I need some assistance in selecting the right visa - I will be in Thailand for 5 weeks as a volunteer, then will be departing for four weeks before returning to undertake a four week training camp. What is the best visa selection for this? Thanks!

You must have a non immigrant O visa and a work permit by law.

The organization that will benefit from your volunteer work should help you sort this out. You will get an 90-day O visa, based on working as a volunteer and that organization will arrange for you to receive a work permit, also. Don't let some organization tell you that you don't "need" to have a work permit if you're volunteering -- yes, you do for any kind of work, even unpaid work.

When you depart Thailand for your little excursion, obtain a re-entry permit at the local Immigration office if your 90-day O visa is a single entry visa. This won't be necessary if it's a multi-entry visa, but I don't know if those are commonly granted for volunteer work.

Your 90 day visa will still be valid when you return to Thailand for your four-week educational session. It may expire a few days before you plan to leave, but you can get a 7-day extension at the local immigration office with proof of an outgoing flight.

Edited January 24, 201214 yr by NancyL