What is the current process for teachers in Thailand to change employers while holding a Non-B visa and work permit?

November 7, 2018
6 years ago
Graham *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi all,

Can anyone verify the current process for changing employers if you already have Non-B with yearly extension of stay and work permit?

I am asking for teachers whose employer has been changed to another company (we are staying at the same school)

Our new employer is saying we need to cancel visa and work permit but there is conflicting theories that we can transfer the work permits if the companies agree and we won't need to cancel then leave Thailand to apply a new Non-B etc.

Thanks in advance
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The process for changing employers while holding a Non-B visa and work permit can be complex and varies by province in Thailand. Some participants in the discussion suggest that it may be possible to add the new employer to the existing work permit without needing to cancel it, provided the companies agree. Others emphasize the need to cancel the current work permit and apply for a new one with the new employer. It's crucial to check with local immigration officials, as different areas may have different interpretations of the rules. Overall, the situation may involve submitting documentation from the new employer and potentially facing a timeframe where the visa needs to be extended based on this new employment.
Ekaterina ************
Regarding work permit, talking from expeiance, add a new work place and then remove the original company out of your work permit. Can you use that work permit later yes you can. Because it states the new place of work. I did that last year.

The only thing when they add the new company they do not add the address of the work place or what you work as, if you need tour work permit to state your position then you need to apply for a new permit.

Based on that, if you have the second company in the old work permit you can extend your visa, the visa section can be cranky about it, they prefer if the work permit is new.
Mikkel *******
@Robert ******
.. I am not saying you are incorrect. But I personally interpret the text differently. Do you know for a fact from the Thai website that what you say is correct, or is it your "safe" interpretation?
Robert *******
That is why I commented earlier: " Read it carefully, not read what you like to make out if it. "
Mikkel *******
I mean it says that you can work anywhere. It does not explicitly say you can change completely to a new employer, but it also doesn't explicitly say the opposite.
Robert *******
If it is based on marriage and the income from working inside Thailand is not used to meet the financial requirement than NO.
Mikkel *******
Same thing?
Mikkel *******
What if on a non o based on marriage.. then the whole thing has nothing to do with immigration
Robert *******
I do not interpret text, I just read. Can you show me the part where it is mentioned that when you stop working you don't have to cancel your Work Permit and just keep it with you and can use it with a new employer? Next to this this is what you signed at Immigration, if there are any changes in which this Extension of Stay is provided you have to inform Immigration and there are no changing of rules known at Immigration Office, only at Ministry of Labor.
Robert *******
Your new employer is correct, I can not make it any more clear or convenient for you. I wish you good luck on what you decide to do.
Robert *******
Part one just state that you can work at multiple employers, there is no where in this article that says that if you stop working for a company and that is the only company you work for, the work permit can be used to work for a new employer.
Robert *******
Part two, if you want to be sure, go read the Thai version of the changes: “This law was passed on March 27, and came into effect on March 28… We have announced it on the website
*************
in Thai, but we don’t have an English version posted yet,” he said.
Robert *******
Part one: Regarding the now-annulled Section 70 of the old law, Mr Kattiya noted, “Foreigners are now able to work anywhere in the country without registering the change in their work permit, but each foreigner’s employer must be listed in the work permit.
Graham *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
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Eileentjie **************
Like most immigration matters, it is handled differently in different provinces.

I just underwent the process and it was a very stressful 2 months, but I managed to change employers, cancel my work permit, apply for a new work permit, get 1 year extension of stay-without having to leave the country.

But it honestly was not an easy process.
Eileentjie **************
Priscilla Belle did it in Chiang Mai
Eileentjie **************
While undergoing the process, I received 6 different kinds of information from immigration authorities.
Robert *******
It is the same everywhere.
Graham *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks guys.. I am based in Phuket and another teacher just posted article about this. The Chief of Immigration said it himself.. that work permits don't need to be changed if you change employer.. just the new employer added on the work permit. I can post if you wish
@Robert ******
?
Robert *******
Read it carefully, not read what you like to make out if it. Your second employer is responsible to add him in your work permit, but you change from employer 1 to employer 2, You are not going to work for both employers.
Gretchen *********
@Graham ********
Please share. It's likely the same article I read.
Robert *******
@Gretchen ********
Please share with Us this new law, thanks
Graham *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I didn't say anything about getting fired. If you read my post I said our employer has been changed. We are staying at the same school
Robert *******
Yes, you can add a second employer, but we are not talking of adding a second employer. He get fired at his school, no employer any more and than start working for a new employer.
Gretchen *********
Robert Lagas I'll look for where I recently read that...most likely Thai Visa. It was an article saying that you could add a new school if parties were in agreement. Which led me to believe it has to be a mutually happy departure...
Gretchen *********
I have read that the law now allows the new school to take over the work permit and visa if the school is willing to do the necessary paperwork.
Robert *******
The work permit is handed out with company details, you can not change that to another company. So you need to cancel your work permit first and your new employer can apply for a new work permit. Your Extension of Stay is based on working with your employer, if this ends you cancel the Extension of Stay at the last day of working there. Than or you apply for new Extension of Stay based on working with documentation of new employer, if not ready your application will not be approved and you get 7 days to leave the country.
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