Is it true that since the pandemic started, a new rule has been brought in to make it impossible to get a new year of ED visa when the current visa expires, without leaving the country?
Looking at the lack of open borders, and the cost of quarantine both to get back in here and to get anywhere else before that, with the mental health implications of 28 days in isolated quarantine, am I missing something or are they trying to make sure there are no foreign students left in the country after 12 months except those who can afford investment or elite visa. I heard volunteering is the latest trend as a way around this but a senior immigration officer warned me against it because with such a flooding of volunteer applications will come tighter controls and many rejections... thoughts?
TLDR : Answer Summary
Since the pandemic, there have been significant changes to the rules surrounding ED (Education) visas in Thailand. It appears that obtaining a new ED visa renewal without leaving the country has become increasingly difficult, particularly for students enrolled in private language schools, while those studying at recognized universities may still receive extensions. There is speculation that tighter controls will be implemented, especially on volunteer applications, in response to rising abuse of these visa categories. The situation has caused anxiety among foreign students, with many considering alternative options such as pursuing an MBA, returning to their home country, or even overstaying their visas.