Non O - Volunteer Visa

[Scotthai]

Hi, i am looking for anyone who as any info or ideas on this complex situation. Even a link to a thread that might help me. I did see one for voluteer visas but the situation was different from mine.

I am Scottish and 30 years old. Married to a Thai girl and currently on a 1 year marraige visa which runs out on 8 March.. I am going to get a 1 week extention as I go to Penang on 15 March.

I have a 1 year work permit as a volunteer which comes to an end in June but will be extended for another year at that time.

My problem is that i no longer have the money in a Thai bank account to get a new 1 year marraige visa.. I would like to get a 3 month Non B/O visa if possible using my volunteer work permit as that would take me to June when my volunteer work permit will be renewed for another year..

Does anyone know if that would be possible and what documents will be needed. I assume if it is possible i will be able to do it at the embassy in Penang.

Also does anyone know if i can easily renew this visa on the renewal of the work permit.

Thanks in advance for any assistance..

[thailandbluegrass]

The visa always comes before the work permit. You cannot get a new visa based on a WP however you CAN get a new work permit extension based on a new visa as far as I know

[jdinasia]

Not true. I have an employee that has had 2 new visas on his current WP.

[lopburi3]

Work permits are not tied to visas anymore - you will need a visa for issue however. You can never obtain a work permit based on having a visa. You can obtain a visa based on having a work permit and company documents to qualify.

[Mario2008]

The OP doesn't need to go abroad, he can get an extension of stay based on volunteering, as he is on a valid non-immigrant visa entry and possible extensions of stay.

Just apply for an extension of stay from immigration with the usual form (TM 7) and fill in as reason for the extension "volunteering". They will issue for 90 days or the date your WP ends, if you can show the required documents. Having a work permit is the most important part.

No income needs to be shown for volunteering, it is volunteering after all, but a bankbook with some money (20K) in it would be advisable.

An important factor is also if it is for an organization or for a government organization, like a school. This can determine if you get extensions of stay for 90 days at a time or for 1 year.

http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/doc/temporarystay/policy305-2551_en.pdf

under 2.21 gives the required documents. But always contact the immigration office first to see what that office requires. It may vary a bit.

[Scotthai]

Ah finally some breakthrough.. Thank you Mario2008..

I believe a girl at the foundation (school) was on the phone to immigration today to try and sort things out for me and they mentioned something about this.. I was slightly sceptical but i am more hopeful now. Nothing with immigration is ever as straight forward as we would like.

Thanks for all the replies. I guess i will find out next week if it all goes through smoothly.

[moskito]

First of all, DONT GO TO PENANG! Its the worst of all places one can choose. The staff is rude and unfriendly and they change THEIR rules on a daylie basis.

I know its a bit more work but do yourself a favour and go to KL. Unsually you dont need so much money in your account for getting a one year Visa extension, all you need are the normal papers, mariage certification, baan paper etc. I always bring my bankbook and some other papers like driving licenses or whatever. Better too much as something missing. And there is never more then 100k Baht on my account in a Thaibank (: ....sorry, but even thats to much to trust them ((((-:

The KL Embassy Staff is the most friendly Thai Embassy Staff I ever met. They are very helpfull. BTW, I take an AirAsia Flight for around 4000.-Baht usually, sometimes even cheaper. Cheap hotels you can find in China Town, check the internet or contact me. Things are done in ONE working day in KL, to be on the safe side I count with two days anyway, check public holidays out before the trip, both, Malay and Thai Holidays, may be the Embassy is closed on holydays

have fun and a nice trip ......and FORGET PENANG

[ianh68]

I've got an OA retirement visa and guess I'd need a work permit to do any substantial voluntary work. Is it possible to get a generic work permit or do I have to approach an organisation first and get the necessary paperwork? How much would the WP cost? Would I be expected to pay?

[lopburi3]

You would first require a visa allowing a work permit to be issued - retirement does not normally allow this. Then you need full paperwork from organization to obtain a work permit (it is not generic). Believe work permit itself is a bit over 3k.