I'm not sure if this specific situation has popped up before.

I consult throughout Asia, I'm currently Work Permitted on a short (2-3 months) project in Thailand.

I Entered Thailand on a Non-Imm Type B Visa and processed my Work permit once in country.

I also hold a Multiple Entry Visa (Tourist) which is open and still valid.

At the conclusion of Operations my agents will terminate my Work Permit and as I understand it I will have to go to Immigration and cancel my extension of stay and leave that day, or pay 1900B for a 7 day extension.

However, as I already hold a Visa is it possible to simply switch over to my Tourist Visa at Immigration (Chaengwattana) ?

I prefer not to have to fly in and fly out again just to switch over to a Visa I'm already holding.

Additionally I will have to depart Thailand for another project in January.

Are you on a 90 day visa stay? That does not end at end of work or work permit. A new visa entry would require exit and return but could be done at any land crossing.

Are you on a 90 day visa stay? That does not end at end of work or work permit. A new visa entry would require exit and return but could be done at any land crossing.

Thanks Lopburi3

My Visa Related to Work is:

1) Entered Thailand on a Non Imm Type B

2) Work Permit Processed.

3) Extension of Stay Permitted up to 29-Aug-2014

4) Re-Entry Permit (multiple) Length of Stay until 29-Aug-2014

From your reply am I correct in assuming that I'm OK to remain in Thailand until 29-Aug-2014 ? (with 90 day reports) based on my Extension of Stay.

OR, is my Extension of Stay based on my Work Permit, which when cancelled also means I must terminate my extension of stay and leave the country?

I am also holding a Separate Multiple Entry Visa which I usually exit and enter on when I'm not working in Thailand (that remains open and valid).

I'm in Bangkok, so its simpler just to fly out and back in rather than drive to a border. But, it feels like an unnecessary jaunt when I already hold a visa.

I'm also due to depart in Jan anyway, I could just get work to cancel the WP then.

----

A situation I'm trying to avoid is: 4 years ago I got a bit of a bo!!ocking at the Airport Immigration.

After Operations were complete, I'd exited Thailand to work overseas. I re-enterd and exited Thailand twice without issue. On my 3rd re-entry the Immigration Officer told me I had not cancelled my extension of stay (the old one associated with my WP, but by then it had expired already). He wasn't happy, but stamped me in, not much else he could do.

You are on extension so must cancel on last day of work and immediately depart. There are daily border trips from Bangkok for visa and visa exempt entry costing about 2000 baht or you can fly out and back but you must depart.

I also hold a Multiple Entry Visa (Tourist) which is open and still valid.

No it's cancelled when you got your extension of stay.

And there's is nothing such as multiple entry tourist visa, single, double or triple entry.

A visa would would still be valid.

A visa would would still be valid.

The OP is on extension of stay, permitted up to 29-Aug-2014.

But he says he also has tourist visas in his passport but has not provided any details on them.

I also hold a Multiple Entry Visa (Tourist) which is open and still valid.

I also hold a Multiple Entry Visa (Tourist) which is open and still valid.

No it's cancelled when you got your extension of stay.

And there's is nothing such as multiple entry tourist visa, single, double or triple entry.

I have an existing visa which permits multiple entries throughout the year (similar to a Type O, or Tourist Visa, no work permitted etc).

Thanks for all the replies.

I'm not interested in the border drive - fly out / in is the simplest option, returning on my other existing visa.

Thus: I'll hold on to the WP until closer to the time I'm due to depart in early Jan (work will be ok with this as I'll still be on December's books).

Question: On the day I depart will I need to visit Chaengwattana Immigration to cancel my extension of stay ?

Or, can I simply exit normally ?

(a few years back I got a slap on the wrist for simply exiting without cancelling my extension of stay).

You said you had a tourist visa. Now you say similar to a tourist or non immigrant visa? Are you actually talking about an APEC card?

I have an existing visa which permits multiple entries throughout the year (similar to a Type O, or Tourist Visa, no work permitted etc).

Thanks for all the replies.

I'm not interested in the border drive - fly out / in is the simplest option, returning on my other existing visa.

Thus: I'll hold on to the WP until closer to the time I'm due to depart in early Jan (work will be ok with this as I'll still be on December's books).

Question: On the day I depart will I need to visit Chaengwattana Immigration to cancel my extension of stay ?

Or, can I simply exit normally ?

(a few years back I got a slap on the wrist for simply exiting without cancelling my extension of stay).

Sorry, you can not hold a valid visa and extension of stay at the same time.

Your visa was cancelled when you got your extension of stay.

You will need to visit Chaengwattana immigration to cancel your extension of stay

But he says he also has tourist visas in his passport but has not provided any details on them.

I also hold a Multiple Entry Visa (Tourist) which is open and still valid.

Its the SE Visa provided through Thai Elite (It works very well for me, but I'm reluctant to say due to the haters on this forum)

.... 5 years validity, Multiple entry, must submit 90 day reports if in country longer than 90 days (I never am).

This the visa I've been in and out on for the past numerous years... but I still need enter on a Type B and Obtain a Work Permit when I consult on projects in Thailand.

Once this period of consultation is complete I will need to switch back over to the SE Visa.

Thus the questions:

- Could I do a simple visa switch with a visit to Immigration ? (this has been answered. No I can't)

- Will I have to fly out the same day I relinquish my Work Permit (as I understand it).

- After handing back my work permit to my company. Do I need to Visit Chaengwattana to cancel anything before flying out ? (I'm still not sure).

Sorry, you can not hold a valid visa and extension of stay at the same time.

Your visa was cancelled when you got your extension of stay.

Extensions do not cancel visas. Think of two entry tourist visa - you can extend first entry and still use the original visa for the new entry and another extension.

But he says he also has tourist visas in his passport but has not provided any details on them.

I also hold a Multiple Entry Visa (Tourist) which is open and still valid.

Its the SE Visa provided through Thai Elite (It works very well for me, but I'm reluctant to say due to the haters on this forum)

.... 5 years validity, Multiple entry, must submit 90 day reports if in country longer than 90 days (I never am).

This the visa I've been in and out on for the past numerous years... but I still need enter on a Type B and Obtain a Work Permit when I consult on projects in Thailand.

Once this period of consultation is complete I will need to switch back over to the SE Visa.

Thus the questions:

- Could I do a simple visa switch with a visit to Immigration ? (this has been answered. No I can't)

- Will I have to fly out the same day I relinquish my Work Permit (as I understand it).

- After handing back my work permit to my company. Do I need to Visit Chaengwattana to cancel anything before flying out ? (I'm still not sure).

Now understand why you did not want to mention it. But believe for some even most non believers can accept there is an advantage, at a price. But as said new entry is likely required but you could check with them as they may be able to pull strings. You should cancel the extension of stay with immigration (if not using BOI where both labor and immigration would do at same time).

I have an existing visa which permits multiple entries throughout the year (similar to a Type O, or Tourist Visa, no work permitted etc).

Thanks for all the replies.

I'm not interested in the border drive - fly out / in is the simplest option, returning on my other existing visa.

Thus: I'll hold on to the WP until closer to the time I'm due to depart in early Jan (work will be ok with this as I'll still be on December's books).

Question: On the day I depart will I need to visit Chaengwattana Immigration to cancel my extension of stay ?

Or, can I simply exit normally ?

(a few years back I got a slap on the wrist for simply exiting without cancelling my extension of stay).

Sorry, you can not hold a valid visa and extension of stay at the same time.

Your visa was cancelled when you got your extension of stay.

You will need to visit Chaengwattana immigration to cancel your extension of stay

Not true...

When entering Thailand I had two visas in my Passport.

Type B Visa (Single Entry 3 months)

The SE Visa (Multiple Entry 5 years)

I entered on the Type B visa.

There is no cancellation of the SE Visa which can still be used when I re-enter Thailand.

This is not in question or an issue - I was simply wondering if a switcharoo is possible without having to leave. Lopburi3 has answered this clearly. No I can't.

So now my question is now regarding what I have to cancel before flying out and returning on my SE Visa.

Actually my no you can not was based on a normal tourist visa entry as that was what I believed you had - as you have clarified that would check with your card contact as would expect they might have an arrangement available - if that fails then yes the normal cancel work permit and extension and immediate departure for a new entry.

Actually my no you can not was based on a normal tourist visa entry as that was what I believed you had - as you have clarified that would check with your card contact as would expect they might have an arrangement available - if that fails then yes the normal cancel work permit and extension and immediate departure for a new entry.

Thanks for the feed back...

When entering Thailand I had two visas in my Passport.

Normally you should not been able to have two visas at the same time.

You should have been able to get your extension of stay based on your SE visa.

When entering Thailand I had two visas in my Passport.

Normally you should not been able to have two visas at the same time.

You should have been able to get your extension of stay based on your SE visa.

I can't apply for a Work Permit with a SE Visa.

In order to apply for a Work Permit, I needed a Type B Non Imm Visa.

I'm assuming my extension of stay is based in this.

Perhaps someone messed up and should have cancelled the SE Visa while issuing the Type B ?

When I entered Thailand Immigration checked and asked me which Visa I wish to use.

What happens to guys who are here on a Type O Visa, then take work for a few months ?

They need to exit and come back in on a Type B visa, correct ?

Does that mean their Type O would be cancelled ? by whom?

I assuming in this situation both Visa's are valid, one is simply 'active' or being used, its a little too messy otherwise.

However, nothing surprises me here, the more convoluted the better it seems.

A person can work on a O visa as long as it is based upon marriage to a Thai. The only requirement to get a work permit is a non immigrant visa. The rules do not mention any type of visa being needed.

Edited November 16, 201312 yr by ubonjoe