Work permits to be valid for 2 years - Govt proposal

[webfact]

Govt plans to extend work permits

Pridiyathorn expects economy to pick up

Chiang Rai: The government plans to seek cabinet approval for its proposal to extend the maximum period of work permits for foreigners working in Thailand to two years from the current one year, as part of a range of measures aimed at attracting more foreign investment.

Deputy Prime Minister Pridiyathorn Devakula revealed the plan at yesterday's forum of the 32nd Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) annual meeting in Chiang Rai.

The government planned to propose the cabinet approve the work permit extension at the weekly meeting tomorrow. It was among measures designed to boost foreign investment in Thailand, he said.

Full story: http://bangkokpost.com/news/general/445029/govt-unveils-plan-to-extend-work-permits

-- Bangkok Post 2014-11-24

[webfact]

Govt to seek cabinet approval to extend maximum work permits period for foreigners working in Thailand from 1 to 2 years

to attract more foreign investment. /The Nation

[Briggsy]

I thought BOI companies had work permits longer than one year already.

This looks to be nothing but a superficial, administrative move unless the highly specific nature of work permits here changes, i.e. specifying location, duties, etc.

[toybits]

Close but no CIGAR!!!

[ALAV]

It seems that's what they are already doing, even for non BOI setups. I was issued with a brand new permit with a 2-years validity last month in Chiang Mai.

"...to attract more foreign investment."

Not certain about that. But now pay THB3000/year = THB6000, whether you want to work only one year on not.

[LennyW]

I thought BOI companies had work permits longer than one year already.

This looks to be nothing but a superficial, administrative move unless the highly specific nature of work permits here changes, i.e. specifying location, duties, etc.

Yes, i work for a BOI company and we get 2 year visa and 2 year work permit.

[Briggsy]

I thought BOI companies had work permits longer than one year already.

This looks to be nothing but a superficial, administrative move unless the highly specific nature of work permits here changes, i.e. specifying location, duties, etc.

Yes, i work for a BOI company and we get 2 year visa and 2 year work permit.

Thank you.

So, the announcement, at best, contains omissions.

[Lammbock]

2 years WP + 2 years NON-B-Visa and we are cool (for all Businesses)

[zaphod reborn]

Perhaps they are going to expand the kinds of companies that can have 2-year work permits issued. Currently, IT companies can only get 1 year work permits for their foreign workers.

[useronthenet]

They are probably trying to cushion the blow when the ammendment for the foreign business act (FBA) kicks in, as recently proposed.

Most of course are not that dumb, and it's predicted that investment will stop flowing into the country, as conditions are not favourable.

[Ralf61]

Perhaps they are going to expand the kinds of companies that can have 2-year work permits issued. Currently, IT companies can only get 1 year work permits for their foreign workers.

Got my second 2-years extention in April of this year. I am a sort of IT company. As in many cases, it's "on the discretion of the officer in charge". Connecting the WP with a permission to stay would be great (in the good direction, not in the bad one it was the case about 5 to 6 years ago.

[AliSaeed]

Is there any possibility for marriage visa of more than a year hope someone from thai cabinet will think about this too

[zaphod reborn]

Perhaps they are going to expand the kinds of companies that can have 2-year work permits issued. Currently, IT companies can only get 1 year work permits for their foreign workers.

Got my second 2-years extention in April of this year. I am a sort of IT company. As in many cases, it's "on the discretion of the officer in charge". Connecting the WP with a permission to stay would be great (in the good direction, not in the bad one it was the case about 5 to 6 years ago.

The specific industry that is restricted to 1 year is Enterprise Software.

[whybother]

I'm not sure how a 2 year work permit will lead to more foreign investment.

[Dogmatix]

This should be an easy win for the government, since the maximum period for WP was already increased to 2 years in the 2008 Working of Aliens Act without any specific conditions. The problem has been the reluctance of the Labour Ministry to follow the law and issue 2 year permits. Normally they will only do this if the employer has hundreds of millions in paid up capital or is public company. The catch 22 is that these companies also qualify for the one stop visa and WP service which has not been allowed to issue 2 year WPs as far as I know. Anyway a 2 year WP is less useful if you can't also get a 2 year nonB visa at the one stop service.

I have been on 2 year WPs since 2009 and it's useful for me but only coz I have PR and am thus ineligible for the one stop service, even tho my company is.

Seems they just need to tell the Labour Ministry to apply the existing law without wrinkles but I am sure they will want to maintain conditions that will still make 2 year WPs unattainable for most. Hoping to be proved wrong.

[Thai at Heart]

I'm not sure how a 2 year work permit will lead to more foreign investment.

In fact it might cause economic activity to fall because of reduced money for applications and processing.

[wilcopops]

I had a BOI 2 year visa before...i also saw this mooted about 2 months ago and I asked my colleagues at immigration then - they'd never heard of it........it would be nicer.....depending on cost and conditions......

[Tatsujin]

Perhaps removing "at the officer's discretion" from every single visa, work permit etc application might help also ... it's more than annoying when all the paperwork is completely correct and has been for years and they still don't grant what you are entitled to, but instead want the kickbacks to get what the law says we are entitled to.

[bubba]

A two year WP is not exactly all that beneficial unless Immigration also issues a two year visa extension.

[Don Mega]

A two year WP is not exactly all that beneficial unless Immigration also issues a two year visa extension.

They do. Well for people with 2 year Boi work permits anyways.

[LennyW]

A two year WP is not exactly all that beneficial unless Immigration also issues a two year visa extension.

They do. Well for people with 2 year Boi work permits anyways.

Correct, and with the BOI status one of the biggest advantages, for me anyway, is being able to use the fast track lanes at the airport, 500 in the queue for immigration at one side - 2 or 3 for the fast track lane :-)

[smedly]

sounds good

how about updating traffic laws to allow large displacement motorbikes on tollways

[Ceruhe]

I'd love to get 1 year for starters, my dimwits still match it to my 90 day stamp. Will have my border run coming up early december, so let's see if I get surprised this time around.

[cjars]

Chiang mai regularly issues 2 year WP, but not on the first year of business. They still charge 6k tho.

[SamuiRes]

Is there any possibility for marriage visa of more than a year hope someone from thai cabinet will think about this too

As the WP is tied to the length of the visa this should be the case - but TIT and I bet they haven't thought of that!

[Nickymaster]

I'm not sure how a 2 year work permit will lead to more foreign investment.

Correct. But a WP and/or visa of 2 years isn't worth much without an employment contract. (and proof you pay income tax).

Just less paperwork.

[SoFarAndNear]

How about 2 year extension for spouse?

First time 1 year extension

Second time 2 year extension

Third time residential permit (with certain requirements)

Sounds fair... or not?!

[DrTuner]

Getting the work permit in the first place is the issue, not extending it.

[whybother]

sounds good

how about updating traffic laws to allow large displacement motorbikes on tollways

Yeah, cos that has everything to do with 2 year work permits.

[ALLSEEINGEYE]

too little too late, how about being able to get your Non B locally instead of flying out? How about streamlining the whole process so we don't have to waste 4 different days of work to get the work permit and Non B done? How about ending the ridiculous 90 check in??