Changing Schools - Visa Expires Two Wks Before Start Date

[scagnetti]

I'm working legally at a private K-12 school with valid work permit and non immigrant B visa.

Current contract expires July 31, 2009. New contract (with new private school) begins Aug 1, 2009.

The problem: my one year non-immigrant B visa expires two weeks before my new contract begins. What are my options for renewing that one year visa WITHOUT leaving the country?

If I have paperwork from new workplace showing a work permit is in the process will immigration renew the visa for another year?

I don't know which comes first paperwork-wise, the W.P. or the visa. Can the new school get a work permit issued knowing that my current visa expires before my start date?

My current school is cooperative, but understandably doesn't really want to deal with the hassle of renewing my visa, then turning around and canceling it at the end of my employment two weeks later so I can move to another school.

There's got to be a way of avoiding a trip across the border.

Thanks for any advice.

[ubonjoe]

I don't think you have a visa. You have an extension of stay based upon employment. If you had a visa you would not have a problem.

One of the 2 schools is going to have to come up with the documentation for your extension.

It's possible that immigration would accept the documentation from your new school and give you a under consideration stamp until you get the new work permit. But this needs to done a few days before your extension runs out. Or a 7 day extension (1900 baht) to give you more time.

[scagnetti]

I don't think you have a visa. You have an extension of stay based upon employment. If you had a visa you would not have a problem.

One of the 2 schools is going to have to come up with the documentation for your extension.

It's possible that immigration would accept the documentation from your new school and give you a under consideration stamp until you get the new work permit. But this needs to done a few days before your extension runs out. Or a 7 day extension (1900 baht) to give you more time.

Thanks for the response. This is what is in my passport. I entered Thailand on April 21, 2008 with a multi entry non immigrant B visa issued in the U.S. (stamped in passport as "Visa Class Non B 21 APR 2008 with 19 JUL 2008 in same box, underneath the APR date).

Just before that initial 90 day period expired on 19 JUL 2008, my school took me to immigration to renew\extend (whatever you call it) the visa for one year. At that time, immigration stamped 19 JUL 2009 in red underneath the non imm B box described above.

So, is this a visa or a work extension? Whatever you call it, it expires on 19 JUL 2009. Since I got the 19 JUL 2009 stamp I have been reporting to immigration every 90 days.

Back to the initial issue: So it's possible that my new school can apply for my new work permit right now?

I could then take that application paperwork to immigration to show them that I have a pending work permit to begin Aug 1 (also verify that I'm currently working with current valid permit).

Based upon those factors immigration could possibly give me an "under consideration" stamp? Is that an under consideration visa, meaning my visa is good past the 19 JUL 2009 date until my new work permit comes in. At that time I could take W.P. and under consideration status visa to immigration and get the new visa stamp?

I was initially told by the new school's visa\personnel staff member, and I quote, "The easiest thing for me is for you to leave the country and come back." I understand this is a lot of paperwork and back and forth for her, but isn't that what she's getting paid to do?

[Mario2008]

You can apply for a new work permit beginning next month and when you have the extension of your WP get an extension of your permission to stay from immigration. That is even less work then if you go abroad for a new visa.

[Lite Beer]

As UJ said you have a 12 month extension of your permission to stay based on your employment.

[scagnetti]

You can apply for a new work permit beginning next month and when you have the extension of your WP get an extension of your permission to stay from immigration. That is even less work then if you go abroad for a new visa.

Thanks Mario2008,

Let me get this straight. I can apply right now for a work permit that will become valid on August 1st (in concurrence with my new contract).

After applying for this new W.P., do I have to wait to get the actual W.P. in my hands to go get the extension of my permission to stay?

Or, can I use some sort of paperwork that states the new W.P. is "in process" - take that to immigration and ask for an extension on my permission to stay?

So it's not a big deal for my new employer to apply for my new work permit even though my contract doesn't begin for another 6 weeks or so?

Thanks a million for this advice

[ubonjoe]

Back to the initial issue: So it's possible that my new school can apply for my new work permit right now?

I could then take that application paperwork to immigration to show them that I have a pending work permit to begin Aug 1 (also verify that I'm currently working with current valid permit).

Based upon those factors immigration could possibly give me an "under consideration" stamp? Is that an under consideration visa, meaning my visa is good past the 19 JUL 2009 date until my new work permit comes in. At that time I could take W.P. and under consideration status visa to immigration and get the new visa stamp?

I was initially told by the new school's visa\personnel staff member, and I quote, "The easiest thing for me is for you to leave the country and come back." I understand this is a lot of paperwork and back and forth for her, but isn't that what she's getting paid to do?

You have an extension of stay based upon employment. Your visa expired long ago.

If your current school will allow your new employer to be put in your current work permit then you could have the a work permit that includes your new employer. Then with documentation from your new employer you could then get your new extension of stay. You would need a letter from your old employer stating that it is ok with them to change the extension to your new employer since are not going to be working for them after July 31st.

Then when you start your new job the new employer would take over your work permit by applying for a new one.

[Mario2008]

Your WP and extension of stay are not in sync, causing some inconvienence. If your old employer agrees to put the new employer on the WP that would be the easiest (and cheapest) way forward. Otherwise you might need to get an extension of your WP with your old employer till your contract ends and then a new WP for your new employer.

You can apply about 4 weeks in advance for a WP. They can give you a form (WP3) that says you will get a WP once you have your extension of stay. But believe they now just give you the extension of stay without bothering about the extension of stay, at least that is how labour did it this year for me. In your case they might wait till your old job expires as otherwise you would have 2 work permits.

[scagnetti]

Back to the initial issue: So it's possible that my new school can apply for my new work permit right now?

I could then take that application paperwork to immigration to show them that I have a pending work permit to begin Aug 1 (also verify that I'm currently working with current valid permit).

Based upon those factors immigration could possibly give me an "under consideration" stamp? Is that an under consideration visa, meaning my visa is good past the 19 JUL 2009 date until my new work permit comes in. At that time I could take W.P. and under consideration status visa to immigration and get the new visa stamp?

I was initially told by the new school's visa\personnel staff member, and I quote, "The easiest thing for me is for you to leave the country and come back." I understand this is a lot of paperwork and back and forth for her, but isn't that what she's getting paid to do?

You have an extension of stay based upon employment. Your visa expired long ago.

If your current school will allow your new employer to be put in your current work permit then you could have the a work permit that includes your new employer. Then with documentation from your new employer you could then get your new extension of stay. You would need a letter from your old employer stating that it is ok with them to change the extension to your new employer since are not going to be working for them after July 31st.

Then when you start your new job the new employer would take over your work permit by applying for a new one.

Thanks for this extension of stay knowledge. It's nice to find answers. This might make communicating with Thai personnel easier.

It's possible to have two employers (old and new) on one work permit? That would be great.

Also, with the proper documentation from my current school (the letter you mention), I can get my new extension of stay AND it will not be cancelled\voided when I move to the new job?

The new extension of stay will effectively be transfered from the old employer to the new, not cancelled\voided?

This would be fantastic. Now, if I can communicate this effectively to these personnel departments and get their cooperation.....that would be an accomplishment.

Thanks again

[ubonjoe]

If you can do it the way I suggested you should have no problem.

I can't help with the problem of dealing with the personnel departments though.

[scagnetti]

If you can do it the way I suggested you should have no problem.

I can't help with the problem of dealing with the personnel departments though.

The new school's personnel called today and had me sign some forms that they are submitting to BKK. They asked for a copy of my teaching license from my current school.

Next I find out I have no license. I let the two talk on the phone (current school - new school) and apparently the current school had a document that would suffice - maybe a teaching permit??

Is this related to the policy soon to be enforced that requires the cultural training classes (I've heard about) in order to obtain a teaching license? Is there some sort of 2 year temporary permit that new teachers are currently working under until they either finalize the new regs or actually start enforcing them?

Anyway, I got focused on the teaching permit\license thing when asking what the forms were for. Not sure if they were for a new temp teaching permit\license or if it was for a work permit.

I kept asking questions and was told she was going to contact my current school and get a letter stating I was working for current school until July 19 - when my permission to stay extension expires. I reiterated that I will be working for them until July 31st, but couldn't get any more information out of her. I can only guess where things go from here. I take the fact that both schools are working with each other is a positive sign.

I'll update once I get to the next stage. Maybe this will help someone who goes through a similar situation.

[lopburi3]

Believe there are more exemption of teaching licence than there are teaching licence holders so that is probably your case. Also believe it is a school specific document so the new school will have to obtain a new exemption (if they can) if you can not obtain a licence.

[ubonjoe]

It sounds like they are trying to work it out for you. What they may be trying to do is have your old school give a letter stating that you no longer work for them so that the new employer can take care of your work pemit and extension on the 19th. Even though you will still be getting paid by them. Just a little paper shuffle is all.

This topic may help you understand the teachers license better. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Teacher-Lice...ing-t89409.html

[Mario2008]

As Lopburi3 said, the 2 year temporary license or waiver is only valid for the school you are working. A new schol will mean a new temporary license.

However, currently BKK is not requiring the teachers license for work permit and extensions of stay. There are only reports from a few immigration offices that require it (Nan, Tak Mae Sai and I believe Cap Chuang). There are no reports about a labour office requiring the license.

[scagnetti]

It sounds like they are trying to work it out for you. What they may be trying to do is have your old school give a letter stating that you no longer work for them so that the new employer can take care of your work pemit and extension on the 19th. Even though you will still be getting paid by them. Just a little paper shuffle is all.

This topic may help you understand the teachers license better. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Teacher-Lice...ing-t89409.html

UJ,

I think you are right because they have requested that letter from current school's personnel - "What they may be trying to do is have your old school give a letter stating that you no longer work for them so that the new employer can take care of your work pemit and extension on the 19th."

Can the new school apply for the extension of stay (extending from Jul 19) if they aren't "officially" (via contract) hiring me until August 1?

I was told she was going to send me to immigration on the 19th with that letter to cancel my permission to stay. My reply was - won't that make me illegal (being in the country with a canceled permission to stay)?

I asked that question very politely three more times and got only blank stares and evasive answers. She never stated that the same day we would put in an app for an extension on the part of the new school.

Thanks for all of the advice by the way, to you and all those posting. I now know enough to kindly offer alternatives if the personnel office still wants to send me on a needless trip to Vientienne.

[ubonjoe]

It might mean doing a revision to the contract to do it. That could even be done as an addendum.

The problem you have is that the people you are dealing with evidently are not paying for the visa run or visa. You can be sure they would want to do it different way otherwise.