What challenges can expats face with visa stamps and check-in procedures when arriving in Thailand?

Nov 15, 2024
2 days ago
Immigration Experience

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I am the one who posted about ED visa and re-entry permit and this is the update post. I arrived in Thailand this morning and gave my DTV printed page and passport to the officer. She looks confused about which stamp she had to make. Then I showed my cancellation letter (not original but copy) then she smiled and Stamped DTV 180 days. I'm very happy that everything goes smoothly except the airline check-in counter. That Airline check-in counter really messes up that saying my passport has no visa stamp I mean wdh xD Then I just told them I'm going for a free visa because I am an Asian.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user successfully transitioned from an Education (ED) visa to a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV) upon arriving in Thailand. They experienced some confusion at the airport regarding their visa status and had to present a cancellation letter to immigration. The conversation highlighted the importance of proper documentation, including a cancellation letter from their university, when switching visa types in Thailand, and the potential complications that can arise during airline check-in due to outdated information.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Henrik *****
Write the answer in the original thread, where it belongs, instead of floating unattached to the originating thread.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
This is my opinion and not facts i don't know for sure. I think the visa section and extension of stay permit is in a different operation. For example - if you're on a visa which is not stamped used in passport means you can't legally apply for another visa type. If your visa stamped used then you do an extension of stay. That means you're on an extension of stay. So if you apply for another type of visa the visa section may not find that you're on an active visa. You might get a DTV or some type of visa. The rules might be changed anytime so the safety way is to cancel the visa or extension before you apply for another one.
Michael ********
When I checked in for my flight I did the self-check-in kiosk, I think they prefer you do that anyways to save time. Anyways the kiosk asked for my intended departure date from Thailand and I HAD to select something under 30 or 60 days… Nevermind, just selected some date and continued on no problem. No issues at immigration. Indeed many airlines are a bit out of date for some stuff.
Ko *******
They were confused,coz of you are anonymously 😅
Andruha *********
What do you mean by cancellation letter?
Ivan ************
@And****
if you are on an extension of stay for certain visas, including education, you need to cancel that before you can get in on another visa.
Andruha *********
@Ivan ***********
how does this cancellation look like?
Ivan ************
@And****
you get a letter from your school stating your course has ended and go to immigration in country who cancel your extension. I believe there are then three options:

(1) your letter was post-dated, in which case the cancellation is in the future and you leave by that date

(2) your letter was not post-dated, in which case your cancellation is immediate and you have to leave same day

(3) same as (2) but you pay immigration 1,900B for a denial of extension which gives you 7 days to leave Thailand.

You can then leave and come back on another visa.
Luis ******
Greg ********
Airline info is often out of date and incomplete. Somebody in the back office updates info the check-in staff see. It can be out of date and can very very wrong - experienced it myself. Stupid thing like asking for onward ticket from Singapore - there is no need for a British passport holder (I was on EP at the time but they never asked to see that until I volunteered it) That happened with both Thai Airways in London and strangely enough Singapore airlines in Amsterdam. Recently I was asked for my visa to Vietnam at Bangkok when UK is 45 days visa free. It is not the fault of the check in staff who may be temp or contractors - it is the info in their systems they have to follow.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg *******
yes, you're right. They're asking where I will go next. That does not necessarily need information. And plus i was quite late to check in and they look at my passport and like they don't see my visa for Thailand. What do they mean like that there's a clear sign that there's an ed extension and i was there for like a few minutes. Anyway the immigration doesn't even say anything Tbh.
Greg ********
Anonymous participant Exactly - it is airline and not immigration. As I said, to be fair to them, the system often has the wrong information, they are often temp or contract staff and they would get into trouble if they cost the airline money if the airline had to fly someone out of Thailand for free if refused entry.
Sascha **********
What do you mean by cancellation letter? You canceled the ED after getting the DTV while abroad?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I didn't need to cancel it because it was "used". I need to cancel the extension of stay with ED visa. That's all. Visa and Extension aren't same.
Liza ******
How do you canceled the extension?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Liza *****
I don't know it yet, I'll use the original recommendation letter from university to cancel as soon as I arrive at the immigration office of Chiang Mai.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sascha *********
the cancellation letter is the recommendation letter from the university to cancel the ED visa and signed by the principal.
Sascha **********
Anonymous participant so you canceled the ED before leaving Thailand? (I’m sorry for the questions, I guess I’m a bit confused because you mention a re-entry stamp) Thanks! 🙏🏼
Sascha **********
Anonymous participant ok so just for my understanding, you had a valid ED visa with a re-entry stamp and a letter from your school saying to cancel the ED visa, but you hadn’t yet submitted the cancellation?
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sascha *********
Yes, I also think as you said. BUT it was not like that. My ED visa was used once I entered Thailand (there is a written "used" on visa sticker) which means I only have an extension of stay with re-entry permit, not a valid visa.
Rex ******
@Sascha *********
seem like he cancel ed visa before going out, then applied dv reentre. That is the only correct way to do so
Sascha **********
@Rex *****
then why the re-entry permit?
Luis ******