Answered7 years ago

What Are the Steps for Obtaining a Non-B Visa as an English Teacher in Thailand?

Non-B Visa Visa Process Teaching Visa

Sam *********

asked Jan 7, 2020

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Hey all, question about Non-B visa for an English teacher. I did a search in here and can't quite find the info.

I'm an Australian citizen and I've been in Chiang Mai on a string of 30-day visa exemptions, the fourth of which expires this Thursday 9 Jan.

The school told me my Non-B paperwork is "probably" going to be ready by then, so hopefully I won't have to do a good old Mae Sai run on the 9th AND a Non-B trip a couple of days later 😂

What's the best place to go for the Non-B trip? Some say you need to do it at a Consulate or Embassy outside Thailand, but some say you can just do it at Immigration 🤔

The school gave me a document explaining how to do it in Vientiane, which sounded good, but later they told me that info is very old and now they don't know 🙃

I'm looking for the cheapest, rather than the fastest.

On that note, is it normal for the school to cover some or any of these costs (travel, visa for the other country I go to, Non-B application fee)? Would it be rude of me to ask them?

Answer summary

An Australian English teacher in Chiang Mai is seeking advice on obtaining a Non-B visa after a series of visa exemptions. The school indicated that the paperwork for the visa would be ready soon, and the teacher is considering travel options for applying for the visa. Some community members suggest that the teacher may need to visit a consulate or embassy outside Thailand, while others mention the possibility of converting the visa at a local immigration office. Additionally, there's discussion about whether the school should cover some associated costs, with varying opinions on the matter.

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Sam *********

Thanks guys 👍 Since posting this, I've finally seen the documentation from the school, and booked my appointment for next Tues in VN. Looks like I have to pay every part of the process myself 😅

7 years ago

Tod *********

@Sam ********

okay IF your school is telling you how to go apply for a 90 day Non-B at the thai consulate in Vientiane that means they CANNOT provide the documentation for you to do an in country conversion from a tourist visa or visa exempt entry to a 90 day Non-B at the immigration office.

The documentation the school gives you is addressed to a specific consulate SO pick where you're going (or seeing as you have no idea, why not take your employers advice and go to Vientiane?).

Remember you need an appointment to use the thai consulate in Vientiane, You want to make an appointment for a Non-Immigrant Type visa at this link

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7 years ago

Scott ********

I recently got a non B visa from Denpasar, Bali and can only say it was the nicest immigration office I've ever been to. There is a 3 day wait but no queues whatsoever. There is a list of all the requirements for a non B visa on most consulate websites but I think your school need to get some help from another school if you do decide you need to go to a foreign consulate as there are quite a few documents. There can be some slight differences in requirements at different consulates too. Double check with the consulate that you have everything before you head to see them. Remember that you need to get a police check if you're going to be teaching. As to whether your school should pay - in an ideal world they probably should but it probably varies from school to school. I had to pay every penny myself.

7 years ago

Robert *******

The school is asking a visa from the Consul of ...(city). The only place where you can go is that city. You can discuss with your school to do one more border run and than convert your Visa Exempt Entry at your local Immigration Office, cheap, fast and easy as no travel and hotels.

7 years ago

Sam *********

Cool, I think they're just as confused as I am but I'll try to squeeze some info out of them.

Just on your comment about requirements: are you saying a WP is required to apply for a Non-B within Thailand? I'm not quite sure what you mean.

And back to the OP, question for anyone: assuming I do get to choose where I go (and that it can't be Chiang Mai Immigration), where's the best/fastest/cheapest option from Chiang Mai?

...and should my school pay for some things?

7 years ago

Robert *******

yes, there are documents addressed to the consul of city .... If you school write Vientiane you need to go there. You have to discuss this with your school, sorry but if they do not know or play that game, let them call other schools, the Thai consulate you like to visit, the Ministry of Education, the Immigration Office, What ever to get information, they speak enough Thai to get their information from Thai government offices.

7 years ago

Sam *********

So am I correct in understanding that my school is applying on my behalf to a specific Consul, and I have to request an adjustment to that?

7 years ago

Sam *********

Wait wait, doesn't the work permit always come *after* the Non-B?

Sure, but my school keeps telling me they're picking up the pieces left by previous management and that's why things have been a bit chaotic.

They just said they're not sure where I should go. They even said "you're the first model for this Non-B procedure, so you can explain to the next teachers who do it", which freaked me out a bit

7 years ago

Robert *******

Do not try to explain me that you are the first foreigner ever who is going to work for a school in Thailand.

7 years ago

Sam *********

Or do you mean I'd have to ask the school to adjust the plans they've already made with a specific Consul? Because nobody at the school seems to know 😅

7 years ago

Robert *******

Because the schools or the employers are not able to meet the requirements, like a work permit

7 years ago

Sam *********

So I can literally take my paperwork to Chiang Mai Immigration, and convert my visa exemption to a Non-B?

If that's the case, do you know why so many people go to another country to do it?

7 years ago