Changing jobs immediately after my current contract expires, do I need to leave the country?

[ChangedLater]

I'm in Thailand on a non-B visa that expires on 31 December. My current work permit and teaching contract also expire on 31 December. I have been working at my current job since January 2017, so my current visa is an extension of the one originally granted in 2017.

I have found a new teaching job, and already signed a contract that begins 4 January. My old job knows that I'm not renewing my contract, and my new job knows that my old job ends on 31 December.

Unfortunately, I'm getting conflicting information about whether I will be required to leave the country to process my new visa and work permit. New job is not being very helpful, they're just telling me to visit Chaeng Watthana immigration and ask for help.

Anyone here have experience with this? Will I be required to leave the country during COVID and go through quarantine when I return? This seems unnecessarily complicated.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

 

[ubonjoe]

You can change jobs without leaving the country.

You new school will need to apply for your new work permit to get a approval letter for the application. Then with a termination letter from the existing school the date your current job ends to cancel your current extension and then on that day you can apply for a new extension with the approval letter and supporting documents from the new school.

After the extension is done your current work permit can be canceled and the new one issued.

 

[OneMoreFarang]

30 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You can change jobs without leaving the country.

You new school will need to apply for your new work permit to get a approval letter for the application. Then with a termination letter from the existing school the date your current job ends to cancel your current extension and then on that day you can apply for a new extension with the approval letter and supporting documents from the new school.

After the extension is done your current work permit can be canceled and the new one issued.

 

And all that without leaving the country?

Is that a new regulation only for now, covid times?

[ubonjoe]

1 minute ago, OneMoreFarang said:

And all that without leaving the country?

Yes

1 minute ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Is that a new regulation only for now, covid times?

No

Many people have done it.

[ChangedLater]

25 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You can change jobs without leaving the country.

You new school will need to apply for your new work permit to get a approval letter for the application. Then with a termination letter from the existing school the date your current job ends to cancel your current extension and then on that day you can apply for a new extension with the approval letter and supporting documents from the new school.

After the extension is done your current work permit can be canceled and the new one issued.

 

Thanks for your quick reply!

My current visa extension expires on 31 December, and immigration is closed that day. I am currently scheduled to work all day at my old job on 29-30 December, but I have 28 December free. Can I visit immigration on 28 December to do this, even though I will still be working at my old job on 29-30 December?

Also, my old job is in Bangkok and my new job is in Rangsit. Do I visit immigration at Chaeng Watthana or Pathumthani to get the new extension?

Thanks (again) in advance for your help!