Visa extension expired but have received new work permit book already...

[Bodger22]

Hi

I left my last job on 31st March 2014

I applied for a new work permit on 17th March 2014 with a letter confirming my resignation of old job on 1 April, plus official cancellation of old work permit and Visa (BOI staus).

BOI cancellation actually extended my Visa to 6 April, but Visa was only extended until 26th April by Immigration.

FYI - I did not have to leave the country during any of this.

On 23rd April I received my new work permit book from Labour department - dated 9 April 2014 for starting work period.

Was told today by new company via telephone that new Visa is not yet approved/back from Had Yai processing - Immigration have all the documentation as they requested.

Delay probably due to Songran holiday.

New company says I do not have to do anything about the Visa Extension expiring - just wait for the approval.

My question is should I ignore my new company, and present myself at Immigration to ask for another extension? i.e. is another extension required if they have all the correct documentation and the processing delay is by Immigration.

The Visa extension stamp in my passport actually says that I should present myself on the 26th, so that seems to be the obvious choice. But why would my new company say it is common for the Visa extion to expire whilst the Visa is being processed, and no action is needed?

I can attach Visa extension stamp if needed.

Feedback appreciated - thanks in advace.

[digitalchromakey]

When you say the you were extended until the 26th April, this was probably your 1 month 'under consideration' period for the new One Year Extension.

Check the stamp in your passport says 'under consideration', if it does then all is ok.

You go back to immigration to get the remaining 11 months, this is a formality, but you should go there no later than Monday as the 26th is a Saturday.

BOI has slightly different procedures, but you should definitely check on Monday.

[Bodger22]

Hi

Yes the date of the 26th was based on the 1 month 'under consideration' period for the new One Year Extension.

As you say this runs out tomorrow.

The new work permit is "normal" not BOI.

Although hopefully a formality, the additional 11 months is not yet approved accoring to the conversation today that my new company had on the phone with Immigration.

When I go there on Monday, will I need to formally request another extension, and of course pay for it, or will Immigration extend it themselves again - as they did when they gave me the first one month extension?

Also is it correct that Visa's get sent to Had Yai for approval and are not done in the Phuket Immigration Office? This is what my new company told me.

[digitalchromakey]

Hi

Yes the date of the 26th was based on the 1 month 'under consideration' period for the new One Year Extension.

As you say this runs out tomorrow.

The new work permit is "normal" not BOI.

Although hopefully a formality, the additional 11 months is not yet approved accoring to the conversation today that my new company had on the phone with Immigration.

When I go there on Monday, will I need to formally request another extension, and of course pay for it, or will Immigration extend it themselves again - as they did when they gave me the first one month extension?

Ok not BOI, no problem.

No, it's quite common for the conditional approval period to run over by a few days, this is when immigration will tell you to hang on for a while, but I do agree that it's certainly a bit scary having an expired stamp in your passport!

Don't stress, if it's going to take quite a bit longer then they will give you another one month 'under consideration' stamp, just listen to what they say.

Will be fine, no need to re-apply at this stage, but do go to immigration Monday and hear it with your own ears.

[Bodger22]

Thank you very much - feeling a bit less stressed!

Last question, when they do issue the Visa, in your opinion from what dates will the 12 months Visa start/finish?

As I mentioned the work permit is dated to start from 9th April.

Thanks again

[digitalchromakey]

Thank you very much - feeling a bit less stressed!

Last question, when they do issue the Visa, in your opinion from what dates will the 12 months Visa start/finish?

As I mentioned the work permit is dated to start from 9th April.

Thanks again

It's not a visa, it's an extension of permission to stay, your visa is long gone, that's why you would need a re-entry permit to exit/get back into Thailand.

Your new 'Permission to Stay' date will not lock to your WP dates, but will run for one year from the expiry of your previous extension, so my bet is the final stamp will be 'admitted until' 1st April 2015, but it might be the 7th April depending how they look at the 7 days that you automatically got when ending your BOI extension.

b.t.w. yes Phuket Extensions that require approval go to Had Yai.

[ubonjoe]

Immigration policy is that as long as you have an under consideration stamp you are legally in the country even after the report back date. Many offices do not do a new stamp after the first period runs out.