Answered8 years ago
What are the visa options for working as an actress and trainer in Thailand as a Romanian citizen?
Hi guys! I'm an actress, drama and English trainer from Romania. I got several offers to work in Thailand and I would love to be there and coach different groups of students. However the visa process is confusing me. The thai embassy in romania can correctly stamp my passport with a work related visa only if the Thai employer sends all required documents via post, true copies in a sealed envelope. All employers I talked to, want me to go over on a tourist visa on arrival. Romanian citizens only have 15 days visa on arrival. As far as I inquired I should buy a back and forth plane ticket ( bucharest bangkok and bangkok bucharest). Is it really the case, or can I simply buy an on going flight such as bucharest bangkok hanoi or simply back to my last connective flight? Do I really have to purchase a flight back to my home country to ensure a smooth process when i get the VOA in Thailand? Thank you lots!
Answer summary
A Romanian actress and English trainer inquired about the visa process for working in Thailand, specifically regarding the confusion between tourist visas and work-related visas. The Thai embassy requires certain documents from employers for a work visa, which has led potential employers to suggest entering Thailand on a tourist visa instead. The conversation highlights various options, including obtaining a tourist visa before arrival, understanding the need for an onward travel ticket, and the importance of securing a work permit before beginning work. Participants in the discussion generally advised caution regarding employers who are uncooperative with the visa process.
22 repliesnewest first
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Tod *********
@Deea ******
the best advice has been given already. (y) Get a single entry tourist visa from the thai consulate in your country BEFORE you come here. That will stamp you in for 60 days.
Robert *******
You can apply at the Thai Embassy for a Tourist Visa, this will give you 60 days of stay, That is more than enough time for you and your employer to sign the contract and apply for the work permit. With Work Permit application approved you can visit a neighbor country to apply at a Thai Consulate for the Non Immigrant B visa. When back in Thailand you can than pick up your Work Permit and start work.
Deea ******
OPThank you@
@Robert ******
<3
Biff *******
You could apply for a tourist visa in Romania before you fly to Thailand. That would give you 60 days entry, extendable by 30 days in Thailand and you wouldn’t need a return ticket. However, you already feel the employer isn’t the best so I would proceed with caution and definitely don’t work until you have a work permit.
Deea ******
OPthank you
@Biff ******
<3Hannah ****
You can buy a bus ticket to Cambodia or somewhere cheap as your proof of onward travel. If you come in on a visa exempt dont even mention seeking work. Once you get your paper work you will need to go to a neighbouring country for your NonB, like Malaysia or Laos, you will choose this with your employer.
As Robert says some places are dodgy, however many places are just slow and don't want to post paperwork. I personally came in on Visa exempt and collected my Paperwork within 2 weeks and went to KL for my nonB. All has been plain sailing since.
As Robert says some places are dodgy, however many places are just slow and don't want to post paperwork. I personally came in on Visa exempt and collected my Paperwork within 2 weeks and went to KL for my nonB. All has been plain sailing since.
@Simona *********
is Romanian and may be able to help with more questions??Deea ******
OP@Hannah **************
turns out me and Simona have 21 mutual friends on facebook already..I wonder how we don't know each other yet!Deea ******
OP@Robert ******
I see..Robert *******
@Deea ******
3 days is quick, normally it takes 1 weekDeea ******
OPyes I can see you know all the practicalities ..I caught my ears in this..I am now checking savannakhet --my employer came through via what's up and said my work permit takes 3 days to be processed..3 days?!
Deea ******
OPJoseph Michael Pedro III I believe you...
Deea ******
OPJoseph Michael Pedro III hi Joseph! I did not! I will check now- thanks lots! it really helps with deciding over this.
Hannah ****
@Deea ******
awesome. Far from us, keep doing your research. I would suggest that you are firm with your employer and state you will not book flights until your paper work is ready to be collected. That way you can collect and go straight to Laos. It's not fair thay they expect you to keep hopping in and out, it's illegal to work like this and financially unacceptable. The work permit itself can take upto 3 months once you have NonBDeea ******
OP@Hannah **************
i got an offer in kalasin. I am interested in the area as they have a college of dramatic arts there and i can learn thai classical dance in my free time which is one of my objectives there besides teaching.Hannah ****
@Deea ******
where in Thailand are you headed?Deea ******
OP@Hannah **************
thank you hannah! I appreciate your advice. I fear the employer might be dodgy. I'm looking forward for simona's answer ..did not know there are other romanians there.Robert *******
Don't do it. If your employer is not willing to send you over the documents needed for an Non Immigrant B visa it is unlikely that he is willing to provide you with a Work Permit and both are needed to work legal in Thailand.
Deea ******
OP@James *******
thank you! everyone here was absolutely golden with advising me on the matter! <3 im in debt with all of you.James ********
@Deea ******
I hope you realize your dreams.Deea ******
OPThank you
@James *******
im just trying to figure things out now and decide. Maybe I should go for a different employer. I really want to be in Thailand, is one of my dreams to learn Thai classical dance in my free time, besides teaching. Hope I will make it this time. If not, I can wait till the next round in the autumn.James ********
@Deea ******
Robert Lagas is giving you wise advice. Do not do it. I likewise feel you will arrive and be given the runaround. Never to actually receive a valid legal work permit.Deea ******
OP@Robert ******
.thank you!! I really appreciate it. Actually the employer sent some documents but only over email ( not in a sealed envelope) and the documents were un signed, poor quality ( very hard to be read) not in my name, not complete and no contract. They want me to sign the contract and see it there. The employer recommended multiple visa runs every 15 days until the work permit is processed in laos..but i have no idea how many visa runs do i actually have to do since my 15 days are non extensibile. No one could tell me how long does it take for a work permit to actually be processed. If i go in and out so many times i fear i might raise some eyebrows at the border due to too many stamps and that it can be costly overall. I also fear remaining locked outside thailand.Activity
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