I'm trying to figure out how the whole process to verify/legalize a diploma and transcripts works, to get a B visa and WP to start working as a teacher, but I'm having a difficult time.

(I've tried calling the US embassy in Bangkok and the consulate in Chiang Mai, but their phone system says to email them or visit their website, or no one picks up. I sent an email, but didn't get a response.)

 

From my understanding, I need to have my diploma and transcripts legalized/verified for the B visa and WP process. I'm planning on going to Bangkok to do this, but want to make sure that it's possible before setting up an appointment with the embassy, and then travelling to Bangkok (or consulate, if it's possible there).

 

Edited June 8, 20206 yr by ThLT

The process varies with your nationality.  It's pretty easy if you are from the US.  It's expensive, complicated and difficult if you are from the UK.

 

Just now, otherstuff1957 said:

The process varies with your nationality.  It's pretty easy if you are from the US.  It's expensive, complicated and difficult if you are from the UK.

 

I have some transcripts and a diploma from the US, and a transcript from Canada.

When I did it, I just got them all notarized at the US embassy.  That was all that was required at that time.  However, you probably should double-check with your school as to the current requirements. 

 

You will need 3 things:

   A teacher's license or a teacher's license waiver from the TCT

   A type B visa (or a type O marriage visa)

   A Work Permit

It's been a few years since I went through the process, so I don't remember the order in which this happened.  The notarized transcripts/degrees were for my 5 year teaching license, for the waiver, I just needed to give them copies and show the originals.

11 hours ago, otherstuff1957 said:

When I did it, I just got them all notarized at the US embassy.  That was all that was required at that time.  

[...]

Thanks. This is helpful, but how many years ago did you do this?

14 hours ago, ThLT said:

I have some transcripts and a diploma from the US, and a transcript from Canada.

The only thing you can do at the US embassy is self certifiy you deploma by dong an afficavit.

"Affidavits
Oftentimes the Thai government requests the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General Chiang Mai “certify” documents listed under “services we cannot provide.” Please note the Embassy and Consulate CAN notarize an affidavit which may or may not satisfy the Thai requirement for “certification.”

Source: https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/notaries-public/

5 hours ago, ThLT said:

Thanks. This is helpful, but how many years ago did you do this?

A little over 2 years ago.  However, I only had to do this to get my official Thai Teaching License.  I never had to certify my documents to get a Teaching License Waiver.  So double check with the TCT itself what the requirements are to apply for a waiver.  If this is your first year of teaching, you probably won't need any certification done at all.

7 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

The only thing you can do at the US embassy is self certifiy you deploma by dong an afficavit.

"Affidavits
Oftentimes the Thai government requests the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General Chiang Mai “certify” documents listed under “services we cannot provide.” Please note the Embassy and Consulate CAN notarize an affidavit which may or may not satisfy the Thai requirement for “certification.”

Source: https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/notaries-public/

Thanks.

Called and emailed the consulate in Chiang Mai. No answer and received an automatic email that everything is closed (even email), because consulates/embassies aren't considered an essential service. ????

 

Have you come upon posts saying that it's possible to do an affidavit at the US Consulate in Chiang Mai? As a non-US citizen, do you think that it'll be possible to do this (CM and Bangkok)?
 

Edited June 9, 20206 yr by ThLT

3 minutes ago, ThLT said:

Have you come upon posts saying that it's possible to do an affidavit at the US Consulate in Chiang Mai? As a non-US citizen, do you think that it'll be possible to do this (CM and Bangkok)?

I don't think they will witness a affidavit if your are not a US citizen. 

6 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

I don't think they will witness a affidavit if your are not a US citizen. 

Would you have any recommendations of other options?

1 hour ago, ThLT said:

Would you have any recommendations of other options?

They might do it at your embassy. 

Before you get anything verified, I would strongly recommend that you check with your local WP office, the TCT and your local Immigration Office. 

 

Enforcement of the requirements tends to vary from one office to the next.  You might not have to verify anything OR they might want a different form of verification than the office in Bangkok did.

Just to add, to make sure you are also aware of it, for the teacher's licence/temp permit you'll also need to have a clearance certificate regarding cautions, warnings, reprimands and convictions (in the UK it is called ACRO or CRB/DBS certificate), which also needs to be legalised.

 

Generally, all documents (educational, professional, government,etc) got to be legalised from the country they originated from, by that country's official legalising body (in the UK it is the Foreign Office), followed by Thai embassy  legalisation in that country too.

 

Notarisation (usually by a solicitor/lawyer) is normally required before the document's issuing country official legalising body does their legalisation for most documents (particularly if copies), but in the UK for example, ACRO/DBS/CRB does not need to be notarised while ed./prof. certificates, etc do need to be notarised.

 

Needless to say, in the UK this process can be time consuming and costly, particularly if one has few documents to do. And best to do all this before coming to Thailand.

 

Now, I know my answer may not be v. helpful to the OP, but might be useful to those that have their educational/professional documents issued in the UK and want to teach in Thailand...

Edited June 10, 20206 yr by McArie

On 6/8/2020 at 4:57 PM, otherstuff1957 said:

The process varies with your nationality.  It's pretty easy if you are from the US.  It's expensive, complicated and difficult if you are from the UK.

 

I used Magna Carta Pattaya for this sort of thing and they weren't overly expensive.

PM me for email address of Tony Justice; a very fair and articulate senior member of staff.

Edited June 10, 20206 yr by mikebell
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