What options do I have for my son’s Education visa with a gap until the new school year?

Visa Extensions Education Visa Thailand Immigration Expat Assistance Guardian Visa Children's Visa Issues School Enrollment Issues

Sep 14, 2023

a year ago

John *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Visas for Kids!

Yesterday we got an extension of stay for my ten year old son's Education visa. But he was only given 10 months this time - until middle of July next year. I had expected another 1 year as we've always received before. 

Now I'm worried about filling the gap before the new school starts up in September 2024. Any suggestions for this? 

My wife is on a guardian visa supported by my son's, so I am not quite sure which option are available to smooth this out.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user received a 10-month extension for their son's education visa, expiring in July 2024, and is concerned about the gap before school starts in September 2024. Discussion revolves around the reason for the shorter extension, which is tied to the school's paperwork. The user is exploring options to fill the gap, considering non-immigrant and tourist visas, and potential activities during the summer such as Muay Thai. Some comments emphasize the need for clear communication with the school and suggest possible strategies, including exiting the country and re-entering to reset the visa process.

เตเต้ ******

Would not mentioning your sons change of schools have helped or is this a school that doesn’t continue into his next level?

a year ago

John *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@เตเต้ *****

This school doesn't continue to the next level, so he's forced to move to a new school after this year

a year ago

Reply to

John *******

Tullio *******

So what you are saying is that the present school is ending the term

and consequently the visa when your son will effectively leave the school and the new one will not issue a new letter because you have not signed him up as you are still uncertain whether you will stay in Thailand at all, and this is a surprise? Anything else would have been illegal, in case you are wondering…. Basically the old school would have given you a letter confirming school attendance when there wasn’t one just to assist you in the transition that you are still undecided about? I’m afraid you are out of options other than having wife and child leave the country and come back on a no visa required (depending on the nationality) extend for one month and then start the process all over again once you made up your mind. Or depending on what visa you are on have them be your dependants. Not many other possibilities I can think of.

a year ago

John *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yes, I think you've summed it up. This is an unexpected hitch in an assumption I'd made about whether these extensions are pro-rated or a just a year every time. Turns out that had I been an visa expert, I wouldn't have expected that.

My question is looking for suggestions about how to fill the gap. Perhaps using non-exempt and/or tourist visas during that window is the ideal strategy. "Starting over" is something we seem to have to regularly do with visas in Thailand anytime there is a gap between one source and another.

Do you have any suggestions? Maybe they can both study Muay Thai over the summer 🤣

a year ago

Tullio *******

@John ******

muai Thai could be an option, or a language school, but probably exit and come back on no visa required the simplest, in all cases need to restart the process from scratch once you know what you will be doing. Very important once the current Ed visa expires you must go to immigration to cancel it if you don’t renew it or they may face issues or a fine with the new one once they are back.

a year ago

Reply to

Tullio *******

John *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Just heard back from our current school, and they don't want to put a date beyond the end of this school year which explains why we only got until July.

We aren't going to know for certain whether we'll remain in Thailand until closer to September next year -- after this extension has expired -- so hadn't wanted to commit too early (i.e. pay the school for 2024). That's too bad, I didn't anticipate this snag.

a year ago

Shayne **********

Talking to the school is better than talking to Facebook.

Tell the school you need paperwork and do the next extension for the year after in May. Problem solved. Unfortunately immigration aren't the brightest and love causing pain and heartache for people.

a year ago

John *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I'm going ask the school if they expected this. It's our last year before he ages out so I'm starting to make an assumption that's why we've been dropped off the cliff.

But I can't imagine there is any skin off the school's back to issue another letter and request a one year extension... to get us all the way to the next school's start.

a year ago

John **********

@John ******

I think you've answered your own question. The kid will stop studying at the end of term therefore his permission to stay also ends then. Even if the immigration officer had given a full year your obliged to cancel the stay once the kid stops studying. Your wife's permission to stay will also finish on the same date.

a year ago

John *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@John *********

He will start up at the next grade level, but at another school, that fall. Perhaps a new school will arrange for his visa starting a few months before he starts there, but I'm assuming they won't deal with it until their school year begins.

It's not expected that all the kids studying grades 1-12 in Thailand just don't have visas during the summers...?

a year ago

John **********

@John ******

I suspect you need to speak to the school he will move to

a year ago

Reply to

John **********

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

You could start with telling us WHY he only received until July? Is that when his passport expires? Is that what the school wrote on his paperwork?

a year ago

John *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

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

Yes, the school wrote that the end of the school term is 12th of July 2024. All the previous years letters, best I can remember, also had similar language.

The immigration officer said she only gives until 12 July 2024 because of the date written on the letter.

a year ago

Reply to

John *******

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Can my child stay in Thailand while I switch language schools and obtain new visas for both of us?

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