Have a work permit but no degree

[MadweeJock]

Hi guys and girls.

I have the work permit but no degree. With not being able to get a one year teaching visa, will I be able to get a non b 90 day visa instead of a tourist visa? Can I go to the consulate, show them my WP and my schools employment contract and get a 90 day non b? It's just means a border run every 90 days but heyho I don't mind if it is doable........ can I?

thanks.

[Mario2008]

What kind of school and how do you get a wp if you don't have a non-B visa right now.

For language schools etc. you don't need a degree, for regular elementary and secondary schools you do need a degree.

With a work permit and documents from school you can apply for a non-B visa. Penang might even give you a multiple non-B.

Working on a tourist visa is not allowed.

[MadweeJock]

It's a private school and I do have a non B visa now..... It runs out this month. I cant upgrade to a one year because I need a degree, so I think I have to do a border run every 90 days to get a new non B?

[Mario2008]

You would need a new non-B visa every 90 days, unless you currently have a multiple non-B.

[MadweeJock]

thank for the quick reply.

What documents would I need to show every 90 days?

Work Permit, letter of employment and the usual passport pages photocopies?

cheers

[SlyAnimal]

You should have a go at applying for an extension at immigration, if you haven't already, as I think some offices do allow extensions without a degree provided you have a WP and sufficient justification for your "trainer" position. Although my local office, Amnat Charoen doesn't allow it (But were willing to listen to the reasoning, but then came back with a strong rebuttal)

If you get a new visa, even a new non-B, I think that technically your WP will become invalid, although I don't know if this is actually tracked at all (But I'm pretty sure it's meant to become invalid).

If you get a Non-B visa from an embassy/consulate, they may look at you a bit funny since you weren't granted an extension, it's even possible that they may decline your application. Likewise, upon entering on a second Non-B, or even on a tourist visa, immigration will likely work out that you're working illegally. Although both will probably just let things slide unless you keep doing it long term.

I would thus suggest, that you try to find a better longtime option, however in the shorterm (3-6 months), you will probably be ok.

A visa / extension based on marriage would probably be your best option, although that of course depends on your relationship status. As you are legally allowed to work with a marriage visa, and the DoL seems willing to grant you a WP (even with a degree/teacher's licence), so technically you'd then be legal.

Also of course, if you want to stay in Thailand longterm (5+ years), as a teacher, you should probably look into study options. As the regulations are getting more strict, and if you intend on making teaching a career, then studying education or similar would likely also improve your teaching. Thongsook has a good bachelor degree course which you can study during the school holidays, and there are also multiple online/correspondence options (And of course, if you live in a large city, there may be a university with an appropriate course nearby).

[MadweeJock]

thank you for your help.

[lostinisaan]

You should have a go at applying for an extension at immigration, if you haven't already, as I think some offices do allow extensions without a degree provided you have a WP and sufficient justification for your "trainer" position. Although my local office, Amnat Charoen doesn't allow it (But were willing to listen to the reasoning, but then came back with a strong rebuttal)

If you get a new visa, even a new non-B, I think that technically your WP will become invalid, although I don't know if this is actually tracked at all (But I'm pretty sure it's meant to become invalid).

If you get a Non-B visa from an embassy/consulate, they may look at you a bit funny since you weren't granted an extension, it's even possible that they may decline your application. Likewise, upon entering on a second Non-B, or even on a tourist visa, immigration will likely work out that you're working illegally. Although both will probably just let things slide unless you keep doing it long term.

I would thus suggest, that you try to find a better longtime option, however in the shorterm (3-6 months), you will probably be ok.

A visa / extension based on marriage would probably be your best option, although that of course depends on your relationship status. As you are legally allowed to work with a marriage visa, and the DoL seems willing to grant you a WP (even with a degree/teacher's licence), so technically you'd then be legal.

Also of course, if you want to stay in Thailand longterm (5+ years), as a teacher, you should probably look into study options. As the regulations are getting more strict, and if you intend on making teaching a career, then studying education or similar would likely also improve your teaching. Thongsook has a good bachelor degree course which you can study during the school holidays, and there are also multiple online/correspondence options (And of course, if you live in a large city, there may be a university with an appropriate course nearby).

Hard to understand that some DoL offices do accept being a "trainer", "assistant", or a similar job title.

Also Ubon didn't issue such a work permit, neither did the Immigration in Phiboonmangsahan 18 months ago.

But it seems that Sisaket is a "special" province. Neither Immigration, nor DoL seem to have a problem to issue such visas and work permits.

At least for a bigger well known primary school. I'd never ever make a statement here that those guys are corrupt and take cash for doing so.

A friend of a friend told another friend that the school would pay money to both. DoL and the Immigration for their cervices.

OP, why don't you visit your local DoL and Immigration and ask them if being a "trainer/ assistant" would be accepted?

Good luck, I know that such a situation can cause a huge headache. No money, no honey.

Edited November 11, 2014 by lostinisaan

[Mario2008]

For educational support personel such as a trainer a degree is still needed, but can be compensated for with relevant work experience.

[lostinisaan]

For educational support personel such as a trainer a degree is still needed, but can be compensated for with relevant work experience.

The province I was referring to doesn't seem to have such expectations.

Three trainers at one school, you can't really call it teaching experience when two of them are twenty years old, can you? No degree needed.

35 K+ starting salary, including work permit and visa, plus any other expenses that might pop up, paid by the school, coming with a 12 months contract.

12 contact hours a week.

Sounds pretty much unreal, right?

There's no jealousy involved to point that out.

Just makes me wonder why some experienced teachers with a real degree are making 30 K. Seems that you only have to be at the right place, at the right time.

As already mentioned, there are many ways that lead you to Rome.....

Op, just try the labor department and Immigration. If they're okay, who cares? Another visa run could be dangerous, as you already had a work permit.

But I do not think that this will be a problem. I reckon Sawannakhet, now possible in one day. Was anybody in a similar situation before? G'day.-

[MadweeJock]

Thanks Lost.

I have been teaching for 2 years in Thailand now ( using a one year volunteers visa and then doing multi tourist visas).I had decided to try and go down the legal route for teaching

i found getting a work permit was quite easy and i have a non-b (got it at savvanakhet) My local immigration office is Amnat Chroen. I see from some topics in the forum that they are very strict about visas. I have no degree so i don't think i will get the one year visa.

Trying to do the right thing is giving me an ulcer! :-p

Is it still easy to get double entry tourist visas at savvanakhet? :-)

Edited November 11, 2014 by MadweeJock

[brianp0803]

Are you sure you have a work permit?

It is a completely different document from your passport but about the same size as your passport.

I thought the difficult part was getting the work permit and extension of stay matched the dates on the work permit.

If you plan to live a long time in Thailand you would be advised to get educated.

Probably in your own country opportunities are limited but you can live there legally.

You need to consider if long term working illegal in Thailand is better than opportunities in your own country.

Generally Thailand welcomes people with western education to come and educate their students.

There might be limited opportunities is less popular areas with schools willing to bend or break the rules.

I can't imagine working long time illegally but it may be better than the opportunities in your own country.

[Liquorice]

SlyAnimal, on 10 Nov 2014 - 20:32, said:SlyAnimal, on 10 Nov 2014 - 20:32, said:

A visa / extension based on marriage would probably be your best option, although that of course depends on your relationship status. As you are legally allowed to work with a marriage visa, and the DoL seems willing to grant you a WP (even with a degree/teacher's licence), so technically you'd then be legal.

(even with a degree/teacher's licence)

Surely you meant 'without' Sly.

Edited November 11, 2014 by Faz

[SlyAnimal]

Yes, I meant without :-p

[lostinisaan]

SlyAnimal, on 10 Nov 2014 - 20:32, said:SlyAnimal, on 10 Nov 2014 - 20:32, said:

A visa / extension based on marriage would probably be your best option, although that of course depends on your relationship status. As you are legally allowed to work with a marriage visa, and the DoL seems willing to grant you a WP (even with a degree/teacher's licence), so technically you'd then be legal.

(even with a degree/teacher's licence)

Surely you meant 'without' Sly.

Always these grammar and sentence structure cops on TVF. Sly, I do have some time on the weekend to teach you finest Germish for a beer/minute.

[Abandit]

Teaching if you have a degree or not is 60 to 250k. If you can teach you will get job and visa sorted, immigration is not the problem.

[lostinisaan]

Teaching if you have a degree or not is 60 to 250k. If you can teach you will get job and visa sorted, immigration is not the problem.

60,000 to 250,000 baht- month. How can you make such things up, that you don''t need a degree and the Immigration isn't a problem?

Wrong medication perhaps? Indeed a great first post.

Edited November 11, 2014 by lostinisaan

[brianp0803]

With only 6th grade education it is possible to earn 1,000,000 a month.

Anything is possible, but probably unlikely.