Work Permit Fee Going Up 7,000 Baht !

[Geckos]

Talking to my Accountant he was telling me that the Work Permit Fees will soon be going up 7,000 Baht more !! So instead of 5 or 6,000 baht it will soon be 13,000 Baht !! He also said that the Visa B and other Visa's will be going up 7,000 Baht also !! How can they just out of the blue say lets increase the fees 110% Oh I forgot T.I.T

I know this because we are getting another Work Permit in our Company and she said to do it quickly as all the fees will be going up soon !!!

I believe her because I've been dealing with her for 8 years and shes always been spot on in these kind of matters !!

[ubonjoe]

The labor act of 2008 states that the fee is 20,000 baht for a 2 year work permit.

I have seen nothing about visa or extension fees going up.

IMO both fee increases are a rumor until I see documented proof.

[NHJ]

the maximum fee is 20000 indeed but 3100 is the official fee listed everywhere.

my guess is your accountant is trying to increase his profit.

[toptuan]

the maximum fee is 20000 indeed but 3100 is the official fee listed everywhere.

my guess is your accountant is trying to increase his profit.

I agree. Be wary. My fees haven't changed in several years (the same 3100B for a WP).

[TerryLH]

He or she?

Assume it's true.

You don't like it because the increase is coming out of the blue?

Apparently your accountant has heard about it.

Assuming the increases are true, and your acct has heard about it, what color would that be coming out of?

It sounds like the fees you quoted are the fees your acct expects you to pay them, not the actual fee itself.

[Royale]

My father has just been told by his accountant that work permit fee's are going up on the 1st September,the new price he's been quoted is 10.000B more than he paid last time

[TerryLH]

If true, there will probably be a lot less people with work permits, or the employers are going to make you pay for your own.

[sibeymai]

Must be fewer WPs being issued but the same number of bureaucratic palms have to be greased.

[smartecosse]

Must be fewer WPs being issued but the same number of bureaucratic palms have to be greased.

i am sure that that is the answer

less farang so make them pay more.......

being a "legal" worker is becoming more & more expensive by the time that you add up all the costs associated with the work permits and correct visa's

surely all this will do is mean that there are less people "in the system", fee's get increased, lees people, higher fee's etc etc etc

[opalhort]

When I renewed my WP in April'09 I was also told that the fee will 'almost certainly go up later this year', no amount was given.

Reason being that they now issue 1 or 2 year WPs and no longer the short-time extensions to match the extension of stay which brought in quite a lot of additional funds for Labor.

opalhort

[Arkady]

the maximum fee is 20000 indeed but 3100 is the official fee listed everywhere.

my guess is your accountant is trying to increase his profit.

I agree. Be wary. My fees haven't changed in several years (the same 3100B for a WP).

Since the new law came in last year they can indeed charge 20k for a two year WP (only given to employees of substantial companies) and 10k for a one year WP and, yes, there will be less income from short term WPs now that they don't have to coincide precisely with non-imm visas anymore. Since the rate was increased to 3k more than 10 years ago (with a big outcry from expats) and I think the baht was 25 to the dollar then, it is logical to assume that they will soon up the charge to the maximum amount fairly soon.

[farangconnection]

the maximum fee is 20000 indeed but 3100 is the official fee listed everywhere.

my guess is your accountant is trying to increase his profit.

Yes, I normally pay 3,100........but this year they charged me 6,200 and stamped me for two years.

[selftaopath]

Must be fewer WPs being issued but the same number of bureaucratic palms have to be greased.

i am sure that that is the answer

less farang so make them pay more.......

being a "legal" worker is becoming more & more expensive by the time that you add up all the costs associated with the work permits and correct visa's

surely all this will do is mean that there are less people "in the system", fee's get increased, lees people, higher fee's etc etc etc

Thank you for your post.

It does appear the Thai officials/elite are making it more difficult/costly for foreigners to work in LOS (Lack of Sanctions). A very small business which may be totally legal will also be required to pay for 4 Thai people’s Social fund regardless of the fact the small company is legally allowed to function w/out any Thai workers.

I suspect there are many business’ that have made their company “headquarters” OUT of Thailand and in a more hospitable and welcoming environment because of this continuing appearance of sucking as much money as possible out of every foreigner/business possible. To me this seems potentially counter productive, but I can not understand much of the Thai approach.

If one compares all that being “legal” brings vs. the opposite, it is understood what prompts some to continue the saga of corruption in this very corrupt and selfish environment.

It is hard to see that the power brokers and rich really care about or love Thailand. Pity because the wonderful working class/poor Thai deserve better.

[QED]

the maximum fee is 20000 indeed but 3100 is the official fee listed everywhere.

my guess is your accountant is trying to increase his profit.

Exactly. If you are paying the amount you stated already then you are being ripped off. 3,100 is the fee. I refuse to believe that this will increase by 323% overnight - just your accountant doing the groundwork to scam you for even more money

[TongueThaied]

Must be fewer WPs being issued but the same number of bureaucratic palms have to be greased.

i am sure that that is the answer

less farang so make them pay more.......

being a "legal" worker is becoming more & more expensive by the time that you add up all the costs associated with the work permits and correct visa's

surely all this will do is mean that there are less people "in the system", fee's get increased, lees people, higher fee's etc etc etc

Thank you for your post.

It does appear the Thai officials/elite are making it more difficult/costly for foreigners to work in LOS (Lack of Sanctions). A very small business which may be totally legal will also be required to pay for 4 Thai people's Social fund regardless of the fact the small company is legally allowed to function w/out any Thai workers.

I suspect there are many business' that have made their company "headquarters" OUT of Thailand and in a more hospitable and welcoming environment because of this continuing appearance of sucking as much money as possible out of every foreigner/business possible. To me this seems potentially counter productive, but I can not understand much of the Thai approach.

If one compares all that being "legal" brings vs. the opposite, it is understood what prompts some to continue the saga of corruption in this very corrupt and selfish environment.

It is hard to see that the power brokers and rich really care about or love Thailand. Pity because the wonderful working class/poor Thai deserve better.

I have some spare time on my hands and was volunteering in the schools helping Thai teachers with English – until I learned on TV that such conduct without a work permit (costing 5,000+ baht) is criminal. I also planned to make substantial electrical repairs at our wat, a task for which I have time, knowledge and tools. Those plans are now in the trash. A good community member is one that gives something back. However, such conduct seems to be criminal here in the LOS. One would think that permit fees would be waived for volunteer work, especially if such work is for a government institution. I guess this is NOT the LOL (Land of Logic), but what do I know? What a waste of resources with a loss to all. The villagers in my community are so friendly and welcoming! I am often asked, “Will you become a Thai citizen?” They know far, far less than most of us on TV about Thai law as it regards foreigners. NOBODY has any idea that it is AGAINST THE LAW for me to do anything for my community unless I first pay 5,000 + baht and do a lot of paperwork for EACH activity! In the beginning, I was viewed as quite an asset to the community; now I must appear lazy.

Anybody that thinks the rich care one whit about the poor and underprivileged must be asleep. Frankly, I suspect the Yellow Shirts (euphemism for those few at the top that already have everything) fear foreigners because they fear the change that exposure to foreigners ultimately brings. If that is the case, it explains a lot of the problems that are discussed on this forum. Hmmmm, maybe this is more a Land of Logic than initial appearance suggests. You want to find the logic? Follow the money.

[Viper]

This would just about do it for me. "All my bags are packed and im ready to go.......

[farangconnection]

What about the Taiwanese telephone scam in Phuket, that creamed millions/billions off punters. They were caught and charged with fleecing people without a work permit.

[Lite Beer]

What about the Taiwanese telephone scam in Phuket, that creamed millions/billions off punters. They were caught and charged with fleecing people without a work permit.

Quite right. Fleecing people requires a Work Permit.

[BangkokHank]

I have some spare time on my hands and was volunteering in the schools helping Thai teachers with English – until I learned on TV that such conduct without a work permit (costing 5,000+ baht) is criminal. I also planned to make substantial electrical repairs at our wat, a task for which I have time, knowledge and tools. Those plans are now in the trash. A good community member is one that gives something back. However, such conduct seems to be criminal here in the LOS. One would think that permit fees would be waived for volunteer work, especially if such work is for a government institution. I guess this is NOT the LOL (Land of Logic), but what do I know? What a waste of resources with a loss to all. The villagers in my community are so friendly and welcoming! I am often asked, "Will you become a Thai citizen?" They know far, far less than most of us on TV about Thai law as it regards foreigners. NOBODY has any idea that it is AGAINST THE LAW for me to do anything for my community unless I first pay 5,000 + baht and do a lot of paperwork for EACH activity! In the beginning, I was viewed as quite an asset to the community; now I must appear lazy.

Anybody that thinks the rich care one whit about the poor and underprivileged must be asleep. Frankly, I suspect the Yellow Shirts (euphemism for those few at the top that already have everything) fear foreigners because they fear the change that exposure to foreigners ultimately brings. If that is the case, it explains a lot of the problems that are discussed on this forum. Hmmmm, maybe this is more a Land of Logic than initial appearance suggests. You want to find the logic? Follow the money.

I have thought about this issue many times before as well, TongueThaied. Foreigners like us living in Thailand are a tremendous potential source of knowledge and progress to Thais. Yet our help is refused - even when we are willing to help out for free. From this I can only draw one conclusion: The people who make the rules here are not interested in seeing the lives of the masses improved. They prefer to keep them as dumb, cheap labor. I don't think that is a very enlightened, or sustainable, attitude. These chickens are going to eventually come home to roost.

Also, TongueThaied, after living here for 14 years now, I have come to exactly the same conclusion that you have about Thai "logic": I always tell people, "If there is something here that seems illogical and otherwise impossible to explain, just follow the money. And there you will find the explanation."

[givenall]

the maximum fee is 20000 indeed but 3100 is the official fee listed everywhere.

my guess is your accountant is trying to increase his profit.

I agree

I have a very good accountant and very honest one. send me email if you are interested

[opalhort]

Foreigners like us living in Thailand are a tremendous potential source of knowledge and progress to Thais. Yet our help is refused - even when we are willing to help out for free. From this I can only draw one conclusion: The people who make the rules here are not interested in seeing the lives of the masses improved. They prefer to keep them as dumb, cheap labor.

What absolute rubbish this statement is!(esp. the "source of knowledge " part)

Sorry mods, couldn't help it. Please edit/delete post if against forum rules.

opalhort

[thaiphoon]

What about the Taiwanese telephone scam in Phuket, that creamed millions/billions off punters. They were caught and charged with fleecing people without a work permit.

Quite right. Fleecing people requires a Work Permit.

[farangconnection]

Foreigners like us living in Thailand are a tremendous potential source of knowledge and progress to Thais. Yet our help is refused - even when we are willing to help out for free. From this I can only draw one conclusion: The people who make the rules here are not interested in seeing the lives of the masses improved. They prefer to keep them as dumb, cheap labor.

What absolute rubbish this statement is!(esp. the "source of knowledge " part)

Sorry mods, couldn't help it. Please edit/delete post if against forum rules.

opalhort

I agree with Hank but not for that reason. The powers to be are just as dumb and stoopid, but to accept help would be losing face.

[mortenaa]

My father has just been told by his accountant that work permit fee's are going up on the 1st September,the new price he's been quoted is 10.000B more than he paid last time

Then that accountant is probably right

If true, there will probably be a lot less people with work permits, or the employers are going to make you pay for your own.

Loads of people used to be on 3 months, according to their NON-B Visa; including myself. Labour dep made a lot of money on this.

When I renewed my WP in April'09 I was also told that the fee will 'almost certainly go up later this year', no amount was given.

Reason being that they now issue 1 or 2 year WPs and no longer the short-time extensions to match the extension of stay which brought in quite a lot of additional funds for Labor.

opalhort

You're right!

"the maximum fee is 20000 indeed but 3100 is the official fee listed everywhere.

my guess is your accountant is trying to increase his profit."

Exactly. If you are paying the amount you stated already then you are being ripped off. 3,100 is the fee. I refuse to believe that this will increase by 323% overnight - just your accountant doing the groundwork to scam you for even more money

So you think its easy for the accountant to increase 300% overnight without loosing clients??

The accountant's fee is stated in the invoice, and excludes government fees, which happen to come with their own receipts.

[NHJ]

just a quick correction, in my post, 20000 is the maximum governement fee nothing related to an accountant fee BUT the fee listed on the wall in my province is still 3100 for application for a one year work permit thus 6200 for a two year work permit.

[Maestro]

I have some spare time on my hands and was volunteering in the schools helping Thai teachers with English – until I learned on TV that such conduct without a work permit (costing 5,000+ baht) is criminal....Anybody that thinks the rich care one whit about the poor and underprivileged must be asleep. Frankly, I suspect the Yellow Shirts (euphemism for those few at the top that already have everything) fear foreigners because they fear the change that exposure to foreigners ultimately brings...

Just for the record: the law that requires foreigners to have a work permit, even for unpaid work, was promulgated long before the shirt colour became a political trademark.

--

Maestro

[Eureka]

This would just about do it for me. "All my bags are packed and im ready to go.......

Careful the door doesn't hit your bum on the way out

[junkofdavid2]

7,000 is NOT a lot of money considering you get 1 year instead of the "1year with extensions every 3 months."

It also means you pay your lawyer/accountant only once a year instead of every 3 months, in addition to the only once-yearly (but higher) gov't fee... and the less hassle, and less risk that your extension may be rejected after every 3 months.

Worth it!!!

[Mario2008]

7,000 is NOT a lot of money considering you get 1 year instead of the "1year with extensions every 3 months."

It also means you pay your lawyer/accountant only once a year instead of every 3 months, in addition to the only once-yearly (but higher) gov't fee... and the less hassle, and less risk that your extension may be rejected after every 3 months.

Worth it!!!

? We are talking about work permits, not extensions of stays.

[ubonjoe]

7,000 is NOT a lot of money considering you get 1 year instead of the "1year with extensions every 3 months."

It also means you pay your lawyer/accountant only once a year instead of every 3 months, in addition to the only once-yearly (but higher) gov't fee... and the less hassle, and less risk that your extension may be rejected after every 3 months.

Worth it!!!

Only people with visas instead of extensions were paying every 3 months.

Anyway even if the official fee went to 10,000 baht for a one year work permit that is only 833 baht per month. So IMO that is not a lot of money to pay in order to work legally. In fact it is probably a legal write off for tax puposes so most companies won 't have a problem paying the higher fee.