What are the options for long-term stay in Chiang Mai for someone without a degree?

Hmm massively subjective. Employer dependent. Loads of employers employing ‘Educators’ or T/A’s. If your competent with a TEFL and are a NES then you have every chance. A million people with degrees and their panties in a bunch will tell you differently. As far as a VISA is concerned you’d be better off trying to source an employer FIRST that will support a visa application here and get yourself in-country, a lot easier. To ‘fall back’ on teaching, get a TEFL, apply for jobs, get a visa. 👍

@Robert ******

ok now I get it

Her Fue You can not apply for a tourist visa at the Immigration office in Chang Mai, You have to do this in your country of residence or as alternative Perth Australia.

@Tod ********

chiangmai

Her Fue what thai consulate would you be applying for the visa from?

O ok I get what you mean now.. I thought you mean by 200k every month.. so basically just have that 200 k in your account at all time right?

Her Fue Not required 200k a month income - just to have 200k balance every month - but check your local embassy/consulate - some do not require this and will be ok with just a current 200k balance in local currency equivalent.

@Robert ******

No doubt. The hard part I'm referring to is not getting 200k - it's having it been there every month for the last 6 months - most people keep that kind of money in investments etc not checking/savings.

@Nitzan ****

dang 200k a month shoot... I'm not required lol

@Nitzan ****

It is small money to live on for 9 months in Thailand.

Her Fue Money. About 200,000 baht in the bank (some embassies require a 200k balance every month for the last 6 months). That's the "hard" one, lol.

Just take a look of the Thai Embassy in your country.

Do they background check you, is there a requirement for this visa?

And thank you!

You are correct assuming I am in Thailand and live here.. Will report back regardless of result :)

Ok, I assume you are currently in Thailand and wish you luck during your visit to the MOL with the school principle. Do report back with the results, and good luck!

I have income from my home country that I live on.. Don't need a WP for that.

I am not working in Thailand at the moment

Who says I am working illegally?

Wow....and for how long have you been working illegally?

That's in the process. Already Talked with the labour office and got told what documents and so on is needed. Going there next week or the week after with the principal from the school to turn in the application. Should be no problem as it was the chief of office I talked to there. If for some reason there are problems anyway, I will update here ;) (Or when I have the actual WP in hand)

@Mikkel ******

...and any W/P now?

Well.. There are two local schools, one of them quite big, that are keen to employ me already at a decent salary. I am starting on one of them for the next term starting in November. Only having the certificates. I am sure later having a degree it would be easier to pick and choose jobs and would give a better salary. But as of now it will suffice. I have a decent living already and only doing this to make some ekstra and have something to do.

I'd be curious what legitimate jobs will open up to you via this cheap "short cut"....I hope you did significant due diligence before paying fees.

My plan is though, to take the degree online while using the waiver.. So that later I wont have that issue ;)

No.. that's why it is relevant for me.. And as I said it is confirmed legal, from the ministry of labour office. As for ITTT it is internationally accredited.. Of course it's not the same as having a degree, but its the basic.

It sounds like anther short-cut course you go through to teach quasi-legally here...IF you have a legitimate University degree, there is no need....Do you have any Uni degree?

I took my certificates at ITTT

And I have personally got it confirmed at the ministry of labour office

I just google teaching waiver Thailand because that was faster than finding all the links I have read it on before

None

@Mikkel ******

What is your involvement with TCT?

So actually you can stretch it to 6 years

Temporary TCT Teaching Permits

A temporary teaching permit is something that the school will apply for on a teacher’s behalf as soon as they begin work there. It is granted for two years and allows the school time to get the teacher to meet the requirements of the TCT to obtain a teaching license from them.

Previously, at the end of two years the school had to be able to show the TCT that there had been progression in meeting the TCT requirements and if there had been, the school was able to apply for a subsequent temporary teaching permit.

As to what defined progression, that is a more difficult question to answer and it was reported that it could depend on the particular school’s influence and status.

Presently, it seems a lot clearer. A school can apply for a temporary teaching permit of two years for a new foreign teacher. It can do this another two times giving that teacher six years to meet the TCT’s requirements for licensing

A new Teacher does not need a TCT License Immediately

Thailand does recognize the need to improve the English language skills of its population and so the TCT do not want to drive foreign teachers away or put them off teaching here.

It is with this in mind that they created the temporary teaching permit also described as a ‘waiver’ from the TCT permanent license requirements. If a teacher is working at a formal school in Chiang Mai, they will need one of these. Details of how to get one are provided below as well as what constitutes a formal school and a non-formal school.

For example

@Mikkel ******

I am aware of this exception for teaching assistants, such as Phillippine nationals...but not for actual English Teachers. The next time to you see this somewhere, pleas share a link in this group as well?

I was made aware of it on various tefl forums, and got it confirmed at the ministry of labour office here in Buengkan. I could find a link I am sure if you can not yourself.. There are plenty of foreign teachers using this option.

@Mikkel ******

I'd love to see a link to that exception to the rule...

Not true.. you can teach for two years with no degree.. You get a waiver for one year at a time at the ministry of labour.

I am aware Zabel, just stating the obvious to him so he can't forget ;-)

He has no degree

IF you can find an employer to higher you, they will supply you with documents to apply for the Non-B visa & W/P.