End Of Contract/work Permit 7-day Visa Grace Period

[Loaded]

I read somewhere that the 7-day non-immigrant B visa grace period for teachers who end a contract and change employer has changed. Now, I read, the visa (if it’s an extension) is cancelled at the same time as the work permit is cancelled or expires. However, it’s possible for the teacher to obtain one 7-day extension at their local immigration office.

Obviously, this hasn’t been well advertised if it’s true and could affect many teachers over the next few months during the hiring/rehiring season for the new academic year.

Has anyone else heard this?

I’m sure this doesn’t affect teachers with 1-year non-imm B visas that weren’t extended. Nor, I’m sure, non-imm Os based on marriage.

[PeaceBlondie]

Loaded, I have heard about this for months now, but then, I read TVisa too much. Yes, the extension dies the day the employer notifies Labour. That gives the former teacher less than 18 hours to get to the nearest border, or a few hours to get down to Immigration to get a seven day extension. Even that is barely enough time to plan the next run where you go to a foreign country to get a visa without even having another job offer. Which is a real disincentive to having a work permit on an extended visa..

[Loaded]

First time I heard about it PB was just a day or so ago. I guess I don't spend enough time reading Thaivisa.

This is going to cause quite a few problems I would imagine. IE you probably won't be allowed to take a day off before your contract expires to to get the extension but if you go to immigration after your contract is complete, your visa is cancelled and you are now on overstay.

Not too nice IMO.

[PeaceBlondie]

Loaded, it may be even worse. Until the employer notifies Labour, why should immigration extend a perfectly good visa?

[Scott]

But how would an employee know if the work permit/visa are cancelled. We certainly don't run directly down to the MOL when an employee leaves. Generally, we work it out with the employee when they want the work permit/visa cancelled. This generally happens with people who are voluntarily leaving and want some extra time. I know it may not be exactly legal.

We have an employee whose contract will not be renewed and he is a problem person. He has some undesirable tendencies and I wouldn't doubt if he got into trouble with the police. The day his contract ends, I plan to send the Assistant to the MOL to cancel his work permit. Will immigration get in touch with him?

[PeaceBlondie]

Scott, you want a rumour? I heard that Labour sends a fax directly to Immigration when they receive a cancellation notice from the employer! But I have only ever spent about 15 minutes inside a remote labour office.

[Scott]

Thanks PB. I know the MOL and Immigration are in contact, but it would be nice if the 'victim', for lack of a better word, was informed of his/her fate.

[Mario2008]

For more information you can read 2 articles on the following website:

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