Starting At A New School

[DragonQuest]

Just curious if you start working for a government school the 2ND term(I didn't work the first term) is the school liable for taking care of the visa and work permit? The school told me they will do the visa after the term finishes but as I spoke with the misses she told me that if I work for school there suppose to take care of the work permit. I also understand some schools have a 1-3 month probationary period policy, so they don't have to take care of it within that time frame. So if theres only two months of school left(FEB-MAR), should it even be taken care of or just wait till next year 1ST term May 2011??? Something doesn't seem right just want to know what ya'll think. The school dicking me around? and when I signed the 5 month contract , I asked for a copy and she said she couldn't find it and will give it to me later......

[Scott]

I don't know how your school works, but where I am, we (in theory) get a work permit for everyone, regardless of when they are hired. The applicant is responsible to provide the non-immigrant B visa and the school takes it from there.

This should have nothing to do with the duration of the contract. Some schools end all contracts at the same time; usually at the end of the school year and then renew for the upcoming school year. Unless you were being hired only for the 2nd term, they should be getting you the work permit. They should be getting you a work permit anyway, since it's illegal to work without it.

Probation should have little to do with it. It does take sometime to get the paperwork in order and get the paperwork and by that time the school will likely know if they plan on keeping you.

Best of luck and keep us informed. By the way, how many foreign teachers work at the school? I ask because some schools are less familiar with getting the necessary documentation than those with limited experience with hiring foreigners.

[DragonQuest]

They have 1 African and some filipinos, they also have an english program on the other side, but Im on the normal side. I think the school wants to save money of they might be too lazy? Dont they get a waiver from the government?, I mean it shouldnt cost that much right? The thing is I already agreed that they dont have to get me a work permit till next year so I screwed myself already.

[Scott]

OK. You are in a little bit of a situation and I hope it works out for your. If they have other foreign teachers then they know how the process works. You have 2 options: first, keep your mouth shut and wait it out--and your best not to let anyone know that you don't have a WP. You are, after all, violating Thai law. Second, you can ask them for the paperwork and get the WP on your own. The cost isn't onerous (10,000 - 12,000 baht maybe). It is, however, time consuming.

The school really isn't going to save any money, unless they plan on terminating you. The reason is that the WP is good for a year, so if you stay, they just renew it next Oct (or whenever you get it). It's not like they are paying for a full-year and only getting a few months.

One of the problems is that a lot of Thai people don't understand the complications in the visa/WP process. Those that routinely deal with it do, but others, including administrators may not.

The waiver you are referring to is the Teacher's License. The Teacher's Council of Thailand (TCT) grant new teachers a waiver to the regular license, but this has very little to do with your current situation.

Other posters may have more specific information for you and hopefully will let you know.