Vias For Tefl And Teaching

[fareastcoast]

I'm looking to take a TEFL course in Thailand and then teach english in Thailand. I wasn't sure about the best way to go about a Visa. Should i enter with the free 30 day (i'm from USA), or get a 60 day before hand, and than apply for a non-imm Visa?

I want to stay for at least a year. I would expect once i get a teaching job, i than can get a work permit.

What's the best way to go about this?

[CharlieH]

If you try to board the plane without a visa or tickets for onward travel within 30 days the airline can refuse to to let you fly.

You intend to stay longer than 30 days so therefore you should get a tourist visa from a Thai Consulate before leaving, if you get a double entry Toruist Visa each entry is valid for 60 days, and each entry can be extended by a further 30 days at immigration, therefore you have around 6 months sorted until you know exactly what you are doing and where you are going to do it.

Good luck !

[fareastcoast]

If you try to board the plane without a visa or tickets for onward travel within 30 days the airline can refuse to to let you fly.

You intend to stay longer than 30 days so therefore you should get a tourist visa from a Thai Consulate before leaving, if you get a double entry Toruist Visa each entry is valid for 60 days, and each entry can be extended by a further 30 days at immigration, therefore you have around 6 months sorted until you know exactly what you are doing and where you are going to do it.

Good luck !

do u know about how long it would take to get the double entry Tourist Visa?

I was reviewing an applications and it said this for the tourist visa.

ATTENTION FOR TOURISTS AND TRANSIT VISA APPLICANTS ONLY : You declare that the purpose of your visit to Thailand is for pleasure only and that in no

case shall you engage yourself in any profession or occupation while in the country

[moe666]

Call the woman at the Portland Consulate and see what she wants for a double entry tourist, do not tell her you are going to school or plan on teaching. Those require totally different visa which at this point in time you cannot obtain. The phone number for Portland is on the web.

[lopburi3]

You do not need any special visa to go to school. The tourist visa will be fine. That you may be looking for work is not material just that you obtain the proper visa/work permit before starting any work so don't worry about that. All you qualify for is a tourist visa and that is what you need. After you find a job opening you obtain the non immigrant B visa.

[bifftastic]

Some places that offer the TEFL course will help you obtain the non-imm B type visa before you arrive in Thailand

[CharlieH]

I also suggest you browse the Teaching forum here for more advice and guidance.

[IMA_FARANG]

Okay, here's how it is done.

First of all a double entry tourist visa is probably the best for what you want.

Some Thai consulates are a little "antsy" on issuing them, but since you've never had a visa before for Thailand, I think they will probably let you get one. If not, your backup plan should be a single entry tourist visa.

Be aware that some Thai consulates will want to see an airline ticketbefore they issue a double entry visa and possibly a single entry. If you choose to do that, get a ticket that allows you to change the depature (return) flight from Thailand. This may be more expensive, but gives you the flexability to change dates of travel...which you will need.

A single entry visa is good for 60 days and can be extended for an additional 30 days (I believe) for a fee here in Thailand at immigration.

If you do get a double entry visa, the visa will have stamp that says some like this, "Must be used before (Date)". That date means you must use BOTH entries on that double entry visa before that date. So pay attention to that date, because after that date you will lose the 2nd entry if you haven't already used it.

Each entry is good for 60 days and can be extended for 30 days here in Thaialnd.

Don't tell the Thai consulate of your plan to work in Thailand, you are just coming to Thailand as a tourist.

Now when you do get to Thailand I reccomend you sign up for a course to learn some Thai. They are easily available here in Thailand. When you do start that course, the school should provide you with the documentation you will need to get a ED (education) visa...because you are now not a tourist,you're a STUDENT learning the Thai language. The school should be able to give you all the details on that part. You might consider taking a TEFL (Teaching of English as a Foriegn Language) course also...it would at least help in your job hunting to have that on your record.

Now we will assume you do get a job offer. The school that hires you should show you how to change that ED visa into B bussiness visa and provide the documentation for your work permit. These changes require a fee so be prepared for that. But it's all possible and legal. It will take time and effort on your part, but I assume you understand that.

A final point,just so you understand. Teaching English here in Thailand is highly competative and there are more applicants than available places. As an American you will be at a disadvantage because you will be competing with the Brits. Some schools, especially the more expensive ones will want teachers speaking British "proper English" and won't favor your American accent. And irregardless, if you do get a teaching job, how good that job is depends, of course, on your qualifications.

I only make that final point, because it seems that some people outside of Thailand seem to think that coming to Thailand and "teaching English" is a quick and easy way to a life of booze and easy women...with a teaching job as their way to pay for all of that. It isn't. Take a look at the "Teaching English in Thailand" sub-forum here on ThaiVisa to see what I mean.

But anyhow, good luck, and I hope you do get want you want.

[lopburi3]

The poster does not need an ED visa which would not allow work as the tourist visa entry should allow stay long enough for finding work. The tourist visa is all that is required to be a student and when a job is found they can then obtain the non immigrant B visa entry.