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Why can't I change schools within Thailand while holding a non-B visa?

Thailand Visa Rules Non-B Visa International Teachers Visa Change Process Immigration Policy

Apr 16, 2021

4 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Why can’t an international teacher holding a non-b visa working in a school in Bangkok change a job (school) and move to work in Lampang and still can keep that non-b visa ? The officer said the teacher has to leave the country and get a new non-b only.

Please reassure me if this is the only option that can be done. Thank you.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

An international teacher on a non-B visa working in Bangkok faces difficulty changing schools to Lampang due to misinformation regarding visa rules. If the teacher has an extension of stay, they could potentially switch schools by cancelling their extension in one location and applying for a new one in another. However, many immigration offices may advise leaving the country to obtain a new non-B visa, which is not always necessary.

Madz ******

I had to leave and come back too, but that was a few years ago

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Kay ***********

Follow up

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Tod *********

You can but only if you're on an "extension of stay" (look at the stamp in your passport)

You cancel the one extension at the one immigration office and you go apply for a new extension at the other immigration office. It's always been something you could do, BUT most schools and immigration offices sent you out of the country because that was easier BEFORE this covid shit show started.

Now since this covid shit show, many many people have moved schools by cancelling one extension and applying for another one even at a different immigration office. It totally can be done and you're being told bad information.

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Nick ****************

I went from Bangkok to Loei and changed no problem without exiting. I think I posted the Covid stamp earlier.

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Moomin *********

@Nick ***************

90day stamp or the extension of stay?

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Nick ****************

@Moomin ********

Extension of stay. My original visa was 2017 but it's always been extended

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Tod *********

@Nick ***************

right and as a rule you CAN cancel an extension from one company early and then go apply for a new extension (even at another immigration office) without much trouble. What you can't do is be on a 90 day stamp from an initial Non-B (which is school specific) and get an extension from another school on it.

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Moomin *********

may be you can do both, I heard many people saying it can be done with 100 percent confidence. As I said it all boils down to the IO

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Tod *********

@Moomin ********

nope never seen ANYONE go from a 90 day Non-B stamp issued with documents from one school to an extension issued with documents from another school

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Moomin *********

@Nick ***************

I see, the point of discussion is if school's can be changed while a person is still on the original 90 day stamp. I guess it all boils down to the immigration officer at the end, some people say it's easy others say it can't be done....but mostly everybody says it's easy. This lady here was told to go out, I wonder how she can manage that in this pandemic and why the IO will say such a thing

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Moomin *********

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Dusida ****

ORIGINAL POSTER

If the officers at this immigration office say it can’t be done, I will have to just accept that then, and wait for when the border is open. Correct ?

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Ewuraa *******

It can be done, you can talk to your current employer to give you a letter to cancel your visa in advance, according to the immigration, you can cancel it 21 days in advance.... then you go to lampang and start the process there.

I just canceled mine in advance till May 5.

Always remember to cancel the visa before the work permit if you're in Bangkok or else.... You'll overstay. 😊😊😊

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Moomin *********

were you on the 90 days Non-B stamp or the extension of stay?

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Ewuraa *******

@Moomin ********

extension of stay.

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Ewuraa *******

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Tod *********

again, that is between you, your two employers, and the two immigration offices. What I am telling you IS if you have an "extension of stay" based on employment you can cancel it at the one immigration office and then apply for a new extension at the other immigration office .

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Dusida ****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank u. But this office has made me understand that I can’t even apply for a new extension there and have to leave the country only, and will have to stay under covid-19 extension for now instead.

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Dusida ****

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Benjamin ******

It's possible, but is it something the OP can actually do? She's thinking about going from Bangkok to Lampang. Lampang is in the north, and I don't think it's possible for her to cancel her work permit in Bangkok and get a new one in Lampang at the same day.

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Tod *********

just had a person cancel their Non-B extension in Bangkok and apply for a new one down in Songkhla, so it CAN definitely be done.

Now as far as the question can the O/P get both companies to work together and coordinate this AND get both immigration offices and/or Ministry of Labour offices to work together so that she can pull this off?

That is unknown :/

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Tod *********

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Tod *********

Now on the rare chance that you're still on the original Non-B 90 day stamp you CAN'T because they are school specific. You have to be on an "extension of stay" <- which is why I said LOOK at the stamp in your passport

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Tod *********

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Benjamin ******

Are you on an extension of stay, or the original visa?

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Dusida ****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Benjamin *****

extension of stay

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Dusida ****

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