Changing A Non-b To An Ed Visa Without Going Out?

[Florin]

I've heard that it's possible to change your visa by going to the relevant authorities in Bangkok without re-exiting/entering the country.

The case in point is a business visa that needs to be changed to an ED visa for a new master's student in a local university. They said that the person needs to re-enter...is this the case? Can it be changed here through normal means or would tea money have to be involved?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[lopburi3]

It is possible but appears to only happen for a select few Universities from reports. It they say person must re-enter I suspect that is the case.

[Florin]

Hmm...the university in question is ABAC, the reason I even ask is because I know someone who did it (tourist to ED, actually), but I also know that it wasn't too easy and involved going to some other governmental agency on Viphawadee with some embassy-certified papers.

I would like to give it a try, a bit of running around is still less hassle than a visa run, so any idea about the steps involved?

[lopburi3]

Have only heard of it being used for Chula recently. You can ask immigration for exactly what is required and they have old listing on there website at http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/ba...hp?page=service "change visa"

[Florin]

Aha, I see, thanks for the information! Says they want a letter from the rector in the case of private universities...will drop by Suan Phlu and see if anything can be done.

[Florin]

Problem solved in a most excellent way!

ABAC provided the papers to indicate that the person is studying there, immigration just extended the existing non-b visa for 1 year based on the new paperwork!