Thread: Non-B Visa For Teacher (Recap)

Hi All,

At some point in the next week or two I will need to leave Thailand in order to apply for a Non-B visa for the purpose of teaching employment.

I've been reading information from labor and MFA offices, and of course many posts here and over at ThaiVisa.com - in particular Non B Visa - Teaching in Thailand Forum - Thailand Forum, and Visa Run During Non B Processing - Thai visas, residency and work permits - Thailand Forum

Here are the official requirements from the Embassy in Vientiane

ROYAL THAI EMBASSY VIENTIANE, LAO PDR. -

If for no other reason than to clarify my own understanding - here is what I believe is a summary of what I may need for a Non-B Visa application at the Thai embassy in Vientiane, or the consulate in Savannakhet in Laos (should I favour one over the other? Savannakhet might be a bit cheaper for me)


Must:

1. Application form + 2 3.5cm x 4.5 cm photos
2. Letter of offer/employment from school along with a copy of the employment contact (are both required?)
3. A copy of my degree certificate and transcripts along with any other academic qualifications (are originals ever asked for? Should I take originals along just in case?)
4. The Fee (2,000 Baht)

Maybe:?

1. A Letter of Recommendation from the MoE? or Teachers Council? I still don't know what this is exactly. Is this the 2 year TCs teaching license waiver involved here? Or is this only required for the WP application when I get back?
2. A teaching certificate? I don't have one (I have a non-education degree). Is this related to 1) above? Or again, is this only relevant to the WP application when I get back?
3. I've read that a receipt/or letter of work permit approval based on a WP3 application may NOT be required for a teacher http://www.thaivisa....-b-processing/. WP3 is an application for an alien work permit while the alien is OUT of the country - and would usually be completed by the employer and then required to support the Non-B visa application (for the purpose of employment) at the Thai embassy or consulate where the Non-B visa application is being made.
4. A copy of the school's registration certificate?
5. A copy of "Letter from the Ministry of Education of Thailand or other sub-authorities concerned approve the employment of foreign academic personnel."?
6. Police clearance certificate (CRB). I don't have this and it will take 120 days to get one from my home country. Iv'e been told by both @Colabamumbai and @ThaiRich over in Thaivisa.com that this will not be asked for, and was quoted the requirement by @Stamp here in Ajarn.com saying that it was discretionary and not usually asked for either (http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/paperwo...ml#post1733531 (Criminal Record Check)). I've been living in Thailand for a while now - and was thinking of getting a Thai CRB done and applying for my home country check anyway - just in case it's needed in the future.

I'm not sure if this will make a difference - but I gather the demonstration school I've been offered a job at is fairly well known. The contract and letter of offer will likely come from the parent university for the school. Staff at either the Thai embassy in Vientiane or the consulate in Savannakhet will also likely have heard of the school.

Any tips, answers or advice related to any of the above would be greatly appreciated before I set off - in particular whether I should go to Vientiane or Savannakhet (or whether it makes any difference). I'm currently waiting for the letter of offer and contract from the school (which will arrive next week when term starts again).


Best,


waters

Hi THX 1133.

I'm currently on a 30 day tourist visa waiver and I've been told that unless the school really has their stuff together - there may not be enough time to get documentation from the labour office that might be required to apply for an extension/or stay from immigration while on the 30 day waiver.

Also the school as a 'usual' way of doing things - and in the spirit of maintaining a low profile (and keeping things smooth) during my first month - I figured going and getting the Non-B was the simplest route.

Unless I'm missing something basic here - and that all Immigration needs is the letter of offer and contract from the school in order to move me on to a longer extension of stay.

Originally Posted by waters

A Letter of Recommendation from the MoE? or Teachers Council? I still don't know what this is exactly. Is this the 2 year TCs teaching license waiver involved here? Or is this only required for the WP application when I get back?

I doubt whether The Teachers' Council of Thailand requirements apply to Satit schools. Although primary and or secondary schools, Satit schools are an entity under the university's wings and therefor fall under The Office of Higher Education.

Originally Posted by waters

I've read that a receipt/or letter of work permit approval based on a WP3 application may NOT be required for a teacher http://www.thaivisa....-b-processing/. WP3 is an application for an alien work permit while the alien is OUT of the country - and would usually be completed by the employer and then required to support the Non-B visa application (for the purpose of employment) at the Thai embassy or consulate where the Non-B visa application is being made.

It's reported that some Embassies require a WP3. Don't look too strict at the terms for the application. A WP3 simply means there has been a work permit application and the work permit will be granted if applicant can submit the required immigration status.

Originally Posted by waters

A copy of the school's registration certificate?

The director who signed your employment contract must have the authority to do so. It has to be proven by documents.

Originally Posted by waters

A copy of "Letter from the Ministry of Education of Thailand or other sub-authorities concerned approve the employment of foreign academic personnel."?

This is applicable when working for OBEC schools. I don't think this applies to working in a university.

Originally Posted by THX 1133

What you could do is get a 60 day tourist visa (extendable for 30 more days for a total of 90) in Vientiane.

Concur. If things don't work out in regards to the application for a non-immigrant B you can always apply for a tourist visa which can be converted to a 90 days non-immigrant B visa.

http://www.ajarnforum.net/vb/paperwo...-teachers.html (Changing a Tourist Visa or Visa Exemption into a Non-Immigrant B visa for teachers)

Thanks Stamp - helpful - yet again.

Out of curiosity - what's an OBEC school?

Originally Posted by waters

Out of curiosity - what's an OBEC school?

The Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC), under the Ministry of Education in Thailand, is responsible for policy creation and control of primary through secondary schools. There are about 32,500 schools under the supervision of OBEC consisting of about 30,000 primary and 2,500 secondary schools.

Thanks - again! I knew that Satit schools belong to the parent teaching university - but wasn't sure whether they fell under OBECt. I know of at least one teacher at the school who has just completed the professional exams required for a teacher's license. Not sure if he did this voluntarily - or because it was a requirement.