Thailand: Government Audits Ongoing for Employers Filing Long-Stay Visa Extensions
June 13, 2024
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At a Glance
- The Immigration Bureau at the One Stop Service Center (OSSC) has started conducting immigration visits (i.e., in-person inspections) on employers who filed first-year Long Stay visa extension applications from May 2024 onwards. These visits do not apply to subsequent renewal applications after the initial extension.
- During the immigration visit, the visa holder, a human resources employee or any other company representative capable of providing company and employment information or documents, and the representative who assisted with the visa, must all be present.
- Employers with noncompliant records may see cancellation of foreign employees' visas or restrictions on their ability to sponsor visas for future hires.
The situation
The Immigration Bureau at the One Stop Service Center (OSSC) has started conducting immigration visits (i.e., in-person inspections) on employers who filed first-year Long Stay visa extension applications from May 2024 onwards. These visits do not apply to subsequent renewal applications after the initial extension.
A closer look
- The Immigration Officer may conduct the visit any time after the approval of the first Long Stay visa extension and the company will be notified in advance. This does not apply to subsequent renewal applications after the initial extension.
- During the visit, the visa holder, a human resources employee or any other company representative capable of providing company and employment information or documents, and the representative who assisted with the visa application (such as a Fragomen representative) must all be present.
Impact
- Prepare for immigration visit. To ensure a smooth process and prevent potential issues for future renewals or visa sponsorships, foreign employees and their employers must fully cooperate with the OSSC and ensure their immigration-related documents are in order.
- Noncompliance penalties. Employers with noncompliant records may see cancellation of foreign employees' visas or restrictions on their ability to sponsor visas for future hires.
- Notify Fragomen professional. Clients must promptly notify Fragomen as soon as they have been contacted by the OSSC for the visit.
Background
Previously limited to new applications filed through immigration offices other than the OSSC, immigration visits have now become a nationwide requirement across all offices, including OSSC. The goal of this additional screening measure is to combat the unethical practice of employers providing falsified information, thereby ensuring the integrity of the visa application process.
Looking ahead
This development aligns with the government’s goal to ensure immigration compliance by companies hiring foreign nationals. Specifically, the government aims to verify that all foreign workers in Thailand are employed by their sponsoring firms and carrying out their stated duties. The government may implement other regulatory measures to ensure compliance with labor standards and immigration protocols. We will report on related developments.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
