I've just got a one-year contract with a governmental school in Chumphon and need to arrange the proper documents and visas. I found the job through an agency in Bangkok which promised to take care about my visa arrangements. But after reading the forum I am in doubt that the agency offers a right solution.

I entered Thailand by end-March getting a visa exempt stamp for 30 days (Russian passport) and a border-run to Malaysia having another stamp for 30 days stay (expired by May 24th). The agency says that that stamp is a tourist visa which can be converted to non-immigant "B" visa in Bangkok provided I have at least 15 days left before starting the procedures. Therefore I was advised to make a third border-run in the nearest time to get another 30 days stamp.

I think there is a big difference between visa exempt stamp and a tourist visa. Then after reading the news about closure of border runs I don't believe that I get a third time in a row stamp.

To my opinion I have to go to the Thai embassy in KL or Penang (seems to be the nearest to Chumphon) asking for a tourist visa or could I apply there for non-imm "B" already?

I have a contract with the school, originals of my diploma, apartment rental agreement. What else do I need?

Is there an immigration office in Chumphon where I can get a proper advise?

I would highly appreciate comments and suggestions here.

It may be possible apply for conversion in Bangkok from a 30 day exempt entry if you have 15 day remaining on your entry. But it might well require 2 trips to get it done.

You can get a single entry non-b visa for teaching in Penang (KL is a maybe) with the proper documents from the school. In my opinion this would be the best option rather than making border runs for another entry which may not be possible shortly since you already have some.

You will need a (waiver of) the teaching licence from the Teaches Council. For that you need to have at least a bachelor degree. No degree, no waiver, no work permit!

You will get a Non Immigrant B visa in Penang. You need however your contract, an invitational letter from the school and a letter from your local education commission which the school has to get for you. Your passport needs to have 6 months availability and enough blank pages. Photocopies of your passport pages, your degree and transcripts are necessary along with two passport photographs. You may be asked for a police clearance from your home country. Not always required but good to have. Its 2000 MLR. Google on others who have made the trip.

If you have a contract with a government school, the school should be perfectly capable of organising everything for obtaining your work permit. It should not be necessary to engage the services of a 3rd party agency for any part of the operation. Any government school that is not competent to do this or at least find out quickly how to do it, is probably not worth working for - and the caveat is that not even all government schools are competently managed, especially regarding the employment of foreign teachers.

If I remember rightly (I retired from a teaching position in Thailand some years ago), you will need a proper visa (not a 15/30 day stamp) that can be converted to a Non-Imm visa B, but only at a Thai embassy. You will almost certainly need a bachelor degree in a related discipline, failing which you will probably need to do a Thai government recognised course to obtain a teacher's licence irrespective of any TEFL/TESOL certificate which you may have.

At least these were the requirements in force in 2008 and if anything, they will only have become even stricter.

...local education commission...

What is this??

From the MFA website. http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/123/15388-Non-Immigrant-Visa-%22B%22-(for-Business-and.html

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)

I have seen no reports of any nearby embassy or consulate wanting the police certificate.

I suggest that you apply for a non-B visa from another country. Changing type or requesting a visa in thailand is very complicated. Singapore should be the easiest country to get the visa. Other countries like malaysia, lao, vietnam and cambodia require a pre-approval from the department of employment of thailand. What you should do is to check the visa requirements for teacher in the royal thai embassy in singapore's website.

I suggest that you apply for a non-B visa from another country. Changing type or requesting a visa in thailand is very complicated. Singapore should be the easiest country to get the visa. Other countries like malaysia, lao, vietnam and cambodia require a pre-approval from the department of employment of thailand. What you should do is to check the visa requirements for teacher in the royal thai embassy in singapore's website.

In order to get a single entry non-b for teaching does not require a work permit application be done before applying (read info in my previous post),

I don't recommencement going to Singapore for any visa because they can be inconsistent with their requirements.

My friend, myself and many other teachers here go to Bangkok with at least 15 days left on your current stamp and in one visit obtain the B visa. You will however need the required reams of paperwork from the school. Not really a big problem. Then once you have that, the school will obtain a work permit. Good luck.

If you are in Thailand now go to your school and get the necessary documents to obtain a Non B

These include a contract, a letter of employment, a letter from the local Education department, A timetable or work schedule, resume, a copy of your certificates i.e Degree, Diploma and or a TEFL. ( Note it is not necessary to have a degree to get a non but probably will be to get a teaching licence waver and work permit. There are other documents that the school should be aware of like a list of directors, last financial year records.

It is a Government school so they should have all the necessary papers, however, some schools are slack and will leave you floundering if you dont push them.

I went to Savanaket in Laos for my Non B and was lined up for 15 minutes and at the counter for about a minute, picked up my visa next day. You can go to Bangkok but by all accounts its a real hassle.

I worked at a Government school for nearly three years without a degree and now working at a private school. At the Government school I had a lot of issues getting a waiver and work permit because I didnt have a degree and the school refused to follow good advice from Immigration. I did finally get one. With my current school I had to go through the whole procedure again, however this time all went smoothly, seems they have their shit together or are well connected.

If you are in Thailand now go to your school and get the necessary documents to obtain a Non B

These include a contract, a letter of employment, a letter from the local Education department, A timetable or work schedule, resume, a copy of your certificates i.e Degree, Diploma and or a TEFL. ( Note it is not necessary to have a degree to get a non but probably will be to get a teaching licence waver and work permit. There are other documents that the school should be aware of like a list of directors, last financial year records.

It is a Government school so they should have all the necessary papers, however, some schools are slack and will leave you floundering if you dont push them.

I went to Savanaket in Laos for my Non B and was lined up for 15 minutes and at the counter for about a minute, picked up my visa next day. You can go to Bangkok but by all accounts its a real hassle.

I worked at a Government school for nearly three years without a degree and now working at a private school. At the Government school I had a lot of issues getting a waiver and work permit because I didnt have a degree and the school refused to follow good advice from Immigration. I did finally get one. With my current school I had to go through the whole procedure again, however this time all went smoothly, seems they have their shit together or are well connected.

I forgot to say that I have never been asked for a police report but it can be requested according to the immigration website.