Hi, lookin for advice. Im 36yo English guy married to a Thai lady for 11 years, we sold up in UK and moved to Sakon Nakhon 6 monts ago. I currently have a 1year multi-entry non immigrant visa so im having to go Nong Khai every 90 days. I have got a TEFL qualification but not a degree and have been offered a job at a local primary school. The teaching would begin in May. What are my options? Thanks.

If you have a monthly income of 40K per month or 400K in the bank, apply for a one year extension of stay based on your marriage. If not, continue as you have been.

You can get a work permit with your current visa because it is based upon marriage to a Thai.

Once you have the work permit you can continue to use your visa or get an extension of stay. If you have income of 40k baht or more you could do it based upon marriage. Or an extension based upon teaching.

You need a waiver of the teaching license and for that you need to have a degree in order to teach. The waiver is only valid for some time, allwoing you time to become a qualified teacher.

Make sure the local labour office is willing to issue a work permit without a waiver of the teaching license and immigration willing to give an extension of stay based on your work without the waiver! The rules say you need the waiver.

If you can get an extension based on marriage you will still need the WP but only for the labour office, not immigration.

hi guys, thanks for your replies. Seems like the 400k in the bank is my easiest option. Not sure what the situation will be regards a teaching licence and work permit. Ive been assured by the headmaster that my lack of a degree is no problem, however he is my mother in-laws nephew and ive already learned that round this neck of the woods rules and regulations can be forgotten about if you know the right people.

The extension of stay based upon marriage is the best option because if you were to loose your job your extension would not go away with it. When you have the money in the bank in your name only for 60 days you can do your extension.