What is the process to transfer a visa/extension from one employer to another in Thailand without leaving the country?

Visa Transfer Work Permit Cancellation Thailand Visa Regulations New Employer Visa Application Visa Extension Process Expatriate Work Visa

Jan 16, 2024

a year ago

James ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi, does anyone know the process and documents required to change over a visa/extension from an old employer to a new employer without leaving the country and applying for a new visa? 

My visa has not yet been cancelled by my old employer, but they have cancelled the work permit. 

Is it possible to complete this process without leaving the country?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

To change your visa/extension from an old employer to a new employer without leaving Thailand, you need to cancel your current extension with documentation from your old employer that states your termination, alongside the proof of work permit cancellation. Then, you can immediately apply for a new yearly extension based on the documentation from your new employer. It's crucial to coordinate with both employers for proper documentation to complete this switch. Note that if your work permit has already been cancelled, your visa extension is no longer valid and should be cancelled by you.

John **********

Just a point. If you are on an extension and your work permit has already been cancelled your extension is no longer valid and should have been cancelled the day your work permit was cancelled. Your old employer can't cancel your extension, you have to do that yourself.

a year ago

James ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I think it is best to just leave the country and return on an entry stamp and reapply for a non-o back in Thailand seeing as the two departments can't work together.

a year ago

Tod *********

@James *******

you NEED to cancel that extension BEFORE you exit/re-enter, it WILL cause you grief down the road if you're ever gonna work here.

a year ago

Ellie *******

@James *******

, if both employers are not going to work collaboratively for you, you have no choice other than to leave Thailand to start the whole process again. Be sure you apply for cancellation of an extension from your old employer. You can do this before you leave or after you enter Thailand on a visa exempt again.

a year ago

Reply to

Ellie *******

Tod *********

You wouldn't apply for any new VISA at all

You'd cancel your current extension with documentation from your employer stating your termination date etc, and proof you cancelled your work permit

AND

then you'd immediately apply for a NEW yearly extension based on documentation from the new employer.

It takes you coordinating with BOTH of them because you need the documentation from the old and new employer to pull of the switch sponsors for an extension

Talk to your new employer and see what they say. Whether you can or can't do it inside the country is totally up to them and your former employer

a year ago

James ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

What happens if I just leave the country without canceling my extension. Will they just let me stamp out and back in or do I need to pay the 1,900 fee to canccel the extension.

I'm being told that my extension is cancelled automatically when the work permit is cancelled.

a year ago

Edward ********

@James *******

- The extension automatically becomes invalid upon cancellation of the work permit - true. It does not automatically get cancelled.

a year ago

Tod *********

@James *******

you're being told WRONG, an extension isn't cancelled automatically when your work permit is cancelled, YOU go cancel it yourself at the immigration office.

Stamping out on an 'open' extension doesn't cancel it either, nor does you stamping in on a free entry or a tourist visa OR even a new Non-B

When you go to get a new extension (especially based on employment) they'll see that you didn't cancel the extension correctly and you will be fined for it before they'll let you get a new Non-B visa or extension inside the country

a year ago

Reply to

Tod *********

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Can I cancel my current visa/work permit in Thailand and apply for a new one without leaving the country?

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