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Why is immigration in Bangkok being selective about degrees for teaching work permits?

Teaching Work PermitVisa RequirementsImmigration RulesThailand Education SystemForeign Teacher EmploymentDegree Validity in ThailandBureaucracy in Thailand
Nov 5, 2018
6 years ago
Hardus ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi there. Sorry to bother all you fine folks.

But have you ever heard of immigration in Bkk telling prospective teachers who's applying for a work permit that a business management degree is not in-line with a teaching job?

You literally need to have any degree to get a teaching work permit.. That's how it's always been. But it seems that they've become "picky"

So does anyone know about this "anomaly"?

Cheers!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user raised concerns about immigration in Bangkok becoming selective regarding degrees for issuing teaching work permits, stating that a business management degree was rejected despite generally understanding any degree suffices for teaching. The discussion unfolded with multiple respondents suggesting variations in work permit authority, potential biases based on nationality, and the necessity of clarity from the Ministry of Labor regarding the requirements. Several commenters challenged each other about qualifications, with a focus on whether educational backgrounds align with teaching roles.
David *******
TBH I would not see issue with it. Why would someone think that a mathematician or enginnering graduate would make a good english teacher? Same other way round, would an english graduate make a good maths teacher?
6 years ago
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Hardus ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ******
 yeah I get what you're saying. It makes sense. But this never happens in Thailand and I just felt I needed to share what happend with the teacher community.
6 years ago
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Hardus ***********
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David ************
What type of teaching? At what type of school?
6 years ago
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Terry ********
I don't know why immigration are questioning the degree. My understanding is the MOE would do the questioning if they are happy, they then issue a teaching license waiver if you do not have an education degree or a 5yr license if you do. The teachers license or 2 year waiver should be enough for immigration? I believe this is the process for most schools however I think if you work for an agency the procedure may be different and they may want to see the degree. This Is Thailand rules and regulations change constantly!! lol
6 years ago
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Hardus ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
David Lisa-Paris she works at a prestigious school.. So I kinda guess it makes sense to have an education related degree but that's why people come to Thailand. You have to have any degree to qualify for the Non B and then a work permit for teaching.

It's alright man, she'll figure something out 👍
6 years ago
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David ************
@Hardus **********
 I did not see that he was looking for an English teacher position.
6 years ago
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David ************
@Hardus **********
 actually it does matter depending on where he would teach.
6 years ago
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Jason ***********
David Thai : Schools can barely fill positions with the current rules, require a teaching degree and most schools will be without an ESL teacher.
6 years ago
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Hardus ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ***********
 it doesn't matter. The norm is to have a any degree... :(
6 years ago
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Hardus ***********
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Robert *******
The only person who can tell you exactly why this is happening to you, is the person at the Minsitry of Labor where you or your employer applied for the Work Permit.
6 years ago
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Hardus ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Just want to know if anyone has experienced anything similar... I make a good living that's why I have time to comment and post on stuff like this. Don't assume bbruuh. We all got rich fam who'll provide at any cost... It's just a question. Don't get so p#ssed off dude guy lol
6 years ago
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Robert *******
I don't get it. You apply for a work permit, get denied and you go ask on Facebook why. Why not ask directly when it get denied?
6 years ago
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Tod *********
best answer so far (y)
6 years ago
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Tod *********
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Hardus ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Had a working permit before. No questions asked.. Scored way above average on the english exam in bkk. Point is... This happened and I just want to know why :(
6 years ago
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Hardus ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
The work permit was with an agency down south so I'm not sure what happened there. And I'm not sure which one came first.
@Lloyd *******
 hahahaha funny man
6 years ago
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Lloyd ********
@Hardus **********
 Maybe because you can not spell the word English correctly?
6 years ago
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Ron ******************
@Hardus **********
 which Thai consulate? Did she apply for her WP before applying for her Non B ?
6 years ago
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Hardus ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron *****************
 the school sent the application for the Non B. And the Thai consular sent a letter back asking the school to reconsider hiring the teacher because her degree is not in the right "field".
6 years ago
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Ron ******************
@Hardus **********
 immigration dont issue work permits only visas. They can deny your visa but not your work permit as the work permit is issued by the Department of Labour. So what did they deny you ? If immigration denied your visa and you have a work permit then you must ask them why. If the Department of Labour turned down your work permit application you must ask them why. If the Dept of Labour denied you due to your type of degree then I think it is a new move and will be of concern for many foreign teachers. At present I am unclear from your posts what was denied by whom.
6 years ago
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Ron ******************
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Ron ******************
Maybe look at nationality rather than qualification. Maybe the qualification is the front and the nationality/continent of birth is the issue. Are those who's degrees are not acceptable maybe from Africa?
6 years ago
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Ron ******************
@Linda ******************
 I did not question the quality of education. It is not about where or what someone studied nor the quality of that education vs Thailand universities . It is all about where you come from. I cant explain on here about the details. If you live long enough here you will learn about deep rooted perceptions of people. By the way I am a South African and UCT was ranked 171 in the world which is not bad for a small country like ours.
6 years ago
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David **********
Ron van den Heever yes I agree,

Sections are being targeted as can be seen on news reports.

I think there is only one person can answer that particular question.
6 years ago
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Ron ******************
@David *********
 I agree but why was the OP or his friends qualification questioned? If a specific type of degree is needed it should be applied to all foreign teachers in Thailand not only some. Maybe it was just a specific IO or office related issue or it could be nationality based as there seems to be actions been put into place to make it more difficult for some people to obtain visas in and around Thailand. This issue doesn't influence me directly as I am on a retirement visa, but as you know this type of visa is also coming under pressure.
6 years ago
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David **********
@Ron *****************
 In Australia I taught lln and community services without a teaching degree, as in tertiary you need a training and assessment qualification.

This would be ideal for here.
6 years ago
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David **********
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Hardus ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Dominic James Maybe....but it's always been the way it was. You're not helping in this discussion. You're just leaving a meaningless comment who no one appreciates. Wtf somchai lol
6 years ago
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Tod *********
I've never heard of the immigration office in Bangkok telling people what ANY criteria are to hold a work permit BUT that's mostly because work permits are issued by the Ministry if Labour and not the immigration office :/

Now IF you're talking about what the requirements are for a particular extension of stay I'd say heed what the immigration office is saying, but work permits, hmmm I'd defer to the MOL on those requirements
6 years ago
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Tod *********
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