Thank you to all who answered questions related to me getting a Non B visa for teaching from the consulate in Penang. I am happy to report that it was a wonderfully pleasant experience, quick and no surprises. If you have your paperwork in order, Penang is hassle free and so quick.
I will note that for this visa I did need BOTH background checks (FBI bc I am American, and the Thai background check since I was already living in Thailand on a different visa). This was not clear on the checklist but thanks to this group, I learned that I should get the Thai one so THANK YOU!
Also the checklist says to "authenticate" a couple of documents. To do this properly would have taken time and hundreds of dollars so I took a risk and got an affadavit from the US embassy and then a stamp from the Thai MFA. At the consulate in Penang, they did not care about this AT ALL, and gave it right back. The forms submitted as is were enough.
Thanks again, and I highly recommend the Penang consulate. It is also a very beautiful place to enjoy.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user successfully acquired a Non-B visa for teaching from the Penang consulate. They highlighted the efficiency of the process and noted the necessity of obtaining both an FBI background check and a Thai background check, which was not clearly mentioned before. They shared that the authentication of documents took less time and money than anticipated, as the consulate accepted their affidavit from the US embassy and a stamp from the Thai MFA without issue. Other commenters sought more information about the documentation needed for the visa and expressed interest in the experiences shared.
