The three documents, and why you need all of them
This is the part that trips people up, so it helps to be clear about what each document does:
The Non-Immigrant B visa is your permission to enter Thailand for work purposes. It’s issued by a Thai embassy or consulate (usually outside Thailand) and is typically valid for 90 days on entry, extendable once your work permit is in place. Without a Non-B visa, you cannot legally work – a tourist visa doesn’t cover employment, even if you have a job offer.
The work permit is your legal right to be employed in Thailand. It’s issued by the Ministry of Labour (now through the e-Work Permit system) and tied to a specific employer and work location. You need the Non-B visa to be in your passport before the work permit can be processed.
The teaching licence (or temporary waiver) authorises you to teach in formal school settings – government schools, registered private schools, and bilingual schools. It’s issued by the Teachers Council of Thailand (Khurusapha). Language centres and some informal teaching settings may not require one, but most schools do.
You need all three to teach legally in most school settings. They’re issued by different government bodies, in a specific sequence, and each has its own requirements.
Step 1: Arrive on a tourist visa
Most teachers enter Thailand on a tourist visa or visa-exempt entry (typically 60 days). This gives you time to complete a TEFL course, explore the job market, attend interviews, and secure a position.
You cannot legally teach on a tourist visa. But this initial period is when most teachers get established and find their first job.
Step 2: Secure a job offer
Once you have a confirmed position, your school will provide the documents needed for the visa process, including an invitation letter, employment contract, and school registration paperwork. A reputable school will be familiar with the entire process and guide you through it.
This is also when your school typically begins the teaching licence application on your behalf.
Step 3: The visa run – getting your Non-B visa
This is the step unique to Thailand’s process. Once your school has prepared the supporting paperwork, you’ll need to leave Thailand and apply for your Non-Immigrant B visa at a Thai consulate in another country. You cannot convert a tourist visa to a Non-B visa from inside Thailand in most cases.
The most common destinations for visa runs:
Vientiane, Laos – the most popular choice. A short flight or overnight bus from Bangkok or the northeast. The Thai consulate here processes large numbers of teacher visa applications and is experienced with the requirements.
Savannakhet, Laos – another option, particularly for teachers based in the northeast (Isaan). Smaller consulate, sometimes faster processing.
Penang, Malaysia – an alternative for teachers in southern Thailand. The consulate can be busier and processing times vary.
At the consulate, you’ll need your passport, the school’s supporting documents, your legalised degree, background check, photographs, and the visa fee (approximately 2,000 THB for a single-entry Non-B visa, though fees vary by consulate).
Processing typically takes two to five working days. Some teachers treat it as a short trip; others combine it with a weekend break. Your school will advise on timing and logistics.
Step 4: Work permit – the e-Work Permit system
Once you’re back in Thailand with your Non-B visa, your employer applies for your work permit. Since October 2025, this is processed through Thailand’s e-Work Permit system, replacing the old physical “blue book.”
The process is largely digital: your school submits the application online through eworkpermit.doe.go.th, uploading your documents (passport, degree, contract, photographs). You’ll need to register through the ThaiID app for identity verification and attend one in-person appointment at your local Department of Employment office for biometric scanning (face, iris, fingerprints). This takes roughly 10–15 minutes.
Once approved, your work permit is issued digitally. You’ll receive a credit card-sized card with a QR code linking to your digital record.
Documents you’ll need for the work permit application: your passport with Non-B visa, legalised degree certificate, medical certificate from a Thai clinic (a basic physical exam, usually costing 50–1,000 THB), employment contract, and passport photographs.
Step 5: Teaching licence or temporary waiver
If you have a degree in education or a recognised teaching licence from your home country (such as UK QTS or a US state licence), you may qualify for a full five-year Thai teaching licence.
If your degree is in another subject, which is the case for most TEFL teachers, you’ll be issued a temporary teaching licence (waiver), valid for two years. This can be renewed up to three times, giving a total of approximately six years.
To continue teaching beyond this, you’ll need to complete a recognised qualification, most commonly the TPDI 7-Module Training programme (420 hours, managed by the Teacher Professional Development Institute) or a graduate diploma in education. Completing this pathway leads to a permanent Thai teaching licence.
Your school typically handles the teaching licence application through the KSP (Khurusapha) School system. Since 2026, the licence is issued digitally as a PDF with a QR code rather than a physical card.
What it costs – a realistic breakdown
- Non-B visa fee: approximately 2,000 THB (~$55 USD) at the consulate. Fees vary slightly by location.
- Visa run travel and accommodation: varies widely. A budget trip to Vientiane from Bangkok might cost 5,000–10,000 THB ($140–280 USD) total including transport, one or two nights’ accommodation, and meals. Flights are faster but more expensive.
- Work permit fee: approximately 1,900–3,100 THB ($55–90 USD).
- Medical check: 50–1,000 THB ($1–28 USD) at a Thai clinic.
- Teaching licence waiver: 1,000 THB (~$28 USD).
- Re-entry permit (needed if you leave Thailand during your contract): 1,000 THB single entry (~$28 USD), 3,800 THB multiple entry (~$105 USD).
- Degree legalisation: varies by home country – budget $50–200 for notarisation and embassy or apostille authentication.
Total out-of-pocket for the teacher: roughly $300–700 for the full process, depending on visa run logistics and how costs are shared with your school. Some schools cover the work permit fee and teaching licence; others leave everything to the teacher. Ask before you accept.
Ongoing requirements
Once you’re working, you must:
Report your address every 90 days (TM47 reporting) to immigration. This can be done in person, by post, or online where available. Missing a deadline results in a fine.
Ensure your TM30 is filed. Your landlord or school should notify immigration of your address (TM30 residence notification). In practice, this is often the landlord’s responsibility, but it’s your problem if it’s not done.
Get a re-entry permit before leaving Thailand, even for a short holiday. Without one, your Non-B visa is cancelled when you exit the country, which also invalidates your work permit. Re-entry permits are available at immigration offices and at major airports.
What can go wrong and how to avoid it
Degree not legalised before arrival. Your degree needs to be notarised and legalised (by a Thai embassy in your home country or through an apostille process) before you can use it for the work permit. This takes weeks in some countries. Trying to arrange it from Thailand means sending your original degree internationally, which is slow and risky.
Working on a tourist visa. Some schools ask you to start teaching while the paperwork is processed. This is technically illegal. A reputable school will be transparent about timelines and won’t pressure you to work indefinitely without proper documentation.
11-month contracts. Some schools offer contracts that end just before the April holiday break, avoiding the need to pay you during that period. This can also disrupt your visa status. Negotiate a full 12-month contract where possible.
Recruitment agencies with ongoing deductions. Some agencies place teachers and then take a percentage of each month’s salary. This is legal but can significantly reduce your take-home pay. Always ask how you’ll be paid and whether any ongoing fees apply.
Leaving without a re-entry permit. This is one of the most common and costly mistakes. If you leave Thailand without a re-entry permit, even for a weekend trip, your visa is cancelled and you’ll need to restart the entire process.
