This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

Do I need to cancel my ED visa and guardian visa with immigration before leaving Thailand for good?

Sep 15, 2025
2 months ago
Maggie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi, my son is on an ED visa and I'm on a guardian visa with NO re-entry permit. Our visa expires December. We are leaving the country for good on Saturday. Do I need to go to immigration to cancel our visas or will they cancel automatically when we leave on Saturday?
664
views
0
likes
16
all likes
11
replies
0
images
5
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
The individual is inquiring about whether they need to formally cancel their ED and guardian visas upon leaving Thailand permanently. Comments suggest that although it is advisable to cancel the visas with documentation from the school, it may not be necessary if they are not planning to return to Thailand. The consensus is that while technically, cancelling is recommended to avoid future complications, leaving without cancellation might not result in any immediate issues.
Wolf ******
If the ED Visa is an extension to stay 365 days, you need to cancel it prior leaving.
Tod *********
I'm sure if you looked at your current stamp or your child's you would see that it clearly says "extension of stay permitted until" and has a date.

Those usually need to be cancelled with documentation by the organization that supported them (in your case the school) before you leave so as not to cause you any issue down the road should you try to get another long term visa/extension

BUT

in your case you're leaving for good, as in you're not going to come back here and try to get a long term visa/extension. You said you're only going to return as "tourists" on either free stamp or tourist visa entries. Neither of those will be affected by you leaving without cancelling the current extensions you're on. Now should you follow the procedure? In theory yes, but in reality nothing with happen to you or your child if you don't.

So the choice is yours. .. .
Maggie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
The school said they will give a letter but I don't want to go to immigration if I don't have to
Lloyd ********
@Maggie **********
If you intend to visit Thailand again it is the correct and prudent thing to do. If the school will give you a letter it must be an extension, visas are not cancelled.
Maggie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lloyd *******
ok, thank you.
Wannikea *********
Should be cancelled with a letter from the school.
Lloyd ********
Guessing he is on an extension as opposed to the initial visa. You should cancel that, but if you never intend to return, absolutely no problem.
Maggie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lloyd *******
I was told they weren't extensions. It was a new visa this year but we don't intend to return. If we do, we would come as a tourist
Lloyd ********
@Maggie **********
Where did you get this new visa ?
Maggie ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lloyd *******
at immigration In Bangkok. This is our second year here.
Lloyd ********
Thai Visa Advice
... members · 40% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice