Ask question
This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.

What are the challenges of applying for a non-immigrant B visa from outside Thailand during the pandemic?

Apr 8, 2021
5 years ago
Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello I need some advice for a new application for a non immigration b visa, this will be a new application so I can only apply from outside of Thailand, however I’m concerned how possible this will be during the panda medic, what countries will I be able to cross into? Will I need to quarantine when I enter these countries etc. Any advice will be greatfuly received
1,414
views
50
all likes
29
replies
3
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
This post seeks advice on applying for a non-immigrant B visa from outside Thailand amidst pandemic-related travel restrictions. The author expresses concerns over crossing international borders and potential quarantine requirements, mentioning the need for a visa to teach or conduct business in Thailand. The responses highlight the current challenges, including closed borders for land travel and the essential qualifications needed to teach.
Benjamin ******
I’m shutting this down:

1. A person does *NOT* need a TEFL to teach in Thailand.

2 A person *DOES* need a bachelors or higher degree to teach in Thailand at a government school (where most people teach).

3. Getting a teaching job, or discussing the requirements to teach English is outside the scope of the group ( but I did let it continue).

My opinion:

1. Getting a non-B inside Thailand to teach is extremely difficult and something I have not heard of anyone successfully completing recently. Getting a non-B to teach inside Thailand when you are not qualified is *IMPOSSIBLE*.

2. You can study TEFL, Thai, or whatever on whatever visa you want. Enter on a visa exempt and take the class.

3. As of right now, ASEAN is closed to tourists - except for Thailand. Whatever countries are open, I don’t know.

I wish you the best of luck. If anyone wants this post reopen, send a mod a message with a good reason.
Like
Reply
Benjamin ******
it sounds like you’re planning on doing a border bounce right? If that’s the plan, all land borders are closed.
Like
Reply
Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Edward Jarvis please explain what you mean? It’s only difficult right now because of covid, in normal circumstances it would be relatively easy
Like
Reply
Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Edward Jarvis Benjamin is right that I dont need the course qualification to get work but who is there right mind is going to take on a 53 year old English carpenter with know teaching experience
Like
Reply
Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Edward Jarvis actually no Ed , I’ve not applied for work through an agency as yet but may go down that route once I’ve completed the course
Like
Reply
Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Edward Jarvis thanks Edward but I need to do the TEFL course in Phuket before I can apply for work
Like
Reply
James ********
@Christopher ******
no you don't need the TEFL to teach. You do need a Bachelor's Degree.
Like
Reply
Reply to
James ********
Reply
Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Edward Jarvis because I’m applying for a tourist visa from the uk , then once in Thailand I’ll secure some work, once that’s done I’ll then need to leave Thailand and apply for a non immigration b visa which will allow me to work
Like
Reply
Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Edward Jarvis oh no, anyone else have any positive news ? Ok thanks Edward
Like
Reply
Benjamin ******
@Christopher ******
things are changing all the time. However, all ASEAN countries are not selling tourist visas or visa on arrival anymore.
Like
Reply
Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
it’s a non immigration b visa I’ll need Ben not a tourist visa
Like
Reply
Reply to
Christopher *******
Reply
Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
My only other option would be to return to the uk after I’ve secured a position and then apply for a non immigrant b visa from here, it’s an expensive way of doing it but if all the borders are still closed then it doesn’t leave me much chioce
Like
Reply
Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Damien ******
thankyou Damien I see that Singapore is partially open so that would be the closest to Thailand
Like
Reply
Reply to
Christopher *******
Reply
Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
yes that’s the plan, it won’t be until the beginning of September so hopefully they may be open by then
Like
Reply
James ********
@Christopher ******
very doubtful that they will open at all this year due to COVID

You need to have another plan in place.
Like
Reply
Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
apparently Phuket is opening up in July so i remain hopeful
Like
Reply
James ********
@Christopher ******
not likely for no quarantine or freedom to roam in the Phuket sandbox.

But you can come now and do as little as 7 days quarantine if you have been vaccinated least 14 days before your flight to Thailand.
Like
Reply
Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Like
Reply
James ********
@Christopher ******
here is what you need to do to get the Non b visa as a teacher... Without it you will find it very difficult to get the Non b inside Thailand.

This is the way... Set up by Ministry of Education and Thai Foreign Ministry...

As a teacher do yourself a favor...

Get a teachers contract..

Get the WP3 Thai work permit in cooperation with your school employer...

Have your school contact the Thai Ed Ministry to get your name placed on a list of teachers managed by the Thai Foreign Ministry...

Make application for the Non B visa for teaching ...

The Thai Embassy will look at the approved list and issue you a Non B for teaching and a CoE to enter Thailand.

Follow it and you will be in Thailand and ready to teach.

Good Luck
Like
Reply
Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
ah that’s great if possible, so if I go down this route then I can be issued a non b visa within Thailand?
Like
Reply
James ********
@Christopher ******
NO.. you obtain the Non b while you are in the UK.

Follow the UK steps I shared... With it you get the non b and have a job on arrival following ASQ.

AND IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A BACHELORS DEGREE... FORGET ABOUT TEACHING. You will not get a license to teach.

And PLEASE do not pay any TEFL agency for the TEFL to course as you can not teach legally in Thailand without the Bachelor's Degree. They will take your $$$ then you are out of luck with no work.
Like
Reply
Benjamin ******
@Christopher ******
why do you want to be issued a visa inside Thailand?
Like
Reply
Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
I don’t , i can only apply for the non b visa outside of Thailand
Like
Reply
Benjamin ******
@Christopher ******
TEFL certificates are NOT NEEDED for teaching in Thailand.
Like
Reply
Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
no needed but preferred and bearing in mind I don’t have any other diplomas or relevant qualifications then it will be easier and quicker for me to secure work if I have it
Like
Reply
Reply to
Christopher *******
Reply
James ********
For what purpose do you need the Non B visa?

Teaching or...

Business
Like
Reply
Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
it’s for a teaching position james
Like
Reply
James ********
@Christopher ******
are you now in Thailand?
Like
Reply
Christopher *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@James *******
no I’m in the uk now
Like
Reply
Reply to
Christopher *******
Reply
Thai Visa Advice
... members · 40% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.