Teaching
English Legally
on Phuket and in Thailand
Jobs in Thailand and the Legal Paperwork
Seriously consider taking only jobs that
make you 100% legal.
In Thailand there are a few employers with a tradition of
delaying or not providing
legal working papers at all.
But it shouldn't be that way and there are plenty of
quality employers who will make you legal.
Do it for your own peace of mind if nothing
else.
Part of the problem in Thailand is that the
rules change from time to time without clear
explanation to those whom the changes
effect. And people are sometimes left
guessing.
Anyway, it can be difficult to really get
a handle on what is required as you may hear
different things from different people and
different websites. The
solution?
Find a reputable employer and let them worry
about it for you.
What is required to get legal working
papers?
In Thailand there are sometimes ways around
rules, but generally speaking your life will
be much easier if you have a three- or
four-year BA/BS degree
from a reputable university.
The three year degrees issued in the UK and
Australia (and probably New Zealand) are
fine. The two-year
certificates/degrees
issued in Australia are not - nor are the
two-year associate degrees issued in the
USA.
A TEFL Certification (see below) is required
as is a clear police record.
There are constant rumors afoot of changes
in the rules - but rarely anything concrete.
Hotel and Resort Teaching Jobs
here are some
of the best to be found anywhere and are
almost always legally supported with the
proper visas and permits.
VISAS
If you enter Thailand on a tourist visa, you
will usually - not always - need to leave
the country to change your visa to a
Non-Immigrant-B visa. The visa is the
basis on which your work permit AND teaching
license will eventually be issued.
The best way to deal with the whole mess?
Seek employment ONLY with employers that
offer a work permit. Most people end
up working before the papers are actually
issued, but know at least that things are in
process.
You will know this as you
will need to take one or more trips, usually
with someone from your employer, to
immigration and/or the labor office.
If you enter the country on a tourist visa,
keep a little money in back up for a trip to
either Penang or Kuala Lumpur to change your
visa.
Resources for Learning More
about Visas and
Work Permits
From the
Phuket Gazette:
|
Teaching English
in Thailand |
|
I would like to
teach English in
Thailand. I will
be taking a TEFL
(teaching
English as a
foreign
language)
certificate
course, but I
was recently
told that to
work legally in
Thailand I need
to have a
degree,
requiring two to
four years of
study. Is this
true? |
|
Sheri Hardy,
Canada. |
|
|
“To teach
English in
Thailand you
must have a
minimum of a
diploma in any
field and a
certificate
verifying that
you have
completed a TEFL
course.” |
|
|
Chian Srirueang,
Director, Phuket
Educational
Office.
|
|
Thai Visa's discussion forums
Royal Thai
Embassy in the UK
Teacher Visa pages
Thai Embassy in Washington DC
Know that the issues and rules
about teaching licenses and work
permits seem to be in constant
flux - the best way to deal with
it is to let your employer
worry about it.
|
