Changing jobs, transferring non-bs

[paul30]

I'm due to change teaching jobs here in BKK later this month.  I've got a non-B visa and a WP (I'm from the UK) for my present employer which is due to expire on 31 May.  My present contract ends on 21 May and I'm due to start another teaching job with a different employer on 2 June (1 year contract with a government school).   Can the new employer apply to have my existing non-B visa transferred to them and extended at immigration in BKK or do I have to leave the country and get a new non-B visa?

Thanks for any help.

[george]

if you change your employer and wish to stay in Thailand you must notify Immigration.  To do this you must take a form from your previous employer called a Tor Dor 10 - Form of Notification of Commencement, Change and Cessation of Work under Section 23.

Your former employer should also send a copy of this form to the local Immigration Office.  This form will have the date of the termination of your employment.

When you take this form to Immigration, they will cancel your

existing Non-Immigrant B visa and give you a 7 day visa.  

Apparently it is no problem to extend this if you are planning to commence another job. This can, however, be a vital issue for many, such as teachers who may have to wait for a new term to begin before starting a new job. If you provide the Tor Dor 10 and tell Immigration that you are looking for a new job, or in fact already have one - they will give you exact instructions on how to extend your visa, and you should not have any problems.

The worst problem arises when your previous employer does not provide you with a Tor Dor lO for weeks after you have finished work. For every day from the date shown on the form as your termination date until you produce a copy of the form at Immigration YOU RISK BEING REQUIRED TO PAY OVERSTAY FINES OF 200 BAHT PER DAY.  It should be possible to arrange with your employer to prepare your Tor Dor lO prior to your leaving his employment.  

Apparently they do take some time to prepare, no matter how willing or co-operative your employer may be.

It seems that the requirement to actually produce the Tor Dor 10 is relatively recent. Previously, Immigration seemed willing to accept people's word on their termination date, which of course could then become “recent”, so the overstay fine was either non-existent or minimal. This is no longer the case. The advice now is to obtain the Tor Dor 10 and take it to your local immigration office as soon as possible after finishing your employment.

[paul30]

George, thanks very much.  I'll certainly try to get a Tor Dor 10 form from my employer.  Cheers.