Receiving money from Thai foundation on Non-O Volunteer visa

[Arthur Dent]

The Thai foundation that I have volunteered with for the past 6 years is offering to pay me as an independent contractor (not employee).

 

I am concerned that this will risk my Non-O volunteer status. Should I be concerned? Is there a right way to structure this?

 

Thank you! 

[NoDisplayName]

Work visa?

[DrJack54]

19 minutes ago, NoDisplayName said:

Work visa?

The OP stated "not employee" 

Find this thread suspicious.

OP needs to provide more details.

 

[NoDisplayName]

24 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

The OP stated "not employee" 

Find this thread suspicious.

OP needs to provide more details.

 

 

OP also stated "pay me as in independent contractor."

I'm skeptical.

 

 

Edited January 2 by NoDisplayName

[Arthur Dent]

17 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

The OP stated "not employee" 

Find this thread suspicious.

OP needs to provide more details.

 

Sorry for the apparent suspiciousness!

 

I thought it was clear from my OP that my visa is a Non-O Volunteer visa (including work permit--not explicit in OP) which I have held, working with the same Thai foundation for 6 years.

 

That foundation is offering to pay me as an independent contractor, meaning, paid for professional services as an outside entity rather than as a salaried internal employee.

 

I am not sure what more details I should provide, i don't know what I don't know...that is why I am asking :)

 

I hope that is more clear?

 

Thank you!

[novacova]

1 hour ago, Arthur Dent said:

The Thai foundation that I have volunteered with for the past 6 years is offering to pay me as an independent contractor (not employee).

 

I am concerned that this will risk my Non-O volunteer status. Should I be concerned? Is there a right way to structure this?

 

Thank you! 

You can’t change a non-o to a non-b and you’ll have to leave and renter the country to obtain the non-b

[novacova]

Just now, Arthur Dent said:

That foundation is offering to pay me as an independent contractor, meaning, paid for professional services as an outside entity rather than as a salaried internal employee.

You’ll need a non-b for that 

[brianp0803]

If you are getting paid, you will not qualify for volunteer visa. Unless they provide false document to immigration, you will no longer qualify for immigration visa.

 

maybe you could ask if you can the work they need, but you will do it as a volunteer and not receive money.

 

My guess is that they either don’t know how to, or don’t want to, or unable to, provide documentation to directly hire you.

 

if you’ve been enjoying it for a long time already, why not just continue to work as an volunteer

[Purdey]

Once you receive money in exchange for services, you have technically worked and need a work permit.  

[Arthur Dent]

Thank you all for your feedback.

 

Yes, the foundation is figuring out what to do and I am helping how I can with research as well.

 

A living maintenance stipend is technically acceptable for volunteers and is pretty standard for people coming from ASEAN countries on the volunteer visa.

 

I am farang and trying to cover my bases ;)

 

Note: the non-O volunteer visa functionally requires a work permit regardless of payment. Unless the regulations have recently changed: labor does not require a work permit for unpaid volunteering, however, PMJ requires a work permit for writing their recommendation letter to immigration to authorize a volunteer visa renewal of over 3 months...therefore labor provides WP's to volunteers out of consideration for making the volunteer's process with PMJ possible...(also, currently most Thai embassies are refusing new volunteer visas by requiring the letter from PMJ that depends on the WP before issuing the new visa...catch 22.)