Hi everyone, is the work permit a personal document? I am asking cuz I just resigned from my job and my employer is asking me to give my work permit back to him, but I understand that the WP is a personal document.

The WP is yours, but it is wise to give at least a copy to the employer as you must be able to show it at the place of work if asked for.

If you have resigned the work permit should be returned to the Labour Dept so I assume the employer wants it so that they can finalise your employment termination.

Are you here on a Visa or a permission to stay based on employment extension ?

Edited September 3, 201411 yr by Spoonman

The work permit does not have to be given back. It just needs to canceled.

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The work permit does not have to be given back. It just needs to canceled.

Thanks Ubonjoe.

And a cancelled work permit is useless so keeping it is pointless.

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If you have resigned the work permit should be returned to the Labour Dept so I assume the employer wants it so that they can finalise your employment termination.

Are you here on a Visa or a permission to stay based on employment extension ?

No, my visa is based on having a Thai wife.

I have never given a Work Permit back to an Employer. It should go to MOE to be cancelled, but many people do not bother.

And a cancelled work permit is useless so keeping it is pointless.

I remember reading something from the DOL which says it doesnt need to be returned but can be kept by someone for record purposes

so yes in a practical sense it is useless, but at least it is a record that you did work legally in Thailand at some point, if the question ever came up

I must confess I still have my Chinese "green book" from the late 90's kicking about somewhere in my paper work, which was akin to a WP/Visa in China at the time

I did keep it for novelty value as it had my name in Chinese and it was a "communist" looking document with lots of offical stamps all over it...

in practical terms it is useless as well..

Actually as long as it has not expired it could be used for ID to get into national parks @ the Thai price.

You have an extension of stay based on having a Thai Spouse, so cancellation of the WP will not affect this.

Yes you do not have to return your Work Permit to your employer, they can cancel it anyway, even if they don't have the original.

Also you can cancel the WP yourself - see attached cancellation form terms and conditions below:

wp_cancellation.pdf