Due to some bureaucratic bungling with a new passport I've ended up having an overstay even though my work permit is still good for a few more months. I must leave Thailand soon and come back in with a new visa.

The question is, do I have to cancel the work permit before leaving the country? Or could I come back in with a new visa and cancel the work permit when it expires in a few months?

Thanks for any advice.

You should have your wok permit cancelled when your employment ends.

You do not need to cancel you work permit before leaving to get a new visa.

You will need to show your valid work permit to get the visa.

If I have a valid work permit which expires on May 1, 2015, and I have not been terminated nor have I quit the teaching job, can I fly out from the Suvarnabumi airport on a one way ticket without cancelling the work permit? I may decide not to came back to Thailand for several months. I don't care about losing the work permit because I'd have to get a new one anyways, if I were to keep teaching here. I really don't want to spend money and time cancelling the WP and getting a re-entry permit or an extension since I plan on leaving by airplane 4 days before the work permit expires. But I don't want to be trapped at the airport and lose my flight either. The info I've read on other threads says they (immigration) doesn't really look or care, but that info is 9 months old. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks.

Edited April 18, 201511 yr by lenhoonpaul

You will not be questioned at the airport. Given the 4 days left on the WP it will not be an issue.

You will not be questioned at the airport. Given the 4 days left on the WP it will not be an issue.

Thank you for the firm and reassuring answer.

I am happy that I don't have to endure reading conditionals like: "probably not" or "most likely won't be" or "you shouldn't be." Thank you again, Paul.

Confused, the WP has nothing to do with leaving the country, it is all about the extension of stay.

It is the employer's responsibility to cancel the work permit if you are no longer in their employ. Some employers will not cancel a work permit if you leave on good terms, in order to maintain your visa time, and grant you time on your visa to fine further employ. However, if you gained a non-B visa through your employer's application support and permit support, then if your employer cancels your work permit your non-B becomes immediately invalid, and you are on overstay from the very day of work permit cancellation. If your employer has done nothing, then you are fine to leave the country and the work permit has nothing to do with your visa validation.

It is highly likely that if you do leave the country then your previous employer will cancel your work permit, and so you need to enter on a new visa - be that a non-B or whatever visa you choose when you re-enter the country. You will no longer have any attachment to your previous employ.

It is the employer's responsibility to cancel the work permit if you are no longer in their employ. Some employers will not cancel a work permit if you leave on good terms, in order to maintain your visa time, and grant you time on your visa to fine further employ. However, if you gained a non-B visa through your employer's application support and permit support, then if your employer cancels your work permit your non-B becomes immediately invalid, and you are on overstay from the very day of work permit cancellation. If your employer has done nothing, then you are fine to leave the country and the work permit has nothing to do with your visa validation.

It is highly likely that if you do leave the country then your previous employer will cancel your work permit, and so you need to enter on a new visa - be that a non-B or whatever visa you choose when you re-enter the country. You will no longer have any attachment to your previous employ.

You are confusing a visa with an extension of stay. Visas are not cancelled.

It is the employer's responsibility to cancel the work permit if you are no longer in their employ. Some employers will not cancel a work permit if you leave on good terms, in order to maintain your visa time, and grant you time on your visa to fine further employ. However, if you gained a non-B visa through your employer's application support and permit support, then if your employer cancels your work permit your non-B becomes immediately invalid, and you are on overstay from the very day of work permit cancellation. If your employer has done nothing, then you are fine to leave the country and the work permit has nothing to do with your visa validation.

It is highly likely that if you do leave the country then your previous employer will cancel your work permit, and so you need to enter on a new visa - be that a non-B or whatever visa you choose when you re-enter the country. You will no longer have any attachment to your previous employ.

You are confusing a visa with an extension of stay. Visas are not cancelled.

Be advised: As of very recently, things have changed, and quite surreptitiously. If you try to leave by LAND and your work permit has not been cancelled by you or the employer, you will not be able to leave unless you cut the WP. If you leave without a re-entry stamp, your Non-B visa will be null and void if/when you re-enter Thailand. If you want a Non-B after you re-enter without a re-entry stamp, you need to start from scratch and re-apply for a Non-B.

Thanks for the responses.