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Will I face immigration issues returning to Thailand after leaving 5.5 years ago without cancelling my work permit?

Thailand immigration work permit visa rules visa exempt entry holiday in Thailand expat questions

Dec 30, 2024

a year ago

Maria ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi all. I used to live in Bangkok and had a work permit. I left without cancelling it. That was 5.5 years ago. Currently living in NZ and would like to go on a holiday there next year. Will I get into trouble with the immigration?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is concerned about potential immigration issues when returning to Thailand for a holiday after leaving 5.5 years ago without canceling their work permit. A comment suggests that the user's current residence in New Zealand is irrelevant, and as long as they hold a passport from one of the countries that qualify for visa-exempt entry, they should not encounter any problems.

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Tod *********

That you're currently living in New Zealand doesn't matter 😮 it's not where you live 😕 , it's what country is your passport from. 🙂

If you're one of the 90+ countries on this list that get in free stamp for 60 days on the visa exempt entry program you won't have any issue at all comin' here for a holiday

a year ago

Maria ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

thank you! currently holding a Philippines passport

a year ago

Tod *********

@Maria *****

then you are indeed on that graphic I posted and you will get in free for 60 days

No one at passport control will care about the previous uncancelled Non-B visa/extension or the work permit

a year ago

Maria ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Tod ********

awesome! thank you 🤩

a year ago

David ********

@Maria *****

it was probably cancelled by your employer. It doesn't matter anyway as todd mentioned

a year ago

Maria ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@David *******

actually they stopped me during passport control and asked me if I’m planning to come back again. When I told them I’m leaving for good they asked me for proof so I showed them my copy NZ work visa. They asked another officer to check and I waited for 5 mins before they let me through. Since it’s been 5.5 years I’m hoping I won’t have any problems 😌

a year ago

Tod *********

@Maria *****

that's because you should have cancelled your visa/extension based on employment at the immigration office that issued it BEFORE you left 😕 that's why they didn't understand why you were leaving with an 'open extension'

As I said it won't affect you comin' here as a tourist on a free 60 day entry or getting the 30 day extension on that entry either if you wanted to

a year ago

David ********

@Maria *****

yes they just wanted to check because you didn't have multi entry thinking you wanted to return and work. They were trying to be helpful didn't want your visa cancelled. Your visa is tied to your work permit. Same happened to me l just said l finished work so it's not required. Nothing sinister in the immigration inquiry. You will be fine coming back.

a year ago

Tod *********

@David *******

it's not the work permit that would ever cause them an issue, it'd be having bailed out without canceling the extension based on employment before they left at the immigration office

BUT

even that won't affect someone comin' in as a tourist

a year ago

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Tod *********

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