Answered6 years ago

What steps can I take to extend my stay in Thailand without leaving after my education visa is canceled?

Thailand Visa Education Visa (ED)COVID Visa Extension Work Permit Non-B Visa Expats in Thailand

Christian *********

asked Jan 24, 2021

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Hi there,

I need some advice. Right now, I am in Thailand on an education visa until March. However, I got yesterday a notification from my university that they must cancel my visa by Wednesday as I already graduated. This notification came a bit out of nothing, and I am discussing with my future employer how to get a work permit without leaving Thailand.

1. I heard they still grant COVID 60-day extension visa until Friday. So, my plan was to cancel my visa on Wednesday and try to get the extension visa. This would give me 2 further months to prepare the work permit. The question here is whether getting the COVID extension visa is a risk or not (I have a German passport if it should play a role).

1. A second possibility would be to convince my university to let the visa run out by March. But the problem then would be that I can not get a work permit without leaving Thailand, right?

I really appreciate any help you can provide :)

Answer summary

A user currently in Thailand on an education visa is facing cancellation of their visa due to graduation. They are seeking advice on whether to apply for a COVID-19 extension visa before the impending cancellation and if there are risks associated with this approach. Additionally, they are exploring whether it is feasible to have the education visa remain valid until March and what the implications are for obtaining a work permit without exiting Thailand. Respondents provide guidance on the importance of obtaining documentation from the university, and the necessity of acting quickly due to upcoming visa regulations.

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Gina ********

My visa was cancelled as soon as I graduated, and then I was granted an extension. Last year we needed a letter from our Embassy, so if you don't have permanent employment then you need to say why you are unable to fly back home. If you have permanent employment then it's not a problem. The school/ employer will complete the necessary paperwork. My visa hasn't changed, yet I have been given a work permit.

6 years ago

Tod *********

@Gina *******

they are not requiring the embassy letter any more when you apply for a covid extension

6 years ago

Tod *********

Just so you're clear (whether your uni told you this or not) when you graduated the reason you had the ED visa extension changed (as you were no longer studying) so by rights you should have went to the immigration office with paperwork from the uni back when you graduated, cancelled the extension and gotten a covid extension.

In fact IF the documentation from the school says you stopped in let's say Dec, when you go to cancel this ED extension you'll get fined for overstay from that date until the day you cancel your extension.

What has you against a wall is the fact that the order allowing people to get 60 covid extensions runs out Friday, so you need to pull this all off THIS week and you can't have any screw ups with it. :)

Get the document from your uni saying you stop studying on Wed, and go to immgirations as soon as you get the document from them (no need to wait until that date.

6 years ago

Christian *********

@Tod ********

thanks for the hint 🙏🏻 I am in contact with my Uni that they state Wednesday as the official last date

6 years ago

Tod *********

@Christian ********

See if you can get the paper monday and then head right out to the immigration office that day. They'll cancel your extension effective as of wednesday (the date on the letter) and you can apply for the covid extension right on the spot as soon as they issue the cancellation stamp

6 years ago

Christian *********

@Tod ********

thanks a lot!

6 years ago

Tod *********

your best bet is to get the paperwork from your Uni as soon as you can saying the last day you study is wednesday. As soon as you get it go to the immigration office at Chaengwattana (If you're in Bangkok), cancel your ED extension and IMMEDIATELY apply for the 60 day unable to travel due to covid extension right for 1900baht. They'll cancel your current extension, put a new stamp allowing you to stay until Wednesday and then you'll get a 14 day under consideration stamp for the covid extension. When that date comes up you go back and get the 60 day extension inked in.

That's the only option you got and it's the best option IF you're gonna try to get an in country Non-B visa / work permit because you can't do any of that off an ED visa extension. :(

6 years ago

Christian *********

@Tod ********

thanks a lot for your answer!

Do you know whether they are picky in issuing the Covid extension visa? I am not really prepared for a worst case scenario.

And, do I need specific documents for application?

I appreciate your help a lot 🙂

6 years ago

Tod *********

@Christian ********

You shouldn't have any problem applying for a 60 day unable to travel due to covid extension. BUT realize the worst case scenario when you cancel the ED visa would be that when you try to apply for the covid extension they deny you and give you a 7 days "extension denied" stamp that means you have a week to "get outta dodge".

6 years ago

Bobby ********

Christian Schmidt. Following this covid extension since it started, I have not seen one report of it being declined and the applicant told to leave the country. Of course, there's always a first, but realistically there's nothing to be concerned about if you follow Tod's suggestion

6 years ago

Amber *******

Hey

@Tod ********

, sorry to piggyback of this post, but would this be the same the other way around? Work permit to ED visa?

6 years ago

Tod *********

@Amber ******

a work permit doesn't let you stay IN thailand it lets you work here, so I would imagine you have either a 90 day Non-B VISA or an extension of stay based on employment.

Now whether you can cancel that extension based on employment, get a covid extension THEN have your school give you documentation to apply for an in country Non-ED visa is between you, your current employer, the school you're enrolling in and the immigration office you'll be using.

Your topic is SO much different from this one, if you have more questions please make your own post

6 years ago