Complicated topic...employment ended, but have extension of stay. Currently outside Thailand, if the border reopens to Work Permit/Non-B holders, can I get back in?

[rob503]

This is quite a complicated topic, so bear with me...

 

I worked in Thailand, and had a non-B visa, issued last year. I received an extension of stay (and a re-entry permit), which expires in December 2020.

 

Unfortunately, because of the border closure, and me being outside Thailand when it happened, the company decided to terminate my employment at the start of April.

 

Now, I'm in a bit of a difficult situation, as most of my belongings are in a condo in Thailand, as I had only left for a short trip, and had every intention of returning prior to the border closure. As we know, foreigners are not currently able to enter Thailand, however I would assume once the borders are finally open, work permit and other long term visa holders would be first in line, before those on tourist visas. I'd wish to return to Thailand when possible in order to collect my things from the condo.

 

Now for my question: Can the company cancel your extension of stay without you being physically present at the immigration office? They're a fairly legit and above board place, so I'm sure they would have at least informed the work permit people that I'm no longer working there, and I guess immigration as well. If I just show up at the border when flights resume, with my December 2020 extension of stay in my passport, will the guy at immigration who stamps me into the country know somehow that my employment has ended, and thus deny me entry (assuming that only non-B holders would be allowed to enter once the borders start to reopen)

 

Or would he just see that my extension of stay is until December 2020, the ending of my employment is a matter between myself and my employer, and thus I'd be stamped in until December 2020 with no issues?

 

Basically if the government comes out and says those with work permits/npn-B visas are allowed to enter, would I be able to get into the country or not? Or would it show up on the immigration computer? Is it even possible for an extension of stay to be cancelled?

[ubonjoe]

It is impossible to predict what will be required to enter the country after border crossings are open and passenger flights are allowed into the country.

If a work permit was required they might check to see if it has been canceled. Your extension cannot be canceled without you being present with your passport.

 

[rob503]

4 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

It is impossible to predict what will be required to enter the country after border crossings are open and passenger flights are allowed into the country.

If a work permit was required they might check to see if it has been canceled. Your extension cannot be canceled without you being present with your passport.

 

 

Yes, I realise it's hard to preidct. I'm mainly enquiring as to whether I'd be able to enter in the hypothethetical scenario that the government was allowing non-B/work permit holders to enter, but not yet opening the doors to tourists.

 

So immigration can check on their system at the border to see if a WP is currently active or cancelled?

[ubonjoe]

8 minutes ago, rob503 said:

So immigration can check on their system at the border to see if a WP is currently active or cancelled?

They could if the wanted to or needed to.

[hackjam]

As soon as you were off the pay roll, company will have cancelled your work permit and will have got refund on remaining period of work permit. This will not be recorded on your passport.

[rob503]

4 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

They could if the wanted to or needed to.

 

OK, thanks.

[Maestro]

9 hours ago, hackjam said:

As soon as you were off the pay roll, company will have cancelled your work permit and will have got refund on remaining period of work permit. This will not be recorded on your passport.

 

What kind of refund on the remaining period of the work permit is this?

[sqwakvfr]

Dated May 28, 2020 for WP Holders who are outside of Thailand and wish to

 

This Order is dated May 28,2020.   if one has a valid WP then he or she can apply at a local Thai Embassy/Consulate to  return.  But one will need a Medical Certificate and Insurance with at least $100,000 USD in coverage that includes Covid 19(this will be very difficult).  

 

I could be wrong but it looks the $100.000 USD Covid 19 insurance requirement is here to stay.  This alone kill my chance of returning when I leave LOS later this year.  Good luck to all those with WP who are trying to return.  

 

[ubonjoe]

1 hour ago, sqwakvfr said:

I could be wrong but it looks the $100.000 USD Covid 19 insurance requirement is here to stay.  This alone kill my chance of returning when I leave LOS later this year.  Good luck to all those with WP who are trying to return.  

That is the requirements mentioned in the emergency decree issued on March 25th that will end on June 31st.

After it expires they will have to issue a new directive of some kind.

[vinny41]

MPORTANT: Ministry of Foreign Affairs has just sent out this letter to all Foreign Chambers of Commerce. It details the procedure for non-Thai nationals to re-enter the country. But they must have a valid work permit or have permission by a government agency to work #Thailand

Document dated 28th May 2020 2nd page

 

 

[ubonjoe]

12 minutes ago, vinny41 said:

MPORTANT: Ministry of Foreign Affairs has just sent out this letter to all Foreign Chambers of Commerce. It details the procedure for non-Thai nationals to re-enter the country. But they must have a valid work permit or have permission by a government agency to work

In the news forum now.

 

[BritTim]

As you say, this is a complex situation. Under normal circumstances, once your employment ends, your extended permission to stay based on your employment is no longer valid. Although very unfair in your case, I do not think you can legally use your reentry permit to return. Perhaps when individual scrutiny (before authorising return by those with work extensions) is relaxed, you could risk trying to briefly return anyway. This would qualify as illegal entry, but you are unlikely to be caught. However, I hope other options will open up for you to make a short trip to wind up your affairs. Good luck!