Non Imm B And Work Permit Complications

[naboo]

Hi, new to these boards, I think this is the best place for advice in my current situation as nobody I speak to seems to have been in this position.

In July 2008, I got a non imm B visa from Thai embassy, Hull, UK, one year, multiple entry. To get it, I used a letter from my TESOL provider who "guaranteed me work" after completing the course. This expires on 11th July 2009. I entered Thailand on 1st August 2008, stamped in until 29th October.

I found work starting in November so did a boarder run on 21st October, new entry stamp valid until 18th January.

My employer sorted me out a work permit in November valid until 31st March.

In January, as the 18th approached, I was going to go to immigration to get a permission to stay based on my work permit, but somebody told me that this would cancel my visa, making my stay in Thailand based on the work permit, not the visa. Consequently I'd need to go to Vientiene at the end of March, so instead of the permission to stay from immigration I did another border run on 16th January, giving me an entry stamp valid until 15th April. So my passport now has my visa, an entries on 1st August, 21st October and 16th January and no notice of any work permit.

I have a new job lined up starting in the middle of April. I spoke to my new employer today and, though they weren't sure, they thought my visa would be cancelled at the end of my work permit anyway, as immigration would be informed my work permit had expired.

My view was that immigration would know not to extend my permission to stay based on the work permit because the work permit will have expired, but that my visa would still be valid as it extends beyond the end of the work permit. My stay at present is based on the entry stamps in my passport and nothing to do with my work permit, my work permit is merely a permission to work, I've not used it to enable me to stay in the country.

Can someone clarify what will happen on 31st March, do I need to be out the country and re-entering then on a 15 day stamp or with a new visa from Vientiene or can I continue, exit before 15th April (Songkran, just my luck), re-enter and get a new work permit using my existing visa?

Many thanks to anyone who takes the time to read and give advice.

edit: Just read the "read this before posting" - I'm 26 and a British citizen.

Edited February 27, 2009 by naboo

[ubonjoe]

You have a multiple entry visa it and the permit to stay you get from it is not affected in anyway with what happens to your work permit.

If you had gotten an extension of stay your visa would of still been good it would of not been cancelled.

As long as you have a permit to stay that you got from your visa nothing will happen when your work permit expires.

You can stay until the 15th of April leave and re-enter and get another 90 days with no problem. Or you can do it at any time you want before the 15th of April and get another 90 days.

[naboo]

Many thanks, good news. 

[SabaiBKK]

no matter what kind of visa you have , as soon as you don't work anymore for the company listed on your WP you have 7 days to leave the country ....

[PoorSucker]

no matter what kind of visa you have , as soon as you don't work anymore for the company listed on your WP you have 7 days to leave the country ....

Wrong.

If you have multiple entry Non-B your visa is still valid.

If you are on extension of stay based on employment you must leave the kingdom the same day your job finish, you can apply for a seven day extension at immigrations.

[Mario2008]

no matter what kind of visa you have , as soon as you don't work anymore for the company listed on your WP you have 7 days to leave the country ....

No. If you are on your origibal visa, your permission to stay remains valid wether you work or not. Only when you are on an extension of stay from immigration in Thailand will you have to leave the country, the same day your job ends. However, you can get a 7 day extension for 1,900 baht.