Unanswered4 years ago

Can I switch from an Education Visa to a Work Permit in Thailand?

Education Visa Work Permit Thai Immigration Non-Immigrant Visa Visa Categories Visa Rules Thailand

Aaron ********

asked Jul 20, 2022

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Hey, I am 9 months on my Education Visa learning Thai language. Now I got an offer from the mom of my Thai girlfriend to work in her company and get a work permit.

Is it possible to switch from an Education Visa to a Work Permit?

I'm now in Thung Song, the next Immigration Office is around 1 Hour drive so I hope that someone can answer me this question here :)

P.s I have a German Passport if that matters.

Summary so far

A user currently holds an Education Visa for learning Thai and received a job offer. They want to know if they can switch to a Work Permit. Responses indicate that it's generally not possible to convert an Education Visa into a Work Permit due to employment restrictions on the visa. It's advised that they would need to leave Thailand and apply for a Non-Immigrant B visa to work legally.

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Keven ****

It's theoretically possible to get an "extension based on working," but highly highly unlikely you will be able to. You might also get the extension, but have issues with the work permit since you have an ED visa. I was in the same situation, and so was another teacher I know. In the end, it was simpler to go out the country and get a Non-Immigrant B visa.

4 years ago

Keven ****

@Aaron *******

Probably still unlikely. A whole bunch of effort for almost nothing, when you could simply go out of the country for a day or two. Don't know why you so much insist on avoiding a short trip, and create a whole bunch of challenges and work for people. Might not even work in the end.

4 years ago

Keven ****

Plus a whole bunch of other requirements (see 1.):

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4 years ago

Robert *******

I guess you have a stamp from the Immigration Office, Extension of Stay permitted up toe xx/xx/xx and get this every 90 days.

This is based on a Non Immigrant ED visa which is employment Prohibited and can not be used as legal stay to apply for a work permit.

You have to go abroad and apply for a new Non Immigrant B visa.

4 years ago

Aaron ********

What would be the best country to do that? Or do I have to fly all the way back to germany?

4 years ago

Robert *******

@Aaron *******

The country set by your employer as the documentation is addressed to the consul of xxxxxxxxx country.

4 years ago

Robert *******

@David *******

Oh well, I can not argue about friends who did the impossible.

You can not change from one Non Immigrant visa into another Non Immigrant visa at the Immigration Office.

4 years ago

Robert *******

@David *******

Yes, but it depends on your current stay inside the country.

4 years ago