My current employer declined to continue my present contract, so I found a new job. My present employer also declines to transfer my work permit. My future employer says I must leave the country, and return on a tourist visa, in order to apply for a work permit - but I have a current non-imm B visa.

I believe my existing visa will support an application for a work permit - the visa has 4 weeks to go. Am I wrong? How can I best arrange things?

- Roger -

If you are on a visa entry (90 days) you can obtain a new work permit. And in any case you should obtain a non immigrant B visa entry using company paperwork if you plan to work - not a tourist visa.

If you are on a visa entry (90 days) you can obtain a new work permit. And in any case you should obtain a non immigrant B visa entry using company paperwork if you plan to work - not a tourist visa.

Thank you. I am on a non immigrant B visa, and have been for the last four years. It has been regularly extended, and now has a bit over 4 weeks to go. Naturally, I want to keep it, and use it to support an application for a work permit at my new school.

I do not understand why the new school wants me to leave the country and get a tourist visa, and suspect they are going about this wrong. This is what I need advice on.

- Roger -

If you are on an extension of stay then you must leave the country within 7 days of end of employment so most likely you can not use that to obtain a new work permit (as former employment is not on good terms). But your new employer should be able to supply you paperwork to obtain a non immigrant B visa rather than enter on a tourist visa if employment offer is indeed firm (and they intend on you having a work permit).

If you are on an extension of stay then you must leave the country within 7 days of end of employment so most likely you can not use that to obtain a new work permit (as former employment is not on good terms). But your new employer should be able to supply you paperwork to obtain a non immigrant B visa rather than enter on a tourist visa if employment offer is indeed firm (and they intend on you having a work permit).

Thank you. I am not sure what an 'extension of stay' is: my visa was extended last November, for one year, and will expire this November, or 7 days after my current employer terminates my current work permit (which has not happened yet). So, at the moment, the visa has four weeks to go.

Previously, (admittedly three years ago,) when I changed jobs, there was no need to leave the country, 

and I would like to avoid this inconvenience and expense if possible.

Regards

- Roger -

An extension of stay is what you have and that is specific to your job and ends with the end of your job. Your visa ended years ago. From your "My present employer also declines to transfer my work permit." do not see any way you can avoid leaving and obtaining a new visa as believe any change would require your former employers agreement.

An extension of stay is what you have and that is specific to your job and ends with the end of your job. Your visa ended years ago. From your "My present employer also declines to transfer my work permit." do not see any way you can avoid leaving and obtaining a new visa as believe any change would require your former employers agreement.

Thank you very much, sir. That makes it quite clear. Unless I can get the cooperation of my current employer, I must persuade my future employer to support an immediate application for a non-imm B visa.

Thank you for your prompt advice.

- Roger -

An extension of stay is what you have and that is specific to your job and ends with the end of your job. Your visa ended years ago. From your "My present employer also declines to transfer my work permit." do not see any way you can avoid leaving and obtaining a new visa as believe any change would require your former employers agreement.

Thank you very much, sir. That makes it quite clear. Unless I can get the cooperation of my current employer, I must persuade my future employer to support an immediate application for a non-imm B visa.

Thank you for your prompt advice.

- Roger -

Follow on...

I now see I was looking for a Tor Dor 10. A search for this phrase on this forum brings up the relevant advice. I might add that my employer is prepared to produce this, and any other necessary paperwork. What cannot be done is a direct transfer of the work permit which I, in my ignorance, thought was possible.

RCH