Can I Transfer a Work Permit in Thailand When I Change My Job?

Due to its growing economy, low cost of living, rich culture, and supportive expatriate community, Thailand is a popular destination for foreigners searching for work. If you are reading this article, you may already have a work permit in Thailand and have employment that you find satisfying. But you might wonder what to do when you want to change your job.

As a foreigner in Thailand, switching jobs can be a complex and often confusing process that requires careful attention to the stringent process.

Can Foreigners Transfer Work Permits in Thailand?

If you plan to change employment, you must get a new work permit application. You are not allowed to have a job different from the one you were given a work permit for. You are also not allowed to work with a different employer from the one stated in your application.

If you are terminating your employment, you are required to return your work permit to the Labor Department. You have to do so if you want to apply for another work permit with another company.

As a foreigner, you can transfer your work permit from your previous employer to your new employer. However, it is not “transferring” per se; instead, you must cancel and re-apply for both your work permit and visa. Oftentimes, when foreigners change their jobs they are expected to leave the country before getting a new visa and work permit.

Nevertheless, there is a way for foreign workers to stay in Thailand whilst transferring their work permits in Thailand.

How To Legally Transfer Your Work Permit

To begin, you have to cancel your current work permit. Coordinate with your employer to inform the Ministry of Labour about your resignation date. This step is crucial to ensuring that your leave from the company coincides with the submission of your new work permit application.

Canceling Work Permit & Visa

After completing the previous steps, you must terminate your work permit with the Ministry of Labour. Next, take your passport to the Immigration Office to cancel your visa. Your visa must also be canceled the same day that the work permit is canceled.

It is imperative that when canceling your visa, you leave the country the same day, as the visa is directly associated with the work permit. Also note that when you leave the country the visa is voided and it will affect the work permit. So, immediately after canceling your visa apply for an extension of stay at the Immigration Office This extension will allow you to remain in Thailand for an additional seven days.

Getting a New Work Permit

Once you have canceled your work permit and successfully applied for an extension of stay, the next step is to get your new work permit with the documents provided by your new employer. Timeframe for the approval process can vary, but it usually takes approximately seven days to issue the work permit in Thailand.

While waiting for the new work permit to be processed, you should work with your new employer in preparing the documents for extending the extension of stay from seven days to one year. Furthermore, these documents must be submitted to the Immigration Bureau immediately after obtaining the new work permit within seven days of the extended visa.

If you successfully followed this process, rest assured that you can avoid having to leave the country to re-apply for a new work visa.

A Possible Complication

While applying for a new work permit, there is still a chance you will have to leave and re-enter Thailand. This can happen if the Ministry of Labour does not do the renewal within seven days (within the extension of stay).

What About the Process of Changing Jobs Between BOI-Affiliated Companies?

If you are employed at a BOI-affiliated company and wish to switch to another BOI-affiliated company, the process is much simpler. You don’t even have to cancel your work permit. Simply transfer it to your new position.

In summary, transferring your work permit in Thailand is doable but can be complicated, and those unfamiliar with the process risk having to leave and re-enter the country, which takes time and could raise even more issues. With assistance from ManpowerGroup, you can be confident that transferring your work permit in Thailand will be a breeze.

To see more details of our work permit service, click here.

About ManpowerGroup Thailand

ManpowerGroup is the world’s leading workforce expert. We offer comprehensive services as a premier recruitment agency in Thailand, ranging from visa & work permit services, recruitment services, HR consultant services, payroll outsourcing, outplacement services, and more. With more than 20 years of experience providing services in Thailand, you can rest assured that our experts will offer solutions that help your organization transform in a fast-changing world of work.

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