Switching my visa without leaving the country - Possible?

[misterme]

I am currently working. All documents in order. The actual visa expired long ago and I'm on my second annual extension (extended through next year).

 

I have quit my job. My last day will be later this month.  My employer has agreed to produce a letter to cancel my visa/wp.

 

I have another method to stay in the country, which is completely legitimate. I have the letter signed requesting a one year extension (it's not work).

 

Am I correct in assuming that I can cancel my visa on my last day of employment and then apply for a new 1 year extension? Do I need to get a 1 week extension or is it possible without it?

 

(I have a couple more variables. But, if this much is impossible, then I'll let the thread die as it is.)

 

TY in advance :-) 

[elviajero]

• As long as you have a letter from your employer confirming the end of your work, and you qualify for an extension of stay for another reason, you can make the change.
• I don't know what extension of stay that can be issued on the basis of a letter of request.

[tonray]

Perhaps if you were a little less cryptic. What kind of extension would you be getting ? Based upon what ?

[misterme]

Didn't mean to be cryptic. Since it now seems technically possible, I'll lay all the rest out.

 

Current extension based on work permit. I live in the south.

 

I am also a full time university student. I attend classes every weekend, in Bangkok. It is one of the higher rated universities in Thailand. My GPA is fine. I've missed 1 class in the last 18 months. Director signed the request for extension letter the day I asked for it.

 

My plan is to cancel the visa, fly to BKK, and apply for my extension same day.

 

Advice, complications, caveats welcome.

[ubonjoe]

9 hours ago, misterme said:

Didn't mean to be cryptic. Since it now seems technically possible, I'll lay all the rest out.

Current extension based on work permit. I live in the south.

I am also a full time university student. I attend classes every weekend, in Bangkok. It is one of the higher rated universities in Thailand. My GPA is fine. I've missed 1 class in the last 18 months. Director signed the request for extension letter the day I asked for it.

My plan is to cancel the visa, fly to BKK, and apply for my extension same day.

Advice, complications, caveats welcome.

You can change the reason for your extension but you will need much more than a letter from the university to apply for a new extension and I doubt you will be able to do it on the same day your current extension is cancelled. I suggest you to immigration a week or so before the date shown on the letter from your employer that states your last day of work.  Immigration will postdate the cancellation to the date shown on the letter.

Here is a list of the required documents for the extension based upon attending a school from Bangkok immigration's website.

Quote

In the case of study in a private  educational institution:

Criteria for Consideration

(1) The alien must have been granted a non-immigrant visa (NON-IM). (2) Said educational institution is permitted to operate by a relevant government agency. (3) The alien must have been confirmed and requested by that particular educational institution. (4) The alien must have been confirmed by the relevant government agency (except in the case of study in an international school and higher education).

Documents to be submitted

1. Application form 2. Copy of applicant’s passport 3. Copy of evidence of permission to establish the educational institution issued by the relevant government agency 4. Letter of confirmation and request for a temporary stay, issued by the educational institution, which shows detailed information about the applicant’s years of education, level of curriculum, and educational achievement 5. Confirmation letter issued by a government agency at the departmental level or by the Provincial Governor in charge of that particular institution (except in the case of enrollment in an international school or in the case of higher education)

 

[misterme]

As an update, I'll let you all know that I was successful in my visa extension. Thanks to all. The advice here set me on track.

 

Following advice here, I went to the labor office and Immigration a few times, in advance. I found out that this was technically possible, but immigration wouldn't make any promises. They would be happy to post date my visa. But, I found out that the labor office wouldn't post date the cancellation of my work permit. That could only be done on the last day of my employment. So, I started to get things ready.

 

Ubonjoe, who always has solid advice, posted requirements for private universities. By copying and pasting into google the conditions he posted, I was able to read the next clause of the immigration law that applied to me. Since I am attending a government university, the letter was almost all I needed.

 

I arranged, with great difficulty, my last day of work to be paid leave. First thing I went to the labor office who processed the cancellation of my work permit, which they kept, and I took the letter of cancellation to immigration where my visa was cancelled. I screamed to the airport and flew to Bangkok and then took a taxi from Don Meuang to Immigration. 

 

It was pretty well as expected. There were about 4 forms for me to fill out (personal data, acknowledge the overstay penalties, and a few more). I got my number once I filled them out and had all my copies.. Then it was all just waiting in line.

 

I applied for a 1 year extension. I got 8 months, which is just past the next term. 

 

So, I did it. Went from extension from work permit to extension based on studying at a university. But, I had to do it all in the same day. Thanks to those here... not just for your help in this thread. But, in all of them, for all of us. Because of Thai visa and the informed peopel who contribute, we are better able to understand and live within these immigration rules and conditions.

 

peace out!