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Is it legal to work with a TEFL certification in Thailand on a tourist visa without a degree?

Aug 15, 2018
8 years ago
Lin *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi

I have been looking at doing a Tefl course in Thailand

I don’t have a degree but have been informed that it is ok .. guarantee of work on completion and working with a tourism visa with pay going into a Thai bank account..

Can you please tell me if this is legal

The last thing I want to do is break the law 🙏🏻
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The consensus from the community is that it is illegal to work in Thailand on a tourist visa, even if one has completed a TEFL course. A work permit is required to teach, which necessitates a valid Non-Immigrant B visa and a degree. Claims of guaranteed employment post-TEFL completion are generally seen as misleading since legal employment requires proper visa status.
Tod *********
and I think O/P has enough information to make a good decision.
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Francis ********
If you don’t have a work permit you can’t work legally in Thailand even if the language school or school hires you .
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Luke ************
pm sent
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Judie **********
You can't get a work visa teaching with a TEFL in Thailand without a degree no matter what the TEFL school say. They are running a business and need bums on seat to survive. They'll tell you what you want to hear.
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David ****************
Universities are different to schools with different rules.
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David ****************
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Sarah ****************
No this is not legal. Tourist visa forbid employment. You need to have a work permit on a non b visa
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Krishn *********
Thanks. Agree.
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Krishn *********
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Krishn *********
Following..
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Robert *******
On the tourist visa is a stamp with the text: Employment Prohibited. That should be your first answer. Next to that you're only allowed to work inside Thailand if you have the Work Permit and the Non Immigrant B visa or the Non Immigrant O visa without the stamp Employment Prohibited (this depending on the reason of application).
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Krishn *********
Thanks. David John Philpott.

I agree with you, I know about it.

Actually I am not interested in job.

But if opportunities and law permitted then some time I wish to as freelance work, not permanent basis.

My quarry based only on " no stamped employment prohibited."

Its just for knowledge and if anytime we require it.

I am happy with non OA. I just arrived and have longtime to apply extension of stay.

My enquiry was only about stamp or without stamp.

BTW will you highlight which province user friendly about job for OA visa to permit.

TIA.
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David ****************
@Kri***
. I was on an OA without work prohibited stamp when I first started at my Uni 7 years ago. I did get WP & job but many IO’s don’t like it. I then changed to ‘B’ because it’s easier.
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Krishn *********
Yes!!! I aware about it. But your special point unless " employment prohibited ", given me a new thought about it.

Actually my background is technical instructor in past.

Although I am not interest to do job, but If opportunities available then I must update me about point of you.

Sure I will contact MOL.

Thanks again Robert Lagas.

I hope Dear and respectable Tod Daniels too light on this issue because his may be he have some special effect in his brain.

Thank you.
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Robert *******
You need a work permit, most of the Ministries of Labor will not provide a work permit to holders of the Non Immigrant O or O-A Visa because the are based on being over 50 years of age and sitting out their time in Thailand, better translated Retirement.
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Krishn *********
@Robert ******
.. Can I add my quarry with your this comments.

I have non OA without stamp of employment prohibited.

Can I do job which is not in list restricted job for farangs or other job that not reserved for Thai.

I agree need to start new thread about it.

But its commented here so I think it will be OK to ask here.

Thanks in advance.
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Krishn *********
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Luke ************
Im sure
@John ******
can help.
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Manos *************
I second that
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Manos *************
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Lisa ***************
Never work on a Tourist Visa this is totally illegal. Anyone offering guaranteed employment upon completion must provide a working Visa and work permit
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Catherine *********
Pm you
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Lloyd ********
Please keep all conversations on the page,
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Lloyd ********
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Tod *********
And I think at this point we all realize working on a tourist visa is totally illegal although taking a tefl course on a tourist visa is totally okay
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Jason ***********
It’s not legal at all.
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David ****************
@Da***
. You have a tourist visa and working?

If so, how did you get your work permit &/or teachers license?
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David ************
That is true. Learned. From experience
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Jason ***********
The TEFL courses will tell you anything in order to get you to signup.
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Jason ***********
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Kari ********
I'm not sure what "tourism visa" they're referring to but you cannot legally work on any tourist visas. A tourist visa is for purposes of tourism, not for working.
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Kari ********
@Wendy *********
Another thing, Thai immigration can only grant work visas to teachers with a bachelor's degree. Without a degree, they cannot. This is for teaching. If you wanted to do other jobs, they CAN grant you a visa without a degree.
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Lin *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you that’s what I thought
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Lin *****
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