Extension of Work Permit

[Terry]

I have a non immigrant 'B' visa which was successfully extended for 1 year during July this year.

My current work permit (which is facilitated by the aforementioned visa) expires on 12 December

Question
I know that to extend the visa, you have to be present in person - does this also apply to a work permit? - or - can I leave it to the lawyer to extend.

[mat]

Ni visit to Prachuab necessary with my last extension, all done by the lawyer. But rules might have changed...

[Spitfire]

Don't think you have to be there in person as lots of schools probably extend WPs with the right dox all the time without hauling their teachers off to immigration.

I remember going last year to do mine and think the representative of the work place had other people's WPs with her.

A lawyer will probably be fine Mr T.

[barrys]

You can get someone else to do it for you, though you do have to sign quite a bit of paperwork first, of course.
Then there's possibly the case of the new medical requirements if they enforce them.

It's possible to get the work permit sorted out in Hua Hin on a Tuesday at the municipal services building behind the police station.

I suggest you get someone to go to the local office and get a list of all the documentation they want first.

[Roel]

I have had several Work Permits extended during my years in Thailand. Never done one in person.

[zevon]

With the usual caveat that the requirements can change as quick as the wind I found the following differences this time around re my most recent WP extension.
Medical certificate required (previously only on initial application)
New WP5 form with basically the same questions but slightly more info required
A new (had never seen before) form (don't have the number/reference) to be completed by the employer stating the reasons why it was deemed necessary to hire a foreigner and not a local

[buksida]

As mentioned above you do not have to be there yourself for WP renewal.

The only new thing they was asked for last month when I did mine was the medical test: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=18675

[Terry]

Many thanks for the replies - most useful and confirmed my thoughts.........

I'm currently on assignment in Hanoi and not due to return until AFTER the WP renewal date.

Getting Docs signed should be no problem as Mrs T can bring when she visits me next time.

The medical cert - which I know was easy to get in Thailand - will have to be obtained here in Hanoi

Does anyone have experience of furnishing a 'non Thai' medical certificate?

[dtaai-maai]

Terry, are you sure you don't have a friendly local doctor who'd be willing to declare you fit 'in absentia' for a small fee? You know what'll happen with a Vietnamese medical certificate - it'll have to be translated into Thai, English, Sanskrit and God knows what else, certified by 4 different embassies and government departments, then by the time it gets seen it'll be out of date...

[Terry]

Honestly DM - your pessimism just thrills me
But yes, I am aware of those pitfalls and I will be talking to my boss (Mrs.T) about this option.

[barrys]

Well, the doctor's surgery at the main Pranburi intersection hands out medical certs for the driving licence at 30 baht each without any examination and gets you to fill in your own details (name etc.) without asking for any ID, passport etc. - just food for thought.......