Do I need cancellation letter from my school?

[MK9]

As topic title states..

I have an Non-Immigrant ED visa at the moment (study visa). Extension of stay runs out this week.

I got a job offer and will go get an Business visa in Laos.

To be able to leave the country and get my business visa in Laos, do I need a letter from my language school saying that I will not be studying there anymore?

Or no need, as extension of stay runs out anyway?

Thanks in advance!

[ubonjoe]

If you are leaving overland at Nong Khai you need a letter to cancel your extension or you will not be allowed to leave the country.

[MK9]

Thanks for your quick answer.

How about if I leave overland from Mukdahan to Savannakhet?

The same I assume?

[Slip]

My other half had to provide this letter at Suvarnaphumi the other day when flying to Savvanakhet after finishing her studies.

[ubonjoe]

They do not ask for the letter at the crossing to Savannakhet.

Are you aware that you will need a work permit application approval letter to get the non-b unless you are teaching. Just a job offer is not enough to get the non-b visa..

[MK9]

Thanks Slip and Ubonjoe.

Ubonjoe, yes I am aware of that. Didn't want to get too far into details about that, but thanks for reminding me anyway!

I just got off the phone with someone who has a long running visa run business, just to ask this same exact question.

They told me that they have changed it again and now you don't need this cancellation letter anymore. They said they did their trip today and people weren't asked for this letter.

I will still try to get the letter in time though, if only for peace of mind.

[ubonjoe]

My other half had to provide this letter at Suvarnaphumi the other day when flying to Savvanakhet after finishing her studies.

That is highly unusual and is the first time that has been reported.

Was she asked for it or did she give it to them?

[Slip]

My other half had to provide this letter at Suvarnaphumi the other day when flying to Savvanakhet after finishing her studies.

That is highly unusual and is the first time that has been reported.

Was she asked for it or did she give it to them?

I will have to check that and report back later- I think she was asked for it, but as I reminded her that it may be required she got the school to email it to her, so it is possible that she offered it. I seem to remember her saying that the IO said that it had been a problem as nobody had been arriving with the letter. I'll post a better answer later this afternoon.

[Slip]

The IO called over the supervisor and they conferred in whispers for about 5 minutes, and there seemed to be something of a problem, at which point my girlfriend offered up the letter, to much happiness from the officers, and after which everything was plain sailing. The IO told her that people were still able to leave without the letter as hardly anyone ever had it, but a note would be made in the passport in those instances. Perhaps this is a sign of a shift in policy at the airport.

[bigt3116]

The IO called over the supervisor and they conferred in whispers for about 5 minutes, and there seemed to be something of a problem, at which point my girlfriend offered up the letter, to much happiness from the officers, and after which everything was plain sailing. The IO told her that people were still able to leave without the letter as hardly anyone ever had it, but a note would be made in the passport in those instances. Perhaps this is a sign of a shift in policy at the airport.

A note saying what ? "this person left before their extension had ended", "this person did not stay as long as they could have" ?

I can't see an Immigration officer writing either of those in a passport, he would be the laughing stock at work.

[Slip]

The IO called over the supervisor and they conferred in whispers for about 5 minutes, and there seemed to be something of a problem, at which point my girlfriend offered up the letter, to much happiness from the officers, and after which everything was plain sailing. The IO told her that people were still able to leave without the letter as hardly anyone ever had it, but a note would be made in the passport in those instances. Perhaps this is a sign of a shift in policy at the airport.

A note saying what ? "this person left before their extension had ended", "this person did not stay as long as they could have" ?

I can't see an Immigration officer writing either of those in a passport, he would be the laughing stock at work.

I'm not that well up on it, but I think that the requirement is something to do with students who don't study. Perhaps the note might say something along the lines of 'unable to prove that school was attended', which could affect future visas? That is purely speculation on my part.

[ubonjoe]

The requirement is that you should cancel your extension before leaving the country.

Immigration is on the look out for those that no longer qualify for an extension and fail to have their extension canceled when the basis for their extension ends then stay her for months after that.

The note could say that the person left the country without properly canceling their extension.

[paz]

I think that legally Immigration has no power to stop a person from leaving, no matter the reason if there is no overstay, or warrants, or civil litigation, etc.

Unlike other countries Thailand does not have an "exit permit" for foreigners in law.

What they do is a twisting arms abuse.

[Mario2008]

They have the right to check if you are legally in the country.

[paz]

They have the right to check if you are legally in the country.

Absolutely, and according to Thai law the consequence for not being legal should be a fine if the foreigner is leaving, or arrest. Not pressure to produce a plain-paper letter in order to proceed with cancelling an extension, thing that would happen automatically when the person leaves. That seems to serve bureaucracy more than justice

[MK9]

Just in case, I made sure I've got that cancellation letter from my language school. I will let you know if I actually needed it later this week.

What's the latest you can cross the border from Mukdahan to Savannakhet?

[ubonjoe]

The Lao visa on arrival office closes at 6 pm. So that would be the latest you could cross the bridge. They are open a bit later at times if they are busy.

[milioooooons]

I am leaving on the same day my extension of stay (from an ED visa) expires. Would I still be required to provide the paper - will be flying out from Suvarnabhumi.

[ubonjoe]

You will not be asked for the letter when you leave.