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Do I need a work visa to teach English online while on a tourist visa in Thailand?

Visa Requirements Tourist Visa Non-Immigrant B Visa Work Permit Teaching English Online Work in Thailand

Dec 16, 2018

6 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

If I am traveling from NZ with my husband and three kids. I was wondering if my husband and i am teaching English online do i need a work (?) visa or can I still just travel on 6month tourist visa since the work is all online and not in the country?

Im very very very new to this and this is our first visa we are looking into :) 

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TLDR : Answer Summary

Travelers from New Zealand considering teaching English online while in Thailand need clarification on visa requirements. It's noted that teaching online does not require a traditional work permit, but caution is advised, as working on a tourist visa can be illegal, despite limited enforcement. If intending to work legally in Thailand, obtaining a Non-Immigrant B visa and a work permit is necessary.

Robert *******

Enough information is given. PLEASE members, give correct advice, I will even allow if you give the advice, be an illegal in Thailand as long as you also mention the risk they take, fines, court, prison and deportation plus blacklist. We do not allow going into private and for sure I hate to read ignore others. If I to read this again I will just simply use the exit button to ignore you.

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Tyson ********

PMd you, and stop responding to everyone else :)

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Lloyd ********

You are lucky

replied first,I would have booted you instantly.

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Robert *******

Last warning, Keep advice in the group, we DO not work with PM, this because advice given could be totally wrong.

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Robert *******

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Benjamin ******

There is no work permit to teach English online. The only way to do it is through tourist visas or visa except. It's also illegal (but completely unenforced though)

Edit: I just remembered a recent case where they raised a building and some online teachers were working. I am certain they got fined, but I don't know what else happened though.

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Benjamin ******

Jen Jen: not off the top of my head. There's another group, teaching jobs in Thailand, that may give you more info.

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Lloyd ********

Iglu is not an option for You, it is not for online teachers.

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Jen *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Benjamin *****

I do have a bachelors degree and have worked in the information technology field. I was just thinking of something small I could do to suppliment our travel money. do you know any thai companies for teaching english online?

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Benjamin ******

Jen Jen: setting up your own company is difficult and expensive and very risky. Working for a Thai company teaching English is possible, if you have a bachelor's degree. IGLU is only for information technology jobs.

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Jen *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

will look further into iglu :)

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Jen *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

thanks :) I got that after

@Benjamin *****

clarified it above

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Robert *******

It covers, but you can only apply by using a Thai employer, setting up you own company or as mentioned use a company like IGLU.

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Jen *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Robert Lagas I saw your comment and replied, Im unsure of the exact details of them which is why i asked if they would cover the online teaching. we want to follow the rules, hence why I am asking the questions now. this is literally my very first question about Thai visas

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Robert *******

Jen Jen As I mentioned above about the visa and the work permit. You want to work inside Thailand, so you need to follow the rules inside Thailand.

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Jen *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Benjamin *****

ahh I see, that makes more sense, thank so much for that :)

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Benjamin ******

Jen Jen - you can't get a work permit. Getting a work permit and a work visa ("non-b"), requires the company to be registered here in Thailand, and they have to do all the paperwork to process.

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Jen *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

it would be done online thorugh an online company.

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Paul *********

You can if a company will employ you. Or you start your own company.

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Jen *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

oh I see, I thought you ment to teach online was illegal - could you not get the non immigrant b visa and work permit and make illegal?

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Benjamin ******

Paul Gibbons, that won't work. It's only for information technology, which teaching English is not part of.

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Paul *********

Because regardless of where the students are and your being paid you yourself are in Thailand working.

Look at this as an option

****************

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Robert *******

If you use a tourist visa you state that you will not engage in any type of work, teaching online is engaging in work, so not allowed on this type of visa.

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Benjamin ******

Because you will be working without a work permit. All jobs a person engaged in a job that makes income requires a work permit so you can pay taxes.

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Jen *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

how come it is illegal?

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Jen *****

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Robert *******

Yes, both of you need the Non Immigrant B visa to stay inside Thailand and the Work Permit from the Ministry of Labor to work inside Thailand. These are two different things, Thailand does not have a work visa.

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Jen *****

ORIGINAL POSTER

is that difficult and expensive to do?

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Jen *****

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