Should I renew my work permit before leaving Thailand, and can I extend my stay when I return?

Jan 4, 2018
7 years ago
Joshua *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have a 1 year non b expiring February 24 and work permit expiring February 4. I have a job out of country from January 17 to February 12.

- Should I renew the work permit first before I leave on the 17th? Or is it possible to do renew work permit and visa both when back in the country?

- Also, will I be able to get 90 more days when I re-enter? I would like to get extension of stay this year instead of non-b.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user inquires about the timing for renewing their work permit and visa, as well as the possibility of getting an extension upon re-entry into Thailand after a job abroad. Comments emphasize the importance of renewing the work permit prior to departure to avoid complications, with options for extending the stay instead of applying for a new Non-B visa upon returning.
Sascha *********
Remember that when your work permit expires then your visa will expire also on the same day (and vice versa). I had exactly the same job/visa situation 3 years ago. You need to apply for visa/wp before you leave and run out of time. Please keep in mind that your passport might be taken in to bkk immigration. As i live in Phuket, I will always need to refrain from traveling for about 10-14 days due to that.
Sascha *********
Well, I can still hear the quotes from both departments officers in my head after that whole odissey: „Take care not to let any of those documents expire as they will cancel each other if one of them expires“. This is actually what happened to me. The only thing I am saying is to better fix everything NOW before expiry and don’t try to fix things later on. It will most likely get expensive and tedious.
Tod *********
@Sas***
, no they work exactly the same whether you're in Phuket or Bangkok

you are confusing an extension of stay that you get from the immigration office with a VISA that you get from a thai consulate :/ They are not treated the same
Sascha *********
@Tod ********
well, maybe things in Phuket are different then. Actually this little detail forced me to renew all my documents on the expensive way at that time. WP ran out, therefore non B got cancelled before expiry and I had to re-enter Thailand as a regular Tourist. Then take all my documents to Penang, apply for a new non-B, fly back to Phuket, make a new WP, spend thousands of bahts, loose time and miss other jobs also. Remember that there are two players: Immigration and also the Labour Department. They have different rules but can both affect both documents.
Tod *********
@Sas***
, the O/P holds a year-long, multi-entry Non-B visa that they got at a thai consulate outside the country. That visa doesn't cancel whether the person has a work permit or not. He could use it until it expires.

ONLY extensions of stays work like you mention. ;)
Tod *********
you are almost right ;)

A VISA never cancels when a work permit expires. It's good as long as it's good for.

An extension of stay can be canceled and in theory needs to be canceled when your work permit expires.
Tod *********
I would renew the work permit first. Then when you come in on the 12th you'd get stamped in for 90 days (and it'd be the last entry you could make on that visa).

If you're wanting to go for a yearly extension rather than a new Non-B from a consulate just go to the immigration office when you have 30 days or less left on the 90 day entry stamp.
Tod *********
As long as you enter on or before the "enter before" date stamped on the visa itself you'd be stamped in for 90 more days. Is Feb 24 2018 the enter before date on the VISA or is that the current admitted until date on your arrival stamp?
Tod *********
@Jos***
, without a valid work permit (or proof you have applied for one) I don't think you can get a Non-B from either thai consulate in Vietnam. :/
Joshua *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I’ll be in Ho Chi Minh before coming back to Thailand, so after thinking a bit, I’m assuming it makes sense to apply for a 1 year non-b there? Just wondering how my work permit works into all of this since it expires before the visa.
Joshua *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Feb 24 is the “enter before” date
Tod *********
Hang about, do you have a Non-B visa where you bounce out of the country every 90 days OR do you have an extension of stay?
Joshua *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
yes correct
Tod *********
So you have a year-long multi-entry Non-B visa that you got at a thai consulate in another country right?
Joshua *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Currently it’s a non-b, not extension of stay
Joshua *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I travel very often, so the 90 days makes sense for me and I never need to do reports
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