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Can I work on my old work visa while switching to a new job in Thailand?

Thai visa regulations Work visa Work permit Extension of stay Volunteer visa Employment in Thailand

Feb 22, 2021

4 years ago

Harley *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello, I just had a quick question. I got a job offer, but they said that I can work on my "old work visa", I guess they mean my current visa, which is a 1 year volunteer visa that replaced my old work visa, and just get a new work permit. To me this doesn't seem normal, I thought that it is proper to get a new work visa along with a new work permit. Could someone please kindly provide me some insight, is this okay to do this or should I be concerned about this? I apologize in advance if this is a stupid question or common sense to know this haha. Also, thank you guys for any insight and advice in advance as well.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is uncertain about their current visa status while considering a job offer and whether it is acceptable to work under their current volunteer visa with a new work permit. Responses suggest that the user may not be on a real work visa and should rather obtain a new visa based on employment. It's emphasized that the employer should assist in the visa process to avoid any legal issues.

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Tod *********

Another thing you MIGHT do is

IF you are holding a valid work permit and extension for volunteering, you can simply get a letter from the organization you volunteer for saying it's okay to have another company on the work permit and then go to the MOL and add them on. That way you could keep your existing volunteer extension and work for that other company too.

4 years ago

Chris *******

Employer should assist in your visa.

Anything other than that, your exposing yourself.

4 years ago

Tod *********

Sorry

@CCh****

that is not quite correct :/

and an employer is under no obligation to do more than provide you the documents so YOU can go to the immigration office and apply for your visa/extension.

4 years ago

Chris *******

@Tod ********

Yes and it sounds like the employers not even doing that.

4 years ago

Tod *********

@CCh****

on this we agree :) ..

It sounds like they're not even making an effort :(

4 years ago

Chris *******

@Tod ********

Red flag to me.

4 years ago

Reply to

Chris *******

Tod *********

I'd bet dollars to durian you're not on ANY real VISA and instead are on an "extension of stay" based on volunteering. What you would do is cancel that extension (with documentation from the company you volunteer for) and then immediately apply for a new extension based on employment (with documentation from the employer who will hire you)

All you are really doing is changing the reason for your extension to one based on volunteering to one based on employment.

4 years ago

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Tod *********

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