What are the options for extending a Work Permit and Visa in Thailand after expiration?

Jul 31, 2020
4 years ago
John ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Question: Received a work permit last July on a 90 day Non-B. Obtained a 1 year multiple re-entry visa from Penang in October 2019. Tried to renew the work permit earlier in July and told to get visa extension first. 2 rounds with immigration asking for more documents which we have provided. Yesterday immigration won't extend stay with the requested documents because the WP expired last Friday--advice from Immigration was to go to a neighboring country and return 😳.

Which is a viable path? Labor extending the Work Permit or getting the visa extension and then WP?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is seeking advice on how to navigate the complexities of renewing a Work Permit (WP) and obtaining a visa extension after their WP expired while pending documentation. They have encountered immigration issues related to their expired WP and are advised to leave the country for a new entry. Comments discuss the validity of their Non-B visa, the need to extend their stay based on employment to renew the WP, and the implications of the current immigration policies amidst the COVID-19 situation.
Robert *******
I close it down, sorry but this discussion goes nowhere.

You do not have a valid stay inside Thailand stamped in your passport, you did not meet the requirements for extension for your work permit and for your stay inside Thailand,

What ever excuse or twist you like to give, there is nothing that we can change. Good luck
John ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Any suggestion on those with WPs who relied on 90 day stays with a multi-entry non B visa from Thai embassy? Let’s say my WP would expire Aug 10. From my understanding the stay extension would only last to the WP expiration (Aug 10) and then I would get the WP and then another extension with the renewed WP.
John ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Advice that I should have done a border run in March is not helpful. Additionally what’s the basis of the statement that I’m not on a valid stay in July when all of the information provided by the government was that all visa types were extended. The work permit cannot be renewed more than 30 days before its expiration. For those in a similar situation note that you need to try to get an extension of stay first as DOL does not view the “amnesty” as an extension of your last entry. If you do not qualify for an extension of stay there is nothing that can be done.
Robert *******
It is easy, let us say:

You meet all the requirements for an Extension of stay, you will get the 1 year Extension of Stay,

You do NOT meet the requirements for an Extension of Stay, you will NOT get the 1 year Extension of Stay.
John ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robert ******
. My question is more focused on the work permit issue. If your stay before Covid was not concomitant with the work permit, is there a viable path to renew the work permit?
Benjamin ******
@John *******
But this isn't Pre-COVID19 era though
John ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
yes that’s the point exactly. As I understand it, the labor department will not issue a new work permit for a non-b 90 entry after the 90 days. I am interested to know if there’s any counter example. Or if there’s any guidance. My problem was that we tried WP first (can only apply within 30 days). The stay extension requires several tax original tax documents from the government which can take several weeks. It’s very easy for time to run out. There is no advice out there (my accountant and lawyer were handling).
Benjamin ******
@John *******
Good questions... I don't know :( I'll let
@Robert ******
handle this, he's the expert at work permit rules
John ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
yes I can only help someone else at this point!
Robert *******
@John *******
What is the part you do not understand?

The Work Permit has a valid until date and must be renewed before this date, one of the requirements is you must have a valid stay inside Thailand,

You did not have a valid stay inside Thailand, so you do not meet the requirements,

Then you try to convert your overstay into a valid stay, but applying for an Extension of Stay based on employment,

You did not meet the requirements, so application denied,

You waited to long to take action, it all should be done during your 90 day period of stay you got on your last entry, or you should have made a border run just before the end of March when all the information was that borders will close, to get a new 90 day period and more time to apply for the extensions of stay.
Benjamin ******
@John *******
but you don't have an extension of stay now though...
John ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
yes I know. Because I have others in similar situation. If I understand the process, it would be to 1. Extend stay before WP expire (if possible), 2. Renew WP, 3. Extend stay again with renewed WP
John ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you. So my stay expired 90 days from my entry in February. For the Non-B multiple-entry visa from Penang, is the visa still valid (expires October 2020)? If it is all I need is a border run to have a new 90 day stay and apply WP while on a valid 90 day non-b stay?
Benjamin ******
Your Non-B visa is still valid, and is good until October 2020. *IF* the borders reopen, you can do a bounce then for another 90 day stamp. Otherwise, you need to get an extension of stay based on employment.
John ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks much.
Robert *******
if the valid until date on the visa is xx Oct 2020 then it is still valid,
Robert *******
Now your Work Permit is expired, your stay is expired and you are using the amnesty. All you can do now is as explained by Immigration, leave the country, apply for a new work permit, get the documents to re-enter Thailand.
John ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Third time was most recent. First time they asked for company's FDA licenses (we're an importer) and second they asked rental agreement. Third was most recent have provided all documents but the WP expired in interim
Robert *******
In your other post you visited Immigration three times and now 2 times, but I asked you why did you not manage to present the documents as asked?
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