Thread: Extension of non-immi B denied

In April 2005 I went to Immigration (Bangkok) to ask for a one- year extension starting May 2005 until April 2006 as I started working for a new school in the province. I got the correct stamps without problems.

In April 2006 I went to Immigration (not Bangkok) to ask for a one- year extension starting May 2006 until April 2007 as I continued my work at the same school. Within 15 minutes I got the necessary stamps.

In April 2007 I went to Immigration (not Bangkok) to ask for a one-year extension starting May 2007 until April 2008 as I continue my work in the same province, same service area of MoE, same town but ANOTHER government school and the one-year extension is DENIED. I can get two times a seven-days extension (first one free, second one 1,900 Baht) but at the end I must leave the country and apply for a new non-immigrant B abroad unless I can show my new work permit.

I told Immigration that I’ve never heard about this rule. They told me that it is a national rule since October 2006. Immigration will not give an extension if the applicant cannot show a new work permit within the period of max. two seven day extensions.

I told them that it’s virtually impossible to manage it. They told me, they know. Immigration just doesn’t want teachers to hop from job to job.

Working for quite some time in this province and knowing some senior Thai officials, Labour helped me to get my new work permit within 4 days. If everything goes well I will get my one-year extension next week e.g. within the period of my second extension.

With this rule, changing jobs is virtually impossible unless you can be sure that your new employer, MoE and Labour can process your work permit within the maximum of 10 working days.

Please, inform yourself before you change jobs.

Stamp

Nice move indeed.
Anyone else for telling me where I have to work?

The cross-eyed guy in the shop downstairs maybe, or one of his 269 cats? Actually I'd rather listen to him, at least he looks after his cats very well.

Originally Posted by Whitey

It's all ridiculous. It's their country, they can make whatever stupid rules they want to make.

I like to share this one with you.

Immigration was stunned that I'd got my WP in that short time. They looked like somebody who ate too spicy som-tam. An officer kept the book under a black light and held every page several times against the light to check whether it was fake or not. Finally he found something but before telling me, confirming it with the other 5 officers. Here it is: A with liquid paper changed date (by Labour) wasn't confirmed by signatures of the autorized Labour officer. I have to go back to Labour to ask for the signatures. Until then, Immigration can't process my request for extension.

If you are new, don't have some friends, don't have a car, the best thing to do is like Russelsimpson wrote. Leave the country and apply for a visa abroad. But then again, think about the wasted time and money.

We are here because we want to live here and we want to teach. Don't we?

I am still a happy chap here in LOS. I have my beautiful wife, our own house, our doggies, my pick-up truck, my motorcycle and bicycles. It's the first time in my four working-years that it became so difficult. All my friends at the schools, the Service Area of MoE and Labour are helping to work things out. In my case it's Immigration who likes buffaloes to graze tarmac.

Stamp

Yours might be a case where it would be better to convert to a Non-Imm O, since you are married. Of course, you need a combined income of 40,000/mo or 400,000 in the bank, but if you get a Non-Imm O where you work or when you change schools should not affect your visa status.

Gotta hate the government employees

Stamp what office did you go to?

Sri-Cha were always good to me.

Originally Posted by mrsquirrel

Stamp what office did you go to?

Sri-Cha were always good to me.

Please mrsquirrel, allow me to tell it next week after I received my extension.

Stamp

Finally I've got my one-year extension from Immigration Sing Khon (Hua Hin). I took quite some time today. They checked every date of the extensions since my initial 2004 non-immigrant B.

Well, I had a couple of weeks some sh*t but that's over now.

Interesting to know was when I gave them a copy of my Police Clearance in April, they told me that it wasn't needed. Now it was needed. I asked them on whose authority. They told me on authority of MoE to get a teacher license or a teaching permission letter (upcountry).

Stamp

Mate, if your school can hire you as a voluntary worker, the non-O route might be better.