a month when It’s the Ministery (MOE) that enforces it...maybe they can...like to hear who knows?
Glen *********
I thought there was a minimum amount of hours for ATTENDANCE every week - how can he meet this attendance requirement and still be eligible for ED visa/extension, when he fails to attend for a month, and how can the school approve non/attendance for a month, when the minimum requirements are set and enforced by MOE...I realise the school can lie about attendance as some do...but if immigration do a compliance check it would be discovered...just curious?
Tod *********
@Glen ********
the requirements are NOT consistent thru out the country. People in Pattaya only go to school 4 hours a week and still get extensions.Glen *********
@Neil ******
the school should be able to give you all the legal requirements - check with a few different schools
Neil *******
@Glen ********
so what are the minimum requirements? I want to study Thai, but it would be nice to know if I'm never able to go away for a long weekend.Glen *********
@Neil ******
no, that’s not correct...there are minimum attendance hours each DAY and WEEK, it’s not averaged out over 180 days or when you want...this is set by MOE (Ministry)...failing to comply with attendance requirements can see you loose your stay. Some schools fudge your attendance records to cover for any non-attendance but immigration do catch people out through compliance checks (on site visits etc)Neil *******
@Glen ********
I'm looking at the Ed visa now and the general information I'm getting is 180 hours of tuition in 90 days. He would have to do 180 in the remaining 60 days to meet the criteria. It will make it hard work! That's how I'm reading the information I've been seeing although I may be wrong.
James ********
You are in Thailand on an Ed Visa. Your school needs to advise you about study class attendance requirements.Thai Immigration will be interested in your progress as reported by your school.
Jools ******
OPI will ask my school when I attend again on Tuesday, I just wanted an idea beforehand.
Robert *******
Your Extension thingy? Do you have a Single Entry Non Immigrant ED visa and visited already the Immigration Office to get Extensions of Stay OR do you have the Multiple Entry Non Immigrant ED visa and making border runs every 90 days?
Robert *******
Not a stupid question, but you need the re-entry permit.
Jools ******
OPSo just to clarify, I have to get the re-entry permit before I leave the country? Seems like a stupid question but you never know!
Robert *******
The first picture is to notify that you stay longer than 90 days inside Thailand. If you leave before 29 April 2019, you did not stay 90 days and do not have to report. Your day of return will be day number 1 of a new count for 90 days stay inside Thailand.
Robert *******
So you are allowed to be in Thailand till 12 May 2019. If you get permission from your school plan to come back into Thailand before 12 May 2019 you visit Immigration Office and buy the Re-Entry Permit to keep this stay alive.
Robert *******
You have to look at the last stamp from Immigration Office, not to all the dates in your passport. The stamp with the first line the name of the office and the second line Extension of Stay is permitted up to ../../.. (This is just an example)
Jools ******
OPSo, I have 2 dates in my passport, one is the 29th April the other 12th May. As long as my school permit it, I get a re-entry permit from immigration and I return before the 29th April I should be okay? Is that what you're saying?
Robert *******
Than you need to get a letter from your school that you're allowed to leave for this period, visit Immigration Office to get a re-entry permit IF you do come back before the Extension of Stay is permitted up to date ../../.. stamped in your passport. If you plan to come back after this date, than you visit the Immigration Office with documents from your school, cancel the Extension of Stay and before coming back to Thailand apply for a new visa and start the whole process again.
Jools ******
OPI have a single entry non immigrant Ed visa and I have already visited immigration to get the extension. I am due to go back in May
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