Switching Schools, Keeping Visa

[robster125]

Hi,

Im hoping someone out here may have the answers I need. A year ago I came into Thailand with a non-B from a private International University down south. They gave me a visa, but no work permit. When I moved to Chiang May in May, I dont know what they did, but I got a work permit, and I assume the visa now is linked with that work permit. I will be going back to the university in a couple months, to work, but the Visa I have now is linked with my work permit, which they will notify immigration to when my contract here expires. Is there anyway that the new school can send a letter stating when I'll be employed, and have my current school give a letter stating when my contract ends, and they can work the visa over to the new dates?

I think that the visa is good through the summer, which is how long I will need it, but once they send in my work permit, will the visa get with it?

Will I need to just cancel the visa, and get a brand new one?

I really dont want to have to do a border run/get a new visa. Is there any chance CM immigration can just switch it over?

Thanks!

[Mario2008]

I presime you came to Thailand with a non-B single entry, and your permisison to stay has been extended to 1 year. (In essence you need to report your address every 90 day).

When you stop working, your employer will notify immigration an labour office. They day you stop working is the day you have to leave the country. You can then get an extension of stay from immigration of 7 days. You will need to get a new WP and extension of stay within those 7 days, with the help of your new employer. That is very short time, but possibel for a school. Make sure your new employer has all the paperwork ready before your old job ends.

Otherwise you would need to get a new non-B from abroad.

[Martian]

I presime you came to Thailand with a non-B single entry, and your permisison to stay has been extended to 1 year. (In essence you need to report your address every 90 day).

When you stop working, your employer will notify immigration an labour office. They day you stop working is the day you have to leave the country. You can then get an extension of stay from immigration of 7 days. You will need to get a new WP and extension of stay within those 7 days, with the help of your new employer. That is very short time, but possibel for a school. Make sure your new employer has all the paperwork ready before your old job ends.

Otherwise you would need to get a new non-B from abroad.

What if one is actually still on a one-year visa and not an extension. IS that possible and if so doesn't that mean that although the work permit is attached to the visa, the visa doesn't expire if the work permit is canceled? I understand that an Extension of stay is completely different in that the extension is based on the WP and thus expires when the WP is canceled.

Can one receive a work permit and stay on a Visa (1 year multiple entry non-Imm "B") and not do the extension thing until about the end of the 15 months from the date of visa issuance? Border runs required?

I am in similar situation. The school at which I am going to teach wants to get me a 3 month B and then extension but I have another source willing to sponsor me for a 1 year multi B. My presumption is I can work anywhere, no matter who sponsors my visa, as long as my WP is from my place of employment???????

For me, the advantage of the 1 year is that my future employer has no leverage over me with regard to canceling the WP and making me hurry to leave the country or hurry to get the 7 day (1,900 baht?) extension if something goes sour.

Is my thinking correct and within the Thai Visa and WP rules???

Martian

[Mario2008]

On a one year multi-entry visa their is no problem changing work or even losing your job. Your permission to stay would remain valid.

Only when on an extension of stay a problem arrises. Extensions are given for a reason, like working or marriage. When that reason no loger exists, your permisisoin to stay is automaticaly revoked. That is in the case of losing your job when you're on an extension of stay based on working but also in the case of a divorce or when your wife dies if you are on an extension based on marriage.

The WP is tied to the in the in the WP named employer.

Edit:

As long as you are not on an extension of stay it doesn't matter who sponsors your visa. You can just go and work for another employer or change employers or decide not to work at all. Your thinking is right and within the rules.

[ubonjoe]

Can one receive a work permit and stay on a Visa (1 year multiple entry non-Imm "B") and not do the extension thing until about the end of the 15 months from the date of visa issuance? Border runs required?

Martian

Yes you can keep your 1 year multiple entry visa no matter what happens to your job. And yes you have to make border runs every 90 days.

After you have gotten the 15 months out it if you have a work permit you could get another one or extension.

[Martian]

Thank you Mario2008 and ubonjoe.

I thought my thinking was correct, but now how to tell my future employer that I don't want their 3 month + extension because I want the 1 year multi, without insulting them or jeopardizing my job????????

Any recommendations?

Also, what is the closest place to Hua Hin to make a border run? Consulate not needed.

Regards,

Martian

[robster125]

Thanks also for the responses!

Im still confused though...

I dont think my new job will give a work permit, as its only a two month stay. they didnt give one last time...

If they dont provide a new work permit, will I then have to get a new Non-Imm?

Thanks

[Lite Beer]

Thanks also for the responses!

Im still confused though...

I dont think my new job will give a work permit, as its only a two month stay. they didnt give one last time...

If they dont provide a new work permit, will I then have to get a new Non-Imm?

Thanks

If you do not have a Work Permit you cannot work.

[Martian]

Thanks also for the responses!

Im still confused though...

I dont think my new job will give a work permit, as its only a two month stay. they didnt give one last time...

If they dont provide a new work permit, will I then have to get a new Non-Imm?

Thanks

Robster,

It is simple if you can understand the difference between a Visa and an Extension of permission to stay...they are different. If you have a Visa and not an extension of permission to stay then your job doesn't affect the status of your visa.

If you arrived on a visa and then was issued and "Extension of permission to stay" based upon your job (which requires a work permit) then the permission to stay is tied directly to your work permit. If the work permit ends or is canceled, so is your permission to stay and you must either leave the country that day or get to an Immigration office that day and get a 7 day extension @ 1,900 Baht.

Since you don't have a work permit (which BTW, you are working illegally) then your visa is most likely unaffected.

Martian

[Mario2008]

Robster, you are on an extension of stay. Only with a WP could you get the extension of stay within the 7 days time frame. So, yes. If your new employer doesn't help you apply for a WP you would have to get a new non-immigrant Bvisa. However, you won't get one from a neighbouring country because you don't have a WP. Even if you get one, you still would not be allowed to work because you don't have a WP. Working without a WP carries a jail term of up to 5 years.

[Martian]

After reading your first post again, I concur with what Mario2008 states.

Good luck!

[PeaceBlondie]

Just to say "I told you so..." these are the reasons I quit teaching at the best government schools. Total ineptitude, total unwillingness for admin to understand foreign employees. Things may be better now. You may get lucky. But this is a very lousy place to try to work legally. May be easier to teach in Myanmar or Cambodia.