Thai Non-B Visa & Work Permit 2026 Guide for English Teachers

How to Get a Thai Non-B Visa and Work Permit Step-by-Step

All teachers wishing to apply for a Non-B Visa and Work Permit must notarise their bachelor’s degree certificate and then send it to the Thai Embassy in their home country for legalisation. It is highly recommended that you notarise and legalise your degree before travelling to Thailand.

For assistance with legalising UK degree certificates, please visit our TEFL Legalisation Guide and receive a £9 discount by using our link.

These steps may vary from country to country. Please contact us to get the most up-to-date information for your nationality.

How to Notarise and Legalise Your Degree — By Nationality

Before applying for a Thai Non-B Visa, your bachelor’s degree must be notarised and legalised by your country’s relevant authority and then authenticated by the Thai Embassy in your home country. The process differs slightly depending on where you are from. Select your country below.

United Kingdom

Step 1 — Notarisation: Have your degree certificate notarised by a solicitor or a certified notary public.

Step 2 — Apostille: Apply for an Apostille certificate from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). For a discounted legalisation service, use our recommended TEFL Legalisation Guide and save £9.

Step 3 — Thai Embassy legalisation: Send or present your apostilled degree to the Royal Thai Embassy in London. Allow 1–2 weeks for processing.

United States

Step 1 — Notarisation: Have your degree notarised by a licensed notary public.

Step 2 — Apostille: Once notarised, your degree must be authenticated by the Secretary of State in the state where it was notarised. Follow the process outlined by the U.S. Department of State.

Step 3 — Thai Embassy legalisation: Submit your apostilled degree to the Thai Embassy or Consulate in the USA. Processing typically takes 1–2 weeks.

Australia

Step 1 — Notarisation: Have your degree certified by a Justice of the Peace (JP), a solicitor, or a notary public.

Step 2 — Apostille: Obtain an Apostille through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Step 3 — Thai Embassy legalisation: Submit your apostilled documents to the Royal Thai Embassy in Canberra. Processing usually takes 3–5 working days.

Canada

Step 1 — Notarisation: Have your degree notarised by a Canadian notary public or a Commissioner of Oaths.

Step 2 — Authentication: Canada is not a signatory to the Hague Apostille Convention. First, authenticate through Global Affairs Canada, then have the document legalised by the Thai Embassy in Ottawa.

Step 3 — Thai Embassy legalisation: Submit your authenticated degree to the Royal Thai Embassy in Ottawa. Processing typically takes 1–2 weeks.

South Africa

Step 1 — Notarisation: Have your degree notarised by a notary public registered with the Law Society of South Africa.

Step 2 — Apostille: Obtain an Apostille from the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development.

Step 3 — Thai Embassy legalisation: Present your apostilled degree to the Royal Thai Embassy in Pretoria. Allow at least 1–2 weeks.

Not listed above? Contact us and we will guide you through the steps for your nationality.

What if My Name Doesn’t Match My Passport?

Your name on your degree certificate must match the full name in your passport. You can have a lawyer notarise a letter stating the name difference (which must then be legalised at the Thai Embassy), or request a letter directly from your university.

Documents You Must Bring to Thailand for Your Work Permit

1. Original Notarised and Legalised Degree Certificate — ensure this is properly notarised and legalised before arriving.
2. Original Bachelor’s Degree Certificate
3. Original Transcript — these do not need to be notarised and legalised.
4. Valid Passport — check that your passport is valid for over 12 months.

Process for Obtaining a Thai Non-B Visa

Essential Educational Staffing must apply for your Teachers License before the process of obtaining your Non-Immigrant (Non-B) Visa can commence. This normally takes around two weeks.

• Carefully follow and complete all document requirements received from Essential Educational Staffing.
• You will need to obtain a Visa on arrival at the airport allowing you to remain in Thailand for 60 days.

You must have at least fifteen (15) days remaining on your Visa when applying for a Non-Immigrant (Non-B) Visa. You can apply for a 30-day extension at Immigration in Bangkok for 1,900 Baht.

For a detailed guide, please visit our Visa and Work Permit Preparation Guide.

We understand that this process might seem daunting but it is the only way to complete the paperwork correctly and legally. Please contact us with any questions.

Thai Visa Run Options

Sometimes it may be necessary for you to leave the country during this process. The best nearby countries to visit are Singapore or Malaysia, as they both offer free visas on arrival. Same-day returns are a good idea — make sure to allow at least four (4) hours between flights.

Recommended booking sites:

• Skyscanner
• AirAsia — book online and pay at 7-Eleven
• Nok Air — book online and pay at 7-Eleven

Both AirAsia and Nok Air use Don Muang International Airport Terminal 1.

Find out more about living in Bangkok, including cultural, social, and practical tips.

How to Get a Re-Entry Permit Before Leaving Thailand

We strongly recommend obtaining your Re-Entry Permit at the Immigration Office well before your departure. Without a re-entry permit, leaving Thailand will cancel your current visa.

Documents required:

• A recent passport-size photograph (within the last 2–3 months)
• Photocopy of your departure card (if applicable)
• Photocopy of the photograph page of your passport
• Photocopy of your current visa
• Fee: Single Re-Entry Permit — 1,000 Baht; Multiple Re-Entry Permit — 3,800 Baht
• All photocopies must be signed in blue pen

90-Day Report

All foreigners living in Thailand must report their address to the local Immigration Office every 90 days. Your first 90-day report must be completed in person at Chaeng Wattana Immigration Office.

Google Map to Chaeng Wattana Immigration →

Documents needed for in-person report:

• Passport
• Work Permit
• TM30 (must be up to date after your last trip abroad)
• Signed black and white photocopies of your Non-B Visa, passport information page
• One copy of your Work Permit
• Completed form TM47
• Your notification receipt

Online 90-Day Report: Thai Immigration Online Services.

7-Module Teacher Training Registration Guide

Step 1: Get Your Khurusapha ID

1. Open the Khurusapha ID search page in Google Chrome and use the built-in translate feature to switch the page to English.
2. Enter your passport number and select all checkboxes.
3. The first number displayed is your Khurusapha ID number.

Step 2: Complete Online Registration

Follow the outlined steps on the portal to complete your online registration for the 7-module teacher training curriculum.

Step 3: Log In and Complete Registration

Click Username and enter your Khurusapha identification number as your username, then enter your password.

Step 4: Get Help If Needed

If you experience issues during registration, contact [email protected] for personalised assistance.