Hello,

I'm 50+ American woman, been working at a Thai university

just short of 3 years (non-Imm B visa, work title is "expert")

My husband's in the same situation. Our goal is to stay here

permanently.

So far, every year the university renews our contract - then

we get the paperwork together and go extend our visas for a year -

then we go to the Labour department and extend our work permits.

That all works okay, but it's tedious and always ends up being

stressful because of delays in getting the paperwork.

Now the university has asked if we want to become "Permanent

Faculty", which apparently would mean no more annual contracts

(that is, a longer term contract).

Furthermore, from information posted about Thai residency, it appears

that we would be eligible (assuming we met the quota). So my question

is as follows:

IF we were permanent faculty and had long term contracts. AND

IF we had Thai residencey status

Would we still need to renew/extend our work permits every year? Or

would the Labour department renew them to the end of contract date

even if that were several years in the future?

Sorry that it took so long to set up this hypothetical scenario.

Does anyone have any knowledge on this topic? (Or even opinions?!)

From the Office of Foreigner Workers Administration, Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour:

VALIDITY OF WORK PERMIT

1. A work permit is issued for one year period and may be renewed every year thereafter

See also Residency (Residence permit) and Permanent Residence Permit.

Does anyone have any knowledge on this topic? (Or even opinions?!)

I was in the exact same position as you. I was on annual contracts for about 12 years under the heading of "foreign expert". Two years ago the president of the university offered me a permanent staff position which I eagerly excepted and after 6 months of board meetings and reviewing my work the position took effect. It was a precedent for the university hiring a farang as a full time staff member and they had to create a new position (Senior Researcher in my case). It is the same position as a Thai would have and under the same guidelines and rules of the university. First year was probation, which I met with no problem and then a three year contract (this is the same for all new full time employees).

This does not mean automatic "permanent residency" as in immigration by any means, you will still have to get the 1-year extensions and the work permit renewal each year. However you get the full benefits that others get including retirement, medical, etc. It's nice not have to worry each year now if the contract is going to be renewed or the position remain opened.

However you fullfill the requirements of applying for permanent residency under the category of expert (academic) and that you have 3 years continuous stay on 1-year extension. I also plan on applying this year for permanent residency after putting it off for so long.

Edited April 29, 200620 yr by tywais

a work permit is a work permit even under residency. there are no longer work permits in thailand than the 1 year ones.

with residency the whole process of renewal is easier. it's also easier to get a new work permit once you change your job.

Danone is correct, all becomes easier. Also, you can after receiving you PR extend the WP from its original issue date another year. This is also cheaper.