Teaching English Legally in Thailand
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.
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. | |
Royal Thai Embassy in the UK – their teacher visa pages
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.
Teach English Phuket recommends two of the best TEFL Training programs in Thailand for your training.
Read about them here: TEFL Training in Thailand
