Should I Trust an Agency to Get My Work Permit in Thailand While on a Tourist Visa?

Jan 5, 2020
5 years ago
Preston ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello!

Unfortunately I'm in a tight spot and this may fall into visa advice or not.

I just met with an agency that is offering me a position teaching at a school in Krabi today. They just told me the director who I haven't met yet wants to meet me then start teaching immediately that day. I'm on Tourist visa and they say they'll work on getting my work permit/visa as quickly as possible.

I've been very clear I want my visa before I work but this is the situation still.

I have a tourist visa that I extended(my first ever visa) which expires on January 13th I have a flight out of the country to USA that day also.

Should I just leave this situation right now or trust they will have my work visa paperwork ready for me?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is uncertain about starting a teaching job in Krabi while on a tourist visa, as the agency promises to expedite the work visa process. They seek advice on whether to meet the school director and start working immediately or to avoid the situation due to concerns about legality and the agency's credibility.
Robert *******
you have your information, It seems common in many places and jobs, Thailand does not have a probation period and many companies and schools want to see you work before they invest in Work Permit and Non Immigrant B visa. We can only advice, follow the laws, it is you who has to make the decision. Good Luck.
Heng **********
Had been in your situation too. The software company promise to get me non-B and work permit. Thus I worked for them around 3 months as tourist, Visa-run to another country every month until I found out they are ghost company. Government staff visit the company and my colleague told me that company didn't change their old address for more than 7 years and do their annual accounting for more than 3 years. So I asked the HR to use agency service for getting my non-B and work permit and the application get bounced back. In the end I went back to Malaysia and make sure my next company able to provide me valid document. And now I'm here in Thailand again 😝
Preston ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
This whole situation is sketchy... They ignored a lot of my questions this agency. If it's impossible to get my work permit then I won't work.

Just questioning if I should meet the director or just get out of here.
Robert *******
Go and meet the director, fly to the USA as planned, do not work before you fly out. In the mean time they can prepare all needed documents send to you and you apply in the USA before you come back for the Non Immigrant B visa, on return in Thailand you pick up the work permit and you can start to work. Best option for both of you.
Robert *******
Just look at your Tourist Visa, I made a big arrow to the text written on it, it must be clear enough:
Robert *******
First of all, ignore PM. Everything you get by PM can not be checked if it is correct and legal. Please do not ask others to use PM, if you have questions or advice to this on the page, biggest benefit is that all members can learn from it and it can be checked if the advice is correct and legal.
Nicole ******
I have been working on a tourist visa the last 5 months it’s a joke here they take forever
Heng **********
Had been in same situation as you until I found out my company is a ghost company that doesn't have valid documents for my to apply non-B and work permit 🤣
Biff *******
@Nicole **********
you are working illegally and can be arrested, charged, jailed and deported. Stop.
Nigel *********
It doesn't take forever. You're being taken for a ride
Jake ********
You know you might get banned from the country doing that right?
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