Job Discussion Forums

philandbee · Joined: 20 Feb 2006 Posts: 1 Location: Joliet, IL

I am a Mexican American married to a girl from Thailand. We have a 3 year old daughter. We have been talking about moving to Thailand to be closer to family. I want to finish getting my BA and my wife wants to become an American Citizen. I am an ex cop and I am currently a Case Manager working with high risk parolees. I facilitate groups that teach them life skills and moral reconnation therapy. We would be living with her family until we save some money to be on our own. I have a lot of questions and I am hoping someone can answer them or comment on them. Please let me know if any one can give me some sound advice.

With her becoming an American Citizen, will that affect us buying a house in Thailand, since foreigners are not allowed to own land?

Will her family be able to sponsor me in obtaining a visa to allow me to work or should I let the schools sponsor me?

I have some background in group facilitation; will that help me as teaching experience?

Should I get my TELF Certificate on line or should I go to Thailand and get it there?

With no teaching experience, how hard is to find a job teach making over 30,000 Baht a month in Bangkok?

As of right now these are all the questions I can think of. I am sure I will be thinking of more and I will be asking. I would like to thank everyone in advance for all their help.

wildchild · Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 519 Location: Puebla 2009 - 2010

Perhaps you have already thought all of this through but if not, then you might want to consider it:

How far along is your wife in the Naturalization process? Normally, she will need to stay in the U.S. for a substantive amount of time. Does this figure in your plans to go to Thailand?
Also, why go through all of the trouble for citizenship if your ultimate goal is to live in Thailand? Again, perhaps you have considerd all of this, but in the case that not, I though I should mention it.

The U.S. gov. site:

http://uscis.gov/graphics/services/natz/index.htm

And as far as her parents or the school sponsoring you, I would say that seems kind of odd. As her husband, aren't you offered some easier route to resident status and a work permit?