Changing Tourist Visa Into Non-imm B For Teaching - Help!

[hyls]

Hello my friends,

At the moment I'm staying in Thailand on a tourist visa (3 entries) and on January 17th 2007 my second entry will expire. The visa itself is valid until February the third, exactly 6 months from the date it was issued.

Since I have found a school that is going to employ me as a foreign English teacher, I want to change my tourist visa into a non-immigrant B visa, single entry as is common (for three months).

First:

- Can I change my visa in Bangkok or do I have to go to Penang (or perhaps Vientiane)?

I've already found out from some sources of information that a change can be done at the Immigration Bureau in Bangkok, but I'm not sure. I'd like to hear your opinions or better: previous experiences.

Second:

Because I'm staying upcountry and probably will have to travel to Bangkok, I really want to make sure that I prepare all the necessary documents.

- What documents do I need?

Only a letter from my school in which they state they are going to employ me?

Third:

- Is a criminal record clearance certificate already a neccessity?

If so, how to obtain that certificate? I'm a Dutch citizen, so does that mean I will have to apply for it in The Netherlands?

Me and my school also have prepared all the documents and forms for the application of a work permit. Do you think I can both get a non imm B visa and apply for the work permit in a single trip to Bangkok?

Please help me asap, since the Immigration Bureau cannot be reached by phone at all (at least I haven't succeeded yet) and I don't wanna work illegally. It makes me rather desperate, because I don't know what to do and don't want risk travelling back and forth to Bangkok many times.

Thanking in advance,

Hyls Hiddema

[Ijustwannateach]

Changing the tourist visa to non-immigrant B is one of the few things I've never done re. paperwork in Thailand, but I've heard it's possible- and certainly a better proposition than another potentially fruitless visa run.

I would assume you'd need all the paperwork you would normally need on a visa run- which usually involves a fairly detailed and comprehensive pack of paperwork from the school (letter stating their intent to employ you, along with various information proving they are an accredited school of whichever type they are, tax information, etc.) If *they* don't know what this paperwork is (not a good sign) then if the school is really interested in doing this with you, they'll call immigration themselves to find out. It's them who'll be applying, after all.

As far as criminal clearances are concerned, if you've been reading other threads here you'll realise that no one knows (possibly not even immigration). Something for your school to ask immigration about when they call.

Good luck and let us know how it works out.

"Steven"

[paulmw]

Changing the tourist visa to non-immigrant B is one of the few things I've never done re. paperwork in Thailand, but I've heard it's possible- and certainly a better proposition than another potentially fruitless visa run.

I would assume you'd need all the paperwork you would normally need on a visa run- which usually involves a fairly detailed and comprehensive pack of paperwork from the school (letter stating their intent to employ you, along with various information proving they are an accredited school of whichever type they are, tax information, etc.) If *they* don't know what this paperwork is (not a good sign) then if the school is really interested in doing this with you, they'll call immigration themselves to find out. It's them who'll be applying, after all.

As far as criminal clearances are concerned, if you've been reading other threads here you'll realise that no one knows (possibly not even immigration). Something for your school to ask immigration about when they call.

Good luck and let us know how it works out.

"Steven"

Steven & Hiddema.

First Hiddema I think difficult as it a new contract, new school.

Had all the usual docs from school + letter from province Governor for both trips.

Savanaket Lao 25/12/06

Suan Plu BKK 29/12/06

long story.

I think from what I have been through, you will find if renewing old contract & have a teachers license many of the problems go away

Chancing contracts to a different school + no teachers license is where the problems start.

(never have in all the years here had a teachers License)

Went to Savanaket Lao 25/12/06 to reapply for a B visa for new contract with new schools paper work etc.

Couldn't get due to no police background check told by consulate need both Thai & British background check to get all new B visa.

Plus they now need a letter from your are MoE this was the initial problem why my old B ran out, all down to local MoE dragging their arse.

Came back on a 60 day tourist Visa so as to change back to a B visa at Suan Plu BKK.

Suan Plu kicked it out told me to return in 5 days with a letter from local MoE.

+ original degree won't accept photo copies any more.

Suan Plu were helpful though talked to the school advising them of the letter they needed from MoE.

Gave me a copy of the letter needed to give to the school so they understood.

Asked about back ground checks they said would be helpful told me where to go in BKK to get the Thai one.

Go to my embassy for the UK one.

But Suan Plu never demanded the background checks.

Mailed Brit embassy now 3 times have got FA back from them , So Brit background check ????.

School were unable to get the MoE letter, as they said they need at least 4 weeks to get this done.

Quote from MoE (we have set procedures you can't get this letter in days).

So My thought If you are changing contracts & no teachers license start getting the docs done now for the new term.

If you just renewing an old contract & have a teachers license not a big problem.

Paul.

[oucherism]

Changing the tourist visa to non-immigrant B is one of the few things I've never done re. paperwork in Thailand, but I've heard it's possible- and certainly a better proposition than another potentially fruitless visa run.

I would assume you'd need all the paperwork you would normally need on a visa run- which usually involves a fairly detailed and comprehensive pack of paperwork from the school (letter stating their intent to employ you, along with various information proving they are an accredited school of whichever type they are, tax information, etc.) If *they* don't know what this paperwork is (not a good sign) then if the school is really interested in doing this with you, they'll call immigration themselves to find out. It's them who'll be applying, after all.

As far as criminal clearances are concerned, if you've been reading other threads here you'll realise that no one knows (possibly not even immigration). Something for your school to ask immigration about when they call.

Good luck and let us know how it works out.

"Steven"

Steven & Hiddema.

First Hiddema I think difficult as it a new contract, new school.

Had all the usual docs from school + letter from province Governor for both trips.

Savanaket Lao 25/12/06

Suan Plu BKK 29/12/06

long story.

I think from what I have been through, you will find if renewing old contract & have a teachers license many of the problems go away

Chancing contracts to a different school + no teachers license is where the problems start.

(never have in all the years here had a teachers License)

Went to Savanaket Lao 25/12/06 to reapply for a B visa for new contract with new schools paper work etc.

Couldn't get due to no police background check told by consulate need both Thai & British background check to get all new B visa.

Plus they now need a letter from your are MoE this was the initial problem why my old B ran out, all down to local MoE dragging their arse.

Came back on a 60 day tourist Visa so as to change back to a B visa at Suan Plu BKK.

Suan Plu kicked it out told me to return in 5 days with a letter from local MoE.

+ original degree won't accept photo copies any more.

Suan Plu were helpful though talked to the school advising them of the letter they needed from MoE.

Gave me a copy of the letter needed to give to the school so they understood.

Asked about back ground checks they said would be helpful told me where to go in BKK to get the Thai one.

Go to my embassy for the UK one.

But Suan Plu never demanded the background checks.

Mailed Brit embassy now 3 times have got FA back from them , So Brit background check ????.

School were unable to get the MoE letter, as they said they need at least 4 weeks to get this done.

Quote from MoE (we have set procedures you can't get this letter in days).

So My thought If you are changing contracts & no teachers license start getting the docs done now for the new term.

If you just renewing an old contract & have a teachers license not a big problem.

Paul.

[PeaceBlondie]

What do you folks think: would the OP get better response in the Teaching forum, or the Visa forum?

I've heard that you can get a visa changed to a B in Suan Phlu offices in Bangkok, if there are enough days left on the existing visa (maybe 20 days, maybe less). I'll guess you need a good visa before you get the work permit, but I'm not sure.

[wilko]

You will have to leave the country....and most places cannot or will not issue non-immigrantt "B" visas anymore.

Situations change from day to day BUT our company does NOT send anyone to Penang after having a prospective employee refused a non im "B"...they don't issue them anymore....this was last November (2006).

You will have to go to Singapore.and stay at least one night, better to stay 2.

The school should prepare all your docos, and they should be presented at Thai consulate , Singapore before 12.15.

The visa will be issued to you at 2.00pm the next day, assuming your paperwork is OK. If you just go with a letter it is very unlikely that they will accept that any more.

I have heard rumours that the visa can be obtained from Bkk but not met anyone who has dane this.

To get your work permit, you should have a TEFL cert and a degree