What are the best visa options for expats in Thailand who may be stuck due to COVID-19?

Mar 18, 2020

5 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

My partner and I have a 60-day single-entry visa expiring May 7th. We can get a 30-day extension until June (and will need to if we hope to complete a 4-week TEFL course that starts on April 20th) but we are concerned we won't be able to return to Australia (which has a travel ban) and will consequently become illegal here in Thailand . Does anyone know what visa options are available to us? We are interested in learning Thai. Is getting an Education visa the best option? If so, are there schools that will offer online classes because of the moral (and possibly legal) mandate to implement social distancing. We have also seen in this group that visa extensions are being offered due to Covid 19 . I guess this could also be an option if we get stuck here and if Australia closes its borders ?? However when we looked at the Australian embassy website they stated ‘that they DO NOT provide supporting documents to Australians for Thai visa applications .’ What is the best option for us 🤔

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is seeking guidance on visa options in Thailand due to concerns about potentially becoming illegal after their 60-day single-entry visa expires. They are considering applying for an Education Visa to learn Thai and are unsure about online classes due to social distancing measures. The comments suggest that applying for jobs may be a better alternative, as schools can convert tourist visas to extensions based on employment. There are also mentions of possible visa extensions due to COVID-19, but challenges with returning to Australia are highlighted.

David **********

Australia is closing tomorrow night to non residents. If you are an Aussie citizen you will have to self quarantine for 14 days on return. At this point.

5 years ago

Benjamin ******

Source on that please?

5 years ago

Reply to

Benjamin ******

Dana *******

As a general rule, any country that bans its citizens/legal residents to travel outside, does not prevent its citizens/legal residents who are already outside the country at the time of the ban, to fly home. They "just" might ask you to self-quarantine. The thing is, the more you wait, the less flights there might be from Thailand to Australia (airlines will not fly with empty planes, probably very soon).

5 years ago

Yvonne *********

@Dana ******

It is already a requirement if either Australian citizens or tourist arrive in Australia either by plane or ship now have to do 14 days self quarantine.

As of this morning the Australian government have said that if you don’t want to or can’t get home then if and when they close the borders and no planes will be flying in and out that they are unable to help. The only way you can come into Australia by sea is if you are in a cruise ship that left Australia before they stopped them leaving they will allow that cruise ship back in,

So it’s either go home now if you can or stay and hope for the best

5 years ago

Miranda *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Dana ******

thank you! That’s helpful info

5 years ago

Reply to

Miranda *********

Benjamin ******

It looks like you added more information to your post:

>We are interested in learning Thai. Is getting an Education visa the best option?

Yes, if you are learning Thai, an education visa is best. You can also get a bachelors degree here as well on an education visa, and the schools aren't too bad all things considered. Once you have an ED Visa, the Thai government has not been issuing tourist visas after.

>f so, are there schools that will offer online classes because of the moral (and possibly legal) mandate to implement social distancing

Probably none. Language schools are still operating as normal.

5 years ago

Sibylle *********

@Benjamin *****

why? Its about the education visa? I don’t understand

5 years ago

Sibylle *********

@Benjamin *****

hi Benjamin- thanx for all the information! 🙏My language school in Chiang Rai just closed today, we are asked to do some online classes as an exception, but I wonder how this affects the education visa as you generally have to be in class as its easier for them to keep track. It may be a bit early, but if anyone knows anything about that I’d appreciate it a lot!

5 years ago

Reply to

Sibylle *********

Yvonne *********

We are Australians and live here, you still have the opportunity to fly home like the Government is telling all Australians overseas at the moment that they should look at returning home if the can. become if and when they close the borders which could be any day now they cannot guarantee they can help.

5 years ago

Miranda *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Yvonne ********

thank you 🙏

5 years ago

Reply to

Miranda *********

Benjamin ******

>concerned we won't be able to return to Australia (which has a travel ban) and will consequently become illegal here in Thailand

IF, for whatever reason, Australia decides to self-isolate itself, and you can not return, there would be an announcement, and a process should be developed allowing you to apply for an extension of stay due to the COVID-19 virus.

If you and your partner have a bachelors degree, I *HIGHLY* recommend skipping your TEFL course, and start applying for teaching jobs. You do NOT need a TEFL certificate to teach in Thailand. Schools can convert your tourist visa to an extension of stay based on employment. The first term usually starts in May.

5 years ago

Miranda *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Benjamin *****

thank you so much for your reply 🙏 neither of us have bachelor’s degrees

5 years ago

Reply to

Miranda *********

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