What are the implications of temporary unemployment on visa extension in Thailand?

Jul 15, 2020
4 years ago
Darren ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have a question regarding extension of stay based on employment and social security contributions

If a foreign employee is temporarily unemployed (due to covid) and as such is entitled to social security unemployment benefit , should social security payments by the employer cease ? seems if you cease payments then the extension of stay may not be granted ?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the impact of temporary unemployment on the extension of stay in Thailand, particularly regarding visa extensions based on employment and social security contributions. It highlights that if a foreign employee is unemployed and claiming social security benefits, the employer's contributions should cease. This could affect the eligibility for visa extension based on employment status, as immigration rules have not changed, and payment of social security is often required for the extension process.
Robert *******
I guess it is clear, Immigration did not change the rules, and that should be verified before SSO and tax payments are stopped.

Good luck
Darren ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
so if your business closed as per government instruction and you registered for social security payments , then reopen with government guidelines you have to pay back the unemployment benefit or your extension is denied , if you ceased paying social your extension is denied
Mae *************
Ok, let me share what happened to me...First, if you are simply temporarily unemployed because of business closure, sso payments will stop then you claim the 3 months social security money. Second, if you were terminated, get the not less than 6 months benefit claims. These both shall be applied to Labor first for verification and the SSO. A schedule of the monthly claims will be given to you in paper and you need to report, otherwise, you cannot claim it.
Darren ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
i dont know how thats relevant
Mae *************
@Darren *****
It means immigration has nothing to do with it.
Darren ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
and what if you received the payment but the accountants paid social whilst you were temp unemployed in order to meet immigration requirements
Mae *************
@Darren *****
they did you a favor. As I understand, the immigration will not dig into your benefit claims. Here is a sample issued to me
Darren ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
are you familiar with the procedure ? the claim is TEMP unemployed due to force majeure
Darren ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
of course the immigration system , not coordinated with the SSO system
Darren ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
now back at work , but having to pay back social security payments received
Darren ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
TEMPORARILY unemployed as per their own system
Robert *******
@Darren *****
not the Immigration system
Darren ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
you can close commenting if you wish
Darren ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
basically it hasn't been thought thru and foreign workers who have made a claim or their employer made a claim on their behalf will either have their extension refused , or be told to pay back the social security payments they received then , immigration haven't made any allowance for temporarily ceasing contributions
Lloyd ********
@Darren *****
it is not the ceasing of contributions that concern immigration, it is the fact that you are unemployed and so not eligible for an extension based on employment. :-(
Lloyd ********
no mention of continued (ex) employer contributions or extensions
Lloyd ********
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68/covid-19-benefit-boost-sought
Lloyd ********
If you are claiming unemployment benefit, you are of course unemployed. Of course the payments by the employer should cease, they are no longer your employer! And again, of course you will not get an extension of stay based on employment as you are unemployed and claiming the benefit to prove it.
Robert *******
i did not see any change of Immigration rules other than this amnesty and that is not about the requirements of Extensions of Stay.
Darren ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
ok so the two procedure are pulling in different directions , thanks anyway
Darren ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
are they not?
Robert *******
@Darren *****
yes, you have to show 3 months of payments from Thai staff and yourself if you apply for the Extension of Stay.

As said there are no changes in Immigration law, temporarily rules in other offices are not related.
Darren ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
social security payments are a requirement for the extension of stay,
Darren ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
it seems according to the SSO that if contributions were paid , then the employe was not temporarily unemployed , if the social payments were not paid (as the employee is temporarily unemployed ) then the requirements are not met for the extension of stay (catch 22)
Robert *******
@Darren *****
Different offices and different applications and requirements, This page is for Visa advice, sorry, i can not help you with SSC payments
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