Answered5 years ago

Can a Non-B visa holder change employers in Thailand without leaving the country?

Non-B Visa Visa Extension Work Permit Changing Employers Thai Immigration Lampang Immigration Office

Isiah *******

asked Apr 22, 2022

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Hi there everyone, I have a question about changing employers on a Non-B extension.

I have a friend that currently holds a Non-B and is on an extension that lasts until September 2nd. He also has a work permit that expires the same time. He is now wanting to change employers and teach at the same school that I teach at in Lampang. 

So I am curious, can my friend go to the Immigration office in Chiang Mai (his old employer location) and cancel the Non-B extension, and then apply for a new Non-B extension at the Lampang Immigration office? 

Both his old employer in CM and his new employer in Lampang are working and communicating together, which is great. I just want to help my friend have a smooth transition, and hopefully not need to leave the country for his new employment. 

Appreciate any help and advice.

Answer summary

A user inquires about the process for a friend changing employers while holding a Non-B visa and work permit in Thailand. The friend wants to transition to a new teaching job at a school in Lampang without exiting the country. The comments provide advice on coordinating the cancellation of the current Non-B extension and obtaining a new one, emphasizing the importance of cooperation between the old and new employers, as well as timing for the application process.

13 repliesnewest first

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Robert *******

As it is all clear to the OP, I close it down.

No need to go into a discussion if a person can cancel his own personal work pemit or can cancel stamps in his passport.

Work together and it can be achieved, sit down and wait until others do your job and you might end up in overstay.

Good luck to all and thanks for the input.

5 years ago

Chelsea ********

Basically if the new school knows what it's doing and the old school is willing to co-operate it's fairly easy to do

Essentially all parties must co-operate in sending necessary documents etc. And the 'previous' school must agree to cancel the work permit/visa on the exact same day the new school tells them to in order to get you the new non-b + work permit (all needs to happen on the same day)

5 years ago

Robert *******

@Chelsea *******

again:

For Example:

Visit on day 15 and cancel your stay on day 30,

Before day 30 visit the new Immigration Office to apply for a NEW Extension of Stay with the documents from the NEW Employer.

I deleted your personal story as you did not do this, but waited until the last day to try to arrange all. Different scenario does not make it a rule.

5 years ago

Chelsea ********

@Robert ******

no... I didn't wait until the last day, my new school had prepared to have everything done by day x.

They told previous employer (at least 2 weeks prior to day x) to cancel things on day x.

But when day x came, some documents weren't completed yet.

This forced me on to overstay and I was just letting OP know it can still be done if you end up on overstay but best to try and arrange it so that doesn't happen.

5 years ago

Chelsea ********

@Robert ******

foreigners can't apply for themself... Nor can they cancel their own work permit

We are at the direction of our school, as they are the ones applying for us... I was just trying to tell the OP of my own experience having gone through this just last month. 🥴

I know you're a moderator, not trying to argue. Just sharing my own firsthand experience, that's all

5 years ago

Robert *******

@Chelsea *******

As I said all have to work together and as you are the owner of the work permit and you are the owner of the passport with your permission to stay, you have to act to get all done in time.

Nobody force you to go into overstay.

5 years ago

Isiah *******

Thanks for the clarification. This is what I assumed was the case. Appreciate your help 👍

5 years ago

Robert *******

@Chelsea *******

You can cancel in advance, as example visit the Immigration on day 16 and get your stay cancelled on day 31, no need to get all done in one day.

5 years ago

Isiah *******

Okay that's interesting. I didn't know the whole process had to happen on the same day. I figured there would be some time between cancelling the extension and getting a new extension.

5 years ago

Robert *******

IF all work together is should be possible.

Cancel the currect Extension of Stay and work permit in advance and apply before the last day with documents from new employer for a new Extension of Stay and work permit.

5 years ago

Ryan ********

@Robert ******

A work permit is transferable between employers. He should be able to do so, then go to immigration to get a new extension.

5 years ago

Robert *******

@Ryan *******

No, a Work Permit can have multiple employers, but can not be transferred from 1 to another.

As you can read on your picture, location, job can be changed but not the employer.

5 years ago

Isiah *******

Thanks, Robert! All parties are working together. I guess it will come down to Lampang Immigration granting the extension.

5 years ago