Job Discussion Forums

JamieMcC · Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 3

I will be taking the TEFL Int'l course in the fall. I intend to stay in Thailand after the course and find a job.
Am I eligible for a Non-Immigrant B Visa? Or do I need a letter from an employer? I do not intend to apply for jobs until I am in Thailand. I'd really appreciate any advice!!!
Thanks in advance!

kenkannif · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 550

They can and should help you, you'll need a basic letter from them and school and business registration.

PM me I might be able to advise.

Sheep-Goats · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 527

TEFL Intl should help you out with that -- I'd send them an email and see what's up. Of course, it might be easier to do it on visa runs.

Oh, and also, Non-Imm B's don't transfer that well. While it's technically possible to transfer your visa from one employer to the next, the visa expires on your last day of work, and Thais don't tend to hire people until a few days before they need them. What this means is that you won't get a yea/nea on your job until your old visa is as good as dead and that this won't give you enough time to transfer it as your new employer probably won't have their shit together to get it done that same week.

What I'm saying is that if you were hoping to get a non Imm-B from TEFL Int in order to ease your work search later or avoid a trip out of the country, you shouldn't worry about it as there will be some hassel even if they TEFL Int folks get you what you want. There won't end up being much of a difference as far as expense and headache go.

JamieMcC · Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 3

I really appreciate the advice. I will take all of that into consideration.

I was thinking it would be best to go with a Non-Imm B only bc it would give me the most time (90 days?) in Thailand to look for a job before doing a Visa run. I think I'm overanalyzing the Visa thing... it sounds like I'll be 'running' regardless of what type of Visa I get.
Thanks again for all the wonderful advice.

kenkannif · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 550

Actually they should be able to get you a multi (if you're in the West) which means you'd be good here for 15 months albeit in 90 day intervals. Really more than enough time to find work and get it all processed. Worth it's weight and then some in gold.

SG is kind of correct although if you leave a job you have 7-14 days in which to get a 'new' Visa, BUT a simple letter from your school and MoE (still easier said that done) will mean Imm can extend your Non-imm B (there's no need to transfer it per se) and give them time to get a WP sorted out for you. We've done this a few times (and we're not the most organised of schools) so the 'better' schools shouldn't have a major problem.

Yeah until you get a WP and get your Visa extended you will indeed need to leave every 90 days (generally).

bluffer · Posted: Thu Jun 30, 2005 5:22 am Post subject:

Maybe better to get a multi entry tourist.

You will get 60 days, extend it for 30 at immigration then leave the country come back and get another 60 etc etc

that gives you plenty of time to find jobs / chill as required.

kenkannif · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 550

Do multiple tourist Visas still exist mate? I thought they'd pretty much been fazed (phazed?) out? An option, but no way a better option.

Also the 1,900 Baht a pop to extend makes it quite expensive at the end of the day!

Although semi-good point as a tourist (not to be confused with a 30 day stamp in) Visa in theory can be converted to a Non-imm B.

Also there's other things to bear in mind, for example it's easier to open a bank account with a Non-imm B, register a car etc.

Certainly the best option, but a triple tourist will suffice if a multiple Non-imm isn't forthcoming.

JamieMcC · Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 3

Thanks so much for all the input. You've all simplified things immensely.

One more question... so, I took your advice and asked TEFL Int'l to write me a letter. They did, no problem. So, if I'm given a Non-Imm B and I go to Thailand and complete the course, is my visa only good for 7-14 days after the end of course?

Thanks again for the help. Very Happy

kenkannif · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 550

I'll PM you in a bit. But ideally they will help you get a multiple entry one which means you'll be good for 15 months in 90 day intervals.

It's not even really worth getting a single entry one a double tourist is better than that.

Sheep-Goats · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 527

ghostdog · Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 7:22 am Post subject:

While we're on the subject of visa runs, has anyone ever done one of these 2,000 baht trips to Cambodia I see forever advertised in the Bangkok Post? Are any of these companies more reliable/reputable than the others? Does it represent value for money over doing the trip yourself via public transport and paying the visa fee at the Cambodian border? Thanks.

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

^ Sawatdee ghostdog:

I use Quick Thai Visa 'cuz they leave at 10am on Saturday -

and get you back into Bangkok between 6:45 and 7:15pm, which I like.

(((departure from the BIG coffee shop at Ekkamai BTS Station @ 10am sharp)))

They do not go to Aranyaprathet / Poipet, which is too crowded for my blood.

Quick Thai Visa goes across the border at Pong Nam Ron (a bit south of Aranyaprathet)

and there's NEVER a crowd or a hassle with pushy vendors, which I also like.

Yes - of course you can do it on your own, if you want to,

but you don't save much $$$ from what I've been told.

Below are the 3 Bangkok to Cambodia visa-run services I am aware of:

http://www.jackgolf.com/eng/visaService/cambodia.asp (Jack's Golf / BKK to Cambodia -> 2,000 Baht)

http://www.freewebs.com/quickthaivisa/index.htm (Quick Thai Visa / BKK to Cambodia visa-runs -> 2,000 Baht)

[email protected] (FineDay Tours Co. LTD / BKK to Cambodia / E-mail or call: 02 682 8939 -> 2,000 Baht)

PS: You'll need one passport-sized photo, which will be stapled to your Cambodia entry-visa form!

related info & links on The Master Index Thailand sticky post: FAQ 2.2

kenkannif · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 550

I've heard good things about both Jack Golf and Fineday. Some prefer one over the other, but there doesn't seem to be a great deal in it.

ghostdog · Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2005 4:56 am Post subject:

Thanks, Kent and Ken. I have seen one more tour operator advertised in the Post as well: East Meets West Travel, 212/33 Sukhumvit Plaza, Sukhumvit 12, telephone 02 251-5230. Claims to be "the official representative of Cambodia's Ministry of Tourism". Whether this is true or not and whether it would be a good or a bad thing if it were true I leave to you to decide.

Quick questions: Are the buses acceptable? How far in advance should one make a reservation? And what size is a "passport" photo around here?

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

^ Hi ghostdog:

Found the East Meets West Travel website:

http://www.eastmeetswesttravel.com/cmb/viewvisa.phtml (scroll down to Visa Runs, Poipet)

Passport photo? Nothing special. 4 x 6 cm is normal.

Just ask any photoshop for a set of 4 colour passport photos.

Smile and say 'cheese' and you're all set. You'll only need 1 photo

but most photoshops try to sell you a set of 4.

The busses will be fine & clean. Relax!

Doing a visa-run in Thailand is a walk in the park.

Just go with whatever departure schedule works best for you.

Personally, I can't get up at 4 or 5am, so I prefer Quick Thai Visa,

but they're all basically offering the same service at about the same price.

I'd make your reservation at least 3 or 4 days before you plan to do the run,

although the East Meets West website says 1 day in advance is OK.

Hope that helps!