What should I do if I can't get my ED visa extension before it expires?

ED Visa Visa Extension Overstay Thai Immigration Expat Advice

Aug 20, 2018

6 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

I just recently posted about my ED visa and now have an update and am a bit frantic. 

My ED visa needs to be extended no later than the 31st of this month. I brought in my visa to my Thai school after I got it in Vietnam (almost) 3 months ago. Then a few weeks ago I asked my school when I should get the paperwork to extend. They said it was in the process and would have it to me by today-ish. However, today they said that they never processed it and never reported to immigration that I have my ED visa. They were very apologetic but I have literally brought them my visa at least three times clarifying what I need to do on my end. 

So they said they will try to get the paperwork this week even though they said it normally takes a month. But by then I will have overstayed my visa. They told me that if I overstay my visa they will pay all of the fees. But I am super hesitant about that and don't want to get in trouble or deported. If I have to overstay my ED visa for a few days/weeks will I be penalized? I have heard with an ED visa there is some leeway with overstaying for a week or a month. I also have heard if you overstay that you can't come back. Ok thanks for the long rant, I just want to clear up that if I overstay I won't get in trouble.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user is facing an urgent situation regarding their ED visa extension, which needs to be processed before the end of the month. Despite bringing the visa to their Thai school multiple times, the paperwork was never processed, leading to concerns about overstaying the visa. The comments from other users provide various suggestions, such as obtaining new visa paperwork if an extension cannot be processed in time, and caution against overstaying as it could result in fines or blacklisting from re-entering Thailand.

Tod *********

Most schools once their students come back on 90 day single entry ED visas require their students contact the school so they can start the paperwork to get the extension in another 90 days. In fact seeing as students go to the school about 10 hours a week (or should officially) the school should totally know you're back on the new ED visa and ask you for your passport so they can start the process to get the paperwork from the MOE for your extension.

Unfortunately pointing fingers on who dropped the ball at this stage of the game is not all that helpful. :/ You either are gonna get the extension paperwork BEFORE your current 90 days expires or you're not.

If you're not gonna get the extension paperwork in time, rather than go on overstay (unless it's only a short amount of time) I'd bounce out and back in to get a 30 day visa exempt entry have them get NEW paperwork so you can go get a NEW 90 day ED visa and start the process all over.

Whether your school will take responsibility for this or not is between you and the school. At the end of the day it's YOUR passport and as far as the immigration office is concerned you are responsible for it.

Good Luck (y)

6 years ago

Tod *********

Okay I will caution everyone that there is NO naming and shaming on this group. I deleted the post by

@Tony **********

, where they asked for the school and one by

@Lauren ******

where she mentioned it.

DO NOT DO THAT people. :/

6 years ago

Biff *******

In my opinion, the fees for overstay are not really what they should be paying. If they've admitted the fact that they've caused this problem they should be paying all your expenses to go and get another visa so that you don't have to overstay.

Don't overstay your visa!

6 years ago

Robert *******

If you get into overstay the fine is 500 Thb a day with a maximum of 20.000 Thb if you turn yourself in with less than 90 days, after 90 days you also get blacklisted to enter Thailand. If you get caught with overstay, it will be jail, court session where you get fined, Immigration Detention Center till you buy a ticket back home and blacklisted to enter the country again.

6 years ago

Lauren ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Ok thank you for clarifying! I will speak with my school and make sure they fix all of this ASAP.

6 years ago

Robert *******

You need to apply for an Extension of Stay before your current Admitted to Stay ends. There is no leeway or any other excuse to overstay. If you can not provide the needed documents for the Extension of Stay you will get the stamp Extension of Stay denied and 7 days to leave the country. You still pays for this Extension stamp the fees of 1.900 Thb.

6 years ago

Lauren ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Awww this sounds lovely. Ok I will make sure that immigration knows. So you're saying I should head to immigration and report myself before the 31st if this is the case? Thank you!

6 years ago

Reply to

Lauren ********

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What are my options for extending my ED visa and dealing with potential overstays in Thailand before my flight?

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