Can you switch from a Non-Immigrant B visa to an ED visa without leaving Thailand?

Visa Switch Non-Immigrant B Visa ED Visa Tourist Visa Thailand Immigration Expat Advice

Oct 6, 2022

2 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello, I've lived in Thailand for several years and will soon be switching from a work permit and non-Immigrant B visa to an ED visa. I have asked language schools if I can switch visas without exiting Thailand and re-entering on a tourist visa, and have gotten varying responses. Does anyone know if this is possible to switch visas while in Thailand? If I do have to leave and re-enter on a Tourist visa, would there be any issue with immigration since I've lived here on a non-Immigrant B? Thanks for any advice

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Switching from a Non-Immigrant B visa to an ED visa while remaining in Thailand is not allowed. You need to cancel your current visa and work permit, exit the country, and then re-enter on a Tourist visa or visa-exempt entry. After re-entry, you can apply for the ED visa with your language school. Ensure you leave enough days on your entry stamp to complete the application process.

Tod *********

You cannot 😕 You need to cancel your current "extension of stay" based on employment with documentation from your employer and proof you cancelled your work permit

THEN

you need to exit re-enter the country either on a 45 day visa exempt entry OR go to a thai consulate nearby and get a single entry tourist visa if you're not. Your profile shows you're from the US so you can bounce out and back to get a visa exempt entry by land for 45 days and can extend that for 30 more after you're here. That should be plenty of time for the school to get the paperwork from the Ministry of Education so you can go to the immigration office and apply for the in country Non-ED visa for 2000baht. You need a minimum of 15 days left on your entry stamp or the 30 day extension from it (some offices want 21 days so check with your school)

The school you enrolled in should have told you it's not possible to cancel an extension on a Non-B and change the reason to one based on education 🙁

2 years ago

Hannah ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

👍

2 years ago

Tod *********

you'll have no issue bouncing out and back by land or air to get a visa exempt entry, they can see you were here on a long term extension based on employment and there shouldn't be any issues coming back in

Just CANCEL that current extension at the office that issued it before you leave, because stamping out doesn't cancel it and you could have problems getting the ED visa if you don't do it correctly. ..

2 years ago

Hannah ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

Thanks so much for the answer, the reputable schools answered the same way, but other replies were confusing or indicated it could be done. Appreciate this.

2 years ago

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Hannah ********

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Can I convert my NON B Ed visa to a NON B Work Permit visa while in Thailand?

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