Hi, I'm currently on an ED visa that is valid until July 31. Recently I’ve received a job offer from a company registered under the BOI. My question is, can I change my visa from ED to Non-B while staying in the country? If so, what documents do I need? I know I’d usually have to leave the country and come back with an exemption stamp, but I’m wondering if there’s a way to do this while staying here?

https://aseannow.com/topic/1169847-change-non-ed-to-non-b-work-permit/

2 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

https://aseannow.com/topic/1169847-change-non-ed-to-non-b-work-permit/

It's a thread from 5 years ago, not very helpful

Converting from an ED visa to a Non-B visa within Thailand is generally not permitted. 

While some sources mention that it might be possible with extensive paperwork and upon the discretion of the immigration officer, it's not a common or straightforward process. 

 

You will likely need to leave the country and apply for the Non-B visa at a Thai embassy or consulate abroad. 

1 hour ago, grav said:

It's a thread from 5 years ago, not very helpful

 

There haven't been any changes of the rules since. 

What clouds the issue is that thinking there was some "understanding" Shown during covid for this very situation. 

You could chat with future employer however suggest that you will need to exit Thailand to obtain Non B

At this time (meaning after the covid sh*t show where they had changed some of the requirements to switch visa/extensions in country) you CANNOT go from an extension based on education (especially if it's a private school ED visa/extension) to one based on employment inside the country 

You would get documentation from your school, go to the immigration office where your extension was issued, cancel the ED extension, exit the country, either apply for a Non-B at a thai consulate in another country with documentation from your employer thru the eVisa online system OR you'd exit/re-enter the country comin' back in on a 60 day free stamp entry (if you're from one of the 90+ countries that get them) then apply in country for the 90 day Non-B visa   

Now if you were attending a university and you have an ED PLUS visa extension (it's labeled on the extension stamp) that CAN be switched in country to a Non-B visa (as that ED Plus was designed for people who graduated from unis to have a year in thailand to look for work and switch to Non-B if they found a job) 
BUT 
With that being said I do not know if an ED PLUS extension can be switched to a Non-B for a Thailand Board of Investment company.. 
 

On 6/16/2025 at 11:48 AM, grav said:

Hi, I'm currently on an ED visa that is valid until July 31. Recently I’ve received a job offer from a company registered under the BOI. My question is, can I change my visa from ED to Non-B while staying in the country? If so, what documents do I need? I know I’d usually have to leave the country and come back with an exemption stamp, but I’m wondering if there’s a way to do this while staying here?

 

If the company that offered you the job wants you bad enough they should handle the paperwork for you

21 hours ago, hereforgood said:

 

If the company that offered you the job wants you bad enough they should handle the paperwork for you

Yes - and, ideally, their HR will have an agent who will find out how-thick of a brown-envelope is required to change from your Non-ED extension to a Non-B extension. 

This is completely legal to do, but Immigration sometimes refuse to do them without a payoff.  The employer may decide sending you out on a visa-run (with the required paperwork for a specific embassy) is simpler/cheaper (for them).

If it is an ed Visa/extension based on studying at a private school you cannot change it to a non-b inside the country. 

 

The only Ed extension that can be changed is the ED Plus extension. 

 

Otherwise you do what I mentioned in the earlier comment

Yes, since your new employer is a BOI-registered company, they can handle the visa change internally. You don’t need to leave Thailand. Your ED visa can be cancelled and the BOI company will assist you with switching to a Non-B visa before your current stay permit expires. Just make sure the process is started before July 31.