Hi all,

I obtained a one-year non-imm. ed visa and began to study Thai in early 2012. I'm getting close to the end of that visa. I could renew but I'm not happy with my school, so I started talking to a new school that sounds great.

They told me I have to leave Thailand and apply for a new non-imm. ed. visa but I thought, based on past research a few months back, that I could change the sponsor of the current visa to this new school at the immigration office without having to leave? I thought that what I would need to do is get a release letter from the school I want to leave and with that and some documentation by the new school, I can just change the visa to their sponsorship. Is that true? Or do I really need to leave Thailand and get a new non-imm. ed visa. I'm really confused.

Based on the same post I would say your asessement is correct. However, your new school doesnt seem to know the procedure. This makes it difficult and as such it might be easier to indeed get a new non-Ed visa as you will need paperwork from the new school.

You could ofcourse always try it yourself with the release letter fromt the old school and paperwork from the enw school confirming your registration at the new school.

I hope someone with experience about this will give you some better advise.

You still have some time.

Why you not ask the immigration officers?

They have to deal with it. And they can/should be able to tell you, if yes, what kind of papers you will need to show