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

Question

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 🤔

Ask Thailand · Answer

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 ********** · Answer

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.

Dana ******* · Answer

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).

Benjamin ****** · Answer

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.

Yvonne ********* · Answer

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.

Benjamin ****** · Answer

>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.

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

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