Teaching in Thailand: Legal Considerations
1. Working Without a Visa or Work Permit
Legal Requirement: You can’t legally work at a school in Thailand without the proper visa and work permit.
Temporary Grace Period: Some teachers believe it’s okay to work for up to three months while waiting for the work permit if the paperwork is clearly in process.
School Practices: Some schools may delay the process to assess if you’re a good fit, but officially, you shouldn’t work even a day without a permit.
2. Teacher’s License When Leaving
Holding Documents: Schools often keep your teacher’s license, passport, and work permit while you’re employed.
Passport: The passport is yours, and schools have no right to keep it. You should always keep it with you.
Work Permit: Schools may keep your work permit during working hours, but you should have it or a copy for easy reference.
License Return: When you leave, the school must return your permanent teacher’s license (but not the temporary license issued for that specific job).
Check for Original: Make sure you get the original permanent license with your photo and stamp, not just a copy.
3. Overstaying a Visa
Don’t Overstay: Overstaying is taken very seriously in Thailand.
Fines and Bans: Minor overstays may result in fines, but longer overstays could lead to a ban on re-entering Thailand.
Rule: It’s best to avoid overstaying at all to prevent any legal issues.
4. Re-Entry Permits
Requirement for Leaving Thailand: If you leave Thailand with a non-immigrant visa (even one that’s been extended), it will be canceled unless you have a re-entry permit.
Important for Work Permit: Without a re-entry permit, leaving cancels both your visa and work permit, and you’d need to restart the process.
Multiple Entry Visas: Even if you have a multiple entry visa, you’ll still need a re-entry permit to avoid cancellation.
Double-Check: When in doubt, confirm with Thai immigration to avoid any accidental visa or work permit cancellation.
5. Border Runs and Costs
Purpose: A border run involves leaving Thailand to renew or activate a visa by quickly crossing into a neighboring country.
Costs Vary: Options range from affordable bus trips to the Cambodian border to pricier flights to countries like Singapore.
Who Pays?: Schools almost never pay for these trips, so teachers usually cover the cost themselves.
6. Documents Needed for Non-Immigrant Visas
Varies by Embassy: Different Thai embassies have different requirements for non-immigrant visas, so check the website of the specific embassy you plan to visit.
School’s Responsibility: If you’re relying on your school for documentation, they should be familiar with the necessary paperwork.
7. Consulate/Embassy Run
Definition: A consulate run is when you need to visit a Thai embassy or consulate in a nearby country to get a new visa stamped in your passport.
Time and Cost: Consulate runs are usually more costly and time-consuming than border hops.
Processing Time: Depending on arrival time, you may need to wait up to 48 hours to receive a new visa.
8. Work Permit Locations
Single Location Coverage: Work permits typically cover only the location listed in the permit.
Additional Locations: Some teachers have managed to add extra teaching locations to their work permits, though this may require specific approval.
9. Border Hop (also called a “Border Run”)
Purpose: A border hop is a quick trip to a nearby country to renew or activate entries on a multi-entry visa.
Common Destinations: Popular border hop destinations include Malaysia, Laos, and Myanmar.
Quick Return: Most teachers cross the border and re-enter Thailand on the same day.
10. Teaching on Tourist Visas
Common Reasons:
- Lack of Qualifications: Some teachers work illegally on tourist visas because they don’t have the credentials to get a teacher’s license.
- School’s Inability: Some schools don’t help with work permits due to lack of resources or knowledge.
- Preference for Flexibility: Certain teachers prefer the freedom of freelance work without commitment to one school.
Risks: Teaching without a work permit is risky and could result in fines, jail time, or deportation.
