Help - End Of Work Permit, What To Do Next!

[Electra28]

Also if he has not got the funds to do a extension of stay based on retirement. Then he can go to Australia and get a long term visa 12+3 mths.

For example a non 'B'

He would need to do visa runs every 3 months but it's not so bad.. The extension is better as long as he will have the required funds EACH year.

If he has a child here i believe he can also get an extension of stay based on that . But i do not know the details.

Thank you thaicbr for your response and help. My dad wont have all of the funds for the retirement visa for a few months. Can you only get that type of visa from Australia, or could he get it from Malaysia or such like?

No child in Thailand - I hope :-)

[Electra28]

One other point on the work permit.

I was advised by the lawyer that the work permit should be CANCELLED. This was done at what then was known as the OneStop Work Permit office; do not know whether this still operates. It should have been done by the companies business consultants but was not. All they did was deregister me from the list of foreign workers in the company.

If it was was not cancelled, any opportunity to take on any further work in the country would be hampered to the extent that it would be necessary to attend a court for not having cancelled it. Apparently, just paying a fine would not be permitted.

Hi MrMo

Thank you for much for your advice and guidance. I will definitely make sure my dad checks the work permit is cancelled.

If you would be happy to pass on the lawyers details, that would be very much appreciated. Thanks again.

[Electra28]

The rules have changed and there is no time to leave unless you apply for an extension of stay at 1,900 baht.

Hi lopburi3

Is that extension for 7 days? Where would you apply for this extension?

Thank you

[Electra28]

Mario, since the OP's father has NOT already been on a retirement-based visa or extension, were he to apply for one now for the first time, wouldn't he only have to have his 800,000 baht in the bank for TWO months prior (because it's his initial application), not the three months prior that would apply in subsequent years?

And of course, just so the OP knows, if the father were to use the combination of Thai bank deposits and income (from any documentable source inside or outside Thailand) to qualify for a retirement extension of stay, then there is no "seasoning" requirement for the bank funds in that case...

Only where the applicant is relying on Thai bank deposits exclusively to satisfy their financial requirement.

If he has 800,000 in a bank account in Thailand for at least 3 months, he can apply for an extension of stay based on retirement when his job ends, without him needing to leave the country.

Other options are showing an income of 65,000 a month OR a combination of yearly income and money in the bank totaling 800,000. Incoem from abroad needs to be shown with a letter from the embassy.

Hi jfchandler

Thank you very much for all the help given.

Can I just clarify what you mean by 'seasoning'?

Thank you.

[Electra28]

Hello lol big headhache here

easy he goes Nongkay go laos thai embassady he as for multi journey means 6 month 2x3month just ask wll because you need to go immigration after 2 month pay 1900 bath after 1 month go on border

in this tim why not if he want marry he have time for find good solution for him stay quite me now i stay i thailad around 3 years like that

for others the best tell him to go see lawyer they know well for that and you will be cool they take care all paper for you

can make little compnay or others

is very easy to do that but if we don t know we follow others we got big problem

best for your father

fred

Hi Fred

Thank you for your help.

Can I just check with you - that if my dad goes to the Laos border, he can ask for a 6 month visa?

[Electra28]

Richard, I think you're mixing amounts here...

The 800,000 baht amount in a Thai bank applies to retirement extensions of stay, two month prior on the first application and 3 months prior on all subsequent applications.

The 400,000 baht in a Thai bank or 40,000 baht per month income applies to extensions of stay based on marriage to a Thai citizen. Although in this case, the OP's father apparently is not married to a Thai citizen, so that wouldn't be available to him...at least at present.

Given the correct set of circumstances (i.e. more than 800,000 baht in a Thai Bank account for the past 3 months, or 40,000 baht per month documented income) your father should be able to apply for a retirement visa.

Hi again

Can I just check something with you?

My dad isnt married to his girlfriend (Thai citizen), so he would be applying for a retirement extension of stay. Does that mean he has to have the 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account ONLY, and cant have a mixture of money in a Thai bank and a monthly income of however much?

Thank you.

[Electra28]

What about the often mentioned letter from the Labor Dept., confirming termination of the Labor Permit? Is that not necessary if the expiration date of the work permit coincides with the date the new extension visa (retirement) would begin?

When the employment ends, you do not need a letter from the Labour Department saying so. You need a letter from the company.

In addition, you need a copy of the latest PND 1 (the company's monthly income tax report) to show that the taxes were paid.

These documents you take to immigration (not the labour department) to cancel your extension of stay. There is no need to cancel the work permit at the labour department.

This is my experience from about two months ago. This was at the One-Stop, but the only difference is that everything is under one roof, while you'd otherwise have to criss-cross the city. The law remains the same.

Thank you for the information. I will make sure I pass this all on to my dad.

Thanks again.

[beechguy]

Hello lol big headhache here

easy he goes Nongkay go laos thai embassady he as for multi journey means 6 month 2x3month just ask wll because you need to go immigration after 2 month pay 1900 bath after 1 month go on border

in this tim why not if he want marry he have time for find good solution for him stay quite me now i stay i thailad around 3 years like that

for others the best tell him to go see lawyer they know well for that and you will be cool they take care all paper for you

can make little compnay or others

is very easy to do that but if we don t know we follow others we got big problem

best for your father

fred

Hi Fred

Thank you for your help.

Can I just check with you - that if my dad goes to the Laos border, he can ask for a 6 month visa?

He just gave a poor explanation, and is just trying to describe about the double entry Tourist Visa I wrote about earlier. There is no "six month visa".

Your father would have to apply at a Consulate outside of Thailand, Vieniane, Laos has been one of the more generous consulates in the region is why I mentioned it earlier. Your Father would apply for a double entry Tourist Visa. As I explained earlier, upon each entry he would be stamped permitted to stay for 60 days, just before the 60 days are finished, he would apply for a 30 day extension for 1900 Baht. Before the visa expires, he would need to exit the country, and return(can be the same day) and make his second entry of 60 days, plus the next 30 day extension, that would give almost six months.

Tourist Visas are applied for outside of Thailand at a Consulate, the extensions are applied for inside Thailand at his local immigration office.

[beechguy]

Richard, I think you're mixing amounts here...

The 800,000 baht amount in a Thai bank applies to retirement extensions of stay, two month prior on the first application and 3 months prior on all subsequent applications.

The 400,000 baht in a Thai bank or 40,000 baht per month income applies to extensions of stay based on marriage to a Thai citizen. Although in this case, the OP's father apparently is not married to a Thai citizen, so that wouldn't be available to him...at least at present.

Given the correct set of circumstances (i.e. more than 800,000 baht in a Thai Bank account for the past 3 months, or 40,000 baht per month documented income) your father should be able to apply for a retirement visa.

Hi again

Can I just check something with you?

My dad isnt married to his girlfriend (Thai citizen), so he would be applying for a retirement extension of stay. Does that mean he has to have the 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account ONLY, and cant have a mixture of money in a Thai bank and a monthly income of however much?

Thank you.

As for an earlier question, the term seasoning is used by some, simply meaning having the funds in the account for the appropriate amount of time. For retirement exensions, and he is using the 800K in the bank, it would be accepted at many offices if it was in the bank for 2 months for the initial application, for later applications they would require it in bank 3 months.

The other method is showing an income of 65,000 Baht per month, no waiting period, or a combination of the income and saving account, again no waiting period. So yes, he can use the mixture of money.

[lopburi3]

Is that extension for 7 days? Where would you apply for this extension?

The seven day extension is applied for at immigration after you cancel the employment extension of stay to allow time for new application or pack out.

[jfchandler]

Yes, as Beechguy explains above, to meet Thai Immigration's financial requirement for a retirement based extension of stay... there are three different ways available....

--the 800,000 baht in a Thai bank deposit.

--65,000 baht per month in income from any documentable source, inside or outside of Thailand (can include salary, pension, bank interest, rental income, etc etc.)

--or a combination of Thai bank deposits and monthly income that together meet at least the 800,000 per year amount.

If a person is using the 800,000 baht Thai bank deposits method, normally for a person making their first retirement extension application, the funds must be on deposit two months prior... and then three months prior for each subsequent year's renewal.

However, as Mario noted above, because the OPs father already has had employment based extensions, it's possible Immigration might want the three month advance deposit from the start...

The bank deposits usually need to be documented by a letter from the Thai bank issued a day before the applicant goes to Immigration. Income from outside Thailand is documented by a letter from the applicant's country's consulate in Bangkok. Income from inside Thailand is documented by Thai tax returns.

[tombkk]

What about the often mentioned letter from the Labor Dept., confirming termination of the Labor Permit? Is that not necessary if the expiration date of the work permit coincides with the date the new extension visa (retirement) would begin?

When the employment ends, you do not need a letter from the Labour Department saying so. You need a letter from the company.

In addition, you need a copy of the latest PND 1 (the company's monthly income tax report) to show that the taxes were paid.

These documents you take to immigration (not the labour department) to cancel your extension of stay. There is no need to cancel the work permit at the labour department.

This is my experience from about two months ago. This was at the One-Stop, but the only difference is that everything is under one roof, while you'd otherwise have to criss-cross the city. The law remains the same.

Thank you for the information. I will make sure I pass this all on to my dad.

Thanks again.

You are welcome. There is defninitely no need for a lawyer to do these simple steps, and the immigration officers will also be helpful.

As otheres have pointed out, cancelling the visa means that he will have to leave the country within 24 hours. I failed to mention that. If he has all the documents together to apply for the retirement visa, he can do that right away, right there at the immigration office in Chaeng Wattana. If he does not have the documents ready, he can either leave for another country right away and apply for a visa at a Thia consulate, or get an extension of stay right there at immigration in Chaweng Wattana.

[Electra28]

Hello lol big headhache here

easy he goes Nongkay go laos thai embassady he as for multi journey means 6 month 2x3month just ask wll because you need to go immigration after 2 month pay 1900 bath after 1 month go on border

in this tim why not if he want marry he have time for find good solution for him stay quite me now i stay i thailad around 3 years like that

for others the best tell him to go see lawyer they know well for that and you will be cool they take care all paper for you

can make little compnay or others

is very easy to do that but if we don t know we follow others we got big problem

best for your father

fred

Hi Fred

Thank you for your help.

Can I just check with you - that if my dad goes to the Laos border, he can ask for a 6 month visa?

He just gave a poor explanation, and is just trying to describe about the double entry Tourist Visa I wrote about earlier. There is no "six month visa".

Your father would have to apply at a Consulate outside of Thailand, Vieniane, Laos has been one of the more generous consulates in the region is why I mentioned it earlier. Your Father would apply for a double entry Tourist Visa. As I explained earlier, upon each entry he would be stamped permitted to stay for 60 days, just before the 60 days are finished, he would apply for a 30 day extension for 1900 Baht. Before the visa expires, he would need to exit the country, and return(can be the same day) and make his second entry of 60 days, plus the next 30 day extension, that would give almost six months.

Tourist Visas are applied for outside of Thailand at a Consulate, the extensions are applied for inside Thailand at his local immigration office.

Beechguy - thank you. That is very clear. Thank you again.

[Electra28]

Richard, I think you're mixing amounts here...

The 800,000 baht amount in a Thai bank applies to retirement extensions of stay, two month prior on the first application and 3 months prior on all subsequent applications.

The 400,000 baht in a Thai bank or 40,000 baht per month income applies to extensions of stay based on marriage to a Thai citizen. Although in this case, the OP's father apparently is not married to a Thai citizen, so that wouldn't be available to him...at least at present.

Given the correct set of circumstances (i.e. more than 800,000 baht in a Thai Bank account for the past 3 months, or 40,000 baht per month documented income) your father should be able to apply for a retirement visa.

Hi again

Can I just check something with you?

My dad isnt married to his girlfriend (Thai citizen), so he would be applying for a retirement extension of stay. Does that mean he has to have the 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account ONLY, and cant have a mixture of money in a Thai bank and a monthly income of however much?

Thank you.

As for an earlier question, the term seasoning is used by some, simply meaning having the funds in the account for the appropriate amount of time. For retirement exensions, and he is using the 800K in the bank, it would be accepted at many offices if it was in the bank for 2 months for the initial application, for later applications they would require it in bank 3 months.

The other method is showing an income of 65,000 Baht per month, no waiting period, or a combination of the income and saving account, again no waiting period. So yes, he can use the mixture of money.

Thanks again beechguy. I'm starting to get it now. I really appreciate your help.

[Electra28]

Yes, as Beechguy explains above, to meet Thai Immigration's financial requirement for a retirement based extension of stay... there are three different ways available....

--the 800,000 baht in a Thai bank deposit.

--65,000 baht per month in income from any documentable source, inside or outside of Thailand (can include salary, pension, bank interest, rental income, etc etc.)

--or a combination of Thai bank deposits and monthly income that together meet at least the 800,000 per year amount.

If a person is using the 800,000 baht Thai bank deposits method, normally for a person making their first retirement extension application, the funds must be on deposit two months prior... and then three months prior for each subsequent year's renewal.

However, as Mario noted above, because the OPs father already has had employment based extensions, it's possible Immigration might want the three month advance deposit from the start...

The bank deposits usually need to be documented by a letter from the Thai bank issued a day before the applicant goes to Immigration. Income from outside Thailand is documented by a letter from the applicant's country's consulate in Bangkok. Income from inside Thailand is documented by Thai tax returns.

Thank you jfchandler. Really clear advice. Thank you.

[Electra28]

Is that extension for 7 days? Where would you apply for this extension?

The seven day extension is applied for at immigration after you cancel the employment extension of stay to allow time for new application or pack out.

Thank you lopburi3.

[Electra28]

What about the often mentioned letter from the Labor Dept., confirming termination of the Labor Permit? Is that not necessary if the expiration date of the work permit coincides with the date the new extension visa (retirement) would begin?

When the employment ends, you do not need a letter from the Labour Department saying so. You need a letter from the company.

In addition, you need a copy of the latest PND 1 (the company's monthly income tax report) to show that the taxes were paid.

These documents you take to immigration (not the labour department) to cancel your extension of stay. There is no need to cancel the work permit at the labour department.

This is my experience from about two months ago. This was at the One-Stop, but the only difference is that everything is under one roof, while you'd otherwise have to criss-cross the city. The law remains the same.

Thank you for the information. I will make sure I pass this all on to my dad.

Thanks again.

You are welcome. There is defninitely no need for a lawyer to do these simple steps, and the immigration officers will also be helpful.

As otheres have pointed out, cancelling the visa means that he will have to leave the country within 24 hours. I failed to mention that. If he has all the documents together to apply for the retirement visa, he can do that right away, right there at the immigration office in Chaeng Wattana. If he does not have the documents ready, he can either leave for another country right away and apply for a visa at a Thia consulate, or get an extension of stay right there at immigration in Chaweng Wattana.

Thank you tombkk. Have I got this right that the extension of stay he could apply for at Chaweng Wattana is for 7 days? I hope Ive got it right!

[Mario2008]

He can apply for an "extension" of 7 days or if he meets the requriement for an extension based on retirement for an extension of stay for 1 year, every year again.

[Electra28]

He can apply for an "extension" of 7 days or if he meets the requriement for an extension based on retirement for an extension of stay for 1 year, every year again.

Brilliant. Thank you Mario2008.

[phupaman]

HI All.

A question for the experts on this forum.

I have had a thai retirement visa for 4 years, and have had 1,462,000.00 thai baht in Kasikorn Bank earning nothing so last week I went into the bank to arrange a letter fo immigration, and the girl in the bank asked me would i like to put this money into a fixed account for 6 monthes tax free at 2%, why not Ithought ,it is still in a thai bank.

So today I go to Khonkaen Immigration armed with all relevant forms and photocopies and Bank books,I was told cannot re-new visa as fixed account not allowed , so i went back to my bank and got another letter explaining that their is at leasi 800,000 baht that i can withdraw at any time no way said Immigration ,So I am now forced toget a 60 day extension and scramble to get 400,000 baht into a new accout so that i can get a marriage visa.I must mention that today was for my 90 days and my extension runs out on Feb 15th, Were they correct to refuse me on account that i switched to a fixed Bank Account?

phupaman.

[jfchandler]

The Immigration regulation on the subject simply says 800,000 baht on deposit in a bank in Thailand. The regulation doesn't specify what kinds of accounts are or are not supposed to be accepted.

That said, as best as I recall, there have been many here who have kept their funds in fixed term deposits and had no problem at Immigration. However, there also have been some who have encountered problems over that, as you appear to have done.

A regular savings account certainly is less likely to encounter any kind of problem. And if it's any consolation, once you've received your new extension for a particular year, you don't have to keep the 800,000 in that same no or little interest savings account. You can put the funds into a fixed deposit for a six months term...

Just be sure you have the 800,000 baht into your account at least 3 months before your next extension application.

It's an unfortunate reality of life here that in many kinds of transactions, what is OK and accepted 90% of the time is not OK and not accepted another 10% of the time by the exact same agencies/departments/businesses....

PS - If you have ANY kind of income from inside or outside Thailand (pension, rental income, bank interest earnings, etc.), you can use the combination method to meet the financial requirement -- Thai bank deposits and monthly income equaling 800,000 baht per year. The advantage of that over the straight bank deposits method is it doesn't require the funds be on deposit for 3 months prior... So you could re-arrange your Kasikorn funds and then go the very next day back to Immigration and apply using the combo method... no three months prior deposit required.

[Mario2008]

As above, different immigration offices seem to have different rules. But often they require that you are able to withdraw the mney at any time, as you are supposed to have the money to live on.

As above: Don't forget that immigration also allows for a combination of yearly income and money in the bank, totaling 800,000. If you have an income from abroad you can ask your embassy to confirm this. Than you would only need to show the remainder in the bank. The nice thing about this option is that the money in the bank does NOT need to be seasoned!

[tombkk]

HI All.

A question for the experts on this forum.

I have had a thai retirement visa for 4 years, and have had 1,462,000.00 thai baht in Kasikorn Bank earning nothing so last week I went into the bank to arrange a letter fo immigration, and the girl in the bank asked me would i like to put this money into a fixed account for 6 monthes tax free at 2%, why not Ithought ,it is still in a thai bank.

So today I go to Khonkaen Immigration armed with all relevant forms and photocopies and Bank books,I was told cannot re-new visa as fixed account not allowed , so i went back to my bank and got another letter explaining that their is at leasi 800,000 baht that i can withdraw at any time no way said Immigration ,So I am now forced toget a 60 day extension and scramble to get 400,000 baht into a new accout so that i can get a marriage visa.I must mention that today was for my 90 days and my extension runs out on Feb 15th, Were they correct to refuse me on account that i switched to a fixed Bank Account?

phupaman.

The immigration officer who rejected your extension of stay is wrong. You can have the money in a fixed account, as long as it has been there for three months. The Thai law is clear about having the amount in a Thai bank, there is no mentioning of the type of account. Print out the regulation from the immigration website, show it to the officer, and ask him to call to Bangkok if he has any questions.

There is only one law in Thailand, and low-level immigration officers do not have much leeway to judge. I disagree with Mario2008 in this respect. However, the government officers might not be properly trained or updated.

[tombkk]

Thank you tombkk. Have I got this right that the extension of stay he could apply for at Chaweng Wattana is for 7 days? I hope Ive got it right!

He can apply for 7 days at Chaeng Wat if he has no credentials that allow him to apply for further extensions. It's just a means to allow him to pack up and book a ticket.

If he has the documents for a retirement visa ready, he can apply for a year based on that.

[phupaman]

Thanks Tom bkk

Apparently it seems they blocked me as the fixed account had only been switched for a couple of days, But it is the same money and it has never left the Bank. I think they are being bloody minded , but I will survive.

phupaman

[jfchandler]

Ahh... not that it makes the situation any better.... but it may have been rejected NOT because the funds were in a fixed deposit account per se and the Immigration officer considered that unacceptable...

But instead, because you had MOVED the funds from one account to a new account (the fixed deposit one, admittedly with the same bank and still in your name) during the required seasoning period.

That seems kind of a hard a** interpretation of the requirement...but at least...I can understand them doing that moreso than simply flatly refusing a fixed deposit account.

[tombkk]

Thanks Tom bkk

Apparently it seems they blocked me as the fixed account had only been switched for a couple of days, But it is the same money and it has never left the Bank. I think they are being bloody minded , but I will survive.

phupaman

Bummer. Hey, keep your head up.

[tombkk]

Ahh... not that it makes the situation any better.... but it may have been rejected NOT because the funds were in a fixed deposit account per se and the Immigration officer considered that unacceptable...

But instead, because you had MOVED the funds from one account to a new account (the fixed deposit one, admittedly with the same bank and still in your name) during the required seasoning period.

That seems kind of a hard a** interpretation of the requirement...but at least...I can understand them doing that moreso than simply flatly refusing a fixed deposit account.

Unfortunately, this makes sense to me.

[Electra28]

Richard, I think you're mixing amounts here...

The 800,000 baht amount in a Thai bank applies to retirement extensions of stay, two month prior on the first application and 3 months prior on all subsequent applications.

The 400,000 baht in a Thai bank or 40,000 baht per month income applies to extensions of stay based on marriage to a Thai citizen. Although in this case, the OP's father apparently is not married to a Thai citizen, so that wouldn't be available to him...at least at present.

Given the correct set of circumstances (i.e. more than 800,000 baht in a Thai Bank account for the past 3 months, or 40,000 baht per month documented income) your father should be able to apply for a retirement visa.

Hi jfchandler

I'm hoping you can help (again)?

I don't fully understand this, I am thinking that perhaps my dad should have tried to sort things out himself, but this is what he's told me, and I am a little confused as to what he should/or can do next.

The company have got what I would call an extension for my dad until March 23rd. However the stamp says '90 days to report, this is not an extension' (or something like that).

They have then got him an exit visa (which supposedly one needs when they have a work permit) which says '31st January to England'.

Originally my dad had asked for a flight ticket to the UK, and he also asked if they could extend his visa. It seems this could be where the confusion came. Plus they told him they were booking him a flight to the UK, but in fact they haven't.

I'm sorry if this doesn't make sense.

Can my dad exit anywhere else now he has that stamp which says he must exit to England?

I am very confused!

Thank you in advance.

[beechguy]

Richard, I think you're mixing amounts here...

The 800,000 baht amount in a Thai bank applies to retirement extensions of stay, two month prior on the first application and 3 months prior on all subsequent applications.

The 400,000 baht in a Thai bank or 40,000 baht per month income applies to extensions of stay based on marriage to a Thai citizen. Although in this case, the OP's father apparently is not married to a Thai citizen, so that wouldn't be available to him...at least at present.

Given the correct set of circumstances (i.e. more than 800,000 baht in a Thai Bank account for the past 3 months, or 40,000 baht per month documented income) your father should be able to apply for a retirement visa.

Hi jfchandler

I'm hoping you can help (again)?

I don't fully understand this, I am thinking that perhaps my dad should have tried to sort things out himself, but this is what he's told me, and I am a little confused as to what he should/or can do next.

The company have got what I would call an extension for my dad until March 23rd. However the stamp says '90 days to report, this is not an extension' (or something like that).

They have then got him an exit visa (which supposedly one needs when they have a work permit) which says '31st January to England'.

Originally my dad had asked for a flight ticket to the UK, and he also asked if they could extend his visa. It seems this could be where the confusion came. Plus they told him they were booking him a flight to the UK, but in fact they haven't.

I'm sorry if this doesn't make sense.

Can my dad exit anywhere else now he has that stamp which says he must exit to England?

I am very confused!

Thank you in advance.

Not JFC, but until he or one of the other more knowledgeable guys come along, I'll give an opinion. The first part that you mention, sounds like a simple address report, it is not an extension, just a report that people have to comply with if they stay in Thailand more than 90 days, it has nohting to do with when they must exit.

Far as the exit visa, I have never heard of such a thing here and would be interested to know where that is stamped. Far as I know, he can go anywhere he wants, and he may still try to apply for a visa within the region if he chooses, and may also apply for the 7 day extension.