Thread: Getting a Non-B visa for teaching

I have secured a job at an international school, which is great given how late in the hiring process getting a new passport left me. I seem to have hit a snag, as part of the process of getting my new non b visa apparently they need a copy or the original old work permit I had from some 8 years ago. Is this necessary at the Laos consulate? Be annoying to get this far and get tripped up by bureaucracy. I am wondering if the new passport could play into my favor, but I am sure they would be able to see I worked in Thailand before.

Added salt in the wound is sending documents off to be attested at no small amount of money. Thailand certainly does not make the process easy.

as part of the process of getting my new non b visa apparently they need a copy or the original old work permit

Who exactly told you that?

'they' presumably is the consulate?


In terms of the visa application, the consulate should be able to see that you had a Non-B before and an extension based on employment, or another Non-Immigrant visa that was then extended based on employment (using a WP). (Do you have the old passport with the visa + extensions?)


I can't see why a consulate or embassy would need to see a previous WP to grant a single entry Non-B visa based on employment for a new term of employment, that is not in any way concurrent to the last.


Having previously worked in Thailand must surely not be a prerequisite to working in Thailand in the future, unless they're really trying to maker things difficult for the Whities.



Congrats on the new gig.

It certainly does make me think that perhaps I should just head somewhere else if this is going to be the attitude. Pretty sure my old school actually asked for my old work permit back, it's not like I could have really predicted that they would make this new demand. I really interesting opportunity as popped up in Uzbekistan, so perhaps I should just try something totally different.

Originally Posted by Mandaloopy

really interesting opportunity as popped up in Uzbekistan

That would be interesting.

Why not, when single and fancy free.

Originally Posted by Mandaloopy

it's not like I could have really predicted that they would make this new demand.

But, who exactly has made this demand?


It sounds like perhaps a clueless office lady in the company admin office said it, because she doesn't know anything about anything but has to seem like she does.

^ It has nothing to do with an immigration office or immigration officers.

It's about getting a visa from a consulate.

The Thai embassy in Vientianne has that requirement for a Non-B visa for "Employment in Thailand" but not for "Teaching in Thailand".

Non-B Visa - สถานเอกอัครราชทูต ณ เวียงจันทน์

I've never needed to show my old work permit because they keep it when you cancel it. I haven't changed jobs in a long time though.

If your wife is Thai you can simply get a type O "Thai Wife" visa. I have worked - with a Teacher's License and a Work Permit - with a type O visa for years.

Thanks for all the info folks. Also asked on FB and it seems I could get some kind of notification of cancelation from the Department of Labor. In contact with my old school and they are being good about trying to find something if they can.

Originally Posted by Mandaloopy

Thanks for all the info folks. Also asked on FB and it seems I could get some kind of notification of cancelation from the Department of Labor. In contact with my old school and they are being good about trying to find something if they can.

I was once denied leaving Thailand because I hadn't cancelled my WP or got a re-entry permit.

That was a fun 2 days on a train.

Originally Posted by armstrong

I was once denied leaving Thailand because I hadn't cancelled my WP or got a re-entry permit.

Cost me 500B to get it fixed when I didn't have a letter cancelling my WP.

Always overstay a day, once you're on overstay, you don't need a letter from your school or immigration.

An update: Old school don't have the work permit or anything like that- they did find on old tax form , so at least they tried.
Had some interviews in schools outside of Thailand
Vietnam- just did not get the vibe of the school and the interview was a bit confused and seemed planned at the last moment
Yangon- great interview, very professional with relevant questions. I'm still having reservations about working in post coup Myanmar.
Got all my documents attested for Thailand- so might just pop over and try and sort the issue out on the ground.

Originally Posted by Mandaloopy

Got all my documents attested for Thailand- so might just pop over and try and sort the issue out on the ground.

That's a reasonable plan. Most issues here can be sorted, even if there are a few frustrating steps along the way. At least, that has been my experience.

The issue has been resolved, I arrive in Thailand on Thursday. I am hoping things work out at this school, it was a last moment hire at the end of the hiring seasons- so always an element of risk, I suppose. Just sent an email to a school in Yangon saying no to an offer, feel like a bit of shyster and a shithead for doing that to them so close to the start of term. There again, I am sure I am not the only one who came to the conclusion that perhaps now it not the best time to be an expat in Myanmar.

Still feel like a proper koont, though