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Can I switch from an ED visa to a Non-Immigrant B visa while in Thailand?

ED Visa Non-Immigrant B Visa Teaching Visa Visa Regulations Thailand Remote Work in Thailand Expat Visa Advice Language School Visa

Nov 20, 2021

3 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

VISA ADVICE!

I came to Thailand on a tourist visa hoping to find a teaching position and secure a non-immigration B visa and work permit. My remote job from the US has positioned me to stay here without employment, which I would like to pursue, but I'm not sure what route to take in exploring ED visa options.

If I am granted an ED visa, am I allowed to discontinue the ED visa in the event I find the *perfect* fit in a school, teaching, and apply for the non-immigrant B visa 1/2 way through the year? Or am I required to attend language classes for a year and then look for a teaching job/apply for a b-visa in a year? 

My tourist visa ends the last week of December. 

Thanks for reading and offering your experience, knowledge, and support! <3

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is in Thailand on a tourist visa, exploring options to convert to a Non-Immigrant B visa after potentially securing a teaching job. They inquired about the possibility of transitioning from an ED visa (for educational purposes) to a B visa, or the necessity of completing a full year of classes on an ED visa before applying for a B visa. Responses clarified that switching from an ED visa to a B visa is not permitted within Thailand, and highlighted requirements such as having a bachelor's degree to legally teach in the country.

Nicole ****************

Can you teach in Thailand with a Tefl certificate only, no degree

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Nicole ****************

So all in all you can’t teach without a degree

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Keven ****

@Nicole ***************

No offense, but all language schools are only looking for NES (usually from the US or UK). Since that is what parents want if they are willing to pay 300-500THB per lesson. I gave you the technical details, but realistically, without a degree, and being considered NNES, your chances of getting a teaching job are almost non-existant. (Sorry about my initial comments, I thought you were from the US.)

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Nicole ****************

Thank you for the information

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Keven ****

@Nicole ***************

If you mean language schools, yes, but most language schools don't offer a B visa and work permit.

(Also, TEFL is not considered as being much value in Thailand, and South African citizens are considered as NNES, even if I agree that might not be fair. You would be competing with NES from the US, UK, with bachelor's degree and multiple years of experience.)

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Keven ****

@Nicole ***************

If you're asking can I do something illegally, even if that means being fined, jailed, made to pay a $1700 USD for a last-minute plane ticket (and jailed until it is paid in full), and blacklisted from the country, you can answer that yourself.

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Keven ****

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Nicole ****************

Not being offered a work permit

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Nicole ****************

Keven Je ok thank you for the information

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Keven ****

@Nicole ***************

Also some private schools will make you work, but won't offer the B (work) visa, and work permit. This is also illegal.

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Keven ****

@Nicole ***************

Some schools/visa agents/forum members might suggest you can, but if you get caught you can be fined—and are deported and blacklisted from the country. Look into language schools or corporate jobs. 👍

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Nicole ****************

can they really do that

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Keven ****

@Nicole ***************

Which part of the comments are you asking about?

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Keven ****

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Michael ********

@Nicole ***************

ajarn.com

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Nicole ****************

@Michael *******

thank you, I will check it out

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Nicole ****************

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John-Paul ******

Ah... the intricacies of the thai viss and the advise given by others here and then... of course... the discussions of same that will go on and on by immitation and far better educated immigration office staff who do mean well. Go through an agent. They know how and you will be relieved of the worry... hoops... stress... and lectures. Okay you will spend more however. Need one... many here will give you a company name. Send me a message through messenger.

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Peter ********

i can suggest a visa company i used if you like. i am in the same boat as you....they can answer all your questions exactly....

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Nick ****************

I agree with Brandon. Only question is will they allow you to do a border hop or make you apply in your home country?

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Keven ****

If you don't have a bachelor's degree, you can't legally teach in Thailand. So taking people's time to answer all of your questions is pointless if you don't have a degree.

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Keven ****

1. You can go from tourist visa to Non-Imm ED visa inside the country (or tourist visa to Non-Imm B visa). But it is not possible to go from Non-Imm ED to Non-Imm B visa (in other words, change Non-Imm category) inside the country.

2. If you get an ED visa, you are legally obligated to take a minimum number of hours of lessons each week.

3. Right now, I believe getting an ED visa for a private language/fighting school inside the country isn't even possible (they stopped in 2020).

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Mma *******

Keep your eye on the covid extension and whether they will re-up this. Announcement coming in a week or so. If you receive covid ext (get it late Dec.) you will have almost 3.5 months to play with from today's date. From there you can get ED visa or go straight to work visa.

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Steve *******

Well Are you a teacher or not? You have to show qualifications to be a teacher. It's not rocket science! You need paperwork from the school you're going to be working at to get the non imm b and work permit.

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Michael ********

I would keep quiet about working remotely.

Eyes and Ears everywhere and basically its not legal

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Will ******

Dear

@Michael *******

, can you kindly elaborate a bit more on why working remotely is not legal if the jobs or chances of business are obtained from their original countries? For example, the expat provides financial/investment/or other professional consultation to the clients who live in their own country outside Thailand, which seems no impact on Thailand laborers. Does this kind of work illegally? Thank you!

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Colin ********

but YOU are in Thailand and therefore YOU are working in Thailand. Where your clients are isn't the issue but where YOU are. Therefore you need a work permit although I read somewhere that there are new laws and visa pertaining to remote workers that circumvent this but I believe you need to provide vproof of income from overseas etc.

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Michael ********

no need to elaborate it is how it is. I have had a friend get deported for his band which played on a sunday night and passed tbe hat around for beer money.

His work permit was for scuba diving and he broke the regulation, also in that group was a retiree who probably talked too much about how much he made on his stocks etc.

Doesnt matter you pee off the wrong person here you are in the back of the van handcuffed with the rest of them. Ethical or not

I am just saying dont announce anything on social media. I know for a fact Krabi province use interns to check just that.

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Will ******

@Michael *******

got it! Thank you, Sir!!

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Will ******

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Naomi *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Joseph ********

what’s funny?

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Brandon ************

You are free to cancel the ED Visa whenever you want. But whether you can get the non-B inside the country will be between your job and immigration.

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Keven ****

@Brandon ***********

It's not legally possible for a teaching job. No matter the school or IO.

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Naomi *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

appreciate your help!

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Naomi *******

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