Non Education Visa ?

[robson]

Please can someone give me some advice on my non education visa ?

I came to Thailand on a one year non education visa, which was dated 14th December 2010. The one year visa is due to run out on the 14th December 2011.

In that time i had to go back to England for a family bereavement. I left Thailand the 13th September and returned on the 9th October. On my return my passport was stamped for the 6th january 2012. I am currently living and working in Thailand but need some advice on what my next move will be concerning my non education visa.

If anyone can advise me on my situation or point me in the right direction it would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks for reading this post.

Robson

[lopburi3]

I am currently living and working in Thailand

What exactly do you want to know? Do you have a work permit? Working without one is illegal. So you need to apply for a work permit and then apply for a visa that will allow work permit to be issued and return using that for new entry and extension(s).

[wayned]

It seems that you have a one year multiple entry NON-ED visa that expires on December 14, 2011. You entered Thailand on 9 October and were given permission to stay until 6 January 2012 (90 days). To be able to provide credable answers you need to provide some other information:

1. Are you attending school? What kind?

2. If you are attending school are you going to continue past January?

3. You say you are working, do you have a work permit?

4. How old are you?

5. Are you married to a Thai, or have Thai dependants?

[robson]

I am currently living and working in Thailand

What exactly do you want to know? Do you have a work permit? Working without one is illegal. So you need to apply for a work permit and then apply for a visa that will allow work permit to be issued and return using that for new entry and extension(s).

Hi lopburi3,

I am currently working with an agency and i am employed at a school here. I have been at the school since May and the agency said they will be supplying me with work permit and visa, but nothing has happened so this has left me in a difficult position. I was enquiring when my non education visa runs out do i have to leave the country to get a 3 month extension to stay in Thailand ? My school have informed me that they wish to take me on, on a full time basis once the end of term comes in March, but told me i have to go on a tourist visa first then they will apply for a non imigrant b .. then a full work permit.

This is all very confusing to me. What do you suggest ?

Rob

[robson]

It seems that you have a one year multiple entry NON-ED visa that expires on December 14, 2011. You entered Thailand on 9 October and were given permission to stay until 6 January 2012 (90 days). To be able to provide credable answers you need to provide some other information:

1. Are you attending school? What kind?

2. If you are attending school are you going to continue past January?

3. You say you are working, do you have a work permit?

4. How old are you?

5. Are you married to a Thai, or have Thai dependants?

Hi there,

Yes i work for a government school

I will be continuing to the end of term in March

I do not possess a work permit as i have been waiting on one from my agency

I am 42 years old

I am not married to a Thai or have any children

Rob

[lopburi3]

The agency appears to be a scam (not uncommon) and you are at risk. You also do not have any valid reason for an extension or new visa - you could exit now and get a permission to stay until March (return before December 14th expiration of visa). Then a tourist visa to apply for work permit?

You/school can apply for work permit from a tourist visa and then obtain the non immigrant B visa but are they going to do this or run you around as the agency has done for the last year? Do you have a degree and otherwise meet employment guidelines for teaching?

[wayned]

It seems that you have a one year multiple entry NON-ED visa that expires on December 14, 2011. You entered Thailand on 9 October and were given permission to stay until 6 January 2012 (90 days). To be able to provide credable answers you need to provide some other information:

1. Are you attending school? What kind?

2. If you are attending school are you going to continue past January?

3. You say you are working, do you have a work permit?

4. How old are you?

5. Are you married to a Thai, or have Thai dependants?

Hi there,

Yes i work for a government school

I will be continuing to the end of term in March

I do not possess a work permit as i have been waiting on one from my agency

I am 42 years old

I am not married to a Thai or have any children

Rob

First, an ED visa was granted for you to attend school -Thai Language,Scuba Diving, University, etc - not to teach school.You are also working without a work permit which is illegal, but I can fully understand the problem because you are working for an agency, and not all are reputable. I know by personal experience. Rather than me answer the same time Lopburi 3 is answering you, he knows more about what your options are so I will defer to him. Good luck, you might need it!

[robson]

The agency appears to be a scam (not uncommon) and you are at risk. You also do not have any valid reason for an extension or new visa - you could exit now and get a permission to stay until March (return before December 14th expiration of visa). Then a tourist visa to apply for work permit?

You/school can apply for work permit from a tourist visa and then obtain the non immigrant B visa but are they going to do this or run you around as the agency has done for the last year? Do you have a degree and otherwise meet employment guidelines for teaching?

Yes this agency has not met the requirements it promised to me when starting with the company.

I have my bachelors degree

Tefl to teach English

I worked in South Korea for 2 years

My school have promised that there is a job for me at the end of term and advised me to get my passport stamped for a 90 day extension.

Would you advise me to do a border run ? where is the best place to go ? would the 12th December be ok to do this ?

Rob

[lopburi3]

Mai Sot should be open again tomorrow but read here to confirm - suspect that would be the best crossing for you from previous posts of your location. Border crossing should be open on holidays or weekends so that should not be a factor.

[robson]

Mai Sot should be open again tomorrow but read here to confirm - suspect that would be the best crossing for you from previous posts of your location. Border crossing should be open on holidays or weekends so that should not be a factor.

Thanks lopburi for your help,

Can you answer me this last question?

I left Thailand and came back on the 9th October i was issued with a new stamp to run to the 6th January .. The stamp says non ed on it, does that mean i can leave before the 6th January or do i have to leave before the 14th December ?

Rob

[lopburi3]

It means on/before the 6th of January unless you depart/return before December 14th for a new 90 day stay.

[wayned]

I said that I was going to butt out , but I'm going to butt back in for a minute. A long time ago I had exactly the same problem, but I was on a marriage extension. The school said that they would hire us (4 of us) direct for the next term and they did even though there was a clause in the contract with the agency that stated that if they hired any of the teachers that they supplied direct the contract was automatically extended. The problem was that the school has a contract with the agency to supply "warm bodies" and that's what they did. My friend was fired at 6;00 one morning because he threatened to tell MOE about the scam. He was replaced the following week. That was in 2004 and the agency is still in business pulling the same tricks today. I know for a fact because I've been in contact with SADWING and it is the same agency that he's having the same problem with, might even be who you are working for, so tread lightly. PM me and I'll tell you the name. Sorry for butting back in.

[robson]

I said that I was going to butt out , but I'm going to butt back in for a minute. A long time ago I had exactly the same problem, but I was on a marriage extension. The school said that they would hire us (4 of us) direct for the next term and they did even though there was a clause in the contract with the agency that stated that if they hired any of the teachers that they supplied direct the contract was automatically extended. The problem was that the school has a contract with the agency to supply "warm bodies" and that's what they did. My friend was fired at 6;00 one morning because he threatened to tell MOE about the scam. He was replaced the following week. That was in 2004 and the agency is still in business pulling the same tricks today. I know for a fact because I've been in contact with SADWING and it is the same agency that he's having the same problem with, might even be who you are working for, so tread lightly. PM me and I'll tell you the name. Sorry for butting back in.

Hey Wayned we are in the same boat, there are 4 of us teaching in the school at the moment and have all been offered contracts come the end of term .. we are just waiting on a few legalities with the school and the agency .. we have contracts ready and waiting to be signed with the school but till they sort out their differences with the agency then we can only sit and wait.. i would be interested to know the name of the agency your friend dealt with .. how do i send a pm ?

Rob

[robson]

It means on/before the 6th of January unless you depart/return before December 14th for a new 90 day stay.

Lopburi3

You have been a great help, i am very disappointed with the company i work for and would be pleased to pass on the name of this agency for future reference for you.

Rob

[lopburi3]

Click on the envelope icon under his name to send PM.