Can I switch from a working visa to a tourist visa in Thailand after my contract ends?

Nov 11, 2021
3 years ago
Brian *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello, I'm currently on a working visa and non B. When my contract ends is it possible to change back to a tourist visa or what options are there for me to stay in Thailand for two weeks after the end of my working visa ?

Any help appreciated thanks in advance :)
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user inquires about changing from a Non-B working visa to a tourist visa in Thailand after their work contract ends. Respondents highlight crucial details: if the passport indicates an 'Extension of Stay based on Employment', the user must leave the country the same day they cancel their work permit. However, if they have time left on their 90-day Non-B visa, they can stay until the visa expires. Additionally, there are updates regarding a COVID-related extension that may be relevant for their situation.
Keven ****
Make sure to go before Nov. 26 to get a 60 COVID extension! COVID extension may or may not be continued after Nov. 26.
Benjamin ******
@Keven ***
He will need to cancel his work permit AND extension of stay by November 26th. He can not be employed while on a 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19.
Benjamin ******
>Hello, I'm currently on a working visa and non B.

LOOK in your passport. Does it say "Extension of Stay based on Employment"? If it says "extension of stay based on employment", when you cancel your work permit, you have until 11:59 PM the same day to leave the country. IF you are still on your Non-B 90 day visa, you can stay until the end of the visa.
Steve *******
@Benjamin *****
Who cancels the work permit, I thought it was the employer
Benjamin ******
@Steve ******
It' the employee who cancels the work permit, legally. Some employers cancel the work permit on the behalf of the employee though
Steve *******
@Benjamin *****
thanks where do you cancel it, at Immigration?
Benjamin ******
@Steve ******
You will cancel your work permit at the labor office. You will need the following:

1. The form for the Work Permit Cancellation and two copies

2. The original work permit.

3. If the employer can not cancel the work permit in person with the employee, a Power of Attorney form with a 10 THB duty stamp and a copy of the employer’s ID card. A 10 THB duty stamp can be acquired at most stationary shops.

The extension of stay becomes invalid when the work permit is cancelled, and a person must leave Thailand no later then 11:59PM the same day. The extension of stay must be cancelled, and either a new extension of stay acquired, or an extension of stay denied stamp issued to stay longer.
Ellie *******
@Benjamin *****
, You need to cancel not only WP but also the extension based on employment before you leave the country even you leave Thailand on the day you cancel WP.
Benjamin ******
Drew Freedom You *MAY BE* able to get a 7 day extension of stay denied stamp for 1,900 THB. Once a person has this stamp, they MUST leave Thailand in 7 days. It is used to allow a person to have more time to pack their bags and leave Thailand.

What I recommend doing is talking to the employer or immigration office and getting the extension of stay stamp cancelled ahead of time. Most immigration offices allow the extension of stay stamp to be cancelled two or three weeks in advance.
Keven ****
@Benjamin *****
Do you mean cancel the extension AHEAD of time, or rather talking to the employer to so that the extension is cancelled two or three weeks AFTER the end of employment (allowing a few weeks to prepare to leave)?

I don't see why anyone would want to cancel their visa in advance... ?
Benjamin ******
Keven Je No, cancel the extension (and the work permit) ahead of time. For example, if the last date of work is November 30, cancel the extension of stay on November 15th, and have the "admitted to" stamp post dated to November 30th. That would allow a person time to finish up the work, and to make plans to leave Thailand.
Steve *******
@Benjamin *****
If you cancel the WP and extension ahead of time, can you also apply for the covid extension on that same day ,i.e. ahead of time?
Benjamin ******
Steve James No, if you cancel your work permit and extension of stay based on employment ahead of time, all what you're doing is moving the existing "admitted to" stamp to the same date of your last working day. You can not apply for another extension of stay until your existing extension of stay is cancelled.

Unless you're planning on quitting your job really soon, I do not expect the 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19 to be around for much longer, and the last day to apply for it is November 26.
Keven ****
@Benjamin *****
Ah, so from Nov. 15-30, agreed with the school, he wouldn't be officially working. He would preparing to leave the country?
Benjamin ******
Keven Je > Ah, so from Nov. 15-30, agreed with the school, he wouldn't be officially working

No, he wold be working. He would have gotten the date changed on the "one year extension of stay based on employment" changed from, let's say, December 31 to November 30th.
Keven ****
@Benjamin *****
The 7-day stamp to leave the country is a good option, but wouldn't switching to a COVID extension be better? Allowing OP a full 60 days to prepare flight and so on to leave the country?
Matt *****
@Benjamin *****
i am in the same situation. Are you totally sure?
Benjamin ******
@Matt ****
Yes, I'm positive.
Matt *****
@Benjamin *****
thanks. It s much appreciated
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