Discover our 4 and 5-Month TEFL Internship In Thailand

The following eligibility criteria are established by the placement schools for the Internship Programme:

• Must be a native English speaker
• Must hold a passport from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the UK, or the USA
• Must be a university graduate with a recognized bachelor’s degree
• Age requirement: between 21 and 50 years old
• Must demonstrate adaptability to new and unpredictable situations
• Must possess good character traits and exhibit a friendly, patient, and flexible personality
• Should have basic IT skills

As part of the paperwork requirements for a non-immigrant B (Business) visa application, a police clearance is necessary. This document can be obtained from the intern’s home country before departing for Thailand or from the Thai Police in Chiang Mai. Interns must also bring their original Bachelor’s degree diploma and university transcripts to Thailand. These documents are essential for non-immigrant B visa and work permit applications.

Important: If you do not meet these requirements, you may still qualify for our 4-Week TEFL Certification Programme.

A 60-day Tourist Visa or 30-day Visa Exemption allows participants to enter Thailand, complete training and look for employment. Both options can also be extended for a further 30 days in Chiang Mai. Once trainees find employment, their school will provide paperwork to support their Non-Immigrant B (Business) visa and work permit applications; this visa allows an indefinite permission to stay as it can be extended each year.

Obtaining a non-immigrant B visa usually involves a visit to a Thai embassy or consulate in a neighboring country. All associated visa costs are the responsibility of the intern.

1. Original Bachelor’s Degree and Transcripts:

Teachers must provide their original Bachelor’s degree, along with transcripts and notarized copies of both. The notarized copies are a requirement of the Teacher Council of Thailand (TCT). Most nationalities can notarize their documents at their embassy in Thailand; however, the U.S. and U.K. embassies do not offer this service to their citizens, so it must be completed in their home country.

• For U.K. nationals, more information can be found here.
• For U.S. nationals, information is available here.

Note: Thailand is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention.

To avoid issues for interns from the U.K. and U.S., our partner TEFL training center in Chiang Mai can provide paperwork through our language school (we are a non-formal school). Non-formal school teachers are not supervised by the TCT, so notarized copies are not required.

2. Police Check:

Until recently, a police check from the home country or Thailand was required. Now, only Thai police checks are accepted. This can be done in Chiang Mai and costs 100 THB ($3). Our partner TEFL training center staff can take interns to the police forensics unit, and we cover the cost of transportation as well as the police check for the interns.

3. Medical Certificate:

Any Thai hospital can provide a medical certificate. This involves a basic physical examination and a blood test for syphilis. The cost ranges from 200 to 400 THB, depending on the hospital, and it takes a couple of hours to process. It is the intern’s responsibility to obtain this certificate.

4. Passport Photos:

Our partner TEFL training center in Chiang Mai can take passport photographs for the interns and send them to a local photography shop for printing. This cost is covered by the local staff.

1. Permission Letter from the MoE:

The employer must request a ‘permission letter’ from the local Ministry of Education (MoE) office for the non-immigrant B visa process. This document is required by the Thai embassy (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to support a non-immigrant B visa application. Due to the large number of foreign teachers in Chiang Mai and the fact that the MoE only employs one officer to process these letters, it can take 4 to 5 weeks to receive this letter. This is why our partner TEFL training center starts this process as soon as interns arrive for training.

2. Visa Application:

Once this document is issued, the intern must go to a Thai embassy to apply for the visa. From Chiang Mai, the easiest and cheapest options are in Vietnam or Laos. Most teachers travel by bus. Applications are typically received before midday and issued 1 to 2 days later. The intern must be present for both the application and for receiving the visa, and the cost is the intern’s responsibility. Teachers need to book an appointment at the embassy, which usually has a waiting list of 2 to 4 weeks. Therefore, we encourage interns to schedule their appointments at the start of training for a date 5 to 6 weeks from that day. Interns will receive a 3-month non-immigrant B visa.

3. Work Permit:

The employer can then apply for a work permit for the teacher at the Ministry of Labour in Chiang Mai. The duration will depend on their employment contract and can be for up to 1 year. The teacher must attend the government office to receive their work permit. Note that if our partner TEFL training center supports the non-immigrant B visa with our partner school’s paperwork, the work permit will be issued under the school’s name. The training center in Chiang Mai will then add the placement school to the work permit as a second location.

4. Visa Extension:

Local staff can then extend the 3-month non-immigrant B visa to match the duration of the work permit. This entire process involves coordinating with the employing school, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Labour, and the Royal Thai Police (Immigration). Local staff at the TEFL training center can coordinate this process and guide the interns. The training center team is very experienced and competent in processing the visa and work permit for interns and teachers.

Thai schools vary in terms of size, facilities, and teaching methods, but they generally prioritize respect for authority and academic achievement. Classrooms often feature traditional teaching styles with a focus on rote learning and memorization. Students typically wear uniforms and adhere to strict discipline rules. Many schools have a strong emphasis on English language education, with classes taught in both Thai and English. Additionally, extracurricular activities such as sports, music, and arts are common in Thai schools, contributing to a well-rounded education experience.

Watch the video here.

Our TEFL course provider attained ISO 9001 Quality Management certification in 2009, marking a milestone as the inaugural TEFL training organization in Asia to achieve this distinction. Licensed by the Thai Ministry of Education for TEFL teacher training, our provider enables the notarization of our TEFL certificate at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Chiang Mai. This notarization is mandatory for legal employment in numerous countries, including China and Vietnam.

Furthermore, our TEFL course provider holds the status of an Approved Center of Training Qualifications UK (TQUK), duly recognized by the UK Government’s Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual).

Through TQUK, our provider extends its offerings to include an Ofqual-regulated Level 5 certificate as a supplement to our standard 120-hour course, distinguishing us as the sole onsite trainer in Thailand providing this certification.

The Turing Scheme is a UK government initiative that provides funding for students to study and work abroad, offering a unique opportunity to gain international experience. Open to students at all levels—schools, colleges, universities, and vocational training—the scheme enables participants to enhance their skills, broaden their horizons, and boost employability.

Application Process:

1. Eligibility: Ensure you are enrolled at a UK institution. The scheme is open to students across different educational stages.
2. Contact Your Institution: Reach out to the Mobility or International Exchanges department or international office at your school, college, or university to express your interest and confirm your eligibility.
3. Prepare Your Application: Your institution will guide you through the application process, including submitting necessary documentation, such as a personal statement, academic records, and a proposed plan for your study or work abroad.
4. Funding and Support: If your application is successful, the Turing Scheme will provide funding to cover your costs, including travel, accommodation, and living expenses.
5. Start Your Journey With Angloville: Once approved, you can embark on your international experience in Thailand, gaining valuable skills and cultural insights.

For more details, consult your institution’s Mobility or International Exchanges department.

For complete terms and conditions regarding our TEFL course and job placement in Thailand, please click here.