Written by Katie Troy, Managing Director at Premier TEFL. Last updated 14 July 2026.
Getting the paperwork right is the single most important step in starting a teaching career in Thailand, and it is also where most new teachers feel lost. This guide walks you through the full legal pathway in plain English, from the Non Immigrant B visa you apply for before you arrive, through the work permit issued once you are employed, to the teacher licence or waiver held by your school and the ongoing 90 day reporting you complete while you live in the country. For a wider view of pay, demand and the market, you can read our 2026 Thailand salary and visa guide, which this article supports in depth.
What visa do you need to teach English in Thailand?
To teach English legally in Thailand you need a Non Immigrant B visa, obtained before you travel, which your employer then converts into a work permit once you start your job. On top of this, your school must hold either a teacher licence or a temporary teaching permit issued through the Teachers' Council of Thailand. A tourist visa never allows you to work, and teaching on one is illegal and risks fines, deportation and a re entry ban. The correct sequence is visa first, then work permit, then teacher licence or waiver, followed by ongoing 90 day address reporting.
Key takeaways
- The legal route is Non Immigrant B visa, then work permit, then teacher licence or waiver.
- You apply for the Non Immigrant B visa through the Thai e Visa system or a Royal Thai Embassy before you arrive.
- Your employer sponsors and applies for your work permit through the Department of Employment.
- Schools must secure a teacher licence or a temporary permit for you through the Teachers' Council of Thailand.
- Once resident, you report your address every 90 days to the Immigration Bureau.
Step 1: How do you apply for the Non Immigrant B visa?
The Non Immigrant B visa is the business and work category that teachers use to enter Thailand legally. You apply for it before you travel, either online or in person. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sets out the categories, eligibility and document requirements on its official page for the Non Immigrant Visa B, and most applicants now apply through the government run Thai e Visa portal operated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. You can still apply in person at a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate General in your home country if you prefer.
To apply you typically need a passport valid for at least six months, a recent photograph, a signed employment contract or letter of employment from your Thai school, evidence of your degree and TEFL certificate, and in some cases proof of funds. The visa is usually issued as a single entry valid for 90 days, which your employer then extends once your work permit is in place. Before you fly, remember that every foreign traveller must also complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card provided by the Immigration Bureau, which replaces the old paper arrival form.
Step 2: How do you get a Thai work permit?
A work permit is the document that authorises you to work for a specific employer at a specific location, and it is legally separate from your visa. You cannot apply for it yourself, because your school sponsors the application once you have entered Thailand on your Non Immigrant B visa and signed your contract. The framework sits under the Ministry of Labour, and applications are handled by the Department of Employment through its electronic work permit system run by the Department of Employment.
Your employer normally submits your degree certificate, your TEFL or teaching qualification, your passport and visa, a medical certificate and photographs. The work permit ties your legal right to work to that one employer, so if you change schools your new employer must apply for a fresh permit. Keep your permit up to date, since working outside its scope, or continuing to work after leaving the sponsoring school, breaks Thai labour law. Salaries and school types that determine the roles you can apply for are covered in our Thailand salary and visa guide.
Step 3: What is the teacher licence or waiver?
Alongside your visa and work permit, Thai regulations require that anyone teaching in a formal school holds a professional teaching licence, or a temporary permit to teach while working towards one. This is administered by the Teachers' Council of Thailand, known as Khurusapha, which operates under the wider authority of the Ministry of Education. In practice your school applies for a temporary teaching permit on your behalf when you start, and this waiver typically covers you for up to two years while you complete the steps towards a full licence.
Full licensing usually involves passing a set of professional knowledge modules and meeting the Council's standards. Language centres that are not formal schools may fall outside this requirement, but government schools, private schools, bilingual programmes and international schools generally expect the licence or waiver to be in place. Your employer will guide you through the exact paperwork, as requirements are periodically updated by the Council.
Step 4: How does 90 day reporting and visa extension work?
Once you are living in Thailand on a long stay visa, you are required to report your current address to immigration every 90 days. This is a simple notification rather than a new visa, and you can complete it in person, by post or through the online service provided by the Immigration Bureau of Thailand. Missing the report can lead to fines, so most teachers set a reminder for the due date printed on their receipt slip.
Your initial 90 day visa is extended to cover your full contract, usually a year, once your work permit has been issued. Your school's administrator normally takes you to the local immigration office for this extension, bringing your contract, work permit, passport and supporting school documents. If you leave and re enter the country during your contract, you also need a re entry permit to keep your extension valid, which you can arrange through immigration before you travel.
What is the full legal pathway at a glance?
| Stage | Who applies | Governing body |
|---|---|---|
| Non Immigrant B visa | You, before arrival | Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Work permit | Your employer, after arrival | Department of Employment, Ministry of Labour |
| Teacher licence or waiver | Your employer | Teachers' Council of Thailand |
| 90 day reporting and extensions | You, ongoing | Immigration Bureau |
Frequently asked questions about the Thailand teacher visa
Can you teach in Thailand on a tourist visa?
No. A tourist visa does not permit any form of work, paid or unpaid. Teaching on one is illegal and can lead to fines, deportation and a ban on re entry. You must hold a Non Immigrant B visa and a work permit sponsored by your employer.
Who pays for the work permit and visa?
Policies vary by school. Many reputable employers cover or reimburse the work permit and extension costs, while you usually pay for your initial visa application. Always confirm this in your contract before you accept a role.
How long does the whole process take?
The visa itself can be issued within days to a few weeks. Once you arrive and start work, the work permit and teacher waiver are typically completed within your first few weeks, coordinated by your school's administrative team.
Do language centres need the same paperwork?
You still need a Non Immigrant B visa and a work permit to work at a private language centre. The teacher licence requirement is most strictly applied in formal schools, though you should always follow your employer's guidance.
Continue your research
This visa and work permit guide is part of our wider resource hub. For salaries, demand and the outlook for the profession, read our 2026 Thailand salary and visa guide, and for a practical step by step on finding a role, see our complete guide to teaching English in Thailand.
Note: visa, work permit and licensing rules are set by the Thai government and can change. Always confirm the latest requirements with the official bodies linked above and with your employer before you travel.
