Answered6 years ago

What are my options for managing my work permit and visa situation while facing a lawsuit in Thailand?

asked Jun 10, 2020

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Hi Guys, i m am myself in a bit of catch 22. 

I am in Thailand, legally working in an established small company, I have a multiple entry non b business visa valid until Nov 10. My last stamp was due on 15th May which i couldn't go because borders closed, as many, i guess. 

Now i m the only one who can administer my company since i m the sole director and that's why i have a wp for this company, (as director), since 2 years already, expiring this 12th June. 

On top of that, i have a company lawsuit ongoin, that will finish after my wp expire (and i m the only one able to engage the company, decide and use funds etc...).

Today i wen to labor office first trying get a delay for my work permit: no, until i can stamp, nice ppl, give phone number and tell us me and my thai partners and staffs to go immigration. they  give us number, and ask imm to call them when we arrive. 

So we go, everything ok until some girl at RECEPTION, not only refuse to study the case, of course avoid at all cost to call labor office phone number and... "politely" asking you to move on. Similar to "administrative ping-pong".

So now, my options seems to just leave this country, lay down my staff and else until my visa expire or give "keys" of my company, to reset the process: i have been there, it s several month, costly and risky, especially before, but now we new covid rules that nobody really now about... chances are good it's going be worse. 

So, by any chance, any advices about this catch 22 situation?  Side question: i am the only one? thanks for ur insights

Answer summary

The user is currently in Thailand on a multiple-entry Non-B visa and has a work permit that is about to expire. They are unable to leave the country due to border closures related to ongoing legal proceedings for their business. They have faced challenges at the immigration office regarding renewing their visa and work permit. Comments suggest exploring options for an Extension of Stay based on employment and considering taking advantage of an amnesty for overstayed visas until the end of July.

8 repliesnewest first

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Tod *********

As far as you VISA situation (which is all I'm going to address seeing as this is the thai VISA advice group, not the I'm in a lawsuit group and not the work permit group :O) you can do NOTHING and just take the amnesty until no later than the 31st of July, watch for the borders to reopen to foreigners entering, see what if any entry requirements are in place and IF your Non-B visa is still valid bounce out and back in to get a new 90 day stamp.

6 years ago

Robert *******

You can visit the Immigration and ask for the hand out with requirements of the 1 year Extension of Stay based on employment.

And ask if they still want to give you this Extension of Stay as normally you had to apply before 15th May.

6 years ago

Robert *******

Strange to hear you have no access into Immigration Office like many other foreigners do have, At least I read many positive stories on this page of people applying for all kind of Extensions of Stay and doing their 90 day report.

Good luck, as I did not know what happened and can not give any advice on how to enter Immigration Office other then a nice attitude and correct dressed.

6 years ago

Malak *****

@Robert ******

sorry, we passed through the temperature check and go inside the building but then there s a dispatch counter and we didn't make it past this point

6 years ago

Robert *******

@Malak ****

You need to ask if you can apply for an Extension of Stay based on employment and what documents they want to see to support this application. Do not tell them to go around and get the forms for you or make phone calls to support your claims. It does not work that way, you apply so you deliver all documents as they want to see.

6 years ago

Benjamin ******

@Malak ****

I never been to that immigration office before, so I don't know how it actually work. I heard it's a very relaxed office though, that's very helpful. I recommend going back again and just asking for the handout for the relevant extension of stay.

6 years ago

Malak *****

@Robert ******

also at immigration office in chiang mai, it doesn't seemed to me we had access to immigration officer (no official uniform). We were blocked at information counter and it was a NO before you can even start to explain the situation. Can you Call labor office : NO. Obviously she was not in the mood and/or possibility to find a solution. About Lawsuit, lool she doesn't seems to know what is it and why there's the need to be a director in a company to accept or not the deals/verdict that could be proposed

6 years ago

Malak *****

@Robert ******

i did but i was told i cannot renew wp before 1 month of expiration date, when i came back 1 month later, we were under lockdown and thus too late

6 years ago