Extending My 6 Month Visa

[itsMiller]

I'm a 28 year old Canadian and I just did my 3rd and final border run of my 6 month visa.

How can I go about extending this? For possibly even longer, say up to a year?

I've heard that I would need to take a course at a University to do so, which I would be willing to do. I do want to take a course on Thai if that counts.

I'd also like to eventually start teaching english, so would there be a specific type of visa I'd need to obtain to do so? Or are most english teaching positions under the table?

Thanks for any answers/advice

[lopburi3]

Not sure what visa you had as there is no such thing as a six month visa. Was it a 3 entry tourist visa valid for six months from issue by chance? And you counted original entry as a border run making three the total? Any 60 day tourist visa can be extended 30 days so if you have done that only an additional 7 days to depart would be available. But there is nothing stopping you from visiting a Consulate to obtain another tourist visa or making border run for 15 days or flight for 30 days visa exempt entries. For study of Thai you can obtain an ED visa with proof and extend with proof of attendance every 3 months. To be employed and teach would require a different visa and having the job/paperwork/work permit.

[itsMiller]

Yes sorry I wasn't clear, it was a 3 entry tourist visa. Original entry counted as one with two border runs, each giving me two months for six months total. I just did my last one recently so I have two months left.

I have not had it extended 30 days, and I'm confused at what you mean by 7 days to depart.

As for an ED Visa, if I were to sign up and pay for a course that didn't start for a few months, would the ED Visa replace and override my current one, or would it go into effect after my current one has finished?

[lopburi3]

If you have not extended any of your stays you did not use the full potential as it could have covered almost a 9 month stay (with last entry made just prior to the six month expiration.

For now you can extend your current stay for 30 days at any immigration office. Beyond that it can not really be extended but if you pay for application they will allow an extra 7 days before you have to leave the country.

You would have to take school paperwork outside of Thailand to obtain a single entry non immigrant ED visa in most cases. That would cover up to 90 days but to extend would require active study so if in future you might be better to extend and/or then get another tourist visa.

[itsMiller]

Ok so aside from the ED Visa is the best/only way for me to extend is with another tourist visa? Is there any limit on how many times I can get tourist visa's?

Also are there any limits to how many times the basic 15 day re-entry can be used back to back?

[lopburi3]

You can extend your current 60 day by 30 days without a new visa. After that will require new visa exempt or visa entries. There is no fixed limit but Vientiane is unlikely to allow more than 5 tourist visas and border crossing may start to ask your reasons for travel as it then appears you are likely illegally working in Thailand.

[itsMiller]

Ok sounds good, thanks for the help. I guess my next stop is the immigration office