TravelTeach

Update: I'd like to update this for anyone else in the same situation. Mods, if at all possible it would be great to change the title of my post to fix my error (I said non-o instead of non-b). First off, the Labor Bureau would not cancel my work permit, as they said I must be accompanied by a Thai person. But this was a moot point because they said immigration did not require me to cancel the work permit first. They recommended my employer cancel the permit, which my employer subsequently agreed to do later this week. At immigration they were very polite, and processed the extension cancellation without issue. I was then given a further 7-day extension to leave the country, at the cost of 1900 baht. Since my flight leaves in 5 days, this is perfect. Pleasantly, it was all smiles from the officers in both places. They were very helpful. I guess the Christmas spirit has settled in our fair land? Either way, I'm not complaining. Thanks to everyone who helped.

Non-B. I was just working. Nothing to do with marriage, my mistake.

Thanks Tod, but I may have mixed up my words. Currently I have my visa and WP. So my plan is: go to the Labor Department first thing in the morning on the 9th to cancel the WP. Then immediately go to immigration to cancel the visa. Apply for the extension, but get denied, and get a 7-day stamp. Fly out on the 14th to Laos. Does that seem right?

Thanks Brandon, you're correct: non-o. This is the plan. Thanks again.

I am trying to get some clarity of how to smoothly transition from a work permit/non-o visa, to an Ed Visa. I've finished working at a job for one year with a valid work permit and visa. My work permit and visa expire December 15. My school has prepared paperwork for me to go to immigration next Tuesday the 9th to cancel my visa. My understanding is that I can then get a 7-day extension of stay. I have a flight to Laos on Dec 14th. All the paperwork and e-application for the Ed Visa is ready to go. But here are my questions: 1. My job is saying there's no need to cancel the work permit before the visa. I just go to immigration and that's that. They'll cancel the work permit a few days later. Is that true? 2. If my job doesn't cancel the work permit, does this affect the Education Visa application in any way? 3. Would it be simpler just to avoid immigration and leave the country on the 14th, effectively nullifying the visa, then getting the new visa in Laos? People suggest that this could cause unspecified "problems" later. 4. The day I plan to go to immigration is December 9th. The 10th is a holiday. I'll get there bang at 7:30, but is there a chance they won't process the documents?

Hi everyone, I'm wondering if anyone has a first hand history switching years between education visas and non-o. Does immigration frown on this, or is it common? I studied Thai for 2 years at a reputable language center in Chiang Mai. After that, I worked at a cram school for one year teaching English. But the school's attendance has collapsed, and they can't keep me on. So I've been here a total of three years. All organizations have been very professional with paperwork, and I've never had a problem at immigration. I'd like to study Thai for one more year at a different language center. I'm wondering if anyone has any first-hand knowledge of doing something like this, ie: 2 years Ed Visa, 1 year Non-O, then back to Ed Visa. Some have suggested that the safer path forward is to get an Ed visa from a reputable sports program (Muai Thai, Combat) rather than Thai language again. That might be the case, but I actually want to study Thai. Thanks in advance for your time.

Hi all, There is a university I'd like to attend that's in a very awkward place. The google map link is here. While technically this is in Ayutthaya, it's so far south that it's right on the border with Pathum Thani. According to Google Maps, it is the same distance from "downtown" Ayutthaya to Future Park Rangsit. Awful, awful location. What I'm trying to figure out is where to live. The commute from Pathum Thani to Ayutthaya looks pretty bad, but I'm just going from Google Maps. I've lived in Chiang Mai for many years and, while adept at driving a motorcycle, I don't own a car. Never driven one in Thailand, and don't have a license (though I could get one). So it seems like the options are: 1) Live in central Ayutthaya, and drive a motorcycle to the school. 2) Live somewhere in Northern Bangkok and drive a motorcycle to the school. 3) Live somewhere in Northern Bangkok, buy a car, and drive that to the school. Honestly, all of these options aren't great for me. Ayutthaya looks boring as <deleted>. North Pathum Thani looks boring as <deleted>. Buying a car is expensive. Driving a car looks daunting. Any advice on any of this, or options I've missed would be most appreciated. I'd even take a bus if there was an easy direct one! Thanks!

Thanks for the reply. I suspect your case is the norm, and even that third year in my case might ruffle some feathers depending on the officer or political winds or whatnot. So, it's either a Master's or a (gasp) job for me next year I guess.

So if I've got that right, he's had a total of 8 years with education visas? Could I ask what he studied in Uni?

Let's see... 37,000 for the course 10,000 to change the tourist stamp into the Ed Visa 1900 x 4 for the renewals = 54,600

Hi all, I've just received my second education visa. That's not my second extention. I mean that I've already studied Thai at a language school for a year, left the country, and have now received a second new visa that I will be extending for another year. That will eventually make a total of 24 months. One of the the teachers at my language school is adament that she knows a man here who has done this for 7 years, simply by going from school to school. I doubt this, but I'd like to know what people have heard. I honestly do attend classes and study Thai. But I doubt I'd be able to switch language schools and take a third year of classes. So I was thinking about a Master's degree. But I wanted to hear if anyone knew of anyone successfully doing this. Thanks!