Hello!

I found work as an englisch teacher. I wanna get a non-immigrant B visa from Penang. I was told there they need a Thai transcription of my german (Jawohl, mein Herr) bachelor honours degree. Is that true? Or is it enough if it is in English? I have to submit my CV as well, right? Do I need to translate it to Thai as well?

Another thing is: I am hired through a teachers agency. They prepare the documents for me so I can get the non-immigrant B visa, but after I return from Malaysia they don't want to get the work permit for me done. How stupid is that? If I am not mistaken that means that every three month I have to go down to Malaysia and apply for another non B, right? With the work permit I could just extend another 90 days at the Immigration Office, but without the work permit the visa expires after 90 days and I have to leave the country, right?

Agency says they made the experience that many teachers left them after they got their work permits. Gives them a headache and a lot of work... I am a bit confused now. Should I insist on getting a work permit?

Thanks to you gurus in advance!

Cheers

Mangkud

The transcription of your educational papers would be for your Thai teaching license, which comes earlier in the paperwork process than the work permit. I would guess you are working for a private school, as the public schools currently (though the only certain thing is change) can more or less vet their own teachers at present.

More than likely you will be working for a school that depends on cowboy labour. It's you that would theoretically be subject to prison or deportation if caught working without a permit. The school will tell you not to worry. But as the Thais say, it's up to you. There aren't a lot of places that *will* give you a work permit, no matter how good your qualifications, your experience, or your ability to spell "English."

You may wish to read some/all of the threads in the Teaching subforum, where this post is really probably more topical.

"Steven"

The transcription of your educational papers would be for your Thai teaching license, which comes earlier in the paperwork process than the work permit. I would guess you are working for a private school, as the public schools currently (though the only certain thing is change) can more or less vet their own teachers at present.

More than likely you will be working for a school that depends on cowboy labour. It's you that would theoretically be subject to prison or deportation if caught working without a permit. The school will tell you not to worry. But as the Thais say, it's up to you. There aren't a lot of places that *will* give you a work permit, no matter how good your qualifications, your experience, or your ability to spell "English."

You may wish to read some/all of the threads in the Teaching subforum, where this post is really probably more topical.

"Steven"

If I were you I'd give the agency a middle finger and go and get a job yourself at a school.

I did one year for an agency in BKK, never again! No benefits and all shady/illegal employment. ie, no Work Permit, no teaching licence, no 12 month visa, no tax number.

FYI, the company's name is an anagram of CAPE.

Wow, that was the bestest spelling mistake I could possibly make. I'm pretty embarrassed, must have come from some subconscious regions of my brain.

Anyhow, thanks for your replies!

With the situation I mentioned I'd have to go to apply for a non-B visa every 3 months, right? Can someone confirm this please?

Gotta think now... it's a public school by the way and I pretty much like it there... I think I can persuade my agency to get the work permit done.