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What is the procedure for canceling a work permit and applying for a new visa when changing schools in Thailand?

Visa procedures Work permit cancellation Thai immigration Employment-based visa Non-O visa Teaching in Thailand Permanent teaching license

Dec 9, 2020

5 years ago

Sujith ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Dear all,

I am moving to a new school from current school. Any idea about the Visa , Work permit cancellation procedure? I have my 5 years permanent teaching license. Thanks in advance.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

When moving to a new school in Thailand, you will need to cancel your current visa and work permit associated with your previous employer, and apply for a new visa extension based on employment with your new school. The process can vary by immigration office, but ideally, you should coordinate the cancellation of your current work permit and the application for the new one on the same day. Follow-up experiences indicate that if both employers work together effectively and the right documents are presented, you can get a new visa extension quickly.

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Sujith ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Dear all,

This is a follow up message form my last post(about canceling visa from previous employer and applying new visa extension based on new employer). This is what I did.

Step 1) I canceled my visa from previous employer on 28th December 2020. In the letter the employer mentioned that 15 January 2021 will be the effective date( something like that in Thai)

2) Immigration stamped on passport until 15th January 2021(to leave the Kingdom).

3) Current and previous employer coordinated well.

4) Today (5th Jan 2021) I cancelled my WP from previous employer. And applied for a new WP just on the spot

5) Went to Immigration in the afternoon with all documents(showing that my new WP is under process)

6) Got the VIsa extensions until 4th Jan 2022

7) WP can be collected on this Friday 8th Jan 2021

All went well. Thanks for all support

5 years ago

Benjamin ******

It depends on the immigration office, and how well the current and future employer wants to work with you. You'll need to cancel your current extension of stay based on employment and work permit at your old employer, then turn around AT THE SAME DAY and get a new extension of stay based on employment with your new school, and a new work permit.

Some immigration offices allow that, some don't.

5 years ago

Jon ********

If you are staying in the same province what is stated above may work. But if you are going to work in a new province you will have to leave the country and get a new Visa. I have been through this process.

5 years ago

Tod *********

@Jon *******

that is not necessarily correct. I have seen someone recently move jobs from one province to another and they were able to get the immigration offices to work together so he could cancel his current extension, and go apply for a new one at the other office without a hitch

5 years ago

Jon ********

Tod Daniels Anything is possible I guess. I'm speaking from my own personal experience and what I saw with other colleagues while I was teaching. So, hope for the best but be prepared for a Visa run just in case.

5 years ago

Jasmine **********

@Jon *******

That used to be the case. Due to Covid, MoE (or some other official body) wrote a formal request for Immigration to allow for such changes to be made in country. Some immigration offices allow, others do not.

5 years ago

Reply to

Jasmine **********

Sujith ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks. Both parties agreed to support and provide all necessary paper work. What I understood is, once I cancel my extension I get 20days period(letter provided by my current school)to process my new work permit and VISA. Is this correct? [Bangkok Immigration]

5 years ago

Benjamin ******

@Sujith **********

> I get 20days period(letter provided by my current school)to process my new work permit and VISA. Is this correct? [Bangkok Immigration]

No. once your current extension of stay is cancelled, you either have to leave by 11:59PM *THE SAME DAY* or get another extension of stay. You can not get an extension of stay based on employment while on overstay.

5 years ago

Reply to

Benjamin ******

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What happens to my work permit and visa when changing schools in Thailand?

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