Have TE visa - need Non B for volunteer work

[simon43]

I'm moving back to live in Thailand at the end of next month.  I have a couple of years still to run on my TE visa.

 

But I will be doing a little volunteer work for a registered NGO.  They will provide the necessary documents for me to get a WP.  But as I understand things, I cannot get a WP to perform unpaid work on a TE visa - I need to apply for a non-immigrant B visa.  (Is my understanding correct?)

 

How does this work?  Is my TE validity suspended during the period when I have a non-imm B visa?  Or do they run 'in parallel'?  I worry that if I enter Thailand with a non-imm B visa, the immigration officer will cancel my TE visa.....

 

To comment that I could do this volunteer work without a WP.  However, I'm concerned at the consequences if I'm 'caught'.  I'd rather keep everything 100% legal.

[Maestro]

I'm not sure but I think it may help if you spell out what you mean with TE.

[simon43]

I'm not sure but I think it may help if you spell out what you mean with TE.

 

Thailand Elite 5 year visa.

[Oxx]

See https://www.thai-elite.com/faq.html

[ubonjoe]

1 hour ago, Oxx said:

See https://www.thai-elite.com/faq.html

That is not the official Thai Elite website and there is no info on that page that OP needs.

On this page of the official site https://www.thailandelite.com/faqs?locate=en there is this.

As it states the PE visa he has will remain valid but it cannot be used for entry.

But what is actually required to do volunteer work is a non-o visa to get a work permit if working for a registered organization. 

[simon43]

Quote

 

But what is actually required to do volunteer work is a non-o visa...
 

 

 

OK, presumably that para that you quoted from the TE website about non-imm B visas will also apply to non-O visas...

 

The organisation is registered and has confirmed that they can provide me with the necessary paperwork to apply for a non-O and the WP ?

[ubonjoe]

Just now, simon43 said:

OK, presumably that para that you quoted from the TE website about non-imm B visas will also apply to non-O visas...

Yes it does.

Your Thai Elite membership will remain valid which you still get all perks from it.

Dependent upon what you will be doing for the NGO you may not need a work permit under the new rules. The info available is still a little vague but in many cases now a work permit is not needed for volunteer work. I suggest you ask the labor ministry about it being required.

[simon43]

...you may not need a work permit under the new rules. The info available is still a little vague...

 

Your comment intrigues me!  What info is available to cause you to make that comment?

[ubonjoe]

19 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Your comment intrigues me!  What info is available to cause you to make that comment?

There has been several articles in news about it.

The definition of work was revised along with many other things earlier this year.

This from a summary of the changes.

Source: https://www.doe.go.th/prd/assets/upload/files/bkk_th/5886a44b081970f2f5d2e8977fdb4ea0.pdf

[simon43]

Ah OK thanks. 

 

But I doubt that the Minister will have the time (or interest) to exempt my teaching Thai language to Burmese administration staff from the classification of work ?

[ubonjoe]

57 minutes ago, simon43 said:

But I doubt that the Minister will have the time (or interest) to exempt my teaching Thai language to Burmese administration staff from the classification of work ?

That does not mean on a case by case basis. It means that the minister can issue a ministerial order for it.

[simon43]

It means that the minister can issue a ministerial order for it.

 

Indeed.  I won't hold my breath waiting for this ministerial order ?

 

Thanks again for your clarifications.

[ubonjoe]

40 minutes ago, simon43 said:

Indeed.  I won't hold my breath waiting for this ministerial order ?

I think it has already been done. That is why I suggested checking with the labor ministry about it.

[jgarbo]

11 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

That is not the official Thai Elite website and there is no info on that page that OP needs.

On this page of the official site https://www.thailandelite.com/faqs?locate=en there is this.

As it states the PE visa he has will remain valid but it cannot be used for entry.

But what is actually required to do volunteer work is a non-o visa to get a work permit if working for a registered organization. 

Amazing , Ubon Joe. You and I seem to be the only people with an Internet connection to look up stuff.