End Of Contract And Have To Hand Back Work Permit

[Litlos]

Some guidance/opinions on options would be appreciated. I have tried reading the various visa threads and have ended up confused. So not wishing to make a mistake on the visa type going forward, decided to post for input as there seems to be some people with a good handle on these types of questions. Also I have a very slow internet connection at the moment, so researching anything is very slow and frustrating.

Current situation:

· Living and working in Thailand on a work permit plus visa (Non B?), has always been taken care of by agency so not really up to speed. Been working here 5+ years.

· Have rented apartment in early Sukhumvit area.

· Have live in TGF, not married. Though that may change.

· Age 50 +.

· Nationality – Australian, home city Perth.

· Thai bank accounts, one with 800k+ of Thai Baht in it for longer than 2 months already.

Situation shortly:

· Work contract will not be renewed due to nationalisation of workforce.

· Still wish to remain in Thailand. Chance of another job in Thailand, slim at the moment, may change in the future. Eventually will retire here (Plan A).

· No idea where or when next job will be, I normally work rotating roster 4 weeks x 4 weeks or similar. So could be working anywhere and still come to Thailand on time off.

Options for Visa’s as I see it:

· Retirement – I meet the criteria as far as I can tell. However two potential problems. 1/ I wish to leave going to a retirement visa until I am ready to bring personal possessions from Australia as I believe there is a period of nil import tax/duty whatever for personal goods. 2/ If I find another job in Thailand the immigration people can get a bit funny about converting retirement to work back to retirement especially if done more than once. This is based on what happened to a friend who did it twice and was told not to do again. Different Immigration office/officer, maybe different opinion.

· Ed visa – An option that requires an extra outlay of funds for tuition whilst unemployed, but is probably feasible. I am researching schools in parallel to this post. Though long slow process on a very slow internet connection to do any research.

· Non immigrant O – Saw something on this one this morning, but have not found any details as yet. Sort of sounds like a long term visitor visa.

Going forward (the questions):

· Everything will be in a state of flux for a while, I need to ensure flexibility in whatever option I go with.

· Which visa option(s) is best fit for my circumstances?

· As I will still have the work permit and visa for a few weeks is there a potential to simply swap to a different visa while in Thailand, or do I need to go to Laos, Malaysia or Australia?

Bit long winded, but hopefully I have covered all the relevant points.

Cheers

[lopburi3]

Suspect in your friends case it was not at the end of the permitted stay and he wanted to change without leaving and obtaining a new entry visa. You should never have a problem if willing to start from visa entry and then extend for a new reason.

I suspect a quick trip to Oz would allow you to obtain a multi entry non immigrant O visa and believe that would be your best option for now as you can go any direction from that when you want. Each stay up to 90 days and just a border crossing needed to get another.

As for shipment of effects that normally requires a work permit to be sure of non tax status.

But if you do not want to exit country retirement extension of stay would be easy to obtain and you can always change your mind. There is no reason for ED study in your case as retirement would be better and if you want to study on that you can do so.

[Litlos]

I suspect a quick trip to Oz would allow you to obtain a multi entry non immigrant O visa and believe that would be your best option for now as you can go any direction from that when you want. Each stay up to 90 days and just a border crossing needed to get another.

I got up early and the internet was reasonable for a couple of hours before the herd woke up. Great, time for some research using the information given as basis. First problem, need 18 months validity in passport for O type visa, only have 17 months. To renew passport allow 10 days. Second problem no Thai consulate in Perth anymore and have to send paperwork to Canberra, and allow 3 weeks for processing, plus a few days for postage. So the quick trip to Oz is up to about 6 weeks. I am thinking slip across the border to Laos and get a 6 month visa or something, then apply for a new passport in BKK. The Ed visa is looking more attractive all the time as do not have to spend extended periods in Oz to accomplish.

You are 100% correct about the import of goods. Rechecked this morning and need work permit for the free import. Back to the drawing board on that one.

Cheers

[lopburi3]

Perth closed some time ago but Brisbane can do by mail in a couple days or much faster if you visit. Those 'weeks' are total nonsense (Singapore says the same thing). Almost all provide the next workday but cover themselves for an exception.