student visa advice please

**Spencer** · 12th May 2007 13:20

Hi there. I want to work in Thailand, don't have a university degree, and have the usual visa problems. I saw an advert on the Ajarn homepage yesterday, but it's gone now and I can't remember its name. It was a Thai language school in Times Square Asoke that offered a one year student visa for 30,000 with lessons twice a week. This seems a lot less hassle than going to Penang every couple of months, and wouldn't cost much more in the long run. However I've never heard of anyone doing this before - am I missing something?

**defender** · 12th May 2007 13:23

Don't think you're allowed to work on a student visa. Why not come here on a tourist visa, then when you get a job you can simply upgrade to a non-imm B and get a WP - hey presto, no visa runs and no forking out 30,000 baht

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Originally Posted by defender

one year student visa for 30,000 with lessons twice a week.

Lessons in what? Thai language or something?

**Mr Brown** · 12th May 2007 21:51

Spencer has no degree so it may be a bit more difficult for him to become legit but not impossible, as I understand it. Spence, if I were you, I'd come over and check out the school first. As far I know, ed visas are only issued to full time students (at least four days a week?); I don't think they'd give you an ed visa for a twice weekly course (unless the school is planning to show the MOE a different timetable, if you know what I mean). You could be in big trouble if the school goes bust (and it sounds like a dodgy operation to me) or if the authorities catch you for abusing your visa.

That said, I think you can work a limited number of hours per week on an ed visa.

That 30k would be better spent on a good TESOL course, IMHO.

**Spencer** · 13th May 2007 14:20

Thanks very much for your replies. The lessons were in Thai. Yes, the fact no one is doing it makes me think it must be a bit dodgy, and two evening classes a week isn't exactly full time.
I know there is a problem now with just going in and out at the border, but if going getting a proper tourist visa carries no risk of not being allowed back in again I can put up with it. That's my only real fear - leaving all my stuff here and not being allowed back in.
I actually was in the process of getting my work visa, but quit the job. It was a Japanese printing company, and I was supposed to be their farang salesman, but every morning I had to do a sheet of times tables in under three minutes, do a typing test, stand up and read out the company rules while someone took pictures of me, all followed by a rousing recital of the company song. Also, my manager was a menopausal live wire with silver eyeliner.
After all that teaching didn't seem so bad after all. Thanks again for your help.

Spencer

**Whitey** · 13th May 2007 17:36

No, any work needs to be done with a work permit, Mr. Brown. Not sure if you can get a work permit with an ed visa or not though.

**kenkannif** · 14th May 2007 10:18

Can work in certain jobs (interning) for a limited period on a Non-imm ED...not sure how the tax and SS side of things work.

But for that sort of money I can help with a similarish Visa if you want to e-mail me Spencer: kenkannif@gmail.com