What happens to my extension of stay if I leave Thailand without a re-entry permit?

Aug 25, 2024
2 months ago
Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Work Permit/Extension OF Stay:

So when I leave the country without a re entry permit, my extension of stay in automtically cancelled, right?

My school will cancel my work permit/extension of stay hopefully the day I leave or the day after.

Say I booked a return flight into Thailand on the same day and tried to enter on a Visa Exempt but my school hadn't cancelled my work permit yet......

I wouldn't have a problem, right?

The problem only occurs if you are trying to get a new work permit but my school would cancel the work permit the next day anyway
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TLDR : Answer Summary
When leaving Thailand without a re-entry permit, your extension of stay is automatically canceled. Your employer can only cancel your work permit when they have your passport. If you return on the same day without having your work permit canceled, you may enter on a Visa Exempt without issue, but be aware of potential fines for not canceling your extension properly if you apply for a new work permit later. Overstay fines are applicable based on the cancellation date of your work permit.
Berk *****
Overstay days start to count from work permit actual cancellation date. Which is happened to me.

Up to 3 months overstay, fine is 20k

After 3 months, blacklist.
Colin ********
Yes, max at 20,000
Lloyd ********
It is your responsibility to cancel your extension, your employer can't do it if your passport is not with them, which it won't be. As for your plan and flying back in, sure no problem. However, when you next come to get an extension, be prepared for a large fine for not cancelling your extension based on working.
Dominic ****
There seems to be a contradiction whereby you need a re-entry permit to stop an extension of stay based on employment being cancelled when you leave the country yet you need to actively cancel it at immigration when your job finishes to prevent a fine when you re-enter the country.
Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dominic ***
yes I am confused, I know there is a document/ letter which you get when you cancel your work permit (the school cancels it for you)

and I thought your extension stay is linked with your work permit.

And When you leave the country without a reentry permit your extension of stay is automatically cancelled….
James ********
@Charles *********
it's different. Which you may discover when you seek your next service from the Thai Immigration office.
Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lloyd *******
Well at my last school , my School co ordinator cancelled my work permit when i was outside of the country with no problem. And I managed to get a new work permit with (this) school so im confused
Lloyd ********
@Charles *********
Did you notice that I did not mention your work permit? Did you notice that all I talked about was your extension?
Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lloyd *******
*he must have cancelled my extension also, because i have an extension of stay with this new school
John **********
@Charles *********
sometimes immigration just don't notice, that's not the same thing
Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
then I suppose the extension of stay and overstay fine is only tied to the stamp in the passport then? because on the computer system...... i've already left the country and it should have automically cancelled the extension of stay.....I Then I entered on a visa exempt
James ********
@Charles *********
entering Thailand does not trigger anything about your failure to cancel the extension. It's when you visit the Thai Immigration office and seek another service that they will see you had failed to cancel the extension you were on before you left Thailand.
Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
Can they see the failure with new passport? or will it be only be tied to the stamp in the passport which hasnt been cancelled
James ********
@Charles *********
a New passport changes nothing. The Thai Immigration computer system will Link all of yours Thai Immigration history, including any passports you have held to your current passport. Same for those who have multiple passports from several countries.

Thai computer facial recognition software and your fingerprints also identify you with any passport held.
Fred *********
@Charles *********
Just a suggestion - don't try to play games with Immigration. Follow their rules and all will be fine.
Brandon ************
@Charles *********
it invalidates the stamp but it doesn't cancel it. When you got your extension you signed a document stating you would notify immigration of any change in status to what you obtained the extension for. When you stop working that's a change in status. That is what they will fine you for. But it will show as overstay since that's the only fine mechanism they have.
Brandon ************
@Charles *********
No one can cancel your extension without your passport.
Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Well thats weird because I managed to get another extension of stay just fine? Also what happens if I cancel the extension of stay the day I come back into thailand, instead of the day i leave
James ********
@Charles *********
as
@Lloyd *******
said, be prepared to be fined for OVERSTAY when you seek your next Thai Immigration office service. Max fine of 20,000 Thai baht.

It's your responsibility to cancel your extension at the Thai immigration office BEFORE you leave Thailand.
Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
is that work permit or extension of stay? Because my school will cancel work permit
Brandon ************
@Charles *********
500 baht per day fine from the day you stopped working
Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
is there a maximum fine like 20,000 baht as you get with overstay also?
James ********
Dominic ID... There's no contradiction. You are responsible for canceling the extension when you leave your job.
Charles **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
I’ve never heard of this. I know the school cancels, the work permit and the work permit is related to the extension of stay. And when you exit Thailand without a reentry permit, the extension of stay is automatically canceled anyway. I’ve had many extensions to stay (4+ now )but never gone to immigration to cancel them personally, because I thought they automatically cancel when you exit without a reentry permit. I’ve not had any problems.
James ********
@Charles *********
it is what it is.
James ********
John **********
@Charles *********
it is overstay
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