Typical teacher switching jobs situation WP being processed

[55bulldog]

I went to the big BK immigration office (the indoor government building with about 20 government agencies inside it) by my school. I submitted my docs for the work permit and received my non immigrant B (this is what is stamped in my passport and I think I paid 2,000 baht for-receipt is in Thai-can't read it). As it turns out, I am struggling a lot with the working conditions of the Thai public schools (I got a good laugh when I logged on to see one of today's articles was about the new Ed minister saying the system needs serious revamping!) I am a native speaker from an English speaking country and actually taught back home and another country. I have a masters in ed and thought it would work out because the school is one of the "big names" here and I figured it would look great on the CV in the future but it is making me miserable.

My question is: Is the next step for me to get my work permit when I go back for my 1st 90 day check-in? The trip to immigration was about 2-3 weeks ago so what happens if I give the school a one month notice that I am leaving.....am I still good for the non B but the work permit will be nullified and if I get a new job that I will have to inconveniently do the whole process again? Should I just grin and bear it until I get the work permit and then give them a one month notice (what would/could the school do to me if I did that?)

I do not want to just leave the school high and dry. I mean it's been great getting advise such as "it's ok to hit them with the rulers" (and actually observing it-not to mention other techniques such as getting in a kid's face and asking him if he is stupid, and going on facebook while you pop in a video) but then again it's hard not to blame the teachers when you have 50 kids in a class and you must pass them all. But seriously, I do not want to screw the school over.

I am sure I could have fished around for this but my connection is slow, it's late, and I am off to bed. If this post is similar to another you can just send me the thread. Thanks a million!

[Mario2008]

You need a work permit before you start working, you are curently working illegally.

The work permit is only good for the employer mentioned in the WP, a new employer would mean applying for a new WP.

Not sure on the status of you non-B conversion, it may end or they may not extend it as it is for another employer or they may extend it without a problem, provided you have a work permit.

[lopburi3]

Remember that your extension of stay ends the moment your employment ends and would need to be canceled/changed immediately.

[55bulldog]

Thank you Mario and lopburi, ....the way I understood it was that I was now legal to work because all the paper work was turned in (WP permit, medical tests with a physician note, copies of pp, etc)the "i's" dotted and "t's"crossed-it was just a matter of the WP being processed and then given to me. This is according to another countrymen of mine that was waiting with me (who is married to a Thai and taught here a few years). As he explained it to me, he asked the employment agent that brought me to immigration and s/he confirmed that it meant I was working legal (then again this is a random person and there may have been some "lost in translation"). So it is interesting to know that this may not be true and I could be working illegally now........who to believe and what to believe?........not to be one of those annoying people that ask for advice and doesn't listen but it seems there is too much information about this and it's confusing to know what is true. Thanks for your input though it is truly appreciated

I guess my main concern is the non immigrant B visa and if it will still be valid after I give notice and work for a month after I give notice. Let's say October 3rd is the expiration date on my non immigrant B. I give my job a one month termination of contract notice next week.....July 11th for example. Which means I am officially off the contract and jobless August 11th. Will I still be here legally August 11 to October 3rd? Will I be causing a problem for myself and any potential new employer if I quit before the WP is processed and find another job since I was already put into the system once and then promptly returning again?

Also, I have been told the work permit is mine as far as possession of it is concerned but my employer is demanding that they keep it on premises in case of an inspection to prove I am there legal. I had a slight confrontation with the school/agency owner (a farang) over this when I questioned it and made light of the fact that I know teachers that have their wp on them or at home. The way I see it, if I paid for it and it is an important document-it's mine. Could this be true or just a bluff for some reason?

Thanks again for any genuine advice and personal experience!

[Mario2008]

The WP is yours, but you must be able to show it when there is an inspection, hence the school request. I would give them a copy of the WP if you don't want to give them the WP itself. It is your right to hold on to it.

Your situation regarding the non-B is complicated, as it concerns a conversion. As said, I am not sure how immigration will handle it in your case.

Working while the WP is being processed seems normally being accepted, but not strictly legal.

[55bulldog]

Thanks again, Mario2008 for the quick response. Guess, I gotta tough it out until the WP is processed and I have it in hand. Hopefully, it will be in a few days to weeks.

[Uddernonsense]

Your WP and visa non-B will be canceled once you have served your notice. The visa is valid for another 7 days during which time your new employer needs to prepare your papers for you to leave the country and re-apply for a new visa non-B status. A new WP will then be issued by the MOL once you have got your new non-B visa, new med certificate etc..

An employer typically spends B 30,000- B 40,000 for a WP for you. Stick it out for at least 6-8 months ... You are screwing them over.

There is no problem with your WP being kept at school. You didn't pay for it, they did! The WP is of little use for you unless you want to use it to get a bank account, credit card etc. keep your passport with you and not at school.

It is ok to work while your work permit is being processed.

[Mario2008]

Your WP and visa non-B will be canceled once you have served your notice. The visa is valid for another 7 days during which time your new employer needs to prepare your papers for you to leave the country and re-apply for a new visa non-B status. A new WP will then be issued by the MOL once you have got your new non-B visa, new med certificate etc..

An employer typically spends B 30,000- B 40,000 for a WP for you. Stick it out for at least 6-8 months ... You are screwing them over.

There is no problem with your WP being kept at school. You didn't pay for it, they did! The WP is of little use for you unless you want to use it to get a bank account, credit card etc. keep your passport with you and not at school.

It is ok to work while your work permit is being processed.

OP gives a month notice, if his permission to stay becomes invalid is uncertain as he is on a conversion and not on an extension.

You do not get 7 days to leave if the permission is cancelled, you have to leave the sme day but cna apply for an extra 7 days for 1,900 baht.

I can asure you that my employer didn't spent anywhere near 30,000 baht on a WP for me.

Many people have a probation period, that applies to both employer and employee to see if it is a "match".