To all foreigners working in Thailand, when you decide to change jobs or getting a new offer and planning your resignation is only the first step. Your process isn’t complete yet, because you still need to handle the cancellation of your current visa and work permit.
Since both your work visa and work permit are tied to one specific employer, they must be canceled by your former employer and reissued under your new employer when you change jobs. This helps you avoid issues such as visa expiry, overstaying, or being forced to leave the country because your visa extension wasn’t completed in time.
Today, We have summarized the key steps for Changing jobs in Thailand without leaving the country. This guide helps both you and your new employer understand the full process, communicate clearly, prepare the correct documents, and ensure that you can start your new job within 21 days.
What are the steps for Changing Jobs in Thailand?
Step 1 : Ask your former employer to cancel your visa work permit:
After notifying your previous employer of your resignation, request Your former employer to cancel the visa so that up to 21 days remain at the Immigration Division 1 (Immigration Bureau), Bangkok. The work permit must also be canceled through the e-WorkPermit system, which usually takes 5–7 business days. The remaining 21 days gives you enough time to apply for a new Work Permit and extend your visa with your new employer.
This method is available only when changing jobs between companies within Bangkok. If you are moving to a company in another province, you must check the cancellation process with the local Immigration Office in that province.
Important: Do not cancel the Work Permit before canceling the Non-B visa. Doing so will immediately invalidate your visa and put you at risk of overstaying illegally.
Step 2: Ask your new employer to apply for a new Work Permit
The new employer can prepare the required documents in advance. All documents needed for the new Work Permit can be found in the e-WorkPermit system. Companies, individuals, or authorized representatives can register and check the required documents at: https://eworkpermit.doe.go.th/
This is required for all foreigners changing jobs to a new company.
Step 3: Extend the remaining Non-B visa back to a 1-year visa
Once your new Work Permit is approved, your new employer must prepare documents to extend the Non-B visa at Immigration Office.
Your visa will be extended for 1 year, and the application must include the new Work Permit and all supporting documents required by Immigration.
Step 4: The new employer issues an employment contract
After the Work Permit and visa extension are completed, your employer must issue an employment contract. By Thai Labour law, the contract must be prepared after the Work Permit is approved, and the employee’s start date can match the Work Permit issue date.
After this, your Social Security registration and other onboarding steps follow the same process as hiring a Thai employee.
Step 5: Start Working
Once the contract is signed and all registrations are completed, you can begin working immediately without leaving Thailand. You will now hold a 1-year Non-B Visa and 1-year Work Permit, and both can be renewed up to 30-45 days before it expires.
Why is this method ideal for Changing Jobs in Thailand?
This process is known as the Transfer Visa method. It’s ideal for foreigners who are already working in Thailand with a 1-year visa extension and decide to change jobs. It makes the transition fast and convenient, as there is no need to leave the country, and you can start working with your new employer within 21 days.
What if you cannot use the Transfer Visa method?
In some situations, you may not be able to keep 21 days on your visa, such as:
- Your previous company is located outside Bangkok
- Your visa is canceled unexpectedly
- You miss the visa renewal deadline
In these cases, the solution is to cancel both your visa and Work Permit completely, leave Thailand, and apply for a new Non-B Visa through the Thai E-Visa system. After re-entering Thailand, you can start the Work Permit process again with your new employer. Although this option takes longer — usually around one month — and comes with extra costs like flights and accommodation, it is a legal and reliable solution for situations where the Transfer Visa method cannot be used.
FAQs
Can I change jobs in Thailand without leaving the country?
Yes. If you meet the requirements for the 21-day Transfer Visa method (visa cancellation in Bangkok and timely Work Permit processing), you can change jobs without exiting Thailand.
Can I change employers if my previous company is outside Bangkok?
If your former employer is located outside Bangkok, Immigration may not allow the 21-day cancellation.
In that case, you must leave Thailand and apply for a new Non-B Visa before returning.
How long can i stay in thailand after cancel Non-B Visa?
You can stay in Thailand for up to 21 days after canceling your Non-B Visa, but only if the cancellation is done at Immigration Division 1 in Bangkok and approved as part of the Transfer Visa process. If not, you may be required to leave immediately on the same day the visa is canceled.
How long does it take to transfer my visa and Work Permit to a new employer?
With the Transfer Visa method, the full process typically takes within 21 days, allowing you to start your new job quickly and without interruption.
How much does it cost to cancel visa and work permit in thailand?
Canceling your Thai visa and Work Permit has no government fee. A new Work Permit costs 3,100 THB, and a 1-year visa extension costs 1,900 THB.
What happens if my old employer cancels my Work Permit before canceling my visa?
Your visa becomes invalid immediately, and you risk overstaying. Always ensure your former employer cancels your Non-B Visa first, then your Work Permit.
Summary
Foreigners Changing jobs in Thailand requires proper cancellation and reissuance of both your Work Permit and Non-B Visa with your new employer. If eligible for the 21-day Transfer Visa method, you can switch employers within Bangkok without leaving Thailand. If the 21-day method is not possible, you must exit Thailand and apply for a new Non-B before re-entering.
How RLC Can Help
RLC Outsourcing provides complete Visa and Work Permit services for foreigners changing jobs in Thailand, including consultation, document preparation, submission, and onsite support. We ensure your transition to a new employer is smooth, legal, and worry-free so you can start your new job without delays or complications.
