What should I do about my work permit and visa extension after leaving Thailand without cancelling them?

Thai visa rules Work Permit cancellation Visa extension Overstay fines Immigration advice Expat concerns in Thailand

Dec 12, 2021

3 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello, everyone! 

I have my work permit and my visa extension  ( 1 year till March, 15). I left the country  in April, I was planning to come back,  but my position was cancelled.  So, I did not come back. I read many posts that the wp must be cancelled, same like a visa. Or I could have problems to come back to Thailand later. Maybe someone has had the same situation. 

I was not worried at all, untill I read some comments that the wp and the visa extension must be cancelled before leaving, but I got a U-turn, so it was different. I am not sure if my agency/school  cancelled my documents. I am planning to call to my embassy. But I would like to ask you for some advice.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

An expat with a year-long visa extension and a work permit is seeking advice on the necessary steps after leaving Thailand without canceling their work permit and visa. They are unsure if their employment was formally terminated and are concerned about potential future entry issues. Community responses suggest that the individual should secure a new visa for re-entry, obtain documentation from their former employer confirming the cancellation of their work permit, and visit the Immigration Office to formally cancel the visa extension. The importance of cancellation is emphasized to avoid complications and fines for future stays.

Robert *******

Get a NEW visa before you come to Thailand. Visit your ex employer and ask for a letter or proof that your employment is cancelled when you where abroad. With that letter and their letter of cancelled Work Permit visit the Immigration Office to cancel your Extension of Stay based on employment. As you where abroad when it happened and have then a new Admitted to stay period based on your new visa, there will be no overstay fines. But it has to be cancelled.

3 years ago

Veronika **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Robert ******

, thank you! But what if I enter Thailand later as a tourist ( after the extension expires) and will cancell WP and the extension. Will it be considered as I overstayed? I am a little confused. 🙂

3 years ago

Reply to

Veronika **********

Ellie *******

You wouldn't have a problem entering Thailand if you don't cancel your WP and an extension as long as you don't enter Thailand on that extension. If you would come back to Thailand only for holidays in your future and you wouldn't go for any type of long-term Non-immigrant type visa/extension, you can forget about them. You don't have to do anything. But if you seek another long-term chance in Thailand, not-canceled WP and extension would cause the problem to get a new one.

For the latter case. Your employer may be able to cancel your work permit, but they cannot cancel your extension without your passport.

Talk to your school. If they can cancel your WP, ask them to keep the documents for your later application for cancellation.

Once you are back in Thailand, get the documents from your school and go to the immigration office that issued your extension to cancel your extension.

Depends on when you are back in Thailand, in the worst case, you might be fined up to a 20K thb (or 500thb per day) overstay fine because you haven't canceled your extension. It doesn't matter whether you have been in Thailand or not.

3 years ago

Ellie *******

You need to leave on the last day of your stamp. There is no grace period. So if you are still eligible for your extension based on employment, get the letter saying you finish your work on xx date (several days in the future) from your employer then go to cancel your WP and extension. But you may be able to apply for an extension for whatever reason (ex: tourism), then it would be denied, then you would be given a 7days stamp to leave the country.

But if your contract has been canceled already, I don't recommend you enter Thailand on that extension because it is invalid anymore.

3 years ago

Veronika **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellie ******

, but if I do not have a letter, it will be not possible to cancell it?

3 years ago

Ellie *******

@Veronika *********

, If it's before the last day of your current extension stamp, you will need the document from your employer, at least you would need the receipt of WP cancellation. Best is you would talk with your local immigration office (and your employer) in advance.

3 years ago

Veronika **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellie ******

, thank you! But what if I arrive later, with a new visa and I will cancell my docs, as they are already expired? Could I have any problems ? I am a little confused.

3 years ago

Reply to

Veronika **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellie ******

, it is so complicated. Thank you!

3 years ago

Reply to

Veronika **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ellie ******

, thank you! I was thinking about going to Thailand in January for holidays. So, I think, I will go there and cancell it myself, cuz I am planning to work there further!

Do you know, how many days do they give to leave the country after the cancellation?

3 years ago

Reply to

Veronika **********

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Do I need to cancel my work visa if my work permit expires soon while leaving Thailand?

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