Thailand Expats

K2 · #1 11-05-2007, 19:40

From the Gazette:

File work permit renewals early, says new PPEO Chief

PHUKET: The new Chief of Phuket Provincial Employment Office (PPEO) has called for holders of work permits to apply for renewals at least three working days before their current permit expires.

Nataya Anudit, who took over as PPEO chief two weeks ago, told the Gazette that the reminder aims to reduce the number of foreigners whose work permits needlessly expire due to misunderstandings about the renewal process and the length of time it takes.

Many of the 6,300 foreigners holding work permits in Phuket are still laboring under the mistaken belief that the expiration of a work permit could be dealt with by simply paying a fine, as one does for overstaying an Immigration permit to stay, K. Nataya said.

However, people seeking to continue work in Thailand after their work permits have expired must submit and pay for a new application then wait for it to be processed and approved. In some cases the entire process can take months, during which time the applicant is strictly forbidden to work.

“If the work permit expires the whole application process needs to be repeated and all the associated fees paid. This wastes time, not just for the applicant but also for our staff and the Vice-Governors, who have to review and approve the applications,” she said.

Crustasian · #2 11-05-2007, 23:14

New bod in charge and new approach.

I must admit it would be far better to renew a few days in advance rather than generate a forest of paperwork.

sundancekid · #3 12-05-2007, 13:14

When I had to renew my 1 year WP last time, I got a distressing call from my lawyer around 1 PM. It was on the very same day it was to expire. He was in near panic mode, and said I had to come down to Immigration in Phuket Town that day, or else they would refuse to renew it…

As truth was, I had a lot of work to do, but he insisted that I HAD to, and that if not I might have to go through the entire process again (about 3 months) during which time I was not allowed to work. So I put on my “good” shirt and shoes (first time in a year

), drove down, said hi and drove back.

I wonder what would’ve happened if I had not been available in that very short timeframe (a few hours). I could have been out of town, etc.

A true TIT moment indeed.

marc26 · #4 13-05-2007, 03:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by sundancekid

When I had to renew my 1 year WP last time, I got a distressing call from my lawyer around 1 PM. It was on the very same day it was to expire. He was in near panic mode, and said I had to come down to Immigration in Phuket Town that day, or else they would refuse to renew it…

As truth was, I had a lot of work to do, but he insisted that I HAD to, and that if not I might have to go through the entire process again (about 3 months) during which time I was not allowed to work. So I put on my “good” shirt and shoes (first time in a year

), drove down, said hi and drove back.

I wonder what would’ve happened if I had not been available in that very short timeframe (a few hours). I could have been out of town, etc.

A true TIT moment indeed.

it's not just Thailand
im on WP in Canada, and i have been told straight out by an immigration officer(late 20's girl on power trip) that my WP is not a right, its a priveledge
thank god my new one is for 3 years!!

MrDK · #5 13-05-2007, 03:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by marc26

...is not a right, its a priveledge...

That is very true. I think that many tend forget that. Personally I truly believe it is a fortunate privilege that I am able to stay and work in the US. The frequency of checks on my part is very low; only have to visit USCIS (part of U.S. Department of Homeland Security) every 10 years.

marc26 · #6 13-05-2007, 05:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrDK

That is very true. I think that many tend forget that. Personally I truly believe it is a fortunate privilege that I am able to stay and work in the US. The frequency of checks on my part is very low; only have to visit USCIS (part of U.S. Department of Homeland Security) every 10 years.

cant you become a permanent resident, which would do away with alot of that?

MrDK · #7 13-05-2007, 06:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by marc26

cant you become a permanent resident, which would do away with alot of that?

I am a permanent resident. Got my green card before the 10-year rule was was implemented, however, after 25 years of traveling and always having my green card in my wallet it became so mutilated that I had to get a new one and that put me on the 10-year renewal program.

Coolhand · #8 13-05-2007, 10:26

Slightly off topic, but my HK viisa and work permit was due for renewal, and due to a trip to Indonesia and a lazy agent, I ended up on "overstay".
Every Saturday night the police go round the discos in Wanchai, checking the visas of the girls. All the ones that knew were pointing me out to the police, saying "check him, his visa has expired!". The police just smiled and moved on!
One girl, who was kee mau, pulled out her passport with some credit cards, and said to the policewoman, "I no have visa, you take Mastercard?". Again a tolerant smile and they moved on.

marc26 · #9 14-05-2007, 03:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coolhand

Slightly off topic, but my HK viisa and work permit was due for renewal, and due to a trip to Indonesia and a lazy agent, I ended up on "overstay".
Every Saturday night the police go round the discos in Wanchai, checking the visas of the girls. All the ones that knew were pointing me out to the police, saying "check him, his visa has expired!". The police just smiled and moved on!
One girl, who was kee mau, pulled out her passport with some credit cards, and said to the policewoman, "I no have visa, you take Mastercard?". Again a tolerant smile and they moved on.

my company screwed up my work permit big time. which i knew the lazy head of human resorces would. then she sat on it for 2 weeks until my boss came back from holiday and i got denied an urgent "labor market opinion" and had to leave Canada in a week. thats why i was in nyc for 3 months
sorting it all out

ototto · #10 14-05-2007, 03:41

So renew your WP 3 days earlier and dont ( as the new ppto chief said) make
them restart all the process and waste their " precious"time ( don't som sam them you lazy pricks ?) .55555

Nicke · #11 14-05-2007, 06:14

A couple of years ago it wasnt even a problem to renew late, they just carried it out as usual. It changed 2 years ago thought, I missed the renewal date by one day as it was a public holiday my last day. They cancelled it on the spot and I had to do it from beginning.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ototto

So renew your WP 3 days earlier and dont ( as the new ppto chief said) make
them restart all the process and waste their " precious"time ( don't som sam them you lazy pricks ?) .55555

ototto · #12 15-05-2007, 00:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicke

A couple of years ago it wasnt even a problem to renew late, they just carried it out as usual. It changed 2 years ago thought, I missed the renewal date by one day as it was a public holiday my last day. They cancelled it on the spot and I had to do it from beginning.

I'm sorry as I'm sorry for a couple of friends who happen the same as you.
The worst thing however is that they ( the authoritys) think that they are loosing time for your "mistakes", as if yor money and time don't matter to them. Dont you start feeling fed up with their logic ?