Leaving My Job

[ChiangMaiThai]

I'm leaving my job. When must I leave the country? My original Non-Im B says that it must be utilized before April 25 2008. I arrived May 2007 and got a work permit. The stamp from immigration says:

Phuket Immigration Office

Application of Stay Permitted Up To 31 Oct 2008

Applicant must leave the Kingdom within that date

etc.

etc.

So once I leave and they cancel my work permit, can I hang out til 31 Oct 2008? I'm guessing no. If not, then how soon must I exit the Kingdom?

If I must quickly exit the Kingdom, how would I know this without the help of TV.com, since the stamp in my passport tells me 31 Oct 2008?

Thanks!

[lopburi3]

You have an extension of stay which must be canciled immediately upon end of employment. Employer should provide a letter that you present to immigration - once done you can request a 7 day extension (normal 1,900 baht fee/TM.7) if you do not want to leave that day.

That extension is based on work (from what you say) so you are supposed to know it ends with the end of work.

[ChiangMaiThai]

You have an extension of stay which must be canciled immediately upon end of employment. Employer should provide a letter that you present to immigration - once done you can request a 7 day extension (normal 1,900 baht fee/TM.7) if you do not want to leave that day.

That extension is based on work (from what you say) so you are supposed to know it ends with the end of work.

Thanks. I understand that the extension is based on work, but at the end of the day the stamp says Oct 31, 2008. Isn't that all that the immigration official at the border is going to be concerned about when he looks at my passport?

[lopburi3]

Maybe. Maybe not. We have a least one recent report that indicates border was aware work permit had been returned prior to person leaving (or they were acting on a hunch). It would not take much computer power to keep track of such things. Although unlikely to happen, the law provides up to a two year jail sentence for overstay.

Section 81 : Any alien who stay in the Kingdom without permission or with permission expired or revoked

shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding 20,000 Baht or

both.

[ChiangMaiThai]

Maybe. Maybe not. We have a least one recent report that indicates border was aware work permit had been returned prior to person leaving (or they were acting on a hunch). It would not take much computer power to keep track of such things. Although unlikely to happen, the law provides up to a two year jail sentence for overstay.

Section 81 : Any alien who stay in the Kingdom without permission or with permission expired or revoked

shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding two years or a fine not exceeding 20,000 Baht or

both.

Sounds like I should play it safe, go to the border and turn in my Oct stamp for a July stamp. I've got a friend in the same situation, although he left his job 2 months ago. His stamp says Sep and he feels secure in staying til then. Will be interesting to see what happens when he goes to the border.