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Do I need to leave Thailand to apply for a teaching visa?

Teaching Visa Visa Application Process Thailand Immigration Non-Immigrant B Visa Visa Costs Work Permit

May 11, 2025

a year ago

Rachael ***************

ORIGINAL POSTER

If I am offered a teaching job in Thailand do I need to leave the country to apply for the Visa? A school has told me that I will need to go to Laos, specifically to apply. They also told me I need to pay for the Visa and Permit myself and it will be reimbursed over time, can anyone tell me if this is normal and what the average cost would be overall? Thank you

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TLDR : Answer Summary

To apply for a teaching visa in Thailand, you typically need to leave the country to get the visa from a neighboring country, such as Laos. Schools often require this process, as visas cannot be obtained within Thailand. It's common for the school to ask you to pay for the visa and work permit upfront, with reimbursement later. This approach is standard in the industry.

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Jeremy ********

Yes you will have to depart Thailand to get your visa…as with all countries you can’t get a visa inside the country because it must be given to you via an embassy/consulate

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Rachael ***************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you, can it be any country with a Thai embassy/consulate. She seemed to think it needs to be Laos.

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Jeremy ********

@Rachael **************

yes it can be anywhere…but as a caveat if they have already filled out all the paperwork with Vientiane Laos then that’s where you need to go to get it…make sure you go to E-Visa website and follow the instructions

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Rachael ***************

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you so much for your help. They told me it will cost me 100k, does that sound right?

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Rachael ***************

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Pertti *************

Good companies do all this for you in kingdom but 99% send you neighboring country with documents to apply initial 90 day b visa. When you arrive you need to apply WP before start working... If you have non immigrant o visa already then you just need WP!

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David ******

Go to laos, and your Visa there and get your permit aswell the school will give the right details.

I'm sure non immigrant b visa

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Rachael ***************

ORIGINAL POSTER

They told me it will cost 100k, does that sound right?

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Rachael ***************

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