Six Weeks To Departure For Thailand -- Docs Advice, Please!

[RSH]

Help! I've been reading this forum quite a bit as I prepare to leave the US for Thailand, and at this point, my heading is swimming a bit. I am starting a four-week tefl course at the end of April, then plan to look for a teaching job that will allow me to stay for at least a year. Based on the advice of the school where I will be studying (and some of what I have read here and on other sites), I obtained a sixty-day tourist visa from a Thai consulate here in the States. My understanding was that once I find a job (fingers crossed), I would need to leave the country to apply for a non-immigrant B status visa, which will then allow my employer to start the process of applying for a teaching license and work permit.

With all of the new changes, I am thoroughly confused. Is the above scenario still workable?? I'd really appreciate it if someone could please just assure me I am not doomed before I even get on the plane.

Also, in terms of documents to bring with me, can anyone shed any light on the below?

1. Diploma -- I understand I need to bring my original university diploma (which is not in an English- or teaching related field). Is it worthwhile/necessary to get it apostilled? Also, I do have a Master's (also in a non-ESL related field) -- is it smart to bring that along, too, or does it not really matter?

2. Transcripts -- Will originals issued in sealed envelopes but stamped 'issued to student' be sufficient to meet various bureaucratic requirements?

3. Police check -- I'm short on time for a FBI check, but could get a letter from my local police department, then get it authenticated. Is this advisable? I can't tell if it's actually required at any stage or not, based on the back and forth on the forum.

I'm also working on letters of references, updating my CV, etc. I'm figuring it will be cheaper and easier to get a load of headshots and a certificate of good health once I'm in country. Any recommendations anyone else has on things to bring would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks...and sorry for the lengthy post!

[thomlingyai]

I'm in the same boat, except I'm taking my classes online here in the states. My plan is the same based on all my reasearch as well. I won't be leaving until September or october however. Let me know how things turn out and if there is anything I need to do to avoid some of the pitfalls of the "system".

Thanks, Thom

[Jimjim]

Yes, with all the new changes, your plan is workable. The new changes mainly affect those who are on 30-day visa exempt stamps in their passports, which Americans and others get when they come into the country with no visa. However, you're going to have a visa, so the 90 days out of 180 doesn't affect you.

You should absolutely bring your original Bachelors and Masters diplomas along with all the coordinating manuscripts. If you want to teach, that proof of Master's will do you extremely well. Yes, sealed transcripts are fine, no matter if says "issued to student or not".

When you do passport size photos (headshots, as you call them) for your work visa, wear a suit and tie and don't smile. I had to redo mine, perhaps twice. I never had to do a police check for any job in Thailand, but it wouldn't hurt, I guess.

My advice to you, with your Master's, is to go after a teaching job in an international school or even an international university. If you're smart, you could do much better with your education than going after an ESL job for 20-30,000 baht monthly at a government school. You shouldn't settle for anything less than 50,000 a month, in my opinion. So, yeah, with that Master's, you'd be very smart to bring it along and it should help you get a better paying teaching job.