Rumor Or Reality? Changing School And The Visa

[SusanRichardson]

Romor has it, the existing "rule" that the intial NonIm VISA has to be issued, for teachers, in the native country, will now be enforced for new teachers...

Additional rumor, from the uniformed officer, is that, for extentions even with the same school, proof of a degree must be provided with the application. No degree, no extention.

Both of these would be new enforcements...

This begs for the question, how do you change schools? or if you get fired....

Anyone have actual experiences with this stuff?

Cheers and Thanks. Susan

Edited January 26, 2007 by SusanRichardson

[Ijustwannateach]

We just had some visa extensions for the same school about 3 months ago, but no problems at that time. We haven't had a new-in-country teacher join for some time, so I don't have any info about the other possible situation. Anyone who's heard any different, please let us know! The next few months will be "interesting times" for teachers in Thailand.

[Casanundra]

Having been through the process of changing jobs here albeit before the October rules kicked in, the hassle of running to the labour office within 7 days with your WP in hand to avoid the fine and then co-ordinating this with your employer who in turn has 14 days to inform the labour office of you leaving, and then having to put up with the labour office staff refusing to believe that you have left your employer without them first giving you permission and to then requesting the employer to confirm it all in the same 7 days you get when they are sitting there thinking they had 14 days in which to do so (quantum physics in action) and to then seeing that your visa is now invalidated and being told that you have 7 days left to get out of the country or to get your visa extended again as you apply for all the paperwork again with a new employer is as you can imagine a nightmare at the best of times.

Add into this the new requirements and lord only knows what the new rules will do to the above run-a-round. I can only imagine that it would probably put everyone back to square one and to being forced to leave, to getting another set of police records, to obtaining (if possible) a new non imm visa and so on and on.

My advice. Unless you have no choice, then it is far easier to stick where you are, to simply extending your current contract and visa and to sitting it all out than it is to get a new job and to going through all of the major hassles as mentioned above.

Edited January 26, 2007 by Casanundra

[paulmw]

Romor has it, the existing "rule" that the intial NonIm VISA has to be issued, for teachers, in the native country, will now be enforced for new teachers...

Additional rumor, from the uniformed officer, is that, for extentions even with the same school, proof of a degree must be provided with the application. No degree, no extention.

Both of these would be new enforcements...

This begs for the question, how do you change schools? or if you get fired....

Anyone have actual experiences with this stuff?

Cheers and Thanks. Susan

[/quote

Changed schools had to come back on a tourist visa from Savanaket Lao due to not having UK background check now required from Thai consulate there.

Went to Suan Plu to change from tourist to B visa had all my Docs from school OK But only a copy of degree told to come back with original + Uk background check in 7 days+ lewtter from MOE now.

Still waiting for UK B/Ground check well that blew the 7 days SOOOOOOOOOo???

Paul

[tnkgrrl]

Hey, I am really curious about this myself. I am currently working teaching in Japan, been here 6 months and I hate it. I want to quit and go back to Thailand. I was in Thailand for 18 months or so previously. I dont want to return to my home country if I can avoid it, the travel is just too much!

If anyone finds some concrete information, or a place where I can look for such information, I would be really grateful.

My friend currently working in Pinklao told me her boss told her this is the new deal, but I am guessing it wont affect everyone and not right away?

Thanks.

[DragonQuest]

I heard this rumor too, I doubt we have to fly back to our home countries and pay over $2,000+ dollars for a ticket to fly out there and come back for a non b visa, it doesnt make sense , I flew to singapore last year and they happily gave me my non b visa, thats the way it should- be the normal way, this is just a scare that will soon fade away, or else thousands of teachers will just leave. Its a stupid rumor and I dont understand tnkkgrrl how can you be sad in Japan? your getting paid good money arnt you not? can you please elaborate on your situation for me ? I was also looking forward to Japan in the future.

P.S:And if some schools are doing this, then just move on to the next school that will take care of you na ka.

Edited January 26, 2007 by DragonQuest

[SusanRichardson]

P.S:And if some schools are doing this, then just move on to the next school that will take care of you na ka.

It is not the schools, this information was GIVEN to the schools by immergration.

The "option" of working without a work permit is still there of course, but with the new VISA on arrival rules, VISA runs are out of the question.

I've always heard, and know from first hand sources, the main office in Bangkok can and will do about anything including converting a VOA to a Non Imm, something which other offices will advise you is impossible!

All this said, my school has not mentioned the background checks. I don't know what that means....

Regarding the original "degree", at one point in time a certified copy of your transcript embossed with a University seal was not good enough. They wanted the diploma, which some of us don't have.

At the end of it all, as mentioned, there will be a severe shortage of teachers for the next school year.

Susan

[SusanRichardson]

My advice. Unless you have no choice, then it is far easier to stick where you are, to simply extending your current contract and visa and to sitting it all out than it is to get a new job and to going through all of the major hassles as mentioned above.

The inquiry includes instances where you are simply extending your current contract(and VISA). Susan

[mopenyang]

I have not heard of one instance where someone not changing their school has had to produce any additional evidence regarding a claimed degree. Were this to start happening, I am certain it would be reported on this and other sites.

At the same time, whenever I have applied for a work permit in Thailand I have had to produce either originals or copies of my degree diplomas and transcripts. The higher level government institutions have required originals of both diplomas and transcripts at the time of application and for subsequent work permit and visa processing.

I'm happy they did, as it showed they were serious about who they were hiring and doing what all schools should be doing.

[tnkgrrl]

I heard this rumor too, I doubt we have to fly back to our home countries and pay over $2,000+ dollars for a ticket to fly out there and come back for a non b visa, it doesnt make sense , I flew to singapore last year and they happily gave me my non b visa, thats the way it should- be the normal way, this is just a scare that will soon fade away, or else thousands of teachers will just leave. Its a stupid rumor and I dont understand tnkkgrrl how can you be sad in Japan? your getting paid good money arnt you not? can you please elaborate on your situation for me ? I was also looking forward to Japan in the future.

P.S:And if some schools are doing this, then just move on to the next school that will take care of you na ka.

How can I be sad in Japan? Easy really. The culture is more closed and colder than I thought it would be, the teaching is a bigger joke than in Thailand, I have an allergy to the water, friends are few and far between in this country and even though the country is very small, traveling is not easy to do due to the cost.

If you only care about money, come to Japan, but there isnt as much money to be made as their used to be. And I thought I cared about money, but you may find there are some things more important than money, like your health and your friendships. But thats just my experience, ya know. To each their own.

Peace,

Tnk

[idle44mins]

It is such a major crap, all this visa, wp and other sh*t. To me it appears that the Thai government has given the assignment to all immigration offices: "Whatever you come up with, keep out the foreigners!!!"

Starting with the VOA's, the tourist-visa's and now, yes the teachers.

Not one single immigration-office knows exactly how to deal with the new regulations and so they ask for the most stupid kind of paperwork, checks and other crap.

As a former teacher, but still very affiliated with the branch, I really feel sorry for all the foreigners who come to Thailand.

About the police check: Phoned with the Thai Consulate in Vientiane last week with the question whether one of our students should bring documents showing the 'lack' of a criminal past.

The officer/employee at the Consulate answered: Oh no need sir, new rule from 1st of May 2007. Isn't it great!!??