Answered5 months ago
How can I smoothly transition from a Non-ED visa to a new Non-ED Plus visa in Thailand?
Hello everyone. Complicated situation. Help me to figure out.
Im currently holding a Non ED Plus, because I was studying for Bachelor's Degree at the university and recently got my diploma. Im planning to continue studying for Master's Degree, BUT I can't extend my visa inside Thailand because it's some kind of different part of education and they told me I have to leave the country and obtain a new Non Ed Plus inside Thailand.
And now I'll describe my concern:
I'm on this visa for around 5 years, I don't have any entry stamps or TR visas, only this Non-ED the whole time. Considering how strict the immigration now, I'm kind of worrying about getting back.
Why?
Because my university still preparing my documents for visa and I don't have time to wait before my visa expires, so the only way for me to cancel my visa first, leave the country and come back on an entry stamp or TR visa.
What do you think of my situation? Will I get questioned? Is my situation is ok or should I worry entering Thailand on stamp or TR visa?
My second question is how can I make it better and more smooth? My options now:
1. Cancel my ED visa, leave Thailand same day (but here another thing - when you cancel ED visa, and immigration usually gives you a stamp until the same day or give some extra days? Because if it's the same day and I go to Laos by the agency's minivan, it crosses the border technically the next day (few hours overstay, I don't know if its seriously impact your visa history?)
2. Cancel my ED visa, leave Thailand same day by AIR to Malaysia for TR visa. In this case I won't have overstay, but also I won't have an agency who can make the process for me to enter Thailand better.
What do you think? What you can suggest me in this situation?
Im currently holding a Non ED Plus, because I was studying for Bachelor's Degree at the university and recently got my diploma. Im planning to continue studying for Master's Degree, BUT I can't extend my visa inside Thailand because it's some kind of different part of education and they told me I have to leave the country and obtain a new Non Ed Plus inside Thailand.
And now I'll describe my concern:
I'm on this visa for around 5 years, I don't have any entry stamps or TR visas, only this Non-ED the whole time. Considering how strict the immigration now, I'm kind of worrying about getting back.
Why?
Because my university still preparing my documents for visa and I don't have time to wait before my visa expires, so the only way for me to cancel my visa first, leave the country and come back on an entry stamp or TR visa.
What do you think of my situation? Will I get questioned? Is my situation is ok or should I worry entering Thailand on stamp or TR visa?
My second question is how can I make it better and more smooth? My options now:
1. Cancel my ED visa, leave Thailand same day (but here another thing - when you cancel ED visa, and immigration usually gives you a stamp until the same day or give some extra days? Because if it's the same day and I go to Laos by the agency's minivan, it crosses the border technically the next day (few hours overstay, I don't know if its seriously impact your visa history?)
2. Cancel my ED visa, leave Thailand same day by AIR to Malaysia for TR visa. In this case I won't have overstay, but also I won't have an agency who can make the process for me to enter Thailand better.
What do you think? What you can suggest me in this situation?
Answer summary
The user is currently on a Non-ED Plus visa due to completing their Bachelor's degree and is seeking to transition to a Master's program. They have been advised to cancel their current visa and leave Thailand to apply for a new Non-ED Plus visa. The user is concerned about immigration scrutiny due to having held the same visa for five years without other entries or tourist visas. They seek advice on whether they will be questioned upon re-entry and how to manage their visa cancellation and exit procedures without incurring an overstay.
23 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Richard ********
Have you tried going to the Immigration Office and talking with them? If you can get a covering letter from the University they may be able to give you the guidance for a smooth transition
Jacob **********
OPRichard Hornby Yes, I called them. They say based on my Visa history, I'm fine as long as I have any kind of proof that I'm continuing studying for a master's degree. So I'm trying to ask my university to give me a letter of intent. So this is some solid proof that university acknowledged about me.
Richard ********
I wish you every success with the visa and the Masters 😎
Jacob **********
OPRichard Hornby thank you, mate.
Michael ********
What happened to the talk of foriegn students who complete degrees being allowed to stay for one year after completion.
Jacob **********
OPMichael Dawson it was available for me too, but unfortunately I joined the university in the middle of the semester so I had to study more than usual, it was almost half a year, and my Ed Plus given earlier, so I don't have enough time to do anything about it. Plus, they told me they can't extend it as my bachelor's is completed, and to continue for master's degree, I have to make a new visa. It was also been confirmed with the immigration. So it is what is it.
Eileen ***********
Michael Dawson hire a service.
Michael ********
Eileen Stelladog ?
John **********
@Michael *******
that's what an ED Plus isSujy *********
When canceling your ED visa you have around 14 days grace period. It will say in your passport the maximum departure date. So don't worry about overstay.
But now, giving your situation, your odds of denied entry is probably 99%. You cannot simply bounce out and back in, and a tourist visa won't help. You have to use an agent to either border bounce Savannakhet, or even better, get out by whatever way and back in the next day with Fast Track safe passage (with agent), which guaranteed entry. If you try to come back in by yourself, you will end in a cell and be forced to buy a ticket back home.
But now, giving your situation, your odds of denied entry is probably 99%. You cannot simply bounce out and back in, and a tourist visa won't help. You have to use an agent to either border bounce Savannakhet, or even better, get out by whatever way and back in the next day with Fast Track safe passage (with agent), which guaranteed entry. If you try to come back in by yourself, you will end in a cell and be forced to buy a ticket back home.
Brandon ************
@Sujy ********
There is no grace period. You cancel an education extension with paperwork from the school that has a date on it. That date is the date the immigration uses to cancel your extension. There is no allowed time beyond the date in the paperwork. You can go EARLY, before that date to cancel, and be stamped back in until that date. But you don't get any "extra" time past the date.Jacob **********
OP@Brandon ***********
thanks for clarification. That means if I go by the agency's van and technically cross the border next day after midnight, I have to ask my university to give me a letter with cancellation on that day?To wrap up:
For example I wanna leave Thailand with an agency on 4th, should I ask university to give a letter with cancellation day on 5th? And come to the immigration on 4th so they stamp me with 5th June? It's working like that? I've read that they usually cancel the visa and stamp the same day you appear at the immigration
Jacob **********
OPSujy Sujaree actually it's 19th of June, and that's where my headache comes from. I heard and read that they will give you a stamp on the day you appear. Buy I wanted to have at least 1 day extra to make it enough to cross the border by van. So I was confused whether I can come to the immigration another day earlier and get stamp on 19 or they will give me a stamp on the day I appear. Or they will follow the day university stated on the cancellation letter?
For example, if I go there on 11 with the cancellation paper with 19 of June, will they give me a stamp on 11 or 19? That's my biggest concern, I don't know how does it work.
For example, if I go there on 11 with the cancellation paper with 19 of June, will they give me a stamp on 11 or 19? That's my biggest concern, I don't know how does it work.
Sujy *********
Jacob Prinsley Nowhere are you mentioning that you plan to cancel on the last day said in your passport. What is the last day in your passport? This would help determine what you should do.
Brandon ************
@Jacob *********
yes, that should work. You can usually go up to a week ahead of time, so don't even need to wait until the 4th. But since immigration is closed on the 1st and 3rd, your only other option would be the 2nd. Unless the dates you gave were just an exampleSujy *********
@Brandon ***********
You 100% get extra time, I speak from experience. Maybe were not talking about the same thing? You seems to be talking about getting extra time pass the last day on your ED Visa. Neither OP nor I are talking about that.Sujy *********
@Brandon ***********
But that's not OP situation. OP was not gonna cancel the last day said in his passport. This wasn't what he said he was gonna do.Brandon ************
@Sujy ********
I'm not talking about visas at all. Visas have nothing to do with this. This is about cancelling an extension. I've literally cancelled an education extension in Bangkok. The date on the letter from my school is the date they use for cancellation.Sujy *********
Why? Because immigration officer will assume that you gamed the system for 5 years. Many people use agent for ED Visa but don't even go to school. And they won't believe your explanation. They assume the worse. Fast track with agent guaranteed entry. Or if you can get paperwork in time but it seems like you can't.
Jacob **********
OPSujy Sujaree but my case is legit, I have a diploma, transcript and all documents stated that I'm actually studied the entire time. It's an University, not some scam shopping mall school
Sujy *********
Jacob Prinsley Plese reread my comment. Officers doesn't give a bleep how you got your ED Visa. There many ways to appear real. Many online University offer ED Visa in Thailand without even needing to study. Immigration officer do not give a single **** about your situation. You have an ED Visa, you will not get allowed back in unless you use Fast Track.
Jacob **********
OPSujy Sujaree I'm planning to go with an agency by land to Laos, and they told me that my case is fine. Like back the same day. Can I rely on them? I haven't used them for 6 years maybe.
Sujy *********
Jacob Prinsley Yes, with agent you are fine.
Activity
7 joined7
people
Related
25Can I enter Thailand as a tourist if my Non-O Visa is still pending?
7.9k421518mo
What is a Non-ED Visa in Thailand and How Can I Obtain One?
1.3k10139mo
What is the timeline and process for obtaining a Digital Nomad DTV visa in Vientiane, Laos?
1.2k3111y
Can a DTV holder be denied entry into Thailand for not meeting conditions like the 500k requirement?
4.3k39351y
Can I apply for a DTV in London with a passport overstay?
1.7k1741y
How can I apply for a DTV (Workcation) visa in Thailand and what documents are needed?
747252y
Can I leave and re-enter Thailand on a 3-month non-immigrant education visa with a re-entry permit without cancellation?
1k332y
What issues might you face at immigration when crossing from Cambodia to Thailand with a DTV visa?
772362y
Can I leave Thailand before my non-ED visa expires and re-enter with a visa exemption for my studies?
464122y
Will I be considered to have overstayed my non-B visa if I leave Thailand on the day my visa expires?
769362y
Is a one-day overstay on a tourist visa in Thailand a serious issue before departing?
1.2k2142y
Will getting a new passport help me avoid scrutiny from Thai immigration after multiple overstays and a ban?
27.7k1554893y
Will I face trouble at immigration when returning to Thailand without a re-entry permit?
2.3k5513y
How can I obtain a Non-O visa to join my husband with a retirement visa in Thailand?
1.1k5123y
What happens to my Non-B visa if my work permit is canceled or revoked in Thailand?
1.5k7163y
Do I need to purchase a flight ticket out of Thailand while on a student visa after traveling abroad?
890373y
Should I get a Covid extension instead of traveling to KL for a new TR visa?
702424y
What are my options for renewing my student visa while stuck in Africa?
679345y
What should I do if I haven't received my Certificate of Entry (COE) before my flight from the London embassy?
2.6k17305y
Will I face issues entering Thailand if my return flight exceeds the duration of my SETV?
1k687y
What should I do if the border police in Thailand say I have an overstay despite a valid extension?
53997y
What are the fees and potential issues for an Australian citizen getting a Laos tourist visa and re-entering Thailand?
1.5k9117y
Can I extend my visit visa in Thailand without leaving the country?
1.3k988y
What should I do if the immigration officer mistakenly stamped my entry as 30 days instead of recognizing my valid 60-day visa?
1.5k1099y
Does the 20,000 baht cash requirement apply to those re-entering Thailand with an active METV?
3.3k29239y
Resources
Need help with your Thai visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served