mankindmatt5

21 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

I don't see any reason to use a different passport. If you play be the rules, they appreciate that.

Thanks

Actually my two passports overlap, so the other one is now fully blank and lasts for 10 years. The one with my current visa is 2/3s full, and expires in 2 years.

Not trying to hoodwink immigration or anything like that. 

My office are unable to keep my Non B extensions going this year.

The extension lasts until October, but I'm leaving Thailand in June anyway.

So far, I've gathered that I should send my work permit to the office, along with a resignation letter, which they will then cancel for me. They may do this after I've already left the country.

Do I need to do anything with my passport or the immigration department? Or can I just leave the country (without reentry permit) as my method of cancelling my current extension?

My extension stamp in from CW (Bangkok), but I'm based in Chiang Mai now, and would prefer not to have the hassle of going to BKK to cancel the extension, if avoidable.

I have new employment lined up for 2025, so I will be back, and would prefer all my ducks in a row, before applying for a new Non B

Luckily, I do have dual nationality, and can apply for a new visa in my second passport, to potentially avoid the Kafka-esque visa issues that occasionally pop up.

If anyone knows the ins and outs, that'd be fantastic.

Thanks

So, it's good news to kick things off - I got engaged over the NY period

This is great, as it will allow me to get my partner a dependent visa, alongside my own (I'm on a Work Permit/Non-B)

There's a slight complication, in that I'm a dual national.

My current Thai visa is in my Irish passport

I'm planning to get married in Japan (to Japanese national) and due to a range of bureaucratic headaches, this marriage will see me use my UK passport 

This means that the marriage certificate will have - My Name + Nationality = British

But I'll be making my further extensions with my Irish Passport, and planning to use this to make the Non-O (Spouse/Dependent) visa for my fiancee

Is this likely to cause issues/problems or confusion at Thai Immigration?

Can I get around this by declaring both passports?

Would it be better to let my current extension run it's course, and then begin afresh with my UK passport?

Thanks - appreciate any input into a tricky/unique situation

1 minute ago, Tod Daniels said:

Did you have a TM30 filed in Chiang Mai showing you've been registered to stay there?

That's usually why they question you. There is no official rule that says you can't file a 90 day report at any immigration office where you happen to be staying when it comes due
BUT

when they see out of province extensions (especially without a TM30 showing you now are IN that province) they can get a bit persnickety

 

Last TM30 was in Hua Hin, due to a hotel stay (which is what prevented my online TM47 going through).

Before that I've had 2 90 day reports done in CM and I had my CM TM30 slip in my passport too.

Usually do my 90 Day online, but a system issue meant a visit to immigration today.

Officer was perfectly friendly, although I felt he was questioning me a lot on my address, travel plans and residency in general.

My work permit and extension are connected with Bangkok. But as I work remotely, I move around a bit and have spent the last 6 months in CM.

I got the impression that the IO thought I should be reporting 90 days in BKK, because my extension stamp is from CW. He seemed overly questioning about why I was in CM and when I would be returning to BKK. Also wanted to check I wasn't working in CM.

Is there any actual restriction on working online in different parts of the country, if visa extension itself is based in a particular province?

Maybe officer was just making conversation. Couldn't help feeling he was probing for a rule breakage or applying pressure though. Might have the wrong end of the stick either way.

No big issue, but would appreciate any input if I'm technically breaching a rule or not.

If I end up having to go again, would it be a problem to tell them I work online, but the head office is in BKK (thus my extension is from CW) ?

Asking for a friend here.

They signed up for a Non-Ed from an agent.

6-7 weeks to process. 12-15 months stay. Etc.

The school just got in touch this week, and have confirmed registration etc.

The thing is, friends current visa expired today, and the agency have yet to confirm the new Non-Ed.

They've only responded that things are busy, and to be patient.

Is this normal agent stuff, or does friend need to start packing their bags and getting cash for an overstay fine?

12 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

That's exactly correct. 

I was thinking of non O retirement and marriage..

 

Yeah, in fairness I think the employment Non Imm Bs can end up in this kind of situation.

If school closures pop up again, although unlikely at this stage, Non Imm Eds could end up in a stuck situation too.

Rumour on the street is that the latest extension includes some limitations.

If someone entered on a Non Imm, they cannot keep going with Covid Extensions?

Any confirmation on this?

I've been trying to register for a booster (3rd dose) via various mobile providers, plus the intervac site.

Each time I complete the registration I receive a message that I'm not eligible as I don't meet the criteria. 

I received 2 doses of Sinopharm via the Chulaborn Royal Academy program by 08/10/21, so this is over 90 days + way over the 30 day period that the sites indicate is needed for a booster.

As if this wasn't irritating enough, TRUE didn't even have my nationality on their drop down list (although don't worry all the North Koreans in Thailand are covered)

Anyone else had this issue? Can I just go to a vaccine centre for a walk in dose?

Don't mind which vaccine I receive, although MRNA would be preferred for more protection than the Sinos.

Thanks

52 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Would love to see confirmation or otherwise of this statement.

This is according to who? The friend? 

 

And this bit.....

"This may only be an issue for longstayers, but not tourists"

 

Where did that come from? 

Friend's report eventually came from another agent, their exact wording was that CW don't do Covid extensions if you have a Covid extension in your passport from a different province.

The other part is more speculative, also that perhaps tourists on Covid extensions deal with MTT not CW. In fairness, it makes perfect sense for a tourist to have stamps from the various provinces they ought to be travelling around while being a tourist on a trip. 

This is a report from a friend who went to CW recently to do this

TM30 is an absolute necessity. He was turned away by the person who gives out queue tickets initially without having it.

It is however very easy to do. A landlord can sort it out in about an hour. Otherwise, ask a hotel to provide it, if they're not staying in long term accomodation 

Having had an agent do a previous report can cause issues. My friend used an agent, who did the extension at another, non CW office. Because this was done via agent, without his presence, his photo wasn't on file.

So, for CW there's a bit of double jeopardy. If you've used an agent for another extension, without attending immigration - they won't deal with you.

On top of this, apparently CW will reject any Covid extension if you have another immigration offices' stamp in your passport. (No idea why) This may only be an issue for longstayers, but not tourists.

Sorry, at CW

Just as above, have heard a recent report that a TM30 is needed.

Others say just the usual passport, departure card and photos with application.

Any recent news? It'll be my first application for this extension.

So, company is out of business. They've decided to pack everything up and get out at the end of this month.

They want to take our work permits up to Labour and cancel extensions on the 13th of Aug.

But I've been assured that everything will run until Aug 31st. Allowing me to move apply for Covid extension when passport comes back from their agency around 20th Aug.

Just checking that this all makes sense. As I thought I had to be there when extension is cancelled, and I have no idea if it can be done in advance as the company are stating.

My friends company will cease business at the end of this month.

He is going to try to move onto the Covid extension after surrendering work permit and cancelling current extension of stay.

Does anyone know what documents are required to get onto the Covid extension? Is the fee the standard 1900 baht still?

If say, later in the year, a new job sponsor is found or he wants to move onto something like a volunteer or ed visa, is it possible to transition from the Covid extension to one of these types?

On 7/23/2021 at 2:57 PM, DrJack54 said:

Why can't he go to office. Yes there are restrictions. I know folk that are working daily in an office.

If I was the boss I would want to move him on.

Because the government has given an urgent warning urging anyone who can work from home, to do so.

Are you not bored of this Covid lockdown cycle lifestyle yet? Having people out of the house, on public transport, taxis, mixing with staff in the office is one of the major vectors of this thing.

But no, let's fuel the virus - for the sake of presenteeism.

Maybe it's bad for business? Well, not as bad as ending up with an infected staff member and having to shut down and self isolate the entire place for 2 weeks.

NB: Obviously some jobs can't be done from home. But if all you need is a laptop and a WiFi connection, stay put.

10 minutes ago, BritTim said:

My advice is that your friend talk with the Labour office, explaining that the employer is trying to force him to violate the lockdown regulations that specifically state that employees must work from home unless their job is such that this is not possible. I strongly suspect that one phone call from the Labour department will resolve this satisfactorily. I understand that the employer might be upset by such an action, but it is a serious matter and should be treated as such.

Good point. I have already advised them that if things get particularly dirty/unpleasant that a call to Labour mentioning this would be a good idea. The main employer boss is actually overseas, dictating orders from their home country, so I don't know how much of an impact it might have. But you are 100% correct

13 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

They need a power of attorney signed by you to cancel the work permit.

Immigration will not cancel a extension without your passport and in most cases you would need to present when it was done.

Thank you for the quick response.

So in theory, the threat of taking away a work permit and visa is meaningless, if the employee is unwilling to comply with that?

Although obviously they can't expect another extension and need to start planning to leave at some point in the future or find a new visa situation.

Friend of mine is in a bit of a nasty dispute with employer.

Employer insists that they come into the office, despite the pandemic chaos and crucially despite the fact that their role can be completed with no issue from home (entirely laptop based role)

Employer offered an ultimatum, continue to work from office - or - we will need to reconsider your position, which may cause problems re; work permit and visa. - i.e come into the office, or you are getting booted out of Thailand.

Now, my understanding is that when you are fired or resign from a position the employee needs to surrender their work permit, sign various documents and then inform immigration of this - before leaving the country. 

So, what if the employee refused to do this? Can they stay from the remainder of their extension of stay without issue? What if the employee will not go to the Labour office, and will not give up work permit and visa?

What recourse does the employer have? Can the company representatives go to Labour or Immigration on their own and say 'My employee has left this company' - which would start a 24hour countdown to leave the country?

It's likely that the situation will be resolved more amicably than this, but it's good to know what may happen in a worst case scenario

NB: All the people involved in this are foreigners,  its a non-Thai company, no Thais at all, if that makes any difference. 

Went up to get visa extension at CW today.

Didn't do 90 Day Report at any point during the last 12 months as I went abroad between 90 day periods and then because of the amnesty. I should have reported in May, but avoided a trip to immigration during the height of lockdown/Covid19 threat.

Immigration officer asked me to head over to MuangThonThani and get it done today.

No fine to pay.

Next report due 3 months on from today. So no complex nonsense about phantom reports which should have been done over the amnesty period, just sort it out going forward.

Another guy I met was told a fine was due, and I've heard that other posters have paid because of the confusion since the amnesty. But this doesn't seem to be the case.

3 hours ago, userabcd said:

Yes, never understood why employees try to hang on when they already know the inevitable and are not needed anymore.

 

Best just to move on and get another job.

I agree totally. Best thing to do is sign a post dated resignation, allowing plenty of time to find a new sponsor.

Unfortunately with the Covid situation, losing your job means having a week to pack your bags and leave the country, without a clue of when being able to return in the near future.

If visa runs were up and running, this would barely be an issue.

29 minutes ago, impulse said:

Rock....Hard Place

 

If he signs the resignation letter (I'd date it in December), the boss keeps him on for 3 more months and the boss doesn't have to pay severance because he resigned.

 

If he doesn't sign, the boss has nothing to lose by running him off tomorrow, cancelling his WP and permission to stay and counting on him being unavailable to fight the Labor Department case, because he's had to leave Thailand.  Maybe the boss ends up paying severance, but probably not.  It's a pretty common practice.

 

You also didn't mention the other particulars, like what business, whether there's a snowball's chance in Hell of your friend finding another job in Covid Thailand, how much severance will be due, whether he has reason to stay in Thailand to fight a (probably piddly) severance case, etc.  I'd sure hate to waste a month of my life unemployed in Thailand to fight for a couple of thousand $$$.

It may be time to play nice with the boss, even while being screwed out of a (few?) months' severance and take advantage of the next 3 months to line up something else to do, whether that's in Thailand or somewhere else.  Of course, if the amnesty is extended, that changes the dynamic because there may be some more time to fight the severance case before being forced out of the country.

 

Edit:  And I hate to admit it, but the nationality of the boss is a factor.  Some nationalities will squeeze a nickel until the Indian cries, and know how to work a corrupt flexible system to their advantage.

 

My advice was the same. Agree to the resignation, but post dated to December. The time is probably more valuable than the severance in this case.

If they don't agree to a post dated resignation, it's just a concern that the document exists with a confirmed date of resignation, and any havoc the boss could wreak with Labor and Immigration departments with that.

Anyway, thanks for the advice

Trying to help out an non-Thai, non-English native with a dodgy situation

They work for a very small expat owned business.

Owner has decided he has to let friend go, due to Covid's impact on money coming into the company.

He agreed in principle to let the employment run through until December, when the work permit will expire. Although work will be non existent/part time/extremely casual from now until then.

He's recently demanded that friend signs a letter of resignation (weirdly in English, not Thai or his language) dated for the end of this month.

No explanation of why he requires this has been forthcoming. I assume he wants to avoid paying severance, and wants paperwork to show friend has decided to leave the company, rather than 'being let go' by boss's hand. Pretty classic nasty business tactic for this nationality.

Obviously, friend doesn't want to sign on the simple basis that friend simply hasn't resigned, they've been made redundant.

They also need time to get affairs in order or move on to another job. Something the boss agreed to verbally when informing about the end of employment. I presume a signed resignation will be sent to Dep of Labour and result in a cancelled work permit. Not to mention Immigration Dep, as I assume any time spent in Thailand   after the date of resignation is technically overstay.

Any advice for this situation?

How much trouble can the boss cause? Is it plausible for them to report to immigration that the friend is no longer employed, thus cancelling their visa extension?

I should mention the boss is a dumb as a post, in the medieval era they wouldn't let him milk a cow. He also doesn't speak a word of English or Thai, which would make communication with gov departments a challenge.

6 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

No, I stopped working for a while. 

 

When that visa finished, I got a new visa without leaving the country, using an agent.  Like I said, I then got a new WP but had to pay a 1500 baht fine(because I didn't cancel it).

Thanks for the update.

If you don't mind, I'd appreciate the name of the agent. DM if possible. I've tried to do an incountry visa changeover myself before and hit a brick wall