I resigned from my position from a company a few months ago and they kept my work permit as they assured me that it belongs to them.
A new employer has subsequently asked for this work permit in order to hire me and his lawyer told me that the work permit does, in fact, belong to me, the worker.
My question is: does a work permit belong to the worker or to the company?
Dave Smith, Bang Tao
Thursday, August 13, 2009 2:35:38 PM
A work permit does belong to the worker, but only when you are working with the company who acquired it for you.
Once you are no longer working with the company it becomes the property of the Department of Employment.
Your old company will cancel the work permit for you.
You must then bring the cancellation documents when you apply for a new work permit with the new company.
You also have to bring the canceled documents to Immigration if you had a one-year visa extension issued based on your employment with the old company.
For more information contact the Phuket Employment Office at 38/27 Rattanakosin 200 Pi Road, T. Talad Nua, A. Muang, Phuket 83000. T: 076- 219660-13. F: 076-219660-1 (x16).
Thursday, August 13, 2009 2:35:38 PM
An officer at the Phuket branch of the Department of Employment