Visas, Work Permits and Legal Stuff

OEG Teach in Thailand: May & June 2024

Before We Begin

 

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Table of Contents

1. Non-Immigrant B Visa

2. 3-Step Government Process

3. Process Summary

4. Re-Entry Permit

5. 90-Days Reporting

6. Thai Immigration

7. After the Program

8. Final Reminders

9. Upcoming Online Sessions Announcement

 

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What You Already Have & What You Need: 

• What you already have: Immigrant Non-B visa
• What you will need to get: 3-Step process with 3 Government agencies:

1. Thai Teaching Permit (Teacher’s Council of Thailand)
2. Work Permit (Ministry of Labour)
3. Visa Extension (Thai Immigration Bureau) 

• YOU will also be responsible for obtaining Re-Entry Permits and 90 Day Reporting which will be discussed further in the session. 

 

Upon Arrival at Your School

• Pay your accommodation security deposit (if applicable).
• Sign a contract with your school.
  • Read carefully before signing and always ask for a copy.
  • If you have any questions about the contract please contact OEG.
• Sign any necessary documents for further visa process in Thailand.
  • Ask your school to clarify documents before your sign.

 

Non-Immigrant B Visa

• If you are here you have a Non-B Visa, Yay!
• Allows you to apply for a Work Permit which you need to work legally in Thailand.
• This visa is school-specific.
• Let’s you stay in Thailand for an initial 90-days.
• Can be extended for length of your school’s work contract (up to 1 year).

 

 

Entry Stamp

• Let’s you stay in Thailand for initial 90-days
• Your passport should have been stamped with a stamp that looks similar to this and should state “Non-B.”
• You should have 90 days from the date you entered Thailand.

 

 

3-Step Government Process:

Other Required Documents

First 3 required documents you should have already brought from home country:

1.Original Passport with Non-Immigrant B Visa 

2.Original Diploma and Transcripts

3.Legalized Diploma

Last 3 required documents will be obtained in Thailand: 

1.Thai medical report

2.Several recent full face photos

3.Various paperwork and official documents from your school

 

The Process Summary

 

 

1. You give all of your paper work to your school.

2. School then applies at the Teacher's Council for your Teaching Permit. This step will happen behind the scenes. You will not be involved in this process.

3. Once your school receives confirmation your Teaching Permit is complete they will start on your documents for your Work Permit with the Labour Department. 

4. You will join your school in person dropping off your documents with the Labour department as well as picking up your completed Work Permit.

5. Once you have your Work Permit, you will go with your school to the Immigration Bureau to complete your visa extension. 

6. Once visa extension is complete the process for legally working in Thailand is complete. Hooray! Congratulations! 

OEG will send you confirmation when your school has completed this 3-step process.
Please contact OEG if you have not received this confirmation by August 1st, 2024.

 

Re-Entry Permit

• Please remember your Non-B Visa is a single entry visa. This means you can enter Thailand with it ONE time.
• Re-Entry permit let’s you exit and re-enter Thailand on the same visa, without canceling it.
• Valid for as long as your visa.
• Single Re-Entry = 1,000 baht (allows you to exit and re-enter Thailand one time.)
• Multiple Re-Entry = 3,800 baht (allows you to exit and re-enter Thailand an unlimited number of times as long as your visa is still valid.)
• What you will need:

1. Passport
2. Copies of: Passport, Visa Extension, Entry Stamp
3. Application form (TM.8)
4. Color Photo (see example below)
5. 1,000 or 3,800 THB fee

• IF YOU LEAVE THE COUNTRY WITHOUT A RE-ENTRY PERMIT YOUR WORK VISA WILL BE CANCELED!
• Note: TM6 is currently suspended

 

Color Photo Example

• Portrait: 4cm x 6cm
• Blue Background
• Formal wear
• No earrings / glasses

 

Where Can I get  Re-Entry Permit

Option 1: You can get a re-entry permit at the same immigration office where your visa was extended.

Option 2: You can get a re-entry permit at the following international airports in Thailand: Chiang Mai (CNX), Don Mueang (DMK), or Survanabhumi (BKK) airports.

• If you plan to get a re-entry permit at the airport please arrive at the airport 3-4 hours before your departure time.

 

90-Day Reporting

• All foreigners working in Thailand MUST report to your local Immigration office every 90 days.
• It is your responsibility to know your dates and report to Immigration every 90 days.
• DO NOT depend on your school to remember.
• Can report between 15 days before and 7 days after the 90^th day.
• 2,000 THB fine for not reporting on time.
• You can report: In person, by mail, online (usually doesn't work)
• Your first 90 day report might be done when you extend your visa. Please confirm this with your school.
• What you need:

1. Passport
2. Application form (TM.47)
3. Copy of the receipt of the first 24hr Report / TM.30 at your permanent accommodation in your province.
4. Your previous 90-day report receipt
   1. For 1-year contract teachers only who need to report more than once.

• Your first 90-day report might be done when you extend your visa.

TM30 and Section 38

• The Immigration Act’s section 38 requires that landlords report the presence of foreign tenants within 24 hours.
• This includes hotels and long term residences.
• Some provinces are quite strict and some don’t enforce it at all.
• Instrict provinces, you will need to report to immigration every time you stay the night outside your home.
• Talk to your school about how this is being enforced in your province.

 

   Thai Immigration Bureau

• Immigration website: www.immigration.go.th

 

How to Use the Thai Immigration Webite...

• Check for information on:

  1.Procedures
  2.Location and contact information
  3.See where offices are located

• Download forms for the following:
  1.Visa extensions
  2.Re-entry permits

 

Reimbursement for Legal Documents 

• You will initially be responsible for the cost of your visa, work permit, and additional visa requirements in Thailand (Thai police checks, medical checks, etc.).
• Around 5,000-7,000 THB
• Your school will reimburse you at the end of your contract
• Any problems or confusion, contact OEG

 

After the Program

• Cancel your work permit and visa before it expires
• This means, talking to your school and making a plan about which day you are leaving the country.
• Some provinces require you to physically go to Immigration to cancel your visa and work permit in person, other provinces all your school to do this on your behalf. Please communicate with your school about requirements in your province and your plan for leaving Thailand.
• Staying in Thailand?:
  • Same school: same visa, same work permit, you will just need to extend them.
  • New school: new visa, new work permit, ect.
• Traveling:
  • In Thailand: You may need to change to a tourist visa. Talk to your school and see if your travel plans and your end of visa date work together.
  • Outside of Thailand: Check entry requirements! (Department of State)

 

US: US Department of State (American Citizens)

• On their website, navigate to “country information.” Type in any country and their country page will tell you entry and exit requirements.

 

Foreign Travel Advice (British Citizens)

• On the GOV.UK site, navigate to "Foreign travel advice. Type in the country you want to visit.

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Final Reminders: Important Stuff to Remember 

1. Your school has 90 days from your arriving in Thailand to apply for an obtain your Teaching Permit, Work Permit and Visa Extension.
2. Be Patient: Although it usually doesn’t, the process can in some cases take the full 90 day to complete.
3. OEG DOES NOT RECOMMEND traveling outside Thailand until after you receive your visa extension.
4. Before traveling out of Thailand, you must have a Re-Entry Permit. If you forget… your Non-Immigrant B Visa, Teaching License and Work Permit will be CANCELED.
5. Report to Immigration every 90 days to verify your Thai address.
6. Contact OEG International team or reach out to the OEG Team on LINE if you have any questions about your visa before traveling outside Thailand! 

Remeber: Visas are Difficult

• Be prepared for possible changes.
• There is always a solution, be please be patient!

 

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Upcoming Sessions

 

Please find the updated information on the online session by OEG below

 

Money Matters

Date: Thursday, May 23^rd, 2024

Time: 5:30 - 6:30 PM