Can I switch from a work visa to a tourist visa while in Thailand?

Feb 4, 2022
3 years ago
Hi! So I came here on a one year teaching visa. Can't finish my contract because I have to go back earlier. But I want to stay in thailand for a few months. Can I switch from work visa to tourist? Will I have to leave Thailand?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user inquired about switching from a teaching work visa to a tourist visa while in Thailand, indicating they need to leave their contract early but want to remain in the country for a few more months. Responses clarified that no tourist visa is available from within Thailand; hence, the individual would need to exit the country to apply for a tourist visa. It was also noted that the user likely holds a Non-Immigrant B visa, commonly utilized for work purposes.
Robert *******
Okay, so you went to Immigration and got a new stamp with the text Extension of Stay permitted up to 31 Oct 2022.

This stay has to be cancelled on the last day working, you can do in advance to have to time to arrange travel abroad or to apply for a new Extension of Stay if you can meet any of the requirments.
Ryan ********
@Robert ******
so the employee is supposed to work their last day, then cancel their work permit, cancel their visa and leave the country all on the same day?
Robert *******
In advace means you can go up to three weeks before your last day and cancel it on the last day to give you some extra time to arrange travel.
Ellie *******
@Ryan *******
Technically, you are right.

But cancellation can be applied in advance.
Robert *******
@Ryan *******
You can talk with your employer and make sure that you have some extra days spare

OR

apply for a new Extension of Stay, you get if you meet the requirements or it get NOT approved and 7 days to leave the country.
Robert *******
And there is no one year teaching visa available for Thailand.

I guess you came using a Non Immigrant B visa and got 90 days of stay at entry. Please make a picture of your currect stay without personal details to get advice on how to do next.
Celia ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
does this help?
Tod *********
@Monica *********
not really seeing as that stamp expired on 10 Jan 2022 ๐Ÿ™ or 2 weeks ago ๐Ÿ™
Celia ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ellie *******
What do you mean exactly with your post? "Cannot finish the contract, you have to go back earlier, but want to stay for some more months without leaving Thailand"... Sounds pretty conflicting.

No tourist visa is available inside Thailand. As you should have a non-immigrant type of visa/extension, you have no option other than to leave and back unless you want to try Thailand Elite.
Celia ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ellie ******
yes it does sound conflicting. I didn't want to leave the school halfway through a semester. So I was honest and they completely appreciated the heads up and are looking for a new teacher. So I don't have to be back until late July so I have a few months and I wanted to travel.
Wannikea *********
@Monica *********
don't have to be back where? Your country, returning to the school?
Celia ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wannikea ********
yes my returning school in the US
Wannikea *********
@Monica *********
the only thing you can do is have the school cancel your work permit at/for your preferred departure date from Thailand. If you have an excellent relationship with them they might go along with that, otherwise you must leave Thailand at midnight on the date your work permit is cancelled, or possibly apply for an extension that would be denied giving you 7 days.
Ellie *******
@Monica *********
are you on extension or still in the initial 90days stamp?
Celia ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ellie ******
Just posted below I am past 90 days
Ellie *******
@Monica *********
, okay, I saw it.

If that is the latest stamp you have, you are on overstaying already..
Celia ******************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ellie ******
Wait but this stamp says Oct 31, 2022
Ellie *******
@Monica *********
okay, good. You are on extension based on teaching.

Once you finish the job with them your stamp is not valid anymore even if your extension is still remaining. You cannot stay with it. Check Robert's comment below.
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