What are the risks of returning to Thailand on a student visa from a language school?

Thailand Student Visa Re-entry Permit Education Visa Visa Regulations Immigration Concerns Language School Visa Issues

Nov 4, 2024

3 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello everyone,

Is there anyone with any idea what happens when one returns to Thailand on a student visa from a language school?

 I have seen many people commenting and making memes about my issue which makes me confused. 

My school said I  should be okay coming back as far as I get a re-entry permit.

On the other hand I don't want to loose 6900 baht for extension , re-entry permit and my ticket back to Thailand.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

When returning to Thailand on a student visa from a language school, it's essential to be aware of the potential risks involved. There's a perception that immigration may scrutinize individuals with education visas, particularly due to concerns about visa abuse. To mitigate risks, obtaining a re-entry permit is crucial. Additionally, it's advisable to have documentation from the school explaining your situation and confirming your return to Thailand. While some individuals report not facing issues upon re-entry, others suggest the need for proof regarding your departure and a clear reason for it to avoid complications at immigration.

Michał *********

I was in the same situation last year. I had an ED visa from a language school and I left Thailand for a week, maybe a little more. I didn't have a specific reason, I just wanted to go to my home country and see my family. I was afraid to come back given all the comments and scary stories I had read in this group. I had 20,000 baht in cash with me and all kinds of documents I could get from my school.

Do you know what happened? Nothing. They didn’t ask me a single question and just let me in.

3 days ago

Brandon ************

@Michał ********

I agree that it's certainly one of the possibilities. But if being denied entry is even a 5% chance, is that worth it to roll the dice?

3 days ago

Reply to

Brandon ************

It's VERY risky to leave Thailand if you have an education visa from a language school. Because this is the most abused visa in Thailand currently, anyone with one in their passport is almost sure to be pulled out of line at the airport and questioned. It basically comes down to this: You applied for an education visa because you NEEDED to be in Thailand to study, and you NEEDED a visa to stay to do that. Therefore you should be in Thailand studying because you needed to be there so badly that you applied for the visa. As far as the immigration officers are concerned, if you left Thailand then you didn't need to be in Thailand so badly, and you didn't need to study so badly, so you lied about originally needing a visa.

If you MUST leave Thailand, then you should get proof of why you HAD to leave, get a letter from your school stating that they know you are leaving, why you are leaving, and that you are approved to leave and when you will be returning. This letter should also include the direct contact information for the administrator of your school, that way the immigration officers at the airport can call them if they want to.

2-3 months ago there was someone who had all of the above items, and the immigration officers did call and speak to the administrator, and then they were still denied entry to Thailand and forced to fly out.

3 days ago

ضخةبقهنة ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

thanks 🙏.

3 days ago

ضخةبقهنة ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

my worst nightmare. Thanks for the information. I'm leaving Thailand for medical checkups since hospitals are very expensive here.

3 days ago

Brandon ************

@ضخةبقهنة *******

If you really must leave, and it will be saving enough money, then you can look at using a service like this

************************************

It's an agent "VIP Entry" service. Not the same as normal fast track that just gives you access to a shorter line. This service is where you tell the agent your circumstances and then they will get in touch with their contacts at the airport and give you a price to guarantee that you can get into the country. I think it starts around 3-5,000 baht depending on your circumstances.

They will meet you as you exit the plane, and then walk you to immigration and tell you which line to get in so you don't experience any issues.

3 days ago

Reply to

Brandon ************

Declan **********

Do you have a re-entry permit?

3 days ago

ضخةبقهنة ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Declan *********

not yet. I'm waiting for answers, that's why I made this post.

3 days ago

Declan **********

We if you leave without a re-entry permit you won't have a valid extension anymore.

I hope you are actually learning Thai too because on re-entry you are going to get questioned in Thai and only Thai and if you cannot answer they will deny your entry.

3 days ago

ضخةبقهنة ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Declan *********

thank you for your response.

2 days ago

Reply to

ضخةبقهنة ********

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