Chiang Mai Tefl Gamble?!

[Oliver2524]

Hi All,

I already entered this post under the 'CM Forum', but you know what they say "nothing ventured nothing gained". I apolagise to those who have already read this:

I'm going to leave my present engineering job in the UK with the aim of teaching English for a few years in CM. But, as I don't have a work permit I'm worried about the Visa restrictions and I want to make sure I get a job in Chiang Mai. I have been emailing a few places but as of yet I have had no luck

I think my best option is to do a TEFL course to get teaching contacts. If anyone could make recommendations, or answer any of my questions it would be appreciated soooo much:

• Would schools or language centres supply you either with a work permit or a letter to obtain a 1 year visa?
  

• What are the chances of getting and a work permit prior to coming to Thailand in December without a TEFL certificate? (but I have experience)
  

• If I do a TEFL course what are the chances of being able to gain emloyment within my 3 month visa window & would the provider of the TEFL course provide assistance?
  

• How long does a work permit take to process; any guesses?
  

• Are there any TEFL schools that guarantee a job after completion of the course within Chiang Mai?
  

• What are the chances of me either not finding a teaching job in CM (after working extremely hard!) or ending up having to leave Thailand because my 3 month window has expired?
  

Khop khun mak khrap to anyone who has taken the time to read my post

[Ijustwannateach]

Hi All,

I already entered this post under the 'CM Forum', but you know what they say "nothing ventured nothing gained". I apolagise to those who have already read this:

I'm going to leave my present engineering job in the UK with the aim of teaching English for a few years in CM. But, as I don't have a work permit I'm worried about the Visa restrictions and I want to make sure I get a job in Chiang Mai. I have been emailing a few places but as of yet I have had no luck

If certainty is what you're looking for, Thailand may not be the country you're looking for. There's no way here to be absolutely sure of almost anything, especially if it's work-related. The rules and requirements seem like a moving target.

You seem to have an odd idea about the work permit- it comes AFTER the job, not before. You should probably take a look at this thread.

I think my best option is to do a TEFL course to get teaching contacts. If anyone could make recommendations, or answer any of my questions it would be appreciated soooo much:

I think if you have no previous training or TEFL experience, it would be advisable to do a course. It could help you to make contacts, too.

Would schools or language centres supply you either with a work permit or a letter to obtain a 1 year visa?

Read the red tape thread I link above. The answer is: who knows if they'll help, or if they know what they're doing? Up the very recent past, schools would most likely NOT give you proper paperwork, at least not in any timely way. These days, with greater harassment of schools, the bigger concerns may be forced to get their act together- or not, who knows?

My co-mod on this thread, PB, once posted a poll thread elsewhere (perhaps overdue for this forum, hint, hint, PB) on the topic of just how long it took everyone to get legal.

Please remember that it is Thai government agencies who supply Thai government paperwork. Caveat Emptor regarding anyone else's promises!

What are the chances of getting and a work permit prior to coming to Thailand in December without a TEFL certificate? (but I have experience)

Virtually none whatsoever. Work permits are issued AFTER entry to the country on a non-immigrant "B" visa, followed by the rest of the paperwork process- see the red tape thread once again.

If I do a TEFL course what are the chances of being able to gain emloyment within my 3 month visa window & would the provider of the TEFL course provide assistance?

Who knows? It all depends. When I finally found a school that knew what it was doing and had its act together, the paperwork happened embarrassingly fast, like magic. Before that, there were endless complications and trips to renew my status as I gave up on the schools who had no intention of following through on their legal obligations and promises to me.

How long does a work permit take to process; any guesses?

It all depends on who you are, who they are, and what you need. Did I mention Thailand is an uncertain place? The longest period of time is: never. Seriously, the longest I ever saw it take for a school which did eventually give a work permit to someone was about one year. The shortest period time I've ever heard of? Less than a week.

You may want to ask PB more about the Chiang Mai job market- according to him it didn't seem as if anyone employing teachers in his area up there had ever, ever, ever granted or even heard of a work permit.

Are there any TEFL schools that guarantee a job after completion of the course within Chiang Mai?

Dunno. Maybe? Do a google. I'd say there're probably a fair number of jobs opening up right now, so it wouldn't be a wild claim, but that doesn't mean the job is a good one (most of them aren't).

What are the chances of me either not finding a teaching job in CM (after working extremely hard!) or ending up having to leave Thailand because my 3 month window has expired?

No clue. What are the chances of your having to leave Thailand so quickly? Haven't you saved some money in this "engineering job" you have? Bring some of it to tide you over until you get a job somewhere.

On a somewhat personal note, I'd say you seem awfully concerned with certainty and security. Thailand is perhaps not the place you should start on your TEFL career if your margin of error is so small or if you get stressed out about such things easily.

On a second note, nobody in this country can guarantee you anything about any immigration law- sometimes not even the immigration officers themselves, who depending on their experience and opinion and when and how they are asked may seem to give completely different rulings on different matters when consulted. There are general trends and rules which seem to work- which is how most people can plan ahead- until they don't anymore. Even if there is a rule that becomes fairly dependable, it can always be changed- just look at the recent upheaval in the visa rooms of this forum.

So while TEFL providers and posters on this forum and lawyers and yes, even immigration officers may be giving you advice with the best of intentions, things can still change and go wrong. Uncertainty is part of life here, as those of us resident here know all too well.

"Steven"

[Jonson83]

Seems that no jobs are guaranteed but job contacts are.Thats better than nothing imo...

Have you looked into the place that sponsors this forum? http://www.siameducationalexperience.org/ I was told by another forumer who knows a guy who works there that its reliable and well worth the money.I plan on going to Chiang Mai to teach in March and ill be going with a year long visa hopefully.Why limit yourself to only three months??

[kenkannif]

If they know what they're doing you'll have no problems in obtaining a 15 month multiple entry Non-imm B.