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Do I need to cancel my ED visa before applying for a DTV visa in Laos?

Aug 18, 2024
2 years ago
Gayaanan ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey guys, I'm sorry if this question has already been answered, I tried searching here but was a bit unclear still.

I am currently one month into my last 3 month extension (3rd extension) of the one year ED visa and therefore still have two months left of the ED visa. I would like to get the DTV visa as soon as possible and I plan to get this by going to vientiane as people here have successfully gotten it from there. My question is do I need to cancel my ED visa before leaving or should I get a re-entry permit (just in case I don't get the DTV visa), leave to Laos, get the dtv visa and re-enter with dtv visa and then cancel the ed visa once I'm here? Are there any issues with doing the latter?

Someone here mentioned having to cancel your ED visa before leaving which I didn't really understand so wanted to ask how this works before I leave. Thank you so much!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is currently on the last extension of their ED visa and wants to apply for a DTV visa while in Vientiane, Laos. They are uncertain whether they need to cancel their ED visa before leaving Thailand or if they can obtain a re-entry permit and then proceed to apply for the DTV visa. Community responses indicate uncertainty about returning to Thailand with both a valid extension and a new DTV visa, suggesting that it may be safer to cancel the ED visa before leaving.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Tod *********
No one is actually sure HOW that works when you try to come back having a valid re-entry on a previous extension AND a new DTV..

AFAIK not a single person has got a DTV with a live extension/re-entry in their passport and come back yet ๐Ÿ˜•

In theory you should cancel the extension before you leave (like you're supposed to) then go get the visa you want.

Unfortunately that way IF you're denied the DTV you pretty much either buy a tourist visa from them instead or come back free stamp entry if you come from a country that gets it
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Mark ******************
@Tod ********
AFAIK not a single person has got a DTV with a live extension/re-entry in their passport and come back yet ๐Ÿ˜•.

Just did it. Handed over passport, printout of DTV and boarding pass. Got stamped in with zero issues.
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Tod *********
@Gayaanan ***********
looks like you can go get the DTV and come back in with an 'open extension/re-entry' no issue at all
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Gayaanan ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
oh that's great to hear! thanks for the follow up, much appreciated!
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Gayaanan ************
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Tod *********
@Mark *****************
EXCELLENT (y) thank you for that update, that's exactly what we were waiting to hear ๐Ÿ™‚

What extension/re-entry did you have in your passport if I might ask

Oh and Congrats on the DTV and getting in ๐Ÿ™‚
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Tod *********
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Gayaanan ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
thanks! so its better to cancel just to be sure (im from canada so i can come back with a two month visa exemption). How long do I have to leave the country if I cancel my ED visa? Do i have to leave on the day its cancelled? Thank you
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Gayaanan ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
ohhh I see, that's good to know. Will talk to the school and try to coordinate, thank you both!
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Tod *********
@Gayaanan ***********
you need to coordinate the whole thing so you can cancel the ED extension and have time to exit the country to go apply for your visa

in bangkok you can cancel an extension 2 weeks or so early so you just get paperwork from your school saying you stop on xxx date, go to the immigration office cancel the extension, they will stamp you in until the date on the paperwork

BUT

Not all offices work like that and some cancel the extension the day you apply to cancel it no matter what the date on the paper says from the school

CHECK with your school and ask them they should know
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Brandon ************
@Gayaanan ***********
To cancel the ED extension you need a letter from your school stating your last day of study. When you go to immigration to cancel the extension, they will cancel it and then give you a new stamp that lasts until the date on the letter. You have to leave by that day. Normally you can go 1-2 weeks before the date on the letter.
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Brandon ************
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