Thread: Uni Teacher denied work permit based on new requirements

I teach at a uni in the northeast and have been denied a work permit based on the new requirements. I am not very alarmed. It's my understanding, and the understanding of most, that as a uni teacher I should not have been denied, but this doesn't matter much when the immigration official has a different understanding.

I have been in Thailand for over ten years and have had a work permit for the duration of that time. I had previously been working for a private language school (the big one) and never had a problem. I recently began teaching at uni in the northeast and when I went to renew my work permit/visa in February, I was told I needed to get a TL first.

I have a BA in English with an Ed minor. I took and passed the NTE exam in the US and was licensed to teach there. I taught as a full tme teacher in New York City before coming east.

Again, I am not posting this to "alarm" uni teachers. I think that this issue will be worked out for me over the coming weeks. The fact remains, however, that this issue is having reprecussions and after having had no problems for ten years, I am now on my second tourist visa.

Yes, this is my first post. No, I am not a "troll" or whatever that is, I just don't spend all that much time on line.

Does anyone know where (in which document) it states that university teachers do not need the TL?

I could use the input. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Ajarn North

Does anyone know where (in which document) it states that university teachers do not need the TL?

I could use the input. Thanks.

Basically the MOE requirement is that you need a TL to teach minors. i.e. under 18's. Now as the MOE effectively stopped M5's from going straight to Uni and missing M6 about 2 years ago you should never see a minor in Uni nowadays, ergo no requirement for TL.

Not sure how much of this works...but here's a link. Good luck!

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PM me and I'll give you the name of the Secretary General of the TCT and his phone number if you'd like.

Josh,

To me its simply amazing that they can't keep that one document on a web page so we may view it. As you said....typical.

Originally Posted by Ajarn North

Does anyone know where (in which document) it states that university teachers do not need the TL?

As others have already said, if your uni is a government one you don't need a TL - I used to work at a government uni in Bangkok and did my own visa/work permit runs to the respective offices.
But you say that you've worked at a private language school for some years: actually you would, technically, have needed a TL for that in order to get a work permit because it's a private school (assuming you taught kids as well as adults). Why didn't you get one and why did the Min of Labour not ask for one? Odd, but 'This is Thailand', of course.

Originally Posted by paully

As others have already said, if your uni is a government one you don't need a TL

the same rule applies for private universities and colleges

^ Thought so - and the rule that you have to have a TL applies to private schools (where kids are taught) and has done for some years. Curious.

Yes, Kempos. I am a "troll." And there is a monster under your bed. And if you get the right sword, you'll be able to battle the dragons of Mordor and save the princess.

Too much Dungeons and Dragons? Relax. Over 1000 posts? Go play outside.

Are there actually people who make up stories to put the fear in people on internet forums? If so, how very, very sad for them.

As I said in my initial post, my intent was not to unduly alarm uni teachers as I knew my problem was a case of misunderstanding, but to alert people that misunderstandings of this kind were possible and also to solicit help as to what docs I could reference to further state my case that I did not - as I already knew - need a TL. Thanks to those of you who helped.

Uni teachers fear not. All has been cleared. Folks at my school contacted immigration in a neighboring city. That imm office confirmed that a TL was not necessary for uni and called the local immigration where I had the initial problem. Fact remains, during all this my work permit/visa expired so now it's either off to Soi Suan Phlu in BKK or off to Laos (yet to be decided) to apply for a Non Imm B and start all over again.

So, lessons to be learned? You probably won't have any problem at all. Just my dumb luck. BUT... if you teach at a uni that's between nowhere and no place and you have a renewal coming up soon, make sure to go with enough time left on your old paperwork to allow for confusion OR have someone from your school go in advance with all of your paperwork for local immigration to look at so as to clear the path of any false obstructions.

That's it. That's all. No ghosts or gobblins. Only a few posts? Well, uh, yeah. There's a whole world out there.

Originally Posted by Ajarn North

Are there actually people who make up stories to put the fear in people on internet forums? If so, how very, very sad for them.

Yes they are and that's very sad -> R2D2 for example.

Originally Posted by Ajarn North

Over 1000 posts? Go play outside.

But I am outside!

Originally Posted by Ajarn North

if you teach at a uni that's between nowhere and no place and you have a renewal coming up soon, make sure to go with enough time left on your old paperwork to allow for confusion OR have someone from your school go in advance with all of your paperwork for local immigration to look at so as to clear the path of any false obstructions.

Good advice