Does anyone know where i'd need to go to fix this up.

[DjChris28]

Hello,

 

I was working in Thailand in March 2020 on a non immigration b visa. I had to leave in a hurry due to the pandemic unfolding and I was locked out the country as my own country did not allow us to travel so I could not go back to Thailand. My employer cancelled my work permit remotely and the BOI issued a separation letter (Which i received via email of the letter) but my passport still has a valid non immigration b visa in it. Can I just rock up to a police station or should I go to the one stop shop visa processing center in Bangkok and try and explain my situation? I'm planning to work next year, but I'm going to need to fix this up beforehand. Where do you need to go to fix this up?

 

The consulates back here in Australia say they can't cancel it.

[ubonjoe]

I assume you have a extension of stay based upon working not a valid non-b visa.

Are you sure you extension is still valid. As far as I know the longest period of time they are issued for is 2 years.

[DjChris28]

5 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

I assume you have a extension of stay based upon working not a valid non-b visa.

Are you sure you extension is still valid. As far as I know the longest period of time they are issued for is 2 years.

My extension of stay is valid up to 19 jan 2024. Its a 4 year one.

[tomazbodner]

Technically, you were supposed to cancel your extension of stay after cancelling the work permit within 7 days. BOI issues DWP but if you had a paper booklet, it's something like that written at the back. As such, even if it's technically still valid, it should have been voided. You might not have an issue entering Thailand on it, but you sure will when you apply for new work permit and new extension of stay. Last time I was doing this for a colleague, they sent us straight to police station to pay fine before they'd process any documents.

[DjChris28]

4 minutes ago, tomazbodner said:

Last time I was doing this for a colleague, they sent us straight to police station to pay fine before they'd process any documents.

So what will happen when i arrive on plane to thailand? Will the immigration at customs direct me to the police station or will i need to go there by myself?

[ThailandRyan]

Just now, DjChris28 said:

So what will happen when i arrive on plane to thailand? Will the immigration at customs direct me to the police station or will i need to go there by myself?

You can enter on a Visa Exempt entry if you come from one of the countries allowed.  Then you can go figure out what you need to do.

[FritsSikkink]

11 minutes ago, DjChris28 said:

My extension of stay is valid up to 19 jan 2024. Its a 4 year one.

If the BOI issued a separation letter and mailed it to you, i very much doubt that they kept your extension alive. They could stamp your passport as you where gone but it would be very strange if they didn't update the database.

[DjChris28]

34 minutes ago, tomazbodner said:

BOI issues DWP but if you had a paper booklet, it's something like that written at the back

The work permit was digital. I never got that blue book this time around.

[DjChris28]

42 minutes ago, tomazbodner said:

Technically, you were supposed to cancel your extension of stay after cancelling the work permit within 7 days. BOI issues DWP but if you had a paper booklet, it's something like that written at the back. As such, even if it's technically still valid, it should have been voided. You might not have an issue entering Thailand on it, but you sure will when you apply for new work permit and new extension of stay. Last time I was doing this for a colleague, they sent us straight to police station to pay fine before they'd process any documents.

Do you know what amount the fine was? like 1500 baht?

[tomazbodner]

2 hours ago, DjChris28 said:

So what will happen when i arrive on plane to thailand? Will the immigration at customs direct me to the police station or will i need to go there by myself?

The immigration likely would not know that your work permit was cancelled, and that therefore extension should have been cancelled. As you never informed immigration, and it's unlikely anyone else bothered, absolutely nothing would happen.

 

They'd stamp you in on the extension of stay.

[tomazbodner]

1 hour ago, DjChris28 said:

Do you know what amount the fine was? like 1500 baht?

Minimum 2000 baht, but no maximum set. My colleague got 2000 baht fine and we didn't argue.

[jhawks09]

If you left without a re-entry permit/permission stamped into your passport, your extension is invalid, and you must start over.

[mrwebb8825]

You should fly back quickly and point out their mistake a soon as possible. They'll escort you right to where you'll need to go straight away. Bring cash as they don't like a paper trail that can be traced back to them.  (don't worry about booking a hotel or return flight either) ????

[BritTim]

I assume you are currently outside Thailand.

 

On return, bring the evidence that BOI cancelled your extension remotely while you were out of the country, and request a visa exempt entry. There is likely to be some questioning by the officials, but you should eventually encounter an official with a few brain cells who will stamp you in on the visa exemption.

 

Then, visit the BOI one-stop centre to have them formally void the extension in your passport. I am sure you will not be the only person who has been through this as a result of Covid.

 

There is no reason why there should be any fines. The work permit and extension were correctly terminated at an appropriate time. The only issue is that the stamp in your passport does not 100% reflect reality.

[DjChris28]

On 9/7/2022 at 2:44 PM, BritTim said:

I assume you are currently outside Thailand.

 

On return, bring the evidence that BOI cancelled your extension remotely while you were out of the country, and request a visa exempt entry. There is likely to be some questioning by the officials, but you should eventually encounter an official with a few brain cells who will stamp you in on the visa exemption.

 

Then, visit the BOI one-stop centre to have them formally void the extension in your passport. I am sure you will not be the only person who has been through this as a result of Covid.

 

There is no reason why there should be any fines. The work permit and extension were correctly terminated at an appropriate time. The only issue is that the stamp in your passport does not 100% reflect reality.

I'm about to find out on the 27th December when I fly to thailand. A bit afraid. I don't mind paying a fine, but i don't want to get blacklisted. I'll let anyone know what happened for future reference.