ngrant5

thanks for your help everyone.. ubonjoe don't know why i didn't see that, i went so far as trying to call vientienne but.. that.. that's very helpful and assuring to see. will be taking Fookhaht's advice right now since he seems to know the ins and outs of the system already and am leaving for the jomtien immigration office with someone who speaks english and thai. be back soon

Fookhaht, sorry maybe I'm missing something but why would I go to my local office? What one person says in Jomtien Beach means nothing when I'm at the mercy of a Thai immigration officer in Vientienne, right?

by the way theres a "(" in the middle of the first link. not sure how that got there but if you remove it the link should work

Thank you all for your replies. Still very confused.

A couple things

this site says I need a teaching license BEFORE non-B ( but I guess I'm getting a permit without the license right?)

http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/123/15388-Non-Immigrant-Visa-%22B%22-(for-Business-and.html

But in this document provided by the teachers council says I need to apply for the permit AFTER I get my non-B

http://www.ksp.or.th/Khurusapha/en/userfiles/file/02%20Required%20documentation.pdf

This site says I need my non-B BEFORE I apply for the work permit

http://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand/work-permit-basics.php

but beano, you cautioned me in getting the non-B AFTER getting receipt of the work permit

then on top of all this the MoE is a terrible site and their phone number doesn't work (as with OVEC's)

Mario, thanks for your response.

The school is inexperienced in this realm (which is why I'm on this site), but I'm hoping with your knowledge and others on this site I can have some comfort in knowing I have everything right for immigration when I go to Laos, especially since my tourist visa is single entry.

First I am surprised there are hardly any mentions of MoE (also used search key words "Ministry" and "Ministry of Education") on this site. Strange since my understanding is a letter from them is required for the non-B in my circumstance (working for a private school).

Tromelemonde82 wrote on 11-7-2012

“I left Thailand in 2011 because the school I worked for could not provide adequate documentation for me to get a Non-B, and the embassy kept demanding a letter from the MoE, which the school did not obtain on my behalf. (I believe this was because the MoE require to see a copy of the degree certificate, but then I heard that as long as the school vouch for the teacher everything should go ahead without a hitch).”

Can anyone vouch for tromelemonde82, that as long as a school says everything is in check they will not even ask to see the official diploma or transcript?

Second, I realize I need to submit evidence of education. I can get an official transcript but as a recent graduate I will not have my official diploma for a week or two. Problem?

Third, I did a search for criminal records but nothing came up. When Im in Laos applying for my non-B my understanding is I need to submit a paper in English stating I have no criminal records. Where do I get this document?

And Lastly, the Teaching license, which, Mario, you say I am able to get a waiver based on my BA alone. Again I'm thinking they will want to see my official diploma and/or transcript.

Is there anything- such as additional requirements- that I may be missing? Any helpful hints, suggestions, etc.? Again I already have the job so Im hoping immigration officers, the council and ministry will be less stringent.

Thanks again

Hi all,

25 year old US citizen with a BA in Mechanical Engineering currently on the 30 days extension of a tourist visa valid until April 10. Initially here to visit my father, his Thai wife, and half-siblings (both Thai nationals), but now I have an opportunity to stay for a year working at a Private Vocational school in Rayong teaching Machine Shop, Math, and Science courses. However I'm a bit worried because I don't have TEFL and my stay here is almost over. What kind of paperwork will I need for Non-B, and will the Thai immigation officer be less stringent since I already have an agreement to work between myself and a reputable vocation school? Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance

You should be able to earn 30,000 and the standard starting wage for a lot of schools is 35,000. In the provincial areas, the salaries are sometimes lower, but so are the living expenses. I would start out in the area that you want to be living. Why look for a job in Pattaya if your dream destination is Chiang Mai? Also, when are planning on making the move?

A TEFL will help you, but isn't necessary. With an engineering background you would well suited to teach math or science rather than standard conversational English.

Best of luck and keep us posted.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So as you can see based on my previous post, I am exactly in expatdreamers position, only I found the job and got it without TEFL. Scott says TEFL isn't necessary, but my concern is that on the official Non-B requirements for teaching in Thailand, it says I need a letter from the Ministry of Education, and the ministry of education requires a degree And TEFL. Any thoughts?

Hello everyone, first of all I want to say this site has been very informative and helpful. However, I haven't found any posts directly relating to my situation.

My job offer is from a private technical school. Since I have a BA in Mechanical Engineering from a US university, they want me to teach vocational trade classes, maths and science classes. Will I need TEFL since I am not teaching English, or will my degree suffice? I am asking not because I don't want to take the TEFL but because my tourist visa which has already been extended is only valid until April 10.

Some Background: I'm a 25 year old US citizen. I've already been to Thailand 5 times over the course of the past 7 years. I have a biological father that lives here on a work visa, and a native Thai step mom, and two half siblings with Thai citizenship.