Should I Ship My Passport to Secure a Non-B Visa in Thailand?

Question

Hi there, my husband and I are both Americans that have secured teaching jobs in Thailand this year. We are stuck in America right now until Thailand opens their borders. While here, we are trying to get our non-b visas (rather than hop a border over there which was our original plan). We have been in constant contact with our school and they are working with the Ministry of Education to complete all paperwork that we will need in order to secure a non-b visa. We heard this week that a new a requirement from the MOE states they need to see our physical passports in order to issue the paperwork. The only way to comply with this rule is for my husband and I to ship our American passports to Thailand and then have them shipped back after the MOE approves.

We are both a bit hesitant to send our passports over and think it is a bizarre request from the MOE as we have already sent photo copies of all the pages in our passports. However, we do think having a non-b visa will help us get in once the borders re-open, rather than just entering on a tourist visa.

Our question is - would you advise us to ship our passports to receive this non-b paperwork? Or just wait it out to see what the Thai government decides with foreigners entering the country?

Thanks in advance!

Ask Thailand · Answer

A couple of Americans, securing teaching jobs in Thailand, is hesitant about a new requirement from the Ministry of Education (MOE) that mandates them to send their physical passports to Thailand for visa processing. They are concerned about the safety of their passports and whether they should comply with this request. Community responses overwhelmingly advise against sending passports by mail, emphasizing that legitimate schools can provide necessary documentation for visa applications without needing the actual passports, which can pose a risk if mailed.

Bill ********** · Answer

If you post your passport ANYWHERE it’s likely to be the last time you will see it. I think the only place you should let it out of your sight is at an embassy or consulate.

Ellie ******* · Answer

Even if they require passport originals for real (not likely) and if you send them, I don’t believe any foreign passport without legit entry stamp would work in Thailand in anyway.

Tod ********* · Answer

You should be able to get the documentation from your prospective employer to get a 90 day Non-B visa from a thai consulate in your country BEFORE you come here. Many MANY people do that without any issue.

There is something that isn't quite right with what the school is telling you (about the MOE needing to see the hard passport to issue documentation)

A bit of advice; DO NOT mail your passport to ANYONE here period end of story.

Karin ****** · Answer

Not american, but I don't think that's true. I got my non b in my home country. My only problem is that I don't have my actual work permit yet. That one I can only get over there. I probs have to apply for a new b visa though. I have to enter until the 16th of june and it doesn't look like I will be able too, but fingers crossed.

KJ ********* · Answer

Entering on a tourist visa and handling it here will likely be easier.

Harry ****** · Answer

Visa application can be applied either at your local Thai embassy, or within Bangkok.  You sound like you are following the latter way.  Did you check with your local Thai embassy?

Entering on a tourist visa and convert visa isn’t an issue at all

Benjamin ****** · Answer

I have no idea what documents your school was trying to get from the MOE, but to my knowledge, there is nothing that requires you handing your passport to them in person. All real schools will be able to give you all the paperwork while you're overseas, except the work permit.

There are a lot of schools out there, I recommend continuing your search for other schools. If you're working through an agency, run!

There are a lot of schools out there, I recommend continuing your search for other schools. If you're working through an agency, run!

Robert ******* · Answer

I never heard of this requirement and I do not believe that a Ministry of a country want to actually see and hold a foreign persons passport before issuing a document.

I would strongly advice NOT to send your passport by post as this is  normally not even allowed by your country laws. Do not accept the story that you must then get here with a tourist visa or use the visa exempt entry. Every serious school must be able to get all the document to apply for the Work Permit at the Ministry of Labor and get all the documents, so their future staff can apply for the Non Immigrant B visa before departure to Thailand.

Should I Ship My Passport to Secure a Non-B Visa in Thailand?

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