Answered8 years ago

Do I need a tourist visa for a TEFL course in Thailand, and can it be changed to a Non-Immigrant B visa if offered a job?

TEFL Course Visa Requirements Tourist Visa Non-Immigrant B Visa Work Permit Immigration Rules Thailand

Mia ********

asked Jun 15, 2018

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Hi, thinking of taking a TEFL course here in Thailand. I’ve heard that you need to get a tourist visa and if you are offered a job during the 3 months tourist visa then this can be changed to a non immigrant B visa? Is this correct/ does anyone have any more information please?

Answer summary

To take a TEFL course in Thailand, you generally begin with a tourist visa. If you secure a job during your stay, it is possible to change your tourist visa to a Non-Immigrant B visa, but this requires your employer to facilitate the process, including obtaining a Work Permit. Note that a degree is typically required to get a Work Permit, and some advice indicates that operationalizing these visa changes can be slow and bureaucratic.

14 repliesnewest first

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Mia ********

Thanks everyone! 😊

8 years ago

Jason *********

Well the problem with always having a wp is first you need to find a school then you/they need to get all the docs together which usually takes atleast 1 month then you need to get the non-b amd only then you can apply for a work permit. So all of this will take atleast 2 month usually closer to 3.. so really the process itself fucks up the notion of always working with a proper WP dick..

8 years ago

Ron *******

@Mary ******

some classy foreign teachers in Thailand.

8 years ago

Mary *******

Yikes ... Profanity not necessary

8 years ago

Jason *********

@Robert ******

it's not me using the copy machine it's the thai teachers and the lazy principles who need to sign the fucking papers... welcome to thailand🍻

8 years ago

Robert *******

You can apply for the WP without a Non Immigrant B. If it takes a month to make the copies I would change to a faster copier machine. I normally do it in a half day. With papers from Ministry of Labor to a Embassy or Consulate takes 3 days to get the Non B. Could be lots faster than 3 months.

8 years ago

Dick **********

For any kind of work here in Thailand you need a peoper WP!

Always!

8 years ago

Steve *****************

You need the school to get you the visa. Your visa will only be good while working for that particular employer.

8 years ago

Robert *******

@Mia *******

Please be aware that advice given in PM could be incorrect and can not be checked or corrected by others. Take care.

8 years ago

Mia ********

Thank you for your help! 😊

8 years ago

Robert *******

If you go to TEFL part of the program is doing internship at a normal school, you need for this the Non Immigrant Ed visa. Not the tourist visa.

8 years ago

Robert *******

You need a degree to be able to get the Work Permit. Some people will tell you there is a way around, sorry to tell you there is not. Only way around is working illegal.

8 years ago

Robert *******

And this way around is with an official work permit with job prescription and place of work?

8 years ago

Jeff *********

There is another way, which is being employed by a non-formal school that acts as an employeer of record while the actual work is done at a private school. The drawback is that the company generally pockets several thousand baht each month out of the teacher's pay. Kind of like a tax on the non-degreed.

8 years ago