Answered5 years ago
What are the visa implications for a teacher in Thailand without a degree?
***Teacher with non-degree situation
My boyfriend is a native speaker and now holding a work permit with the school until September 2022. His position is a special lecturer. Yesterday a thai teacher said there might be some problem about the visa and not sure he could continue the next semester as there is a new boss of immigration and new rules, however he will talk with the school and get back later.
We're quite concerned and confused.
Anyone know about this news at all?
Appreciate all your comments.
Thank you.
My boyfriend is a native speaker and now holding a work permit with the school until September 2022. His position is a special lecturer. Yesterday a thai teacher said there might be some problem about the visa and not sure he could continue the next semester as there is a new boss of immigration and new rules, however he will talk with the school and get back later.
We're quite concerned and confused.
Anyone know about this news at all?
Appreciate all your comments.
Thank you.
Answer summary
A user expressed concern regarding their boyfriend's teaching position in Thailand, particularly about visa issues stemming from a lack of a university degree. Other community members explained that immigration has been strictly enforcing degree requirements for teachers due to previous abuses where individuals used fake degrees to obtain teaching positions. They clarified that while there are no new rules affecting his current work permit and position as a 'special lecturer', the potential for job termination exists if a parent complains due to his degree situation. Users advised that he should prepare for possible job loss and plan accordingly.
15 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Benjamin ******
1. There are no new rules about getting a one year extension of stay based on employment. If he's a "special lecture" or whatever, he'll be fine.
2. I highly doubt the school is using an agent to get a backdoor visa/ extension of stay in Nakhon Nowhere. Being a "special lecturer" is a valid job.
3. There has been no changes to the work permit laws, and he can continue being a "special lecturer" as normal.
HOWEVER...
Thais do not like firing people directly, and try to pass the blame to another person. If this person works for an elementary or high school, and one of the parents found out he does not have a degree, the parent would threaten to pull the child out. I did that at my son's school. Unlike in the west, the parents pay for the child's education.
If I was your friend, I would assume he is getting fired, the school will try to blame the immigration office, and to make plans to leave in March/April when the school year is over.
2. I highly doubt the school is using an agent to get a backdoor visa/ extension of stay in Nakhon Nowhere. Being a "special lecturer" is a valid job.
3. There has been no changes to the work permit laws, and he can continue being a "special lecturer" as normal.
HOWEVER...
Thais do not like firing people directly, and try to pass the blame to another person. If this person works for an elementary or high school, and one of the parents found out he does not have a degree, the parent would threaten to pull the child out. I did that at my son's school. Unlike in the west, the parents pay for the child's education.
If I was your friend, I would assume he is getting fired, the school will try to blame the immigration office, and to make plans to leave in March/April when the school year is over.
Naruenapang *******
OPThanks
@Benjamin *****
I'll try to figure it out 👍Jean *******
Or they jusy want to fire him.
Benjamin ******
@Jean ******
Exactly!
John *******
Ocassionally, immigration will ask for a degree especially if the person is working at a government school because it is part of the requirement for working as a teacher. An agency is a bit different. That is why the word special is used. He needs to get a degree.
Henry *********
I don't think are any "new" rules or a new Immigration boss. If he has a valid WP already and presumably an Extension of Stay based on work, I'd say he doesn't have to do anything until it's time to extend again.
Benjamin ******
Billy Brown IT teacher is a legal job in Thailand and does not need a university degree
Bobby ********
@Henry ********
. There is a new immigration boss who is looking at all "agency" sourced visas. If this visa holder does not comply with the immigration criteria, the visa may have been obtained under the table, which is why the school has indicated it can no longer extendBenjamin ******
@Bobby *******
I disagree with you on that one Bobby. Being a "Special Lecturer" (or "IT Teacher" or "Librarian" or whatever they want to call the non-degree holding teacher) is a valid job and can get a normal extension of stay at the immigration office, along with the work permit. What may have happened is a farang parent may have discovered he did not have a degree, and complained to the school. In Thailand, parents pay full price for the child's education. Employers do not like firing employees in Thailand because of the culture, so the school is going to try and point the finger at some middle manager at an immigration office saying "no".
Naruenapang *******
OP@Henry ********
thank you so much 🙏 just this immigration thing always a nightmare to think of 😅
Anthony *********
sounds like he doesn't have an actual degree, so either they are clamping Down or your bf is about to be asked to stump up a bit of cash to the tea fund 😃
Naruenapang *******
OP@Anthony ********
yeah that's I wonder about.he didn't need to show the degree, just diploma from high school with notarised from the embassy and all translation. Everything was going through strictly with the immigration.
Just his position isn't a 'teacher' that requires licenses etc as we know.
So this is special case so I'm looking for anyone who knows about this matter 😅😊
Kool *******
For some time now they've only been giving teacher work permits to those people with university degrees certified as authentic by their university. From my understanding this happened because of all those that were buying fake degrees on KhaoSan Road, then taking a few day TEFL class and getting a job teaching so they could stay in Thailand and make some money, then after a short time leaving. This actually started before covid, but wasn't being uniformily enforced. Now it is.
Naruenapang *******
OP@Kool ******
thank you, I acknowledge about that. But now my bf has granted a work permit already without a degree as a special lecturer. No degree required from immigration.Everything looking fine till the school mentioned about the changes thing that I don't know about. So maybe someone knows about the changes lately after New year. 🙏
Bobby ********
@Naruenapang *********
. Possibly because the school used an agent to secure the visa as your bf did not meet the criteria. Now these agency agreements have come to an end, your bf may no longer be eligibleActivity
8 joined8
people
Related
25What documents do I need to switch from a Non-Immigrant O visa to teach in Thailand after my university has closed?
1.7k15172mo
Is it feasible to transition from a tourist visa to a work visa or spousal visa while living in Thailand?
4962510mo
Can I apply for a short-term Non-B Visa while waiting for my university diploma to be authenticated?
744423y
What happens to my Non-B visa if my work permit is canceled or revoked in Thailand?
1.5k7163y
What are the visa and work permit options for a 68-year-old expat in Thailand looking to teach?
1.6k1263y
What type of DBS check is required for a Non-B visa application as a teacher in Thailand?
908333y
What happens to my visa and work permit if my employer closes while I'm away from Thailand?
1.1k5104y
What are the steps to switch schools on a Non-B visa in Thailand without leaving the country?
1k665y
What are the details about the COVID-19 extension of stay in Thailand until March 2022?
5.8k71635y
What should I do about my visa situation if I get a job offer after my extension of stay expires in Thailand?
700435y
What steps should a German expat take to obtain a NON-B visa and work permit for Thailand from Germany?
1.2k875y
What Are the Current Rules for Land Border Runs at Mae Sai for Non O Volunteer Visa Holders?
1.8k11217y
Should I apply for a new Non-B visa or wait for my work permit to be processed?
45227y
Do I need a university degree to teach English in Thailand?
3.1k28197y
What are the visa options for teaching English in Thailand without a degree?
1.9k12208y
Do I need a Work Permit to open a Representative Office in Bangkok as a foreign director?
44718y
What steps should I take to cancel my work permit and extension of stay in Thailand after resigning from my teaching job?
2.7k21148y
What are my options for renewing my visa and returning my work permit as a teacher in Thailand?
3218y
How can I obtain a work visa and permit to teach in Thailand while in the country?
42228y
What does the stamp on my Non-O Volunteer visa regarding work permits mean?
2.5k20218y
What are the visa options for teaching in Thailand if I don't have an exit ticket?
2.8k25188y
Can I convert my Non-B visa and work permit to a new Non-B visa without changing to a tourist visa first?
1.4k1168y
What should I do after entering Thailand on a tourist visa while holding a work permit and non-B visa?
2.1k2069y
Can I teach English for one hour a month at the immigration office without a work permit in Thailand?
2.8k18359y
What do I need to do for my Non B visa and work permit renewal at Chaeng Wattana Immigration?
2.4k21159y
Resources
Need help with your Thai visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served