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What are the current rules regarding changing from student or volunteer visas to work visas in Thailand?

Gwen **********
asked Jan 25, 2021
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Hello, does anyone know if there have been any changes to rules requiring people with student visas or volunteer visas to leave the country and re-enter in order to change over to a work visa and permit or if any changes are forecast? I understand that Thailand has a shortage of English teachers but at the moment I believe it is only possible to change from a tourist visa to a working visa without leaving the country! Specifically any news related to Chiang Mai's immigration office would be welcome, thank you!
Answer summary
The process for changing from student or volunteer visas to work visas in Thailand may require leaving the country and re-entering. Current regulations stipulate that holders of student (ED) visas cannot convert directly to work (Non-B) visas without exiting Thailand. For transitional options, one might attempt obtaining a 'covid extension' before applying for a Non-B visa, particularly if starting from a volunteer visa. Specific guidance pertains to Chiang Mai's immigration practices, emphasizing the importance of proper documentation and compliance with local immigration offices.
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Tod *********
Tod *********
@Gwen *********
the REAL question IS

How did you get the year extension you have based on volunteering that you have now?

IF you handed your passport and a pile of baht to someone who took it to a province you don't live in, used an immigration office you don't go to, got you a Non-O and then a year extension for a foundation you can't pronounce let alone ever volunteered at, you WILL have problems trying to get off it :(

Now,. on the other hand IF you got documents from your foundation, went to the immigration office where you live, applied for the Non-O visa and then the year extension you shouldn't have ANY problem following my first comment, cancel your current extension, get a covid extension and then apply for an in country Non-B visa with documents from your new employer.

BUT

Back to the question I asked: did you get the volunteer visa on your own at the immigration office OR did you get it by "alternate means" <- that's gonna be the linchpin as far as whether you can or can't do anything
Gwen **********
Gwen **********
OP
@Tod ********
thanks, I'll follow your original advice!
Ellie *******
Ellie *******
If you leave Thailand, you need to cancel your current extension clearly before your departure. The procedure to leave the country hasn't changed..
Gwen **********
Gwen **********
OP
@Ellie ******
thanks for responding but I specifically do not want to leave Thailand to change my visa!
Tod *********
Tod *********
You would need to cancel your current extension of stay, get on another type of extension (covid for example) THEN you could apply for an in country Non-B visa. You can't go from an ED visa extension to one based on employment. You MIGHT be able to do it from a volunteer visa extension but that's between you, your employer, the immigration office and the foundation you volunteer for now.

Post on a C/M related f/b page and ask you question.
Gwen **********
Gwen **********
OP
@Tod ********
I don't have an extension of stay but an actual one year volunteer visa
Gwen **********
Gwen **********
OP
Tod Daniels, sorry, it is an extension of stay based on volunteer work!
Benjamin ******
Benjamin ******
@Gwen *********
What is a "volunteer visa"? Is this a sticker, or a stamp? If this is a stamp, what does it say?

Can you post it, OR send a picture of it to a mod? I'm getting confused.
Gwen **********
Gwen **********
OP
@Benjamin *****
sorry, 'it does say extension of stay up to September 2021'

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