English Teacher With Wife

[dghjarrett]

Hi all,

I am an English teacher (British National) currently applying for jobs in Bangkok. I am married to an Italian citizen and I wanted to ask what the VISA rules are for her. If I applied for a job and received an offer of work, I presume she would be allowed to the neter the country and live with me as a dependent?

Does this mean she can also look and apply for work on a dependent VISA or not?? If not, how easy is it for her to change her VISA in-country?

Thanks for your help,

Daniel Jarrett

[lopburi3]

Only in/when you obtain one year extension of stay from Immigration would wife be eligible for dependent matching extension. Not really that much of an issue as qualifications for extension are lower for teachers than normal employment. Work permits do not appear to be available on dependent extension so that would require change and likely a quick trip to obtain a non immigrant B visa to get work permit if/when that time comes.

[dghjarrett]

Sorry, I don't quite understand. Does that mean my wife would not be able to travel with me to Thailand?

Or does it mean she would not be able to work at all??

daniel

[lopburi3]

She can travel but can not obtain dependent extension of stay until/unless you obtain extension of stay. And if she finds work that will likely have to be changed to employment stay for her rather than dependent.

[dghjarrett]

Ah ok. Would I be able to apply for Extension of Stay as soon as I have a work permit. I would arrive, start working and get extension of stay??

[lopburi3]

As a teacher it should be an easy route to extension of stay but likely only after being in Thailand for 60 days - for most other jobs it is much harder with company and salary issues.