Visa / Work Permit Query

[bsmulligan]

I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on a problem I have. I have spoken to different people but never seem to get the same answer.

Previously, I had a work permit and "Non-B" visa. However, I quit my job in May and subsequently my work permit was cancelled. However, I did not leave the country after this happened.

My visa does not expire until November 12th 2009 so I assumed that it would be possible for me to remain in the country until this time.

I know that I have overstayed but can anyone tell me what penalties I am likely to face?

I hoped that as nothing had been changed in my passport then I would manage to avoid a 20,000 Baht fine.

I was also thinking that I would have a better chance of avoiding a fine if I used one of the visa run companies.

If anyone can advise me on this matter I would be very grateful.

[thaiphoon]

The answer depends upon your permission to stay.

If permission to stay is based on Non-B visa (issued by Thai embassy/consulate abroad) then you can remain in the country until your current permission to stay expires. If you hold a multi-entry visa you can do a border run and obtain a new 90 day permission to stay on re-entry.

If permission to stay is based on extension of stay linked to your employment (issued by Thai immigration) you should have left the country the day your work ended (or obtained 7 day extension from immigration). You are therefore on overstay. Overstay fine is 500 baht a day, maximum 20k. Your best solution would be to leave the country by AIR and pay the overstay fine at the airport. You need to be careful not to become involved in any situation that involves the police, or you are likely to be detained (and deported as being on overstay). As there are frequent police checks on visa run vehicles, you should avoid this route and depart by AIR. Your passport will be marked as overstay at the airport but it will not prevent you from re-entering the country or obtaining another visa,

[lopburi3]

As said no problem if it had been a 90 day entry - but it appears to be an extension of stay if period is May-November.

I would be very careful as any exit point is likely to question you on not having a re-entry permit (assuming you are not in there computer as overstay on basis of returned work permit) trying to keep you from losing your extension of stay. A false statement made then could have legal consequences. If you say finnish job and it ends there you may be lucky. If questioned when job ended you should be prepared with the 20k.

[bsmulligan]

Thanks for the information.

My original work permit and "Non-B" Visa were obtained a year ago and both were due to expire this month. The stamp in my passport states that the visa runs out in Novermber 2009. Of course if they scan my passport it may show that my work permit was cancelled in May.

I know it's a risk, but even if I have to pay 20,000B for overstay it's not too bad as I would have had to spend money (although not as much) doing a visa run in May.

Again, thanks for the help and I will make sure to let you know the outcome so that others in my situation can have something to refer to.

[bsmulligan]

Well, I am now back from Laos with my double-entry tourist visa. I went with the service run by Claudio. Everything went just as he said it would. I did not have to pay any fine for overstay when leaving Thailand.

This is what he told me before we left Bangkok. He did say that the only time that I may have a problem is the next time that I apply for a work permit.....then I may need to pay 20,000 Baht.

I was very happy with the service provided and will be happy to use it again.

Anyway, that's all. I just wanted to give some information as to what happened at the border.