Returning Workpermit But Keep 1 Year Visa, Possible?

[stegtre]

I might have a special request after closing down the business where I have to return the workpermit but want to keep the 1 year visa and not go on visa runs. Does anyone know if this is possible to stay without having to do the visa runs? Or must it be tourist visa every second month? I guess its still possible to buy from a lawyer a company and workpermit without running a business, or is this gone nowdays? I havent followed this matters the last 8 years so Im kind of a beginner even though I had WP for long time. I lve permanentely here.

Any lawyers office to recommend in BKK that could assist if there is noone with clear answers?

Love Thailand and the lifestyle but not happy to go abroad every second month again like I did 6-7 years ago.

Any advice would be recieved with thankfulness. Life should be easy!

Also want to come in contact with people who compose, play and work with music.

take care

Mr S

[Maestro]

Returning the work permit is no longer necessary but you must

a) leave the country not later than the last of your employment, or

on the last day of your employment go to the immigration office with a letter from your employment confirming your termination and apply for a seven-day extension of stay.

Ownership of a company by itself, without a work permit, would not qualify you for an annual extension.

--

Maestro

[opalhort]

What kind of extension of stay does the OP currently hold?

Is it based on business/WP or Thai wife/child?

opalhort

[stegtre]

holding a business visa B.

I have visa valid until july 2009 still. So 7 days more wont be needed, unless I need by law change to tourist visa immediately my work permit expires 1 Dec.

Mr S

[PoorSucker]

holding a business visa B.

I have visa valid until july 2009 still. So 7 days more wont be needed, unless I need by law change to tourist visa immediately my work permit expires 1 Dec.

Mr S

You must leave the kingdom the same day your employment ends.

But you can apply for 7 days extension (1900 baht).

[Mario2008]

Yes, you have to leave 1 Dec.

see 2 articles here:

http://www.dejudomlaw.com/index.php?option...09&Itemid=9

[pon2007]

Here is my issue:

I'm here on multiple entry non-B visa valid until January 2009. (not extension of stay, I do visa runs every 90 days)

I have resigned from my job on September 30, 2008. At that time the law stipulated that I can return my work permit within 7 days or face 1000baht fine. I kept it, the work permit expired on Nov. 19 I was planning to stay until my non-B visa is valid, January 2009. (do my last visa run in December 2008 to get 90 more days)

From November 14, 2008, the new law does not require to return the work permit but talks about the employment visa cancellation. Is this only apply for extension of stay or for multiple entry non-B visa too?

I'm looking for employment now and might come up something soon.

If my new company apply for new work permit, I might have to pay 500baht/day fine from November 14, 2008 for overstay? or from October 1?

What about when I do my 90 days visa run middle of December, based on the old law I could get another 90 days until March 2009. They never asked for my work permit to show.

Since I left my job on September 30, can the old rules grandfathered for me? Only face 1000baht fine for not returning the work permit and able to stay until my non-B expire. I paid 550RMB in Penang for the 1 year non-b visa. If they invalidate it now, they are ripping people off with the new law. 1 year visa fees + overstay fine.

To make matters more complicated, I'm was planning to get married in January 2009 and convert non-B to non-O. Then in February, a month before my converted non-O expire (same as old non-B expire: March 2009) I would of apply for 1 year extension of stay based on marriage. Taxes on combined income of 480,000 for 2008 is not a problem and 40,000month income for Thai GF in 2009 is also OK. I would like to do the first extension in 2009, so in 3 years I can apply for permanent residency instead of cancelling my non-B now, paying fines, then going out of Thailand to get a tourist visa, then apply for a non-O beginning next year, keep that for a year and then start applying for extensions.

I will see a lawyer about my issues this week but first I would like to hear some feedback tailored to my situation. The law is very new and many Thai companies working with visas and work permits are not sure, since my situation timeline is between the old and new laws. Thanks.

[ubonjoe]

I'm here on multiple entry non-B visa valid until January 2009. (not extension of stay, I do visa runs every 90 days)

You don't have a problem.

Leaving as soon as your job ends only applies if you are on a 1 year extension.

Also the 1000 baht fine does not apply because the new rule went into effect earlier this year.

[PoorSucker]

I'm was planning to get married in January 2009 and convert non-B to non-O. Then in February, a month before my converted non-O expire (same as old non-B expire: March 2009) I would of apply for 1 year extension of stay based on marriage.

You don't have to convert to non-o.

Just apply for extension of stay 21 days before your entry stamp expires.

Have done it myself, no problem.

[Mario2008]

No longer needed to return the WP.

See articles here:

http://www.dejudomlaw.com/index.php?option...09&Itemid=9

Your Visa is still valid and you can do your border runs with it till it expires. When marreid you can apply for an extension of stay based on marriage without need to convert. You will need a family income of 40,000 a month. (Can be you, your wife or combined income).

Reason edit: mistaken with OP.

[pon2007]

You don't have to convert to non-o.

Just apply for extension of stay 21 days before your entry stamp expires.

Have done it myself, no problem.

Thanks for the comments.

Without a job in Thailand, I cannot get an extension on non-B visa. The non-O is based on marriage and not on work.

I think my future marriage is much more secure than a job. Especially after the new law requires you to leave Thailand the next day you lose your job, if you are here on extension. My goal is to get the PR in 3-4 years. The combined 40K baht/month salary for extensions is doable, even without me working.

Mario2008 Can I get 1yr extension of stay on a non-B visa after married, without me working and my wife earning over 40K baht/month?

If what UbonJ says is correct, I'm fine.

[Mario2008]

Yes, what Ubonjoe said is corect. I confused your story with that of the original poster. That's why I edited my post. You will have no problem, but you will need the family income of 40,000 a month.

Edit: spelling

[ubonjoe]

Without a job in Thailand, I cannot get an extension on non-B visa. The non-O is based on marriage and not on work.

When you go to immigration for your extension the reason for it will be for marriage instead of working that is why there is no need to change visa catagories.

If you decide to go back to work you can get a work permit with a marriage extension.