Getting A Work Permit

[rizlastrange]

I am a 53 year old British male, currently staying in Thailand on a six month triple entry tourist visa.

My current tourist visa expires on 5th May 2012.

I have been offered a job teaching English in a school in Krabi, which is near where I am living. The job starts on 1st May 2012.

They have told me that they will start the work permit-visa process on the day I start work.

I know I cannot legally work on a Tourist visa.

1) Will I need to get a visa to cover me for the period from when my current visa expires to when my work permit-visa starts?

2) What is involved in applying for a work permit-visa?

I have asked at the local immigration office and they are happy to extend my current visa for 30 days.

2) Will 30 days be long enough?

3) If not, what course of action would the users of Thai Visa recommend?

[beano2274]

You need to apply for a work permit, and get a receipt, this you then take with stacks of other documents from the school to a Consulate like Penang, they will issue you a Non Immigrant B visa for work, you return to Thailand, go to the Ministry of Labour with a copy and the original visa, and collect your WP, then before the visa expires go to the local Immigration office and get an extension based on work.

[Mario2008]

You are not allowed to start working without a work permit. So have them start the work permit application first, they need to do that in order for you to get a non-B visa anyway.

[PattayaPhom]

Its common practice for schools that struggle to find someone willng to teach for them to say this......they hope you believe them and settle in well so a work permit is the last thing on your mind, when you ask it will always be dont worry is coming next week. If they havnt even given you the paperwork to obtain a Non B visa then how on earth are they going to be able to apply for a WP....basic docs needed include copy of your passport with visa, entry stamps etc.....

[Sydneycraig]

Its common practice for schools that struggle to find someone willng to teach for them to say this......they hope you believe them and settle in well so a work permit is the last thing on your mind, when you ask it will always be dont worry is coming next week. If they havnt even given you the paperwork to obtain a Non B visa then how on earth are they going to be able to apply for a WP....basic docs needed include copy of your passport with visa, entry stamps etc.....

Surely they would struggle less if they organized wp properly and on time?!

[PattayaPhom]

Yes it would....but for whatever reason, so many schools do not give a WP just promise one....may not be the case with the Op however it is very common

[lopburi3]

I believe at least some local Consulates will issue a non immigrant B visa without the work permit receipt for those with teaching documents (at least this seemed to be the case in past years) but I would suggest checking on the teaching forum. Below is the MFA listed requirements.

2.4 Non-Immigrant Visa Category “B” (Teaching) Foreigners who intend to take up employment as school teachers at the levels below university level in Thailand must submit the following required documents:

- Passport or travel document with validity of not less than 6 months

- Completed visa application form

- Recent passport-sized photograph (4 x 6 cm) of the applicant taken within the past 6 months.

- Letter of acceptance from employing institute or school in Thailand.

- Letter of approval from government agencies such as the Office of the Private Education Commission, the Office of the Basic Education Commission.

- Evidence of educational qualification such as diplomas or teaching certificates.

- School license or business registration, list of shareholders and school profile.

- Applicant’s resume.

- Police certificate verifying that applicant has no criminal record or equivalents or letter issued by authorised agencies in applicant’s country. (The requirement of the submission of such police certificate is optional. The applicant must submit it if consular officer requests he/she to do so. This requirement is effective as from May 2007)

[Newguy70]

Hi Guys,

Can anyone tell me if a High School Diploma, and Tefl are considered....

- Evidence of educational qualification such as diplomas or teaching certificates.

Thank you in advance...

[Mario2008]

It should be. But to teach at a normal school you will need a teacher license, which you will not get with your qualifications. Instead you will get a 2 year waiver, giving you time to get the right educational degree. if needed you can get another 2 year waiver.

For a language school or university no teaching license is required.

[Newguy70]

Thank you for the prompt reply. I was reading on some sites , not to be mentioned here that alot of individuals were getting denied the work permit if no Bachelors degree. I had heard of the waiver, but wasn't quite sure. . .

My employer wants me to undertake this , but they have no clue on how to go about it, or where to begin. Ahhh the water is so dark, and mirky. . .

So I have a fifty/fifty shot it sounds like. . . . TIT

:-)

Posted with Thaivisa App http://apps.thaivisa.com