Currently Working But Willing To Get A New Job

[helpplease]

That information is outdated. At least for the immigraiton part of it. You have to leave the same day, but can get a 7 day extension for 1,900 baht. As of Oct. 2006 there is no 7 day grace period.

The current rules from labour remains unclear.

Have you got a link anywhere for that?

Not that I am disagreeing with you, but I'd like to find something a bit more definitive as this is quite an important point for me.

So far, I have an Immigration Officer telling me it is okay to stay to the end of the visa, and some internet people telling me it becomes void instantly and others saying it lasts 7 days before becoming void.

[Lite Beer]

If you have an extension of stay based on employment given by Immigration you have to leave on the day your work finishes. Or get a 7 days extension.

If you have a Visa obtained from a Consulate you can stay until the end of the Visa.

[Mario2008]

I can't point you to the official rule. It is however our experience that that is the rule, and people who still think they have a 7 day grace period, or don't report to immigration to get a 7 day extension of stay, find themselves fined for overstay.

There is also a website of a lawfirm stating this.

[helpplease]

Okay, well, I guess I shall have to take the word of you anonymous posters on the internet over that of a uniformed immigration officer on duty

(and this shows just how frustrating the immigration processes in Thailand are)

I presume that this also applies to a spouse with an extension of stay that is based off the same work permit.

Oh well, time to look into a visa run somewhere....

[lucien62]

Suppose that my visa expired the same day as my work permit, can i get a 7 days extension right away ? Do i need some paper for that ? Is it complicated ?

[Lite Beer]

Okay, well, I guess I shall have to take the word of you anonymous posters on the internet over that of a uniformed immigration officer on duty

(and this shows just how frustrating the immigration processes in Thailand are)

I presume that this also applies to a spouse with an extension of stay that is based off the same work permit.

Oh well, time to look into a visa run somewhere....

She will have her extension of stay based on your dependant. When your extension finishes so will hers.

[Mario2008]

Suppose that my visa expired the same day as my work permit, can i get a 7 days extension right away ? Do i need some paper for that ? Is it complicated ?

Unlikely, because you know well in advance when your permission to stay ends and should plan accordingly. Will depend on the mood of the officer.

[lucien62]

Suppose that my visa expired the same day as my work permit, can i get a 7 days extension right away ? Do i need some paper for that ? Is it complicated ?

Unlikely, because you know well in advance when your permission to stay ends and should plan accordingly. Will depend on the mood of the officer.

I understand that, i'm just worried about the time it will take for me to get out of Thailand, let's say Laos.

If i can get 7 days that's fine, otherwise i doubt i can do everything in 1 day (cancel work permit/VISA and go to Laos).

edit: So do i need special papers/applications for 7 days extension or not ?

[lopburi3]

You should have a letter of termination from employer, 1,900 baht and a 4x6 cm current photo. You fill out a TM.7 form and sign it.

[lucien62]

You should have a letter of termination from employer, 1,900 baht and a 4x6 cm current photo. You fill out a TM.7 form and sign it.

Thanks for these informations lopburi3.

And in case my employer doesn't want to write me that letter (they refuse to let me go) ? I know it's weird but it can happen especially with the kind of boss i have now...

[lopburi3]

I would inform Immigration and ask them what to do - perhaps they would make a phone call. Or simply exit the country and return on a tourist visa.

[lucien62]

Is it possible for a company to cancel the work permit without acknowledgement of concerned staff ?

I suspect my company to try to cancel my work permit now without informing me and without respecting the notification period I have mentioned in my resignation letter.

[Mario2008]

All your employer has to do is tell labour that your employment has ceased and your WP is terminated. Next you can be in a conflict about severence pay, but that is a different issue.

[lucien62]

All your employer has to do is tell labour that your employment has ceased and your WP is terminated.

Ok but what if my employer doesn't inform me about that ? (like secretly terminate my WP)

I mean i need to know which day my employment is ceased in order to do the necessary for my visa right ?

[Mario2008]

All your employer has to do is tell labour that your employment has ceased and your WP is terminated.

Ok but what if my employer doesn't inform me about that ? (like secretly terminate my WP)

I mean i need to know which day my employment is ceased in order to do the necessary for my visa right ?

He can't fire you without telling you. He has to notify you.

[lucien62]

All your employer has to do is tell labour that your employment has ceased and your WP is terminated.

Ok but what if my employer doesn't inform me about that ? (like secretly terminate my WP)

I mean i need to know which day my employment is ceased in order to do the necessary for my visa right ?

He can't fire you without telling you. He has to notify you.

Does he need my work permit book at the labour to cancel it or only a copy is already enough ?

Does he need my presence at the labour to cancel my work permit ?

I worry that someday i will find myself as outlaw because of my employer has cancelled my work permit without informing me.

[lucien62]

Today I went to the Labour Ministry to cancel my work permit. It was done in 5 min. I didn't need any letter from my company, I only had to fill an application and return my work permit book.

Later, I went to the Immigration Bureau to cancel my extension of stay.

I spoke with 2 officers :

Each time I explained to the officer that I have already cancelled my work permit in the morning and now I want to cancel my extension of stay which was provided along with the work permit.

The first officer I spoke to told me that I need to provide a confirmation letter of my company. I said that my company doesn't want to hear anything about me, and I cannot get the letter. The officer kept saying that I need to provide a confirmation letter of my company if i want to cancel my extension of stay.

I waited a little bit and I spoke to another officer (older).

This second officer told me that if I want to cancel my extension of stay without a confirmation letter of the company, I can just cross the border and the extension will be automatically cancelled and I can then apply for a tourist visa.

Is there anyone here who can confirm what the second officer said to me ?

[lopburi3]

That will do it. Once you leave the extension of stay dies unless you return on a re-entry permit.

[lucien62]

That will do it. Once you leave the extension of stay dies unless you return on a re-entry permit.

Should I expect some officer at the border on the thai side to ask me some documents in order to let me get out ?

[lopburi3]

No. They might mention leaving without a re-entry will end your extension of stay but that would be it.

[Mario2008]

Today I went to the Labour Ministry to cancel my work permit. It was done in 5 min. I didn't need any letter from my company, I only had to fill an application and return my work permit book.

Can you confirm that you really have had to return the WP nd couldn't keep it? There is some confusion over if this is still required or not.