Is my plan to switch from a work permit to a tourist visa in Thailand reasonable?

Visa Rules Immigration Work Permit Tourist Visa Educational Visa Retirement Visa Border Crossing Issues

Nov 3, 2023

a year ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

For the last 17 years I have held a work permit and a extension of stay based on employment (while living in Thailand). My employer has always handled all of the paperwork related to renewals, extensions etc. 

I am now finishing my employment on 8th of November. I am planning to leave the country the next day and return on a 30 day tourist visa (via land crossing at Poipet). 

When I return on the tourist visa, I will immediate start the process of obtaining a 15 month educational visa.

Does this sound reasonable? Any potential problems?

I will be age 50 in 8 months. Will there be a problem getting a retirement visa next year or possibly getting another job with a 'normal' work permit/visa in the future?

Thanks

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The plan to switch from a work permit to a tourist visa and then apply for an educational visa seems feasible, but there are potential pitfalls to be aware of. Comments highlight risks associated with overstaying your visa if you leave the country immediately after employment ends, especially when using the Poipet border crossing, which is advised against. Caution is recommended regarding any future visa applications, including retirement or work permits, in light of recent immigration policies.

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James ********

AVOID Poipet Border crossing !!!

a year ago

Edward *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Why is that? I've seen that comment repeatedly. I was gonna take a private car from Bangkok there and back. Maybe I should just fly out to Phnom Phen, K.L. or Vientiene?

a year ago

James ********

@Edward ******

if you want trouble with using the Poipet Border crossing... Go for it. There are many reports of foreigners having problems with the reentry to Thailand from Cambodia. AVOID POIPET BORDER CROSSING!

a year ago

Edward *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you for all the information. I have contacted 2 services in BKK that my friends have used before with success. I am really nervous about this whole thing, so I was hoping to figure it out myself, but I seem to be getting more confused the more I read. I think I will just do what the service tells me :)

a year ago

Edward *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@James *******

I can just fly out the same day, maybe a little 2 day vacation in Phnom Phen or K.L.?

James ********

James ********

Yes you can do that... if you do not have a recent history of staying in Thailand using Visa Exempt Entry and extension of stay... among other Thai visas like the Ed Visa or Volunteer Visa.

a year ago

James ********

Suggest you ask an experienced border run service company in Bangkok. Google it.

a year ago

Reply to

James ********

Ellie *******

Seems a workable plan basically.

But be aware you will be one day overstay if you leave on the next day of your cancellation. You should be able to do border-bounce still, but possibility of issues leaving Thailand with overstaying.

You would have trouble entering Thailand again on a visa-exempt (not 30-day tourist visa) through Poipet even without overstaying. Choose another land border. Or contact border-bounce service (which this group does NOT provide recommendations. You search on your own).

a year ago

Edward *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellie ******

Should I just fly out to one of the surrounding capital cities on the same day? That is easily doable also. I didn't know Poipet was so dreaded. Any suggestions flying from BKK?

a year ago

Reply to

Edward *******

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