Hi All,

Long time reader, first time subscriber.

I currently live in Australia and am employed full-time. July Next year, I plan on moving to Thailand to live and work. I just called the Thai Consulate located in Brisbane, Australia and the lady I spoke to wasn't very helpful at all.

From what I have read, In order to Obtain a Non-Immi 'B' (Business and or Full time Study) Visa, I need to first have a job offer / letter from an employer in Thailand. From here, I can apply for a work permit once I have my Non-Immi 'B' Visa?

I am looking at studying to become an English teacher in Thailand. This course takes about 4 weeks. I will start working as an English teacher, and once I find myself a home, and setup bank accounts and home furnishings, I will then look to move into I.T and or Design.

Is what I've listed below, the best way to go in order to get things flowing smoothly? Is there something I'm missing? Is there a better way to do this? Is there any way to get around applying for an Immi B Visa without a job waiting in Thailand? (I will have enough money to support myself while I am there, until I find a job).

1) Enter Thailand using 30-day Tourist Visa, or 90 Day APEC Business Travel Card.

2) During this time, Study for the TEFL, CELTA course which takes 4 weeks (30 days).

3) If extension is required, cross border and renew my 30 day tourist stamp.

4) After the course has finished, Find a job.

5) Once I have found a job, and school that would like to employ me, Then I apply for a Non Immi B - multi Visa?

I read it is a lot easier to get a multiple entry Visa in Australia. But they wont let me do this unless I have a job in Thailand????

Its all quite frustrating haha.. Any help would greatly be appreciated!

Kind Regards,

Blake.

1. It is not tourist visa it is a visa exempt entry. If you have an APEC travel card it allows you multiple entries.

2. ok

3. You will only get 15 days if you enter at a land border.

4. OK

Unless you already have a travel card. I suggest you contact the consualte in Perth and get a single or multiple entry non-o visa. Or a 2 entry tourist visa.

If you get a job and a work permit you don't need a multiple entry visa. You can get a 1 year extension of stay.

Unless you already have a travel card. I suggest you contact the consualte in Perth and get a single or multiple entry non-o visa. Or a 2 entry tourist visa.

If you get a job and a work permit you don't need a multiple entry visa. You can get a 1 year extension of stay.

Thanks for your reply,

How do I go about applying for a Non-O Visa? I thought in order to qualify for a Non-O Visa, You have to be travelling to thailand to either visit friends, take care of a dependant / spouse??

Could you clarify this please?

Not sure about Perth but other consulates issue them if you want to fined work. Also a reason is to attend a school.

Contact them for info. Do you mean you don't have any friends here.

You will need to show financial means to get it though.

Hello ubonjoe!

Thanks again for your reply, I understand now.

I have friends in BKK, Pattaya and Phuket. Im not sure what sort of documents i would need to provide though in order to prove this... I have photos with all of them?

At the time I will be leaving, I should have around 350,000baht. Will this be sufficient? This will be used to keep me living until I find a paying job in Thailand.

Sorry for all the questions,

But also -

With a Non Immi Visa (O or am i able to open a Thai Bank Account, Purchase a car, Apply for a loan, Rent a house etc??

Sorry for all the questions,

But also -

With a Non Immi Visa (O or am i able to open a Thai Bank Account, Purchase a car, Apply for a loan, Rent a house etc??

You will need to get a National Police Clearance to get a B visa and a teaching job in Thailand. The loan will require you to be employed as well.

Hello ubonjoe!

Thanks again for your reply, I understand now.

I have friends in BKK, Pattaya and Phuket. Im not sure what sort of documents i would need to provide though in order to prove this... I have photos with all of them?

At the time I will be leaving, I should have around 350,000baht. Will this be sufficient? This will be used to keep me living until I find a paying job in Thailand.

If you can show the money you won't have a problem.

See this topic for more info: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Non-Visa-Run...ml&hl=perth

Sorry for all the questions,

But also -

With a Non Immi Visa (O or am i able to open a Thai Bank Account, Purchase a car, Apply for a loan, Rent a house etc??

Bank account is not a problem. You may have to try several different banks and branches though.

Renting a house is not a problem.

After you get a job and work permit everything else will be a lot easier to do.

Does this National Police Clearance need to be done after or before i undergo any CELTA, TEFL courses? Or it doesnt matter as long as I have the clearance before I get employed by a school?

Before you get the work perit and an extension of stay.

Too easy..

I'd probably be best to get one in Australia before I leave to Thailand, and then another one when i'm in Thailand to show a chain of clean records.... correct??

A police clearence is not always necesarry, it depends on the embassy/consulate where you apply for a non-B based on teaching. Some require it, others not.

Ahhh right! I understand now.

In this case, yes - the Brisbane based Consulate requests a Nat Police Clearance for any teaching jobs. If this is the case, When i go across to Thailand initially to undergo my CELTA course, I will get a police clearance to take back with me.

Going back to the non-imm 'O' visa... Would I be able to obtain a non-O if im going to study this TEFL course and then transfer to a non-B + WP when i get employment as a teacher??

What documents do they require for a Non-O ?? and how easy is it for one to obtain??

Just want to thank everyone for helping and being patient with me. Its my first-time relocating with visa's and all this other stuff. Really appreciate all the help and do apologize about the monotonous questions...

Ahhh right! I understand now.

In this case, yes - the Brisbane based Consulate requests a Nat Police Clearance for any teaching jobs. If this is the case, When i go across to Thailand initially to undergo my CELTA course, I will get a police clearance to take back with me.

Going back to the non-imm 'O' visa... Would I be able to obtain a non-O if im going to study this TEFL course and then transfer to a non-B + WP when i get employment as a teacher??

What documents do they require for a Non-O ?? and how easy is it for one to obtain??

The police certificate won't be ask for here.

You won't have to transfer. All you need is a non immigrant visa to get a work permit. Then you can get an extension of your permit to stay that was given due to you having a non immigrant visa.

Did you read through the link that I posted earlier that is a report about getting a non-o in Perth.. There is a lot of info there. Contact them and just tell them you want it to visit freinds, go to school and etc.

The most immportant thing is being able to show them that you have enough money to live on.

Yes i had a look at the link you posted. There is some good information there. Some of the information is a bit confusing.

I live in Brisbane. I tried calling the Thai Consulate today for some information but they were very rude and didnt want to talk to me. I might try giving Perth a call to see what they have to say about the Non-O Visa...

I think you will have better luck with Perth. All reports I have read have been positive.

Hello Again Guys,

Thank you for your help.

I have another question i'm hoping you can help me with...

I am looking to relocate to Thailand in 15 months. When should I apply for my Visa? I don't want to get it early and waste time... (how long does processing take etc)?

Thanks!

It normally only takes a few days to get a visa. I would not apply anymore than 2 weeks before your planned travel date.

The visas experation date starts on the date the visa is issued.