Timing For Wp, Visa Extension, & Re Entry Permits

[MattFS218]

I recently got a Single entry non-imm B visa from Penang and I want to avoid having to pay for a second Non-Imm B Visa.

I will be departing from Thailand on the 7th of March, hoping to return on the 21st of March.

My question is, what isthe processing time for a 1 -year visa extension and a multiple reentry permit. It is my understanding that I can apply for the 1 year visa extension with ONLY having applied for a WP (and not actually recieving it).

When do I have to pop the question to my employer that I want a WP?

matt

[kenkannif]

It's the teachers licence that can slow it down. Basically give yourself as much time as possible (2 months plus), although we've done it with just a few days left on a Non-imm B, but then you have to mess about with short extensions unttil you get the 'proper' extension.

I think you need the WP before you can get the one year extension!

Err I'd have made sure my employer was going to get me a WP BEFORE I'd gone all the way to Penang to get a Non-imm B! So basically get on their case ASAP! As they're (schools) notorious (generally) for dragging their feet (or not bothering at all!).

Edited January 18, 2005 by kenkannif

[Jimmy Riddle]

It's the teachers licence that can slow it down. Basically give yourself as much time as possible (2 months plus), although we've done it with just a few days left on a Non-imm B, but then you have to mess about with short extensions unttil you get the 'proper' extension.

I think you need the WP before you can get the one year extension!

Err I'd have made sure my employer was going to get me a WP BEFORE I'd gone all the way to Penang to get a Non-imm B! So basically get on their case ASAP! As they're (schools) notorious (generally) for dragging their feet (or not bothering at all!).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

On this subject when I re-enter Thailand on the 10th February heving obtained a 90 day Non- B from Vientiane does that mean I have an entry stamp for 90 days until the 10th of May or do I get 60 days on entry and ask for extention of 30?

Or in the case of 90 days being given can the 90 days be extended for a further 30 days if WP not achieved at that time, if extension applied for before the 10thMay .I understand the following is required to obtain 90 days.

Letter from school offering job and stated salary and garanteeing support while in the country.

Copy of contract.

Copy of school registration/Licence

Copy of Principals Licence.

Copy of Degree.

Work Resume.

ANYTHING ELSE?

Jimmy Riddle.

[kenkannif]

Okay you get 90 days on entry with your Non-imm B! If they can then prove they've got in touch with the MoE (and you'll generally need a letter from them testifying to this!) you can get further extensions (I'm not sure for how long at a time, but I'd guess 30 days plus. Although I just spoke to one of our chaps who did it in Pattaya and he got 15 days with a pretty crap letter, and then 90 days once we had a letter from the MoE).

As far as the requirements are concerned in regards to obtaining a Non-imm B it depends where you get it from. Penang are pretty easy and generally only (although it's best to take as much paperwork as possible, just in case) need a basic letter, school registration and business registration. Laos on the other hand need everything you've mentioned plus a few more bits and pieces!

Oh the joys of living in Thailand!

[MattFS218]

I was able to get a Non Imm B from Penang with only a letter from my school. However they did ask to see my degree (which I didn't have).

The letter I recieved from my school tho was offical with signature, stamp, and seal (and of course on school letterhead). It was from an International School too...so that might have helped.

Matt

[MattFS218]

It's the teachers licence that can slow it down. Basically give yourself as much time as possible (2 months plus), although we've done it with just a few days left on a Non-imm B, but then you have to mess about with short extensions unttil you get the 'proper' extension.

I think you need the WP before you can get the one year extension!

Err I'd have made sure my employer was going to get me a WP BEFORE I'd gone all the way to Penang to get a Non-imm B! So basically get on their case ASAP! As they're (schools) notorious (generally) for dragging their feet (or not bothering at all!).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is a teaching license necessary to apply for a WP? Or does the teaching license come after the WP?

Can you get a 1 year extenion with a WP? Is there a site on thaivisa.com that explains this?

matt

[kenkannif]

A real international school or shall I say a good real international school would only hire someone with a degree in education (generally) plus they'd have already told you exactly what you need to do to get a TL, WP and Visa extension!

The TL comes first mate (generally, although some government schools don't seem to need them!).

You need the WP to get an extension on the Visa, and the extended Visa to extend the WP.....your employer will need to do most of this for you (other than extend the Visa, you'll (geneally) need to go in to do this) so it's pretty pointless even knowing how to do it, as you can't really do it on your own. You need your employers assistance!

Look here: http://www.ajarn.com/Banter/visaworkpermitfaq.htm

And here's basically the process:

Q Briefly, what is the process of obtaining a teacher's license and getting a work permit?

A Briefly, you give your school whatever documents they ask you for, and they process them. You need to be tolerant and helpful at this point even if you personaly think hey have no need to ask for certain things. If you don't co-operate, the process will get stuck and you'll be the one leaving the country to get a new visa. First they obtain a teacher's license for you, and then they use this to get a work permit. Once you have a work permit, your visa can be extended.

Lengthily, (and the details may vary betwen schools and povinces) the first step is the teacher's license. This requires more or less the following: A personal information document, up to 12 one and a half inch photos, up to 12 two inch photos, a current health certificate (50 baht any hospital - are you alive? yes - you passed), copies of your degree and other certs (originals may be requested along with transcripts) certified Thai translations of your degree and other certs, copies of every page of your passport, school director's license, school principal's license, map of school, teaching schedule of teacher, list of other work permit holders at the school, a new blank teacher's license book (blue), form Sor Chor 10, form Sor Chor 17, form Ror 11. And if you've had a license before, then you can add Ror 12, Sor Chor 19, Sor Chor 18, and your blue license book (not to be confused with the work permit book, plus some provinces don't issue them, in which case you might need to fabricate a police report saying you've lost it)

These are all submitted in quadruplicate to the Min of Ed, and don't forget to sign every single page. After a while (one week to who knows) you will get the license back. You take this, along with most of the same documents as above to the Labour Department, who will issue a receipt of application. You can use the receipt to extend your visa - the implication being that your application won't be turned down at this stage. After about three weeks you pick up your new work permit. When the time comes for renewal, it's a good idea to remind your school about one month before the expiry date, though they really should be on top of things by that stage.

Q How long does this process take, and do I have to do it myself?

A You need a school backing you up in order to get yourself a teacher's license. If the school can't do the paperwork then your own chances of doing it will be slim to non-existent. Many schools do not actually know how to get licenses and work permits for foreign teachers, or do not have a member of staff who has ever done it. In this case things can get very drawn out with the application being postponed indefinitely. If you're the first or only foreigner in a school, good luck.

The actual process need not take a long time. The important thing is to get the teacher's license because that will enable you to make your work permit application which is enough to extend your visa. When I process these, I consider the day the visa expires to be the deadline for getting the license in my hands. It can be done in a week. I aim for a month. If the paperwork is flawed you can just keep on waiting.

[Jimmy Riddle]

It's the teachers licence that can slow it down. Basically give yourself as much time as possible (2 months plus), although we've done it with just a few days left on a Non-imm B, but then you have to mess about with short extensions unttil you get the 'proper' extension.

I think you need the WP before you can get the one year extension!

Err I'd have made sure my employer was going to get me a WP BEFORE I'd gone all the way to Penang to get a Non-imm B! So basically get on their case ASAP! As they're (schools) notorious (generally) for dragging their feet (or not bothering at all!).

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

On this subject when I re-enter Thailand on the 10th February heving obtained a 90 day Non- B from Vientiane does that mean I have an entry stamp for 90 days until the 10th of May or do I get 60 days on entry and ask for extention of 30?

Or in the case of 90 days being given can the 90 days be extended for a further 30 days if WP not achieved at that time, if extension applied for before the 10thMay .I understand the following is required to obtain 90 days.

Letter from school offering job and stated salary and garanteeing support while in the country.

Copy of contract.

Copy of school registration/Licence

Copy of Principals Licence.

Copy of Degree.

Work Resume.

ANYTHING ELSE?

Jimmy Riddle.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[Jimmy Riddle]

Okay you get 90 days on entry with your Non-imm B! If they can then prove they've got in touch with the MoE (and you'll generally need a letter from them testifying to this!) you can get further extensions (I'm not sure for how long at a time, but I'd guess 30 days plus. Although I just spoke to one of our chaps who did it in Pattaya and he got 15 days with a pretty crap letter, and then 90 days once we had a letter from the MoE).

As far as the requirements are concerned in regards to obtaining a Non-imm B it depends where you get it from. Penang are pretty easy and generally only (although it's best to take as much paperwork as possible, just in case) need a basic letter, school registration and business registration. Laos on the other hand need everything you've mentioned plus a few more bits and pieces!

Oh the joys of living in Thailand!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Thanks for the info. but it's the "bits and pieces" I'm concerned about ! The other requirements the school seem to know about,I'm going to Vientiane on the 7/8th Feb.from Chiang Mai.

[kenkannif]

Well you've picked one of the hardest places IMO!

You'll need to contact them to make sure your school is actually registered with them (if not it matters not how much paperwork you take with you). You'll also most likely need your TEFL as well as your degree. You need the business registration as well I think.

My advice would be to have your school contact them and verify they're registered and EXACTLY what you need to take....just to be on the safe side.

Also if you already have two recent Non-imm Bs they're funny about issuing a third...so check with them!

Edited January 21, 2005 by kenkannif

[janeny]

yes, yes i agree to that, if you got 2 non immigrant b visas in a year they will require you to show your wp. because that what happend to me, they issued the first non immig b then after 90 days i went back to the consul, they told me that they can't issue 2 non immig b within a year and that i have to extend it in the immigration, i explain it to them them im still waiting for my teacher license and beg for another non immig b until the consul general finally took pity on me and agreed to issue me another one, and the parting words were "see you next year"