Visas and Work Permits Explained

Visa Extension During Public Holidays

If your visa is set to expire during a public holiday when immigration offices are closed, visiting the immigration office on the next business day typically avoids penalties for overstaying. Your passport will be stamped to reflect the overstay, but the fine will be waived, with a note indicating that the delay was due to the holiday closure.

Terminating a Contract Before Completion

Ending a contract prematurely can have significant consequences. Schools may charge approximately 5,000 Baht to cover costs such as work permits and teacher’s licenses. More critically, your work permit and visa will be invalidated, requiring you to leave Thailand within seven days.

The countdown begins when your work permit is returned to the labor department. To avoid fines for overstaying, closely monitor this process. If your contract includes a notice period (commonly one month), you can resign without breaching the agreement. In such cases, ensure you provide written notice and retain a copy for your records.

If your employer withholds your release form (Tor Dor 11), which is essential for obtaining a new work permit, contact the Ministry of Labor for assistance.

Retention of Licenses and Documents by Employers

While schools may hold teacher licenses and work permits during employment, they are required to return your permanent teacher’s license when you leave. Always ensure the returned license includes the correct photograph and stamp. Importantly, schools cannot lawfully retain your passport, which must remain in your possession.

Working Multiple Jobs and Work Permit Requirements

Legally, each employer must secure a separate work permit for you. However, many teachers working part-time at language institutes without disclosing it to their primary employer lack the required permits. While technically illegal, this practice is widespread. In rare cases, schools collaborate to include multiple jobs on a single work permit, but such instances are exceptionally uncommon.

Medical Examinations for Work Permits

Medical examinations for work permits are often minimal, with clinics charging 50–100 Baht for basic checks. Comprehensive exams at hospitals may cost around 1,000 Baht. An HIV test is not required a syphilis and other basic tests are. Most teachers are in and out of these clinics within 5 to 10 minutes.

Legal and Illegal Teaching in Thailand

Legally employed teachers must hold:

1. A teacher’s license from the Ministry of Education.
2. A work permit issued by the Labor Department.
3. A one-year visa dependent on the work permit.

Illegal teachers, lacking these credentials, often rely on frequent visa runs, a practice that has become increasingly difficult. Teaching on a tourist visa is highly illegal and can result in fines, deportation, or blacklisting.

Foreign university teachers do not need a teacher's license to obtain a work permit.

Probationary Period Without Work Permits

Many schools impose a one-month trial period before assisting with visas and work permits. This practice, while common, is technically illegal. Teachers nearing visa expiration may need to perform border runs to neighboring countries to secure temporary extensions.

TOEIC Requirements for Non-Native Speakers

Non-native speakers must pass a TOEIC test to qualify for a Non-Immigrant B visa, a teaching license, and a work permit.

Overstaying Visa Consequences

Overstaying a visa can lead to fines, bans, or deportation. It's essential to comply with visa regulations to avoid legal issues.

Re-entry Permits

A Thai re-entry permit allows foreign residents to leave and re-enter Thailand without invalidating their visa or work permit. Obtain this permit before departure from immigration offices or airports. Failing to secure one results in visa cancellation, requiring a fresh Non-Immigrant B visa application.

Border Runs and Visa Runs

• Border Run: A quick trip to a neighboring country to renew a visa. Costs range from 1,500–5,000 Baht depending on transportation and border crossing.
• Visa Run: Traveling to a Thai embassy or consulate abroad, typically to convert a tourist visa into a Non-Immigrant B visa. This process is essential for work permit applications.

Working on Tourist Visas

Teaching on a tourist visa is illegal but occurs due to unqualified teachers, non-compliant schools, or those seeking freelance flexibility. However, this risks fines, deportation, and a permanent ban from Thailand.

Visa Requirements for Teachers

Teachers must generally hold a Non-Immigrant B visa to work legally in Thailand. For those married to Thai nationals, a Non-Immigrant O visa offers greater flexibility. Schools often handle the required paperwork for these applications. Avoid overstaying, as it is a serious offense in Thailand.

Obtaining a Teaching License and Work Permit in Thailand

To secure a teaching license in Thailand, you must provide a variety of documents, including personal information, photos, a health certificate, certified Thai translations of your degrees and certificates, and copies of your passport. These must be submitted in quadruplicate to the Thai Ministry of Education, with every page signed. Once approved, you use the license and supporting documents to apply for a work permit at the Labour Department, which will issue a receipt confirming your application. This receipt can be used to extend your visa while waiting for the permit.

Cooperating fully with your school during this process is critical, even if you believe some requested documents are unnecessary. Without full compliance, delays may occur, potentially requiring you to leave the country to reset your visa. Typically, schools handle much of the paperwork, but your active support is essential.

Required Documents for a Teaching License

The documentation required for a teaching license includes:

• Personal information forms
• Up to 12 photos (1.5-inch and 2-inch sizes)
• A health certificate (obtainable from a hospital or clinic for around 50 to 100 Baht)
• Certified Thai translations of your degree and certificates
• Passport copies of all pages
• School-related documents (e.g., director’s license, principal’s license, a school map, teaching schedule, and a list of other work permit holders)
• Forms Sor Chor 10, Sor Chor 17, and Ror 11

If you’ve previously held a teaching license, additional documents like Ror 12 and Sor Chor 19 may be required. All materials are submitted to the Ministry of Education in quadruplicate, and processing time can vary from one week to several weeks.

Once approved, the license and most of the same documents are submitted to the Labour Department to apply for a work permit, which typically takes about three weeks to process.

Key Points on Visas and Work Permits

• Non-Immigrant Visas: To work in Thailand, you need a Non-Immigrant B visa. Some prefer a Non-Immigrant O marriage visa initially, as it is less tied to employment status. Schools often assist in securing the necessary documentation for a visa application.
• Work Permit Costs: There is no regulation specifying who must cover these costs. Reputable employers often pay, but some may expect the employee to bear the expense.
• Work Permit Without a Degree: While a bachelor’s degree is generally required, some agencies or schools may classify non-degree holders as teaching assistants or use other legal mechanisms to secure work permits. This approach, however, can carry risks.

Transitioning Jobs and Maintaining Legal Status

When switching schools, your work permit must be canceled and returned to the Labour Department. This typically voids your visa, requiring you to leave Thailand to obtain a new one. While some teachers successfully transfer visas between employers, this depends on timely paperwork and cooperation between the old and new schools.

Additional Considerations

• Police Clearance Certificates (PCC): These are often required, particularly if teaching children. They can be obtained from the Royal Thai Police HQ or/and a police station in your home country.
• 90-Day Reporting: Teachers must report their address to Thai immigration every 90 days. Late submissions incur a fine of 2,000 baht, though a 7-day grace period is usually allowed.
• Consequences of Permit Cancellation: If your work permit is canceled, your linked visa also becomes invalid. You are usually given 7 days to leave the country.

Common Challenges and Tips

The process of obtaining teaching licenses and work permits in Thailand can be complex and inconsistent across provinces. Always consult reliable sources, such as the Thai Ministry of Labour or local immigration offices, for up-to-date information. Employers play a pivotal role in facilitating this process, so choosing a reputable school is essential.

Finally, maintaining original documents (e.g., degrees and transcripts) and ensuring they are handled carefully, especially by HR school personnel is crucial to avoid complications. Employers and Thai immigration officers will require these originals for verification purposes.