What are the consequences of not canceling an ED visa before leaving Thailand?

Apr 28, 2021
4 years ago
Phuc ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
[Not cancelling visa before leaving Thailand]

Hi everyone. My university will extend my Non Ed visa for an extra month as I am uncertain of the date of my flight. However I'm pretty sure that my repatriation flight will take place before the extension ends (May 31st, 2021). The school officer says that she cannot provide documents for visa cancellation simultaneously.

She says that I can resolve this issue (cancelling the visa) the next time I come back to Thailand. I heard that there are a lot of issues if one wants to come back later, when one doesn't cancel their visa before they leave the country. I am left with no choice. What's the worst thing that can happen to me next time I come back to Thailand having my Ed visa uncancelled? Thank you!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses a situation where the original poster (OP) is unsure about canceling their Non-Ed visa (ED visa) before leaving Thailand. They have received conflicting advice about the implications of leaving without cancellation and the potential issues they might face upon returning to Thailand. Several commenters provide insights, suggesting that failure to cancel the ED visa might result in complications when attempting to apply for future visas or extensions, and emphasize the importance of maintaining proper visa status to avoid fines or immigration problems later.
Russell **********
I was refused entry for this. I had to get them to email it and print it in Myanmar before being let in
Julita *******
I can confirm that ED visa cancellation is carefully checked by the Thai officers while leaving the country, it was also double checked at the Thai embassy when I applied for a non-immigrant visa afterwards.
Phuc ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you Tod and everyone. My question has been answered and I will follow what you said, Tod. Thanks once again!
Tod *********
Get paperwork from your uni stating you are no longer studying as of xxx date, go to the immigration office cancel that extension and immediately apply for a 60 day covid extension.

That way you're not leaving with an uncancelled ED extension in your passport, but a covid extension that cancels when you leave.
Tod *********
why not just cancel the current ED extension you're on now and apply for a 60 day covid extension instead?
Siggi ********
Why someone should have a problem when he leaves the country and still have a ED visa. Thausends of school kids with ED visa leaving in holidays Thailand and never have a problem. My son did this may be 20 times in 8 years. There is no law that people have to cancel an extension.
Gina ********
@Siggi *******
yes, but then you need a re-entry visa. You cannot let your visa expire without cancelling it before leaving.
Ellie *******
@Siggi *******
, did your child let his extension expired during he was outside of Thailand?
Siggi ********
@Ellie ******
when it expires it expires , then you have to make new visa in the embassy. When you leave Thailand on any extension in your passport without a reentry permit then it's automatic cancelled.
Tod *********
@Siggi *******
you are misunderstanding the difference between actually going to the immigration office an cancelling an extension of stay AND just stamping out of the country on an extension without a re-entry permit (which cancels your ability to stay here but doesn't officially cancel the extension).

Many many people who failed to cancel previous extensions ran into problems when they went to apply for a NEW extension once they came back on some other type of visa. I know of many cases where they had to get documentation from the previous school or employer and cancel their long ago expired and stamped out on extension in order to be able to apply for a new visa/extension once they came back

IT CAN BE A PROBLEM.
Tod *********
@Siggi *******
sadly that is NOT how it works
Siggi ********
@Tod ********
so how every child who leaves the country on an ed visa never got any problem? And what is the differences on the extension of stay?

So you say extension on ED visa is not automatically cancelled when you leave the country?
Tod *********
Correct
@Si***
I am saying that it's not officially cancelled at the immigration office just by leaving and stamping out.

AND seeing as the O/P is thinking to come back at some point and either get a job or get a long term visa/extension I am trying to tell them HOW to stop any problems down the road.
Phuc ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks James. I will!
Gina ********
@Phuc *******
I know it all seems overwhelming and at times Changwattana can be intimidating (or any immigration office that is). But you can do this. Go in. Take a ticket for N2, normally it isn't that long - better still make an appointment online. Go in with whatever documents you have from your college and speak to the immigration officer. Most of them are friendly. You can do this. Hang in there. You'll probably regret leaving without thinking it through. Lots can happen in 30 days. ⚘
Phuc ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
Hi Tod. Thanks for the answer. My school will take care of all the documents, so that's why. I never work on the visa things myself, and I don't think I have time to apply for this at the moment as I will need to contact the embassy and everything.
Chulala **********
@Phuc *******
if not cancel when you fly back will happen with the next visa believe
@Tod ********
James ********
@Phuc *******
listen very carefully with what
@Tod ********
suggests... And do it... It will save you some real problems in your future seeking a visa for Thailand
Tod *********
@Phuc *******
You WILL have issues when/if you come back if you leave without canceling that ED extension.

IF you come back and ever try to get another in country extension they'll see you didn't cancel the previous ED extension and you could be fined for overstay (even though you weren't here) but you won't be banned,

I'm just saying the CORRECT way for you to do this (no matter if your school handled it before or not) is for you to follow what I said, cancel your current ED extension and apply for a 60 day covid extension.
Phuc ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
I see. Thank you Tod. Concerning the procedure, I think I can refer to the one posted by Benjamin yesterday. I will talk with my school again. Many thanks!
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