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Do South African teachers need to apply for a Non-B visa in their home country according to new rules?
Non-B VisaVisa Application ProcessSouth AfricaMinistry of EducationThai ConsulateVisa Rules for TeachersExpatriate Visa Issues
Mar 15, 2018
8 years ago
Brent ********************
ORIGINAL POSTERHi guys,a quick visa update question...today the HR lady at my school said she applied for a letter of approval from the MOE (Ministry of Education) for my Non B visa application and the staff there told her that I need to go back to South Africa to apply for a Non B.They told her I can’t do it in Laos according to new rules.Is this correct?
Thanks in advance!
Brent.
Thanks in advance!
Brent.
TLDR : Answer Summary
Brent inquired about the legitimacy of a requirement that South African teachers must return to South Africa to apply for a Non-B visa based on information from his school's HR lady. The responses suggest differing opinions: some believe a new internal agreement at the MOE may require this, while others argue that the Ministry of Education does not dictate visa issuance policies of Thai consulates, which are operated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was clarified that South African passport holders can still obtain Non-B visas at Thai consulates in Laos.
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Brent ********************
ORIGINAL POSTERHey
@Tod ********
,I initially thought as much,but then my director got involved and did some investigation.He seems to think there is an agreement in place between OBEC and MOE requiring teachers of African nationalities to apply for their Non B in their respective home countries.This being a new “law” that isn’t officially enforced but observed by departments.It seems service areas falling into BKK are stricter than outer lying areas.What is your view on this?Thomas **********
Brent Anthony De Jager
Make sure you "prove my school's HR team wrong" in a face-saving way or you are making yourself future headaches. People who lose face here can be VERY vindictive.
Make sure you "prove my school's HR team wrong" in a face-saving way or you are making yourself future headaches. People who lose face here can be VERY vindictive.
Brent ********************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
thank you so much you are an absolute super star!Intrigued to see the result and hopefully prove my schools HR team wrong or make my way back to South Africa on a glorified “Visa Run”.Please keep me posted as soon as you hear anything.Tod *********
@Br***
, That list is the only one out there that lists prohibited countries for Lao.I messaged a well known visa run company in Bangkok that goes to Vientiane and asked them to see if they can get a more updated list (as it's taped to the window at the consulate).
Lets see what they come back with.
Brent ********************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
absolutely!Completely with you there!Hence waiting for the letter of approval.A justified call from a Thai friend to the Vientiane consulate will also be done.I’m hoping this is an error from my school and not Thailand clamping down...Tod *********
Here's the thai consulate in Vientiane and Savannakhet phone numbers
Vientiane +856 21 214 582
Savannakhet +856 41 252 080
Vientiane +856 21 214 582
Savannakhet +856 41 252 080
Tod *********
@Br***
, did your director bother to pick up the phone and call the thai consulate in Vientiane or Savannakhet (which both answer their phones on the first or second ring) and ask them in person?? OBEC, and the MOE don't have a dog in the fight of the MFA issuing visas at the thai consulates scattered around the world AND unless the MOE paperwork (which usually just says "any thai consulate" is addressed ONLY to the thai consulate in S/A I'd say you can go to any consulate that will issue visas to S/A passport holders.
Brent ********************
ORIGINAL POSTER*dated
Brent ********************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
thats dates 2013 if I’m not mistaken?It could be that a new one is released/going to be released/not known until you get there etc.Or do you think I’m way off track?I’m awaiting the letter from MOE and waiting to see what it says...Tod *********
@Brent *******************
The list of countries that can't use the thai consulates in Lao isBrent ********************
ORIGINAL POSTERThis seems to be the list in KL....I’m assuming a similar thing is in place or an unadvertised rule in Laos too now...notice the date...February 2018.So the law is new...
Brent ********************
ORIGINAL POSTERJoseph Michael Pedro III do you have any idea what the updated list at Vientiane(Laos) is? Their website is all in Thai...
Brent ********************
ORIGINAL POSTERJoseph Michael Pedro III there are obviously a number of African people who have “misbehaved” in Thailand and caused this change.Sad and an admin mission but guess it’s becoming what it is right?!?!
Reply to
Brent ********************
Reply
Tod *********
@Br***
, I would say your HR lady has her wires crossed. The Ministry of Education has NO idea what consulates in the area can or can't issue visas from different nationalities :O I say that because the thai consulates are run under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office NOT the MOE ;)..
The individual consulates decide what countries can or can't apply for visas at a particular location.
Tod *********
The thai consulate in Vientiane and Savannakhet will still issue 90 day Non-B's and other visas to South African passport holders.
Thomas **********
My SA-Nigerian colleague had to go back to S.A. for his in Nakhon Pathom.
Lisa ***************
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