Visa For International Ngo Staffer With No Office In Thailand

[Travis]

Hi all,

Great forum, had a good surf through but couldn't find a post that dealt with my exact situation. The multiple entry non-immigrant "o" visa looks like the closest match but I've heard others have had issues if their NGO isn't registered in Thailand. Really appreciate if someone can advise me as to what kind of visa might be appropriate my situation.

Here's a brief summary of the particulars:

1. I am an Australian Citizen (currently based in Sydney and applying at the embassy in Canberra)
   
2. I work for an non-profit foundation based in the USA
   
3. I am hoping to relocate to Thailand for approx 12 months to conduct my work from Bangkok as it is a convenient location for regional travel and networking with our partner organisations etc.
   
4. My position requires me to travel extensively, meaning that I will need to be able to exit and re-enter Thailand very regularly.
   
5. I will not be receiving income from any organisation or business entity registered in Thailand.
   
6. My wife is also be coming to Thailand seperately on a multiple entry non-immigrant "O" visa as part of an Aus gov't funded volunteer program
   

Thanks a lot!

Travis

[jstumbo]

If you will not be in Thailand more than 90 days in a 6 month period, you can just use visa exempt entries to come and go. No visa of any kind would then be needed if your business was all done outside of Thailand.

Edited March 11, 2008 by jstumbo

[RAZZELL]

[*]I will not be receiving income from any organisation or business entity registered in Thailand.

Will you be having any meetings or "working" in Thailand? Even online from home?

RAZZ

[samran]

sounds like you need an APEC card.

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/business/apec/index.htm

Will give you 90 days on each arrival in Thailand, and pre-approved visas for all other participants. I beleive you can choose the countries where you want pre-approval granted, so that you don't have to wait on pre-authorisations from all dozen or so participants.

[Travis]

Hey Razz,

Thanks for the reply. I will be conducting meetings locally from time to time and working online from home mostly. Do you think this changes things?

Cheers

Travis

[*]I will not be receiving income from any organisation or business entity registered in Thailand.

Will you be having any meetings or "working" in Thailand? Even online from home?

RAZZ