When one already has a Non Immigrant O Visa and is applying for a work permit to teach on that O Visa, is the application process the same as if someone were applying on a Non Immigrant B? Are different documents needed such as a background check?

Is a criminal background check needed anytime in the process if the teacher applying for a work permit has a Non Immigrant O? Which government ministry, Labour, Education or Immigration, wants to see the criminal background check during the work permit process?

Has Sunbelt (or any teacher here) recently, since the new requirements for criminal background checks began, sucessfully got a NEW work permit for a teacher on a Non Immigrant O Visa? I called an embassy today, not near or on the borders of Thailand, and the person on the phone said that I could not get a work permit if I was on an Non Immigrant O Visa and that I would need to change my visa status by getting a criminal background check to get a Non Immigrant B Visa. "Have things changed?" I asked. "No," she replied, "you could never get a work permit on a Non Immigrant O Visa because you can only get a work permit if you have a Non Immigrant Visa." However, judging by her answer and her misunderstanding of what a reentry permit was, I think it was clear that she did not know what she was talking about. But I know I can get straight answers here on this forum.

Cheers!

I will leave the others, who are actual experts, to answer. But I've always understood that you can teach in Thailand on an O visa.

If the O visa is based on marriage you can work,

but not if you are retired.

My single entry Non-0 is based on visiting a son (I am under 50) and the company is using it to apply for a work permit. Will the immigration give me an extension of stay in case my wp (application already submitted to the labor department) is not yet done before my visa expires?

If you son is Thai you may be able to use the below provision for a one time 60 day extension - otherwise not more than 7 days would be possible.

7.23 In case of entering for

visiting a Thai wife /

husband or child.

The permission shall be

granted only one time with

the granted period not

exceeding 60 days.

Thanks Lopburi

Here is the link if you do need a Police Clearance certificate.

I would think that given recent news reports that the authorities will be

seriously stepping up background checks.

Naka.