Can I Switch from an ED Visa to a Work Permit for a Teaching Job in Thailand Before My Visa Expires?

Jun 16, 2020
5 years ago
Bob *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm currently on an extension of an ED visa that was granted last July. It has been extended twice and will expire on the 11th of July.

After that I will be on the amnesty until the 31st. I have been offered a teaching job here. Is there anything that I can do to obtain a visa/work permit in Thailand or will I have to wait and hope that borders open before the 31st to get a visa?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is currently on an extended ED visa that is set to expire soon and has been offered a teaching job in Thailand. They are inquiring about the possibility of obtaining a work permit without having to wait for borders to reopen. A comment suggests discussing the situation with the employer to potentially change the reason for the visa extension from education to employment, which may allow for a smoother transition.
Tod *********
talk to your employer to see if you can go directly from the ED visa extension to a new extension based on employment.

You don't NEED a new visa, you need to change the reason for your extension to one from being based on education to one being based on employment.

It's all gonna come down to whether they can provide you the paperwork in time to get the extension before this current one runs out.
Connie **********
From what I heard last weekend you're lucky because if you are stamped in until July 11th and if you get a contract now, immigration can process the transfer within the 2-3 weeks they need. But that may differ from immigration to immigration so I'd ask the one responsible for you.
Bob *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
thank you. I was under the impression that an ED visa could not be extended after 1 year. Is this not correct?
Tod *********
@Bob ********
your ED visa ran out 90 days after you entered the country on it and you're here on extensions of stays from the ED visa.

You are not getting an extension based on education but on employment, totally different

All you're doing is changing the reason for the extension from education to employment.
Bob *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
OK thank you very much. I'll talk to them and try.
Tod *********
@Bob ********
worst case scenario they can't get the paperwork for you to do a new extension in time and you'd wait out until the country, the nearby countries and the thai consulates IN those countries open back up so you could go get a 90 day Non-B from one of the consulates
Bob *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
if that doesn't happen by the 31st do I have to leave Thailand altogether?
Tod *********
@Bob ********
, you'd need to do it BEFORE your current extension runs out, (seeing as you're going from one extension to another one) and if you can't pull it off you would go on the amnesty and no one knows what happens when the amnesty runs out.
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