Non-Immigrant B Visa | Thai visa Categories | Guide for Teachers in Thailand
Thai visa categories | Understanding the Different Thai Visa categories
Entering any country for tourism or employment purposes can be complicated, especially when dealing with government officials. The information presented here is to help you understand some of the visa categories and the document process and requirements for employment in Thailand.
You should note that Embassy/Consular Officers & Immigration Officers reserve the right to request additional documents when they deem it necessary & reserve the right to refuse the issuance of a visa.
It is advisable to always present yourself in good shape, together with your passport, application, and money.
Below is a list of the various Thai visas available for visitors to Thailand:
THAILAND TOURIST VISA
A Thailand tourist visa is a stamp or sticker placed in your passport granting you a 60-day stay in Thailand for tourism. You can apply in your home country at the Thai Embassy or Thai Consulate or in a Thai Embassy or Thai Consulate in a neighbouring country to Thailand.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED WHEN APPLYING FOR A Thai TOURIST VISA
Passport with a validity of not less than six months
Completed visa application form
Two recent 4x6cm photographs of the applicant
Round-trip air ticket
Bank statement with proof of financial means, typically 20,000 baht per person and 40,000 baht per family
Hotel reservation in Thailand for at least one/two days
The Visa Fee is usually 1,000 baht for a single entry, which is 60 days.
THAILAND 30-DAY VISA EXEMPT STAMP AT THE AIRPORT-VISA EXEMPTION SCHEME
If you are a passport holder from one of the <<<64 nations in the visa-exempt scheme>>>, you can arrive at the Thai international airport without a Thai visa in your passport, and immigration officers can issue a 30-day visa-exempt stamp entirely free.
HOWEVER, IMMIGRATION OFFICERS CAN ASK TO SEE EVIDENCE OF THE FOLLOWING WHEN ENTERING THAILAND ON A VISA EXEMPTION
Proof of a flight/bus ticket/train ticket out of Thailand within 30 days
Proof of financial means, typically 20,000 baht per person and 40,000 baht for a family
Evidence of a hotel booking for at least 1-2 days
THAILAND 30-DAY VISA EXEMPT STAMP AT A LAND BORDER - VISA EXEMPTION SCHEME
If you are a passport holder from one of the <<<64 nations in the visa-exempt scheme,>>> then you can arrive at a land border crossing without a Thai visa in your passport, and immigration officers can issue a 30-day visa-exempt stamp entirely free.
HOWEVER, IMMIGRATION OFFICERS CAN ASK TO SEE EVIDENCE OF THE FOLLOWING WHEN ENTERING THAILAND ON A VISA EXEMPTION
Proof of a flight/bus ticket/train ticket out of Thailand within 30 days
Proof of financial means, typically 20,000 baht per person and 40,000 baht for a family
Evidence of a hotel booking for at least 1-2 days
A 30-day visa-exempt stamp via land border crossing is only issued twice a calendar year
THAILAND NON-IMMIGRANT B VISA-(NON-B)
A Non-Immigrant B visa is essential for anyone who wishes to earn an income while living in Thailand. It is a requirement for employment and provides an initial 90 days in the country with the ability to extend the visa to match the duration of the employment contract.
You can apply for a Non-Immigrant B Visa in your home country at the Thai Embassy or Thai Consulate or in a Thai embassy or Thai Consulate in a neighbouring country to Thailand. Laos is one of the most frequented countries for Thai visa applications.
Read the KET Laos visa run guide for more details about applying for a Non-Immigrant B Visa for teaching in Thailand at a Thai Embassy/Consulate in a neighbouring country to Thailand.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED WHEN APPLYING FOR A THAILAND NON-IMMIGRANT B VISA (Teaching)
Passport or travel document with validity not less than six months
Completed Visa application form
Recent (4 x 6 cm.) photograph of the applicant
Letter of acceptance from employing institute or school in Thailand.
A Letter of approval from the relevant government agencies:
Office of the Private Education Commission
Office of the Basic Education Commission
Degree & Transcript or diplomas/certificates
School license
Some embassies/consulates require a Police certificate verifying that the applicant has no criminal record issued by authorized agencies in the applicant's country.
Note: *This list is not comprehensive; the document process is complicated. Embassy & Consular Officers always reserve the right to request additional documents when they deem it necessary, & Immigration Officers reserve the right to refuse the issuance of a visa.
Note: *It takes about 7-14 days to process the documents for the Non-B Visa. Once the documents have been processed, a teacher can go on a visa run to apply for the Non-B visa from a consulate in a neighbouring country.
Note: Non-formal schools have different requirements to teach English in Thailand than the ones listed above. The requirements above are for formal Thai schools.
THAILAND VISA EXTENSIONS
Thai visas are extendable at immigration offices of the Thai Government Department throughout Thailand. All visa extensions cost 1,900 baht regardless of the type of extension & duration.
A Tourist Visa is extendable for no more than 30 days per single entry (60 days). The cost is 1,900 baht and can be done at any immigration office nationwide.
A 30-day exempt stamp is extendible for no more than 30 days per entry. The cost is 1,900 baht and can be done at any immigration office nationwide.
Non-Immigrant B visas are extendable for a period not exceeding one year with the correct documents. In general, for extensions of Non-Immigrant B visas, the Immigration Office in the province where you reside is responsible.
Note: *An extension for a Non-B visa cannot be applied until the teacher's license and work permits are acquired. The application for a Non-Immigrant B visa extension is only possible in person, and a representative from the school/company must accompany you. Also, a Non-B visa can only be done during the last 30 days of the initial 90-day visa.
THAILAND TEACHER’S LICENSE
A Teacher's License is required to teach in a Thai school, except for universities and private language schools. A teaching license is a 5-year license that looks much like a driving license.
The TCT, a Thai Government Department (Thailand Teachers Council), is responsible for issuing the Teacher's License.
A full five-year teacher's license is only issued if you have a degree in education or a PGCE or Teacher's License from your home country. You must also complete a Thai culture course administered by an accredited provider before the TCT will issue you a teacher's license.
If your Bachelor's degree is not in education, then a 2-year temporary permission/waiver can be issued by the TCT. The license renewal will be every two years if you don’t move schools.
Applicants who wish to apply for the two-year waiver to teach without a full license must have a degree from a recognized university. The degree can be in any subject and does not have to have any relation to education whatsoever.
In Thailand, if you are not a holder of a passport from the UK, USA, Australia, Canada, or New Zealand, you will be required to take a TOEIC test.
The TOEIC Test Score is needed to demonstrate your English Proficiency level. The TOEIC Test can be taken at centres across 160 countries, including Thailand. Go to kidsenglishthailand.org/blog//toeic-test-thailand to read more about the TOEIC Test in Thailand.
Note: *Your school/recruiter should make the application to the TCT, and you should only be asked to provide and sign documents. The application cannot be submitted until the teacher has the initial 90-day Non-Immigrant B visa.
THAILAND WORK PERMIT
A work permit allows a non-Thai citizen to work in Thailand as a skilled professional. A work permit is required to teach abroad and be able to work legally in the Kingdom of Thailand. Once the work permit is received, the individual must work only with the company named in the work permit. The duration of a work permit typically matches the term of your contract.
Note: *A work permit cannot be applied for until a teacher has the initial 90-day Non-Immigrant B visa and the teacher's license or TCT waiver has been granted.
THAI WORK PERMIT COST-THE FEES FOR A WORK PERMIT IN THAILAND VARY ACCORDING TO THE DURATION OF THE WORK PERMIT
100 Baht/form = Application Fee
750 Baht = not longer than three months
1,500 Baht = longer than three months but does not exceed six months
3,000 Baht = longer than six months but does not exceed one year
DOCUMENTS TYPICALLY REQUIRED WHEN APPLYING FOR A Thai WORK PERMIT FOR A TEACHING JOB
Photos
Photocopies copies of your degree, transcripts, and any other certificates you may have
Photocopy of every page of your passport
School director's license
Map of school
Teaching schedule of the teacher
List of other work permit holders at the school
Teachers License
Medical Check
Note: *In Thailand, when you submit a photocopy of a document, it must be signed by you. Failure to sign a photocopy will result in it not being accepted to support an application.
THAILAND WORK PERMIT MEDICAL CHECK
A registered doctor in Thailand must complete and sign a generic form. The doctor is required to check/test for syphilis, elephantiasis & drug/alcohol addiction.
However, ask ten different teachers, and you'll hear ten other stories. Some teachers went to local clinics, paid 50 baht, were in and out in ten minutes, and the doctor didn't even pick up a stethoscope.
Others went to a hospital, paid up to 1000 baht, and were required to give blood & urine.
It all depends on which province you're in and what the Labor Office requests. Acquiring a medical certificate in Thailand is not difficult; you will get guidance and support when the time comes.
90-DAY REPORTING IN THAILAND
If you are a foreigner residing in Thailand for more than 90 consecutive days and holding a Non- Immigrant Visa, you are required by Thai Immigration to report your address every 90 days. You must file this report within seven days or seven days after your 90-day report is due. However, leaving Thailand anytime during the 90 days cancels the need to make the report. The 90 days will start from day one upon your re-entry into Thailand.
Filing the 90-day report is relatively easy. You can report to Thai Immigration in person or send the 90-day report via registered mail.
Note: *Failure to follow the 90-day reporting rule can result in a fine of 2,000 THB
THAILAND RE-ENTRY PERMITS
If you leave Thailand for a day trip, a holiday, or for any reason, your visa will become void/cancelled.
If you went on a day trip, to say Laos or Myanmar, and tried to come back into Thailand, either immigration will decline your entry, or you will be granted admission on a 30-day visa-exempt stamp, as the visa you had will be void/cancelled. Your work permit and visa are connected; if one is cancelled, so is the other. Leaving the country and voiding/cancelling your visa will result in the documentation starting from scratch.
You can stop your visa from being cancelled/voided by purchasing a Re-Entry permit.
A Re-Entry Permit enables you to leave the country without revoking your visa. You can apply for a re-entry permit at any immigration office across the nation and at the airport immigration office; however, only on the day, you are flying.
WHEN APPLYING FOR A RE-ENTRY PERMIT, YOU WILL NEED TO SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING
A completed TM-8 form
A passport-sized photo (of yourself)
Photocopy of passport (main page and latest entry stamp)
THAI RE-ENTRY PERMIT FEES
1,000 Baht for a single (Can only use to leave and Re-enter once)
3,800 Baht for multiple (You can apply to leave and re-enter as many times as you desire during the duration of the visa)
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU OVERSTAY A VISA IN THAILAND?
Don't overstay a visa in Thailand. It's as simple as that. The rules are getting stricter and stricter. At best, you will have to pay a fine of 500 baht per day multiplied by the number of days you have overstayed, not exceeding 20,000 baht. At worst (if the overstay is long), you will be barred from entering the country for X number of years.
There's little point in going into detail!
DON'T OVERSTAY A THAI VISA!
CAN I TEACH ENGLISH IN THAILAND WITHOUT A TEFL CERTIFICATE?
Yes! Teaching in Thailand without the TEFL certification - i.e., legally speaking is allowed. TEFL is highly recommended because holding TEFL Certification, even an online TEFL Certification, can enable you to be considered for competitive jobs. Also, the TEFL Certification can improve your teaching experience and give you an insight into how to teach and lesson plan; and is an excellent addition to your resume.
NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKERS
When teaching English abroad, it is vital to know that Thailand recognizes five native English speaker countries. Ireland, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the USA, and the UK are the official native English speaker countries that Thailand recognizes as native speakers. For foreign teachers without a passport for one of the countries listed above, a TOEIC English Proficiency Test Score of B2 (600+) or above is recommended as it is a requirement for non-native foreign language English speakers.
HAVE A CLEAN CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK
It is required that all foreigners undergo a comprehensive criminal background check to teach abroad. This can include background checks at the state level or a local police check for the USA. A basic police clearance certificate showing no criminal record is required for people from other countries.
VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR TEACHING ENGLISH IN THAILAND
As an English foreign teacher or another subject teacher, you must legally have a Non-Immigrant B/O visa to teach English in Thailand. Foreign English teachers without a Non-Immigrant B/O Visa would be working illegally. To work legally in a Thai Formal School, a Bachelor's degree is required; however, in a Non-Formal school, the owner can legally select to employ a foreign teacher without a bachelor's degree.
Documents Required When Applying for a Thailand Non-Immigrant B Visa for Teaching English or Other Subjects in a Formal School
Passport or travel document with validity not less than six months
Completed Visa application form
Recent (4 x 6 cm.) photograph of the applicant
Letter of acceptance from employing institute or school in Thailand.
A Letter of approval from the relevant government agencies:
Office of the Private Education Commission
Office of the Basic Education Commission
Bachelor'sDegree & Transcript or diplomas/certificates
School license
REQUIREMENTS TO TEACH ENGLISH IN THAILAND
You must have a Bachelor's Degree (not a teaching degree) in any subject to legally teach English for other subjects; the degree must match the subject taught.
If you are not from a country on the Thai Government list as a Native English Speaker countries, you will need an English Proficiency Exam certificate.
You must bring the original degree, certificates & transcripts with you to Thailand, and they must be legalized in your home country and then authenticated at the Thai Embassy in your Home Country.
Age Range: 22-60 years old, and must be in good health.
Contract Period: The contract period is preferably an entire school year, which is May-March or November to October.
Experience: No previous experience is necessary
Classroom Assistants and Co-teachers
In Thailand, Co-Teachers are the most common form of support provided to a foreign teacher. Co-Teachers all have at least a Bachelor's degree and teach the same students and help the foreign teacher understand the foreign language government school curriculum of Thailand.
THAI TEACHING JOB LOCATIONS
For the more desirable location jobs, you will be competing against several applicants—many of whom will be native English Teachers and TEFL certified. As more and more new English teachers undergo TEFL Training every year, you may find yourself increasingly uncompetitive in the Thailand teaching job market. Holding a TEFL is vital if you don't have a university degree. Your chances of being invited to interview are significantly increased when you demonstrate to a potential employer that you have TEFL Training and studied teaching theory, and have practised those techniques. The jobs range from teaching children English to lecturing at Thai universities.
Find teaching jobs
Look no further than The Teach & Discover Thailand Teacher Training Program is open for applications from graduates in any field.
Located in the beautiful province of Sukhothai, Thailand, the teach-in-Thailand program provides meaningful work and travel opportunities via training and a salaried teaching job in Thailand using the English Language as the means of instruction.
The teaching experience gives you a chance to earn money, learn a new language, & meet new people, all while discovering Thailand's diverse and beautiful landscape.
The teach-in-Thailand training program ensures you adapt to living in Thailand and are fully prepared for the classroom! There is English teacher teaching jobs and other teaching jobs taught in the English Language, for example, Math, Health, Science, Sport, and Art.
The cost of living in Thailand is very inexpensive; your salary will easily cover living expenses creating a wonderful teaching experience; you will have plenty of time to travel around this beautiful country to visit its temples, national parks & paradisaical beaches!
Related
Go to kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/ththailand-arrival-and-departure-card-immigration-form-tm-6 to read about Thailand’s Entry & Exit Card called a TM6.
Go to kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/thailand-grants-visa-extensions to read about changes in the free visa exemption scheme being increased from 30 to 45 days.
Go to kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/thai-work-permit to read about the Thai Work Permit.
Go to kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/applying-for-a-police-clearance-certificate-in-bangkok-thailand to read how to apply for a Thai Police Clearance Certificate.
Go to kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/thai-motorcycle-license-personal-experience-and-tips to read Teacher Simon’s Guest Blog about acquiring a Thai Motorcycle License.
Go to kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/the-thai-school-calendar to read about Thailand's school year and how it differs from most other countries.
Go to kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/thai-work-permit to understand the requirements and process of applying for a Thai Work Permit.
Go to https://kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/the-complete-guide-to-the-thai-alphabet to read a detailed guide to the Thai language, the Thai alphabet, and some useful Thai words and numbers.
Go to kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/seasons-in-thailand-explained to read about the seasons in Thailand.
Go to kidsenglishthailand.org/blog/teachers-license-thailand to read about Thailand’s Teacher License Requirements.
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