What should my boyfriend do about his ED visa after a family emergency requires him to leave Thailand?

Jun 24, 2018
6 years ago
Sarah ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi, need some advice regarding ed visas. My boyfriend is studying here in Thailand on an ed visa but needs to fly home today due to family emergency, he isn't sure when he will be coming back, probably August or later. His current visa extension is valid til the 21st July. What is the best thing for him to do, get a re-entry permit or just cancel the visa and start again when he gets back?

Thanks for any advice you have!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The individual seeks advice on whether to obtain a re-entry permit or cancel their boyfriend's ED visa, who needs to leave Thailand urgently for a family emergency. Various responses suggest that if he plans to return before his visa expires, he should get a re-entry permit. However, if he cannot return before the extension's expiration, it's advised to cancel the visa and apply for a new one upon his return. It's essential to cancel any previous extensions to avoid potential fines upon applying for a new visa.
Trevor *******
Glen and Todd, wow. I joined the group but didn’t realize how helpful you guys are. That was nice of you to help them out.
Glen *********
Thanks, but I only know a little...and still get things wrong...Tod and Robert are the real knowledgeable Kings here !!!
Robert *******
I would suggest to get some letter of the family emergency and his as soon as possible leaving to support that you did not have any time to cancel the Extension of Stay before leaving. If the school send him some documents he can apply for a new ED visa in his home country.
Sarah ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks, that's great to know. We are at the airport now so it's too late to cancel the visa, but if we go straight to immigration when we get back he can cancel the visa and apply for the new one all at once? Is it possible to apply for a new ed visa from outside of Thailand?
Glen *********
Tod and or Robert will clarify anything further in case I’m wrong hahah
Sarah ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok no problem. Thanks very much for your help :)
Glen *********
You can only apply for new ED visa (language school) outside the country with the appropriate documents...not inside.
Glen *********
Remember: if he plans to return on any new visa, he must cancel the previous extension of stay (letter from the school to give to immigration)...otherwise he may face a fine up to 20,000 Baht for overstaying his previous extension of stay, even though he’s on a new visa.

I didn’t know about this and returned on a new visa, without cancelling the previous extension of stay. I was kindly told about of this requirement in this group, so within 24 hours of returning on new visa I went to immigration and cancelled the previous extension of stay with no problems, and no fine.
Glen *********
Danny Dickinson you should cancel your extension of stay BEFORE you leave Thailand, simply ask the school for a letter with a date of cancellation of when you expect to leave Thailand, take it to immigration and they will cancel your extension of stay, and you leave on the date stipulated.

You can’t do it at an Embassy outside Thailand.

If for emergency reasons you depart without cancelling, then once you arrive back into Thailand go to immigration within 24 hours (asap) to cancel and explain the reasons why you couldn’t cancel before you left...it is their discretion whether they fine you, but unlikely to fine you if you do it immediately in your return - and if they do fine you it will only be 500 or so Baht (per day since you returned)...
Danny ***********
@Glen ********
ok so if i go to laos and get a tourist visa i can then go and cancel my ED visa without a fine?
Glen *********
Danny Dickinson If you have extended you stay after you arrived, then you MUST cancel your extension. Your Visa is only relevant for initial entry. If you don’t cancel your extension (as above) then you may be fined up to 20,000 Baht, even if you return on a tourist visa !!!
Danny ***********
If i leave the country by land will my visa cancel. Im on an ED but getting a tourist as i can no longer have the ED atm.
Robert *******
Or buy a re-entry permit and come back before 21st July or cancel the Extension of Stay at Immigration and start the whole process again if he wants to come back after 21st July.
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