Answered5 years ago

Can I travel abroad while on an education visa in Thailand and return without issues?

ED Visa Re-entry Permit Visa Extension Immigration Rules Traveling Abroad

เฮนนิ่ง ************

asked May 5, 2021

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Hi there, me again. I heard about ppl getting the vaccine outside of Thailand and then coming right back and i thinking about doing something similar. I'm on an ed-visa, first extension of stay (until dec21) and the university will be closed from mid may until August (summer break) and i assume that after that they'll continue classes online (i honestly don't think the situation will be much better then than it is now but feel free to share your opinion on this). So the idea is to go to Germany and stay for maybe half a year. Now my question is will i have to get a new visa (and after three months apply for a new extension of stay) or can i get a reentry permit (assuming that i reenter before the end of my current extension of stay)? Will Immigration get suspicious when see that i came on ed visa for 9 months, leave for half a year and come back on ed visa again? I know that it's hard to say because it's always up to the officer and the case but maybe someone has been in a similar situation and has some insight. Also I'll go to immigration mid month for my 90day report and will take the occasion to ask immigration as well. Thanks for any input!

Answer summary

The user, currently on an education (ED) visa in Thailand, is considering traveling to Germany for about six months since their university will be closed for the summer. They are concerned about the necessity of obtaining a new visa or extension upon returning to Thailand and whether Immigration might question their long absence. A commenter advised that as long as the user returns before their current extension expires, they only need a re-entry permit, and they likely will not face issues with Immigration.

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Steve *******

If you're returning before your current extention of stay expires you just need a re-entry permit. If your school is closed and you cant study there until it re-opens then you shouldnt have any issues with Immigration, although there's NO guarantee of that.

5 years ago

เฮนนิ่ง ************

@Steve ******

thanks a lot. That's very helpful. What if i plan to return after my extension of stay expires?

5 years ago

Darren *******

@เฮนนิ่ง ***********

then you apply for a brand new visa as your extension of stay is no longer valid and you can't study in Thailand.

5 years ago

Steve *******

@Darren ******

You can study WITHOUT a visa. There's no legal reason for a visa to study in Thailand. The ED visa and subsequent extentions of stay just give you the required stay in the Country to complete longer courses.

5 years ago

Darren *******

@เฮนนิ่ง ***********

you said your extension of stay is currently valid. The issue is when you let it expire.

5 years ago

เฮนนิ่ง ************

@Darren ******

I'm their first and only foreign student and I've spent the first semester abroad already.

5 years ago

Darren *******

@เฮนนิ่ง ***********

possibly, ultimately no one knows what the immigration officer in question will think. I'd be more wary about your university deregistering you from their course and then charging you for the course again.

No valid visa and you shouldn't be studying.

5 years ago

เฮนนิ่ง ************

@Darren ******

yes that makes sense. my question was more about immigration policy. Won't they be wary if they see that i come on an ed visa, get as extension of stay, leave and come back with a new visa and apply for a new extension? I'm asking this because I've heard about people abusing the ed visa as a means to stay for longterm but my studies are legitimate (it's a university's bachelor degree).i don't want them to think that I'm up to something, I'll just continue studying from abroad for a few months because it's all online anyways.

5 years ago