How can I convert an ED visa to a Non-B visa for a work permit in Thailand?

September 11, 2017
7 years ago
Graham *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey all. Has anyone had any experience converting an ED visa to a Non B for work permit?

I have been offered a job. Company sent my paperwork to Ministry of Education (thats what they said) and have recieved approval letter. Next step is to go to Kuala Lumpur i believe.

Is it as straight forward as that? Also, Do i need to get a re-entry stamp just in case there are any issues?

Thanks in advance!

Graham
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The process of converting an ED visa to a Non-B visa for work involves obtaining approval from the Ministry of Education, which the poster has received. It is necessary to cancel the ED visa at an immigration office before applying for the Non-B visa at a Thai consulate, although the ED visa will automatically be canceled upon leaving the country. It is advisable to obtain a re-entry stamp to avoid any potential issues during the process.
Jimmy ***********
No need to cancel anything. Just go out the country and get your non b. The education visa automatically gets cancelled. Simple and easy step.
Tod *********
while in theory extensions of stays are automatically canceled when you stamp out of the country, once he has his Non-B and goes to get an extension of stay at the immigration office I believe he's gonna have issues because he didn't cancel the ED extension.

IF it was just the first 90 days of a single entry ED visa and he exited the country I'd agree with you, yep it is canceled when you stamp out
Graham *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey Tod. If i cancel the ED visa extension, do i have to leave immediately? What visa would i be on until I exit the country?
Graham *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok Tod. She did say that if I dont cancel the ED visa that it will cancel autimatically when i exit. But if you have heard of issues happening before then i would prefer to do as you suggested.
Tod *********
@Gra***
, you might have none,

OR

you might run into problems when you go to extend the Non-Immigrant Type-B visa you're getting because you didn't cancel the extension on the other Non-Imm ED visa you had.
Graham *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes I guess I do that. Could I just ask one more question. What problems do you think I will have down the road if I dont cancel the ED. Thanks for your time ๐Ÿ‘
Tod *********
@Gra***
, OR you could just cancel the ED extension, and on the rare chance the Non-B was denied you could get a tourist visa and then do the in country conversion which you said they are familiar with.
Graham *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey Tod. Just been to my school to talk to my Thai teacher. I mentioned that my friend who is also applying for a Non-B but is from South Africa had a problem in KL and didnt get the visa (they said something to do with him being from SA)

She said it would be safer to pay for a re-entry stamp at immigration just in case theres a problem so i can come back in on the ED Visa. Now i dont know what to do ๐Ÿ˜
Graham *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok thanks Tod ๐Ÿ‘
Tod *********
@Gra***
, they're right, you'd go to a thai consulate to get your 90 day Non-B visa.

I don't know why they're fired up for you to go to the thai consulate in KL because as long as you have the correct documentation just about any thai consulate would work.
Graham *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ah i see. Yes the employer seems abit uncertain as other employees have converted from tourist visas. They told me i have to go to KL which i will. Just want to make sure I do it correctly. Thanks
Tod *********
you would take a letter from your school saying you are stopping studying on xyz date and you'd go to the immigration office and they will cancel your extension and give you a stamp that says you must leave on the date you stop studying. If you're not leaving then you could buy a 7 day 'emergency" get outta thailand stamp for 1900baht.
Tod *********
Go cancel your ED visa extension at the immigration office BEFORE you go to a thai consulate and get your 90 day Non-B visa.

You'll have problems down the road if you don't.

I imagine they applied at the Ministry of Labor for a work permit for you and that's what the approval letter is, not anything from the MOE .
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