Hi All,

I barely got my first extension when here comes another Immigration question!

So: Is there any difficulty in switching from being in the retirement system to getting a work permit? And if the job is finished (or I quit) and the work permit expires, is there any difficulty getting back into the retirement system?

Background: I'm Canadian, over 50, came on a non O-A which expired and I am now on my first one-year retirement extension, which I just got last month. Something came up and I am now considering taking a job in Thailand. The employer, a reliable Thai company, would look after getting me the work permit (I have not yet researched what would be required for that).

If the job doesn't work out I would want to get back into the retirement system. I imagine the latter would entail going to Vientiane, KL, etc., and getting a new O visa, then re-entering and extending it. Is that correct? Any pitfalls or tricks I should watch out for either way (retirement to work permit or vice-versa)?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

TG

Depends on the local immigraiton office and labour office. Most will convert you to an extension based on work, but you might be required to take a trip to a neighbouring country to get a non-B visa. Not a big deal but an inconvieneince.

Converting from working to retirement should not be a problem.

Depends on the local immigraiton office and labour office. Most will convert you to an extension based on work, but you might be required to take a trip to a neighbouring country to get a non-B visa. Not a big deal but an inconvieneince.

Converting from working to retirement should not be a problem.

Mario, thanks. Is the labour office a separate office? I'm in BKK, I went to Chaeng Wattana for my retirement extension, would I go there for a work permit too?

Totally different departments of government. Work permit is from labor office unless you are allowed to use the one stop processing center (restricted to export promoted type company employment) which has representatives of both immigration and labor.

Yes the labor office is separate from immigration.

Info here: http://wp.doe.go.th/sites/eng/contact_us.pdf

Thanks All for your help!

Cheers,

TG