What changes have affected the validity of ED visas in Thailand?

Question

Just a heads up to people who signed up for those "year long ED visa/extensions" where you don't go to school. <- Those are the ED visas from visa mill schools and agents that get you the visa/extension for a fee..

The gov't made a change in the way private schools report attendance and many MANY people found out that because they didn't attend class (or even log in for the online learning from the school) their extension was cancelled by immigrations.

More than a few people found out about this AFTER they went to either apply for another year of an ED visa via an agent/agency, when they went to get documentation to cancel their extension from their school or when they went to exit the country.

It sure caught a lot of people off guard leaving the country when passport control at the airport told them that their extension had been cancelled MONTHS ago, they owed 20K baht in overstay fines AND (if their cancellation was done more than 90 days before they were also banned from thailand for a year :O )

Just wanted to give everyone a heads up. If you're on one of those year long ED visas thru a private school (or a private school running under a uni name) CHECK with your school that things are okay.

Last thing you want/need is to find out your ED visa/extension was cancelled without you knowing it and you're on overstay facing a possible ban of re-entering thailand

Ask Thailand · Answer

Recent changes in Thailand's immigration policy regarding Educational (ED) visas have resulted in many extensions being canceled for individuals who do not attend classes. These primarily affect those holding year-long ED visas from private schools that do not require actual attendance. The government has altered how attendance is reported, leading to unexpected cancellations that occur without notice, potentially resulting in significant fines and re-entry bans for overstay. Those on such visas are strongly advised to verify their status with their school to avoid unexpected legal issues.

Lucie ****** · Answer

Didn't they tell people their visas were revoked???

Lena ***** · Answer

Thanks for the information

Khan ****** · Answer

DTV is next on the chopping block. So many abuse with the cooking school and Muay Thai 😂

Tod ********* · Answer

Listen people this post was an FYI post only to let people know this is happening. I didn't start it so people could crucify or castigate people who did get ED visa/extensions via those types of schools. It is what it is, and people who have that visa/extension who have their extension cancelled without any notice will find out about it sooner or later 🙁

Stuart ********** · Answer

Do the right thing and you shouldn’t have a problem.

Pete ********** · Answer

👍 Good

Dannie *************** · Answer

The warnings were broadcast well before this.

Dca ***** · Answer

The actual short–term, Non–degree courses can run no longer than 180 days and there's a linked database between the Thai Immigration Bureau (สตม) and the Ministry of Higher Education (กระทรวงอุดมศึกษา) reporting and monitoring actual attendance of all foreign students enrolled, that is, those foreign students who the school submits paperwork to apply for those ED Visa's/Extensions of Stay with the Thai Immigration Bureau (local Thai Immigration Offices)

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Jonah ************ · Answer

Thanks for posting this. It’s so horrible. ￼

Heather *************** · Answer

Good, those people knew they were gaming the system now they pay the price. Not hard to go to class.

Chuck ********* · Answer

Yep. I was talking to another guy that was on the extension and his school finished 90 days ago and his visa was cancelled soon after. He was mad and said the laws are stupid lol. Why should he have to leave after his school was finished because he still had 3 months left on his ED visa?

What changes have affected the validity of ED visas in Thailand?

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