DerekAbroad

If a new visa from a Consulate is required believe nationality will require a trip to home country unless also a resident elsewhere.

How do you know which nationalities require a trip home and which don't? Visa-exempt list (GB, USA, Korea, etc)?

Thanks for asking this, CB. Applying for my visa is on my to-do list for next week. I was wondering the same two things. I assumed the required an actual itinerary but hoped they didn't. I also assumed a bank statement was sufficient and planned to send one with the app.

Keep us posted, please!

I've been waiting for another "car in the moat" thread. It seems like it's been a while since the last one.

A lot clearer now! thanks a bunch, you two!

Suggest you contact one of the Honorary consulates in the States. They do mail in applications much faster than the official consulates. Contact info here http://thaiembdc.us/wordpress1/

Tourist visa costs $40 for each entry.

Good to know, thank you!

You do not need an ED visa to study and can not work on it so a normal tourist visa entry for 60 days that can be extended 30 should be fine and not require any commitment prior to arrival.

Okay, thanks. Yeah, I knew I didn't need the ED visa to study and that I need the B visa to work, I was ignorant about how many times I could extend the 60 day visa.

With a double entry tourist visa you can stay for 60 days (if you want extend for 30 days), leave the country and return the same day for another 60 days (and 30 days extension if you want).

So with a double entry, I'm looking at 120 days (visa run half-way), extendable to 150 or 180? Is the 30 day extension available to both entries?

The reason I'm wondering is I would be coming in the first week of August. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you need at least 21 days remaining on the tourist visa in order to "convert" to the B visa. So that gives me until 7 November (120-21=99, start counting 1 Aug... 31(Aug)+30(Sep)+31(Oct)+7(Nov))? Unless I can tack on another 30-60 from extensions...

Sorry, just preparing for the worst while expecting the best.

Thanks

Since the OP got his answer, I want to hijack this thread with my similar question.

Background info:

Ultimately, I want to teach English in a language school. I'm an American male, single, aged 27, MA TESOL, some teaching experience. I was planning on taking a Thai course anyway, just not applying for the Ed visa since I would have a work visa. Ideally, I want to find a job after I arrive instead of taking chances and blindly accepting a job.

Question:

When changing to a non-immigration B visa, what route is the least headache and expense while remaining legitimate- Tourist visa or Education visa?

I read on another thread that a tourist visa can be changed to the non-imm B visa in Bangkok. I don't mind a visa run if it's to a neighboring country- just don't want to fly back home. I'll be in Chiang Mai.

Is that enough info? Thanks in advance for any help!

The schools in Chiang Mai rarely post openings on Ajarn or Tesall. Go to each school's website and look under the jobs or employement section.

That was my plan.

And right now I'm not looking to start a long career in TESOL in Thailand, maybe 5 years or so. As the end of that period approaches, I'll consider options and opportunities.

Thanks again, everyone, for the input.

One thing I will say (and I presume it will be the same in US curriculum schools as it is in UK curriculum schools) is that the completion of your probationary year and home country experience is valued very highly. You may well find yourself struggling to find your way into the higher quality/better paying international schools without these.

International schools may be lucrative, but that's really not the avenue I'm looking for. I'm more interested in an EFL setting, e.g. language schools, Thai schools, universities. I'm interested in second language acquisition and TESOL practices. I want to build experience to help me in research and practice in the future.

I appreciate your willingness to share incite and experience. You and everyone else have been very helpful, respectful, and mature.

Yeah, I'm definitely interested in working outside the airport, thanks for the advice.

I've been to Chiang Mai a few times and really enjoyed it. Also, most of my friends that live in Thailand live there. I like the slower pace of life as opposed to Bangkok. I've considered Phuket and Bangkok, and I'm not throwing them out.

As far as certification, I have completed a certification course and passed all necessary tests. It's questionable to me because before I can have a full license, I have to teach for a year under a provisional license. The teaching job market here hasn't been the best since the summer I finished the course, so I haven't landed a yearlong position for my provisional license (not the reason I'm coming to Thailand). Teachers who have completed the same program say I'm considered certified, and I have held part-time positions that required a certified teacher. That's why I said "sorta." It wasn't based off of experience accumulating to being considered certified, it was based off of completion of requirements for certification. I've been looking into alternate ways to get a license so I can be more complete.

Sorry I didn't include experience (anybody want my CV?)... I am (sorta) certified in the US (Texas). I've worked in a junior high for four years tutoring, subbing, whatever the principle wants. This spring I was an adjunct professor at a small college. I also have experience starting back in early 2006 with several volunteer positions teaching to varieties of needs. I even have a wee bit of international experience teaching young children and teenagers in China.

Thanks for all your input. I have looked at ajarn, but very little is listed in CNX.

I live in a remote town. They want me to teach (15 hours per week)

Where is this? I have a summer to kill

So, I'm sorry for being a total asshat, jackass, stick-in-the-mud, party-pooper for pointing out that working without a WP is a criminal offense in Thailand and comes with some pretty stiff penalties. I know I am totally in the wrong: many apologies to all I have offended -- I'll never say anything in this forum again regarding WP because I'm just obviously stupid, paranoid, and perhaps too anal-retentive for attempting to follow and promote Thai law.

As long as you know what you did wrong...

I think it's always best to walk the straight and narrow, keep your nose clean, etc.

Maybe not a plan, but more like a general framework developing...

I'm expecting to receive my MA TESOL next Saturday (12 May). I would like to land a job in CNX for the fall semester. Based on some local advice, I was planning on coming in October to look for a job. Now I'm thinking about coming sooner, as early as July, to get a better idea of what's out there, make connections, get some experience with some small-time stuff, get used to the new environment, and avoid being in a rush before school starts in November.

What kind of job am I looking for? A post at a university would be ideal, or maybe an international school. I'm not opposed to taking a position at a language school or government school and working on moving on to bigger, better things.

Any experience or wisdom to share with me? I look forward to your opinions and advice!

-Derek

Thank you AyG for the book and game recommendations! I've been looking for books like that and you found one for me.

I'm finishing my MA TESOL and have come across many good books. If you're interested, I can pm you titles/ISBNs.

By phonetic symbols, do you mean IPA and teaching listening/speaking? Or do you want phonics for vocabulary?

The expat is a salary of $50,000 per month minimum.

Why so much?

The Revenue and Labor and other departments do show up sometimes unannounced. They do like to see the people working. There might be many good reasons why someone isn't in the office, but you could be asked.

In regards to not employing Thais full-time, what about # of days per week? E.g. if I have four employees, I have two work Monday, Wednesday, Friday and the other two work Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. If they ask, "They're off today" wouldn't be a good answer?

Play what? Sports like basketball? Or just a workout facility?

Cassiopeia, you sound like me... same questions and similar qualifications and preferences. I hope it works out for you. When do you plan on heading to BKK?

Hi, my name is Derek. I currently reside in Texas. I spent a couple summers in Chiang Mai a while back and fell in love with the people, city, and country. I'm finishing my MA in TESOL this coming May and plan on moving to Thailand ASAP, most likely CM but also considering BKK. I have friends that live in both.

I've really enjoyed reading posts and gathering information. I'll start asking questions as things begin to fall into place for my transition. I can't wait to gain experience and provide some input myself.

If you don't mind me asking, what was the total cost of getting your D-Tracker? Did the dealer throw in any extras?