Getting Non "O" Volunteer

[61guitarman61]

I have a registered not for profit school who will work with me to obtain a work permit and documents for obtaining a non "O" volunteer visa. Neither the school nor I know exactly what needs to be done. The school is in Maesod. I am currently here on a 30 day stamp. I will be volunteering with no pay or other compensation. That stamp expires October 22. I have talked to the embassy in BKK and immigration in Maesod and the work authority in Maesod and I am just as uninformed now as I was before talking for hours with them. Please advise on the entire process and I have some specific questions also:

1. Do I have to change the type of visa in BKK or can I make a border run and while out of Thailand change the visa type at the Thai embassy in the country I cross into?

2. What is the best location to do this if it is possible at all?

3. What documentation do I need?

4. When should I apply for the work permit?

5. Are there different types of non "O" visas for longer lengths of stay?

6. Does a long term non "O" volunteer provide exemption from duty on personal items brought in on a sea cargo shipment?

7. How fast can this process be completed?

8. What are the total fees going to be?

9. Will I have to run every 90 days or only check in with local immigration?

Thank you for any advice.

[jazzbo]

22 OCT?? ... My suggestion would be that you go to the Thai Embassy in Vientiane Laos and get their best (2x entry ?) Tourist Visa for now ... give yourself some time to sort this all out as both you and the school are attempting this work permit issue for the first time ... This is done with the understanding that during this interim period you will perform no work but just familiarize acclimate yourself to the surroundings... then, as long as the school is properly registered and supplies the requested WP documents -- the work permit and your long-term stay will fall into place.

[61guitarman61]

Please detail for this newbie what going to Laos will entail. Sorry for my naivetae.

[61guitarman61]

Also, thank you Jazzbo for your reply and advice. I am hoping for a little more detailed nuts and bolts info about non "O" volunteer visas however from members with similar situation experience. I am hoping to find some members who have actually gone through the process of obtaining this type of visa. Please reply if you have.......

[jazzbo]

I personally have not gone through the Process for 'Volunteer' WP ... you might look at the Hull website:

http://www.thaiconsu...-and-visas.aspx

... Additional Pack for Non-IMM 'O' -- Volunteer

What you need to do right now is buy yourself some time ... even if it is just crossing the nearest land border a couple of times for 15 days each.

[Mario2008]

1. You will have to request for a conversion in Bangkok. They will not do it in Mae Sod or Chiang Mai.

2. if it doesn't work an you have to go abroad go to Vientianne, that should be fine.

3. For a visa you would need an official letter from the school.

4. Apply for the work permit before you attempt to convert to a non-immigrant visa. Without the WP3 form from labour immigration will not convert.

5. a non-O is for an entry of 90 days. if you need to stay longer you must get an extension of stay drom immigration.

6. Once you have a work permit AND are on an extension of stay you might be able to get a free shipment in of personal items.

7. Very fast, but depends how soon the school can get it's act together.

8. Conversion of vsa: 2,000 baht, WP, 3,100 baht, heatlh check 100 baht, extension of stay from immirgation 1,900 baht.

The local education area office has experrience with volunteer teachers. The school should be able to get a lot of information from them. They can also contact Umphang Wittayakom School in Umphang which I believe currently has a volunteer teacher.

9. After you get an extension of stay you have to report every 90 days your adress, which can be done by mail, and only have to apply in person for a new extension of stay every year.

[jazzbo]

7. Very fast, but depends how soon the school can get it's act together. As it seems this is the first time that this particular school has hosted a foreign volunteer for a work permit , I would go to the nearby border and get a few 15 visa-exempt entries to sort this all out at a more leisurely pace ... IMHO expecting such things to happen very fast is just asking for problems