What should I know about working in Thailand with an incomplete work permit and non-immigrant visa?

and on that note I believe the O/P has enough information to make an educated decision on whether to work or not without a work permit in their possession.

I think we're pretty much done here..

people still work while they wait for there work permits, even tho its illegal, schools and agency tend to take there time with things like this. for some strange reason, they a lot of the time don't know the rules.

Okay I think we ascertained that it is totally illegal to work in the country without a valid work permit <- that means you cannot work while your work permit is being processed :/

Teach online...Much better.

don't worry about visa.. You can swim from Cambodia. Forget about it. I am just kidding. I was in the situation as you a few years ago. A) Realize many people will give you advice, few actually know. B) Your nationality (passport) make a difference in what rules apply and how. C) Experiences of others are not necessarily going to be the same as your experiences. I would recommend come on tourist 60 day visa - this will give you some time to get things in order. You will have to leave again within 90 days (60 day visa can be extended 30 more days). When you leave you will get another visa that will be converted to a non-b visa (to reduce confusion worry about that later). Its possible that your original/first tourist visa (the one for your arrival) can be converted and you may not have to leave to get new visa.

Largely how you work out your long-term visa (non-b + extension) depends on the school/agency and how much assistance they will provide. When I did it, the agency supplied all the paperwork all I had to do is show up at the right offices and sign whatever documents.

Here is a rundown what I did a few times teaching for 7 years between 2007 - 2014.

Got job with tourist visa.

Wait between 1 day + 3 months.

Change to non b 90 days.

Wait between 1 day + 1 month.

Extend non b to length of contract. Usually 1 year.

Apply for work permit.

Wait for work permit.

Work legally.

Now I know things have changed and I am not trying to give wrong advice but this is how it went then.

Maybe still the same for some schools and agencies.

If you have a degree and correct paperwork go for it.

I have always had to travel to Penang/Thai embassy to get the non B then the permanent. School reimbursed me for the visas but travel costs were my own. Thai government school/Songkhla city. And dress nicley for the Thai embassy. One guy was sent away as he had on a muscle shirt & jeans. The guy at my hotel (PIN SENG) offered to do it for me for a small fee. You need photos and photocopies of passport. Costs around 2000 baht. Go back next day to pick up the visa. When you cross back into Siam you must have 20,000 baht cash on you. I didn't have it so I paid a bribe. 200 baht.

It is not allowed to work without the correct Visa and Work Permit. If the agency tells you it take 2-10 weeks, you just answer: No problem, I start working when the papers are there.

It does not take 10 weeks to process your work permit unless you are working for a lazy ass school or a lazy ass agency!!!

Jamie, pm me if you wish, but beware!

Until you have the work permit completed and in your hand, your not allowed to work. It takes 2-4 weeks to get a work permit, you can apply for it before you start the job. They’re probably gonna deduct the cost of work permit at an extortionate rate, I’d suggest contacting a visa agent that can organize this for you. Price is about 15k for wp application using an agent.

I’m on my 5th WP/B. Visa extension. Agencies are notorious for not providing the correct legal status for teachers (not all). Once you have a B Visa , a WP can be provided (with correct documentation) within a day or so.

The fact that they say it takes quite a bit longer, suggests to me that they don’t want to pay for it straight away, Incase your no good and/or quit.

Check Ajarn.com for jobs. They are plentiful if you have a degree.

Unless it's an agency placing you in a international school there is a 99% chance you are being led on, I have never heard of any agency in the government/ private circuit providing a visa or work permit before you've started working.. you can work here while your visa and work permit is being processed, it is technically illegal but so is riding a motorcycle without a helmet

Guaranteed they haven't started anything yet, as one, you would need the paper work from the school to apply for a non B visa which they would require your passport to do. Then they can apply for your wp. Regarding working during your wp application, thats pretty much the way it roles here.

for one thing, you need to find out if you qualify for a W.P..

You need the work permit to work legally. Embassys are completely different departments to where you get a work permit

Others may well contradict me on this but I’d say it doesn’t seem legitimate. Applying for something & having something aren’t the same, there’s no guarantee of getting a WP, even if they are legitimate,which I don’t believe they are. Google them, see what others are saying.