What options do I have for extending my Non-Immigrant ED visa while recovering in the US?

Sep 25, 2018
6 years ago
Rebecca *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I live in Chiang Mai and have a Non-Immigrant ED visa, due for an extension by October 15. I'm currently in the US, and am a US citizen. I have a re-entry permit also valid until Oct. 15. I had an accident, requiring surgery while on holiday in the US and cannot fly back to Chiang Mai until at least October 25th when I can fly safely with my injury. What are my options? Can I get some kind of medical extension on my ED extension? Or will my education visa just be voided? Can I apply for an extension at a Thai consulate in the US? Thanks for any advice.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is currently in the US with a Non-Immigrant ED visa and a re-entry permit both set to expire on October 15. Due to a recent surgery, they will not return to Thailand until after this date. They seek advice on whether they can obtain a medical extension for their visa or if it will be voided, and whether they can apply for an extension at a Thai consulate in the US. Responses indicate that the user will need to apply for a new ED visa upon returning to Thailand and must proactively cancel their previous extension with Thai immigration to avoid fines.
Glen *********
As Lloyd already said - you will have to apply for new ED visa again.

But I add one thing...when you return to Thailand, go straight to immigration (with a letter from your old school requesting cancellation) and cancel the PREVIOUS extension of stay! It does NOT cancel automatically, even if having left the country.

Not cancelling it won’t stop you from getting a new visa, BUT after you return to Thailand and next report to immigration they will see that your previous extension of stay based on ED was not cancelled, and you can be fined up to 20,000 Baht for overstay.

Yes, it does happen, as ridiculous as it’s sounds...so long as you cancel it on your return you will be ok!
Steve *******
@Rebecca ********
If you have all the correct documentation from where you are studying then you should be able to apply for the ED visa in the US.
Rebecca *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Or re-start a new ED visa while I am still in the US at a Thai consulate here? And enter on a new ED visa? Is that possible without cancelling my previous extension?
Rebecca *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
So, should I just enter on a visa exemption stamp? Will it be a problem getting through immigration with my non-cancelled ED visa? I will have documentation from the hospital saying that I couldn't fly until after the date my re-entry permit/ED extension expires.
Steve *******
@Glen ********
Please explain how you can cancel an extention of stay that has already expired and how you can be on overstay if you're not in the country
Lloyd ********
Don't know what I am talking about ? I started this group because I was fairly knowledgeable. :-)
Lloyd ********
2 things, how can you cancel an that has expired and you can not be fined for overstay for a previous expired extension when you are out of the country. And you enter with another valid permission of stay.
Glen *********
Lloyd Turner sorry your are perfectly wrong and don’t know what you are talking about, the fact that she has departed Thailand does not automatically cancel the extension of stay!

The normal, and expected process, is for the foreigners to cancel the ED extension of stay BEFORE they leave Thailand - obviously in this case it didn’t happen as she expected to return...but the extension of stay MUST always be cancelled...so on return she must cancel it!

I myself, was outside Thailand when my previous ED extension of stay expired and on my return (with a new visa) I needed to go to immigration and obtain the cancellation stamp.

I was advised by Tod to do this, and in doing so avoided an overstay fine! Immigration confirmed I would have been fined if I had not done this - when I next reported to them!

Expire and CANCEL are not one in the same - it MUST be cancelled!

You should not give advice when you are simply guessing!
Lloyd ********
@Glen ********
no reason to try and cancel the previous extension, it has expired. Overstay! Stop right there, she is outside Thailand when the extension expires, the will never be any overstay.
Lloyd ********
You will have to start the Ed visa process all over again.
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