Can I Work In Thailand

[RedAbroad]

Hi I know this questions has probably been asked before but I am not sure how to find it. I am an American 39, my boyfriend wants to live in Thailand for an extended year. We have traveled to Thailand for vacations before. He has the money to not work but I am still of age to work and want to work for my own money. In order to work it is my understanding I need a Non Immigrant B Visa. I also need a Criminal Records check. Herein lies my problem, I don't know what would exclude me from this. I have had DUIs in the states in my younger years and have worked hard to move beyond that. When you are being considered or excluded what are the levels of crimes that would exclude someone. I hope stupid decisions of my youth will not exclude me from the adventure of a lifetime. I am hoping to possibly teach english, as many want to in Thailand. I have the experience and knowledge to do so. I am hoping you can help me in this research stage of our possible upcoming life change.

[Mario2008]

To get a non-B vsa and b allowed to work in Thailand you will need to find an employer willing to hirer you first. Only for teachers is a criminal background asked (sometimes).

Most people come over on a tourist visa and look for an employer. Once they find an employer they go abroad and apply for a non-B visa and apply for a work permit.

Do note that that you will not get a work permit if the job you apply for can be done by a Thai. This means that you need to have special skills that are in short supply. A lot of people in your situation end up teaching English.

[Richard4849]

The "can't be done by a Thai" is a bit inaccurate.

There isn't ANY job that can't be done by some Thai national out there.

General management, marketing, etc. jobs are perfectly easy to obtain a work permit for as long as the application is worded correctly.

[ESB7]

The "can't be done by a Thai" is a bit inaccurate.

There isn't ANY job that can't be done by some Thai national out there.

General management, marketing, etc. jobs are perfectly easy to obtain a work permit for as long as the application is worded correctly.

Exactly, how many front office managers, food and beverage managers do you know, I know quite a few and those jobs are equally done by Thais.....also, real estate agents, timeshare OPCs...even English teachers are Thai as well as foreign.

[PhuketKruu]

I work as an English teacher in Phuket where I also took my TEFL. Many of my TEFL classmates have been working in Thailand for some time now, and I've only heard of one person who was asked for a police clearance. This was a requirement at one of the international schools. I still have my sealed police clearance packed away and I've never used it.

I'd go down to your local police station and get one anyway. It should be free or next to nothing. Although, I'm not sure of the details, it could be possible that old charges may not show up. If they do, I think as long as they are not directly related to children or violent in nature, I could see how other offenses such as DUIs may be overlooked.

You can enter Thailand on a tourist visa as Mario2008 pointed out, look for work, then your employer should give you the necessary paperwork to apply for a non-immigrant visa. To give you enough time, apply for a 60-day tourist visa in the States. This can be extended for another 30 days at immigration for 1,900 baht. If you decide to take some sort of teacher training, which I highly recommend if you plan to teach English, your school should be able to supply the paperwork for a non-immigrant visa application in the states.

-PK

[mrjohnno]

The "can't be done by a Thai" is a bit inaccurate.

There isn't ANY job that can't be done by some Thai national out there.

General management, marketing, etc. jobs are perfectly easy to obtain a work permit for as long as the application is worded correctly.

Ever met a Thai shephard?