Forgive my ignorance, but I would welcome some advice: I have been offered nine hours' teaching English conversation over two days a week at a Bangkok university. Do I need a work permit and if so, what do I need to do, or what does the university need to do, to acquire one?

I might add that I am not a professional teacher (I have an MA and have had some experience in giving on-the-job training to people whose first language was not English). I am a 60-year-old Briton in Thailand on a Non-immigrant 'O' visa living on a company pension and quite by chance someone asked me if I'd like to teach English conversation. I gave a brief demo which went very well (or maybe they were desperate!) and I was hired on the spot with a promise of a full-time job in the new academic year. Again, I also teach a group of 16-year-olds on Sunday afternoons because their parents kept asking me to do so...I seem to be falling into the teaching business without really intending to do so.

Many thanks.

You need a work permit, the university should provide you with such.

Also you can not work on a visa/extension based on retirement.

You must change that to a class B visa/extension.

The university should be able to help you.

Edit...

If you are on non immigrant visa/extension based on marriage you can work on that.

Edited January 1, 201016 yr by PoorSucker

You need a work permit, the university should provide you with such.

Also you can not work on a visa/extension based on retirement.

You must change that to a class B visa/extension.

The university should be able to help you.

Edit...

If you are on non immigrant visa/extension based on marriage you can work on that.

Many thanks for that. I'll check with the university. As for the other points you raise, I steered clear of a retirement visa just in case I did find work and so before my non-imm O visa expires in April, I'll seek an extension based on marriage so I can continue to work.

Thanks again.

... I was hired on the spot with a promise of a full-time job in the new academic year. Fine. Just IMHO prepare yourself for the possibility that you were hired 'on the spot' -- especially considering that you are past the normal retirement age -- because the University saw the prospect of hiring someone WITHOUT having to offer a Work Permit.

Just as there is no misunderstanding you can not work without a work permit - doing so is illegal regardless of what visa you have. Only the work permit issue allows work.

That said many people do so and get away with it but as you seem to have strong reasons to want to be allowed to stay in Thailand I would not recommend it. It they want you to teach they should be able to make you legal.

".....Again, I also teach a group of 16-year-olds on Sunday afternoons because their parents kept asking me to do so...I seem to be falling into the teaching business without really intending to do so".

This is also illegal without a Work Permit.

Even unpaid, part-time, volunteer work is technically illegal without a work permit.

Very unlikely that the university will get you a work permit for part-time work. If the full-time position materializes then most likely they will.

All work, unpaid or paid requires a Work Permit,

unless you work for a foeign entity like an embassy.

I am an English teacher working at a government school for the past 4 years

I am also from the UK

If you work at a University you will need a degree in education PLUS the now compulsory Thai Culture certificate

Before you can get a work permit for a University you will need Educational degree, Thai Culture certificate

Then you have to apply for a teachers licence or letter from the Teacher Council of Thailand

You cannot get a work permit without this.

But on my last visit to MOE for my Teachers licence letter I was told you no longer required this if you only work in a language school .

But this is Thailand and they change things all the time Good Luck

But all the information you need can be found at http://ajarn.com/