Job Discussion Forums

[rumpole1980]

I would like to find a teaching position in Thailand later this year. I am a UK citizen and I have a CELTA certificate, but I am not teaching at the moment.
How easy is it to obtain the necessary work permits / visas without a degree?
I was in Thailand a few weeks ago and was given the number for a woman who can supposedly arrange teaching positions in Bangkok, (for a fee), with nothing more than a tourist visa. I would much prefer to do things legally if possible. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated.
It is a beautiful country and I would dearly love to spend some time out there learning more about it.

[MaiPenRai]

Scroll the through last few threads and you will find some info on this.

Legally you need a degree to get a work permit.

Without a degree (and thus without a work permit), you MAY be able to find work, but will technically be working illegally. While this will probably not cause any problems with the law, it could easily lead to you being taken advantage of by your "employer". With no work permit, you have very little to no legal recourse if they decide not to pay you. They can let you go without any notice. Etc, Etc.

At best, expect to make minimal wage and have very little job security.

As far as I know, it is possible to get a work permit w/o a degree only if your employer (school) writes a letter on your behalf stating that they would like hire you w/o a degree and that you are valuable to the school, etc, whatever. On your own, that will be pretty hard to do without having a relationship with a school. There are agencies who claim to be able to get people work w/o degrees (JP education for one). Not sure if they use the letter loophole or just have teachers work illegally.

If you are very presentable, outgoing, hard working and very good at your job, you may be able to organize private classes, but dont expect to make enough to support yourself for the first few months. Private classes are usually easier to get once you speak a little Thai, have a few connections, know your way around, etc.

You could get a Ed Visa by applying at various Thai language schools. Usually costs about 20-30,000 baht for a year Visa I think. You will have to (get to) study Thai language for a few hours a week though. Would help getting privates, making connections, getting P/T work, etc. I don'y know much about the Ed Visa though.

My advice is to go and get a degree and then come teach in Thailand. You could even get a decent one here fairly inexpensively at an INternational campus (Ramkhamhaeng, Mahidol and others have decent programs). You could probably find work P/T while studying.

DO NOT commit fraud by using a fake degree.

If you are only looking for a short stay, you could also consider doing a volunteer project.

Best of luck.