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What are the chances of successfully doing back-to-back visa exempt border runs at the Cambodian border?

Visa ExemptBorder RunEducation VisaThai ImmigrationVisa ExtensionCambodia BorderMoE ApplicationExpat Visa Options
Oct 7, 2022
2 years ago
Poe **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi, what are the chances of getting back to back visa exempt entries at Cambodian border? Previously on education visa, cancelled it and then did border run on 7th September, entered visa exempt and did extension on Tuesday until 5th November. In the interim applying for another education visa and waiting for admission letter from MoE. If this don't happen in time can another border run be done via Cambodia. The border run in September was first border run for the year.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The chances of making another visa exempt entry via a border run to Cambodia after a recent border run depend on your current visa status and the timing of your education visa application. Comments suggest that you can technically do two land border runs each calendar year, but caution is advised if you are in the process of applying for an education visa. If the application with the Ministry of Education (MoE) is submitted, it's generally recommended not to exit the country until it's processed, as this can reset your application and complicate your visa situation.
Tod *********
@Poe *********
 and others.

I called and talked to a school owner and they said once the MOE application is turned in and you're waiting for the paperwork to come back to get an ED visa issued inside the country you CANNOT exit/re-enter AT ALL.

They said doing that means you start the whole MOE approval process over because you have to be on the stamp submitted to MOE when you go apply for the ED visa at the immigration office.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
Based on your new information, you have about a month to go. If you get started now, you should have enough time. But check with the school and see what their estimate is, as they should be the most familiar with what to expect.
2 years ago
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Keven ****
@Brandon ***********
@Poe *********
 He needs 15 days (21 days in Chiang Mai and a few other places) remaining on his extension to change his visa-exemption to a Non-Immigrant ED visa.
2 years ago
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Tod *********
@Keven ***
 he's waiting on the paperwork from the Ministry of Education, NOT ready to apply for the ED visa at the immigration office

The MOE is super sketchy on getting approval paperwork back. That's why most schools say you need 6 weeks left on a stamp to apply. Sometimes it comes back in 2 weeks sometimes, in a month.
2 years ago
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Keven ****
@Tod ********
 An option would be to leave the country to get the Non-Immigrant ED visa at an embassy, but I guess the documents would be different than the documents to switch in-country?

Either way, all this is mixed up. OP applied for studying at a school very late.
2 years ago
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Keven ****
@Tod ********
 I think Brandon meant about leaving the country before getting the MOE letter and documents, since he says leaving the country during the process could create issues.

However, even if OP gets the documents in time, he got his extension Tuesday, so he wouldn't have the needed 15 or 21 remaining on his extension to do the switch to the ED visa. Difficult to say if getting a new VE would or wouldn't create issues (different visa, entry stamp, and TM30 than the documents).
2 years ago
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Keven ****
@Tod ********
 Yeah, but I meant, even if he were to have all the ED documents ready in less than two weeks, he would still need 15 or 21 days remaining on his extension to switch to the ED visa. OP said he did his VE extension last Tuesday. So Brandon's suggestion that he still has a month left is incorrect/misleading.
@Poe *********
2 years ago
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Keven ****
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Poe **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 have started already so hopefully will be sorted before extension runs out. Thank you
2 years ago
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Poe **********
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James ********
2 years ago
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James ********
May I ask what is your passport nation?
2 years ago
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Poe **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
 south african
2 years ago
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James ********
@Poe *********
 you should be OK.
2 years ago
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James ********
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Graham ******
Yes you can
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
Check with your school, as leaving the country during the MoE application can sometimes cause issues.

Have you already gotten your 30 day extension on visa exempt?
2 years ago
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Chris *****
@Brandon ***********
 are the issues fixable? Asking as my fiancee might end up being on a 30-day VOA when we apply, so will need ~2 weeks for a police check, leaving only ~16 days for the MoE, so it is quite likely we'll have to leave and return.
2 years ago
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Tod *********
@Chris ***************
 nope can't get an ED visa issued even on the 30 day VOA. There is something written into the inside the country Non-Imm issuing rules that prohibits people from VOA countries (no matter how much time they get) from getting a visa issued in country at the immigration office. They HAVE to come in on a valid tourist visa.
2 years ago
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James ********
@Chris ***************
 what is your fiance's passport nation?

You say she's entered Thailand with a VOA Visa on Arrival?
2 years ago
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Chris *****
Thanks Brandon, very handy to be aware of, I'm sure my school could advise.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Chris ***************
 I don't know what the issues are, just that people have mentioned that you shouldn't leave the country during an ongoing MoE application

My guess would be that the application the school submits to the MoE includes copies of the stamp you are in Thailand on at that time, and similar things. Leaving and changing your stamp could cause the application that was made to be void because it's no longer accurate.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
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James ********
@Brandon ***********
 good thought 🤔
2 years ago
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James ********
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James ********
YES you can do TWO LAND BORDER RUNS EACH CALENDAR YEAR...as you have done #1...you know what to do for your #2 in November. Good Luck 🤞
2 years ago
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James ********
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