Non B Visa Cancellation

[sofies]

For the past 6 years that I have been working in Thailand I was always assisted by the school's liaison in processing my working visa and wasn't needed to go out of Thailand. This year I have to do it on my own and have to go out of the country as well. I have some questions and need help.

I have an exisitng NON B visa that will expire in July 31st and I have tried calling at least a couple of visa run companies to ask about the requirements to get a new visa. Both companies told me I have to have all the visa documents from my new employer, a copy of my work permit, and a letter of cancellation of my visa from my previous employer. I have the first 2 requirements. The difference between the 2 companies is comp 1 told me my visa can be cancelled at the border in Cambodia with an extra fee of 500 THB. The other company told me I need to have my visa cancelled at the immigration in Bangkok first before I can go out to another country for a new NON B visa.

I am confused. Which one is the best thing to do? Also, I got my previous visa at the Nonthaburi Immigration. Can I have it cancelled at the Bangkok Immigration? And if I do, is there an extra payment too? If for example I can get my existing visa cancelled before I go out of Thailand would I not be fined for overstay once I get a new one since I will go out of Thailand the next day?

Anyone in the same boat or have been in the same boat as mine? Your help will be much appreciated. Thanks!

[Mario2008]

It depends on what you have. I think you have an extension of stay from immigration, which you got every year with the help of the school. The day you stop working, is the day you have to go to immigration to cancel your permission to stay (You also have to cancel your work permit at the labour office). For this you need a letter from your employer, stating your last day of employment, for both immigratin and labour office.

If your last day of employment is the 31st, you just leave the country but might need to cancel your WP if that doesn't expire on that day.

If you don't leave the country on your last day of employement, you are on overstay at 500 baht a day. Immmigration can give you 7 days to stay, if you pay 1,900 baht.

[sofies]

*Sorry. Chaengwattana Immigration NOT Bangkok Immigration.

[Mario2008]

It depends on where you live. If you leave in Nonthaburi, you have to go to Nonthaburi. If you live in BKK, you go to CW.

Cancelling is free, only a 7 day extension costs money. Cancel the WP first and bring the letter from your employer.

[sofies]

The end of my contract falls on the same date my visa and work permit expires. Both have not been cancelled yet. I left work in early May for a maternity leave and it will last until end of July but since I have found a new job closer to home I had to leave my other job. I was told by an officer at my previous employment to just let them know when I will go apply for a new visa so they can have my work permit cancelled for me. Since it's still considered as my summer break/maternity leave at the moment I'm taking this chance to go get a new visa before school opens thus I will not be waiting until my visa now to expire that's why I was told to have it cancelled first. Thing is I don't know where I can have it cancelled better. Is it considered over stay if my visa gets cancelled today for example and I go get a new visa tomorrow?

[sofies]

I live in BKK but it's not really the case of where I live. It is where the school was registered that's why my visa was processed at Nonthaburi. I'm guessing whatever comes along with my visa now I have to do it at Nonthaburi?

[Mario2008]

There is no need to cancel your permisison to stay or WP,or even leave the country. Best and easiest might be to just get a letter from your employer stating that your employment ends such and so date. Also get one for the labour office.

With this letter from your old employer and the required paperwork from your new employer you go to the labour office to cancel your WP and apply for a new one. With the new Wp or WP3 form you go to immigration and show them the letter from the old employer and apply for an extension of stay for working for the new employer, with WP or WP3 form and paperwork from the new employer. Simply pay 1,900 baht for the extension of stay and you are done.