Best Visa For Tefl Teacher?

[neilo]

Hi folks,

Some Newbie questions for you all.

I'm 24, Male, a British Passport holder. I'm off to do a TEFL course in Phuket in August. The course takes four weeks. After its finished I intend to find a job somewhere in Thailand and stay for at least a year.

Firstly, do I get a typical tourist visa simply by arriving at the airport without having applied for anything via the thai embassay? If so how long does this visa last for?

If this visa is only for 30 days, as I understand it may be, is there a visa I can then seek which will allow me to stay in the country for another month or 2 while I try to find a job?

Finally, upon finding a teaching job, is it then fairly easy to obtain a visa that will last at least the duration of my contract?

Sorry if these questions have been asked before, your help would be greatly appreciated.

[lopburi3]

If you have a degree and add the TEFL you can probably find employment that will provide a work permit and perhaps that will meed requirements for an extension of stay (one year at a time). But Thai school year started this week so you will not be looking in prime time.

You should come here with a visa in hand (and if you plan a one way ticket it is required). It can be a non immigrant O from a Consulate like Hull or a normal tourist visa but do have a visa. If you get here without a visa you get a 30 day stamp but airlines may well not let you board plane so don't take the chance.

[Crossy]

I agree with Lop. Apply to Hull for a non-o multi entry on the grounds of 'visiting friends', that will give you up to 15 months in Thailand (with correct timing of visa runs).

And, should you get a job, you can attach a work permit to it.

By the way, don't apply too early, the visa validity starts from the day it is issued, 1 month before you travel is plenty.

Edited May 20, 2005 by Crossy

[neilo]

Thanks for the help so far guys,

I've got an English degree so I hope that helps with the job hunting.

I've been looking at the Hull consulate web page. Is there a reason for applying for the 'O' type of visa. Should I not say thats its for educational purposes and apply for the 'ED' type, or does that just complicate things?

And if I do apply for the 'O' type will I get interrogated by the airport immigration officers asking who my friends are, where they stay, what they do?? Like I get questioned each time I visit the US.

Also, what are the disadvantages of just getting a tourist visa?

and upon what sort of grounds might they deny my visa? (I've no criminal record, illness etc).

[lopburi3]

You worry too much.

They are not going to cross examine you at the airport.

The degree will be helpful - bring proof.

ED visa would require paperwork that you probably do not have and is not needed.

The multi entry O allows you 90 day stay and up to 13 months after you finnish school to find work. Tourist does not. You can work with a non immigrat visa - not with a tourist visa.

They are not going to deny you a visa.

Edited May 20, 2005 by lopburi3

[neilo]

Cool,

Thanks guys. I'll apply about a month before I leave then for a non-imm O Visa.

Yeah, I worry cause I visit the states regularly to see family, and US immigration officers are always so harsh. Thats the only place outside Europe I've travelled so I don't know what to expect elsewhere.

One other question, does it matter who I have sign on my certificate of guarantee? Can it just be my mother for example?

Cheers folks.