What are my options for remaining legal in Thailand after my ED visa expires while awaiting my work permit?

March 20, 2020

5 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello I have seen many different scenarios amid the current situation but nothing that quite matches my current status.

I am an American in Thailand with an ED visa for language study which expires on 27 March.  I start a job teaching in Thailand the first week of May.  

My original plan was to apply for a 60 day tourist visa in Vientiane but this appears to be off the table for the foreseeable future.

What options are available to me to insure I remain legal during the interim period between current visa expiration and work permit issuance? 

I appreciate any and all advice.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user, an American on an ED visa in Thailand, seeks advice on maintaining legal status between the expiration of their current visa and the start of their new teaching job in May. With the ED visa expiring on March 27 and difficulty in obtaining a tourist visa in Vientiane due to travel restrictions, users suggest two possible options: 1) Applying for a visa to enter Myanmar and re-entering Thailand by bus, which would provide a visa exemption for 30 days with a possible extension, or 2) Returning to the US until the situation improves. The comments highlight the uncertainty of travel and visa policies amidst evolving restrictions.

George *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

You *MAY BE* able to get a visa to enter Myanmar and fly in. You can then take a bus back into Thailand. It'll give you a 30 day visa exempt, with the option to extend it by another 30 days.

I can only fly into Myanmar, cannot cross by land?

5 years ago

Chad ********

@George ********

mae sai border closed yesterday. idk for how long. i got denied there with a valid e-visa. some borders were still open as of yesterday but they seemed to be closing soon and might already be. i got over the laos border yesterday receiving a visa on arrival for laos at chiang khong. i re-entered thailand with my valid thai multiple entry tourist visa a few hours later

5 years ago

Reply to

Chad ********

Benjamin ******

You got a couple, MAYBE options.

1. March 27th is a long time away, we don't know what the future holds.

2. >My original plan was to apply for a 60 day tourist visa in Vientiane but this appears to be off the table for the foreseeable future.

*MAYBE* it'll work (but I don't think so). You will need to get a visa to enter Laos. According to:

*******************************************************************************************************

"Issue visas for visitors who intended to visit the Lao PDR with non tourist purposes only. Visitors will have to submit requisite information on their health and related documents to the Lao diplomatic missions *in the country they are resident* for approval before the intended date of travel."

I do not know what the bolded part means. We have one report of someone trying to get that visa to Laos to get a Thai visa, and it was denied by the Laos consulate.

>What options are available to me to insure I remain legal during the interim period between current visa expiration and work permit issuance.

You *MAY BE* able to get a visa to enter Myanmar and fly in. You can then take a bus back into Thailand. It'll give you a 30 day visa exempt, with the option to extend it by another 30 days.

That's the only two options I can think of.

5 years ago

Wouter *******************

In my opinion none but to fly home for the time being, and hope the restrictive requirements are lifted before your return. But, I fear that those being lifted so soon is highly unlikely.

Maybe someone else will have a better idea?

5 years ago

Reply to

Wouter *******************

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How can I extend my 30-day visa in Thailand to stay until May while considering teaching English?

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