Well I have already asked the question in the title. Do I need a work permit for charity work?

A volunteer visa I think

Yes, volunteering requires a work permit as well. The law is very clear about that.

A volunteer visa I think

Is there such a visa?

A volunteer visa I think

Is there such a visa?

Volunteering qualifies one for a non-immigrant "O" visa. It is one of the reasons this visa is issued for. But the visa alone does not allow volunteering, only a work permit allows to be actually engaged in volunteering.

Volunteering allows one to apply for extensions of stay, if one meets the requirements. Main requirements are at least 4 hours a week, having a work permit and volunteerng for a registered charity or the government.

Volunteering qualifies one for a non-immigrant "O" visa. It is one of the reasons this visa is issued for. But the visa alone does not allow volunteering, only a work permit allows to be actually engaged in volunteering.

Volunteering allows one to apply for extensions of stay, if one meets the requirements. Main requirements are at least 4 hours a week, having a work permit and volunteerng for a registered charity or the government.

Thanks for this info... I had not realized this, I knew that one had to have a work permit but had assumed a B visa was required. Can one do this on a retirement extension? Would one need to leave the country and get a different visa, or could one simply take the necessary forms to the Labour Bureau? Maybe I'm just terribly lacking in knowledge but I have considered this for a time because retirement can be very boring and has made me lazy.

Volunteering qualifies one for a non-immigrant "O" visa. It is one of the reasons this visa is issued for. But the visa alone does not allow volunteering, only a work permit allows to be actually engaged in volunteering.

Volunteering allows one to apply for extensions of stay, if one meets the requirements. Main requirements are at least 4 hours a week, having a work permit and volunteerng for a registered charity or the government.

Thanks for this info... I had not realized this, I knew that one had to have a work permit but had assumed a B visa was required. Can one do this on a retirement extension? Would one need to leave the country and get a different visa, or could one simply take the necessary forms to the Labour Bureau? Maybe I'm just terribly lacking in knowledge but I have considered this for a time because retirement can be very boring and has made me lazy.

I beleive you will not be issued a WP on the basis of an extension for retirement

Per above, yu might have trouble convincing the labour department issuing a work eprmit. You might need to go to immigration first to ask for an extension of stay based on volunteering, with full documents from the organisation you will be volunteering for. Or indeed leave the country and return with a non-O visa.

A problem is often finding an organisation willing to help you with the work permit and permission to stay.

Is there a minimum number of hours per week where if you volunteer to do work where there is not a requirement for a work visa?

Is there a minimum number of hours per week where if you volunteer to do work where there is not a requirement for a work visa?

No. Volunteering requires a work permit, regardless of the number of hours.

Is there a minimum number of hours per week where if you volunteer to do work where there is not a requirement for a work visa?

No. Volunteering requires a work permit, regardless of the number of hours.

thanks

Hi All

I am still looking for a charity or similar organisation to undertake volunteering work, which is willing to arrange a work permit to avoid breaking the law. Has anybody had any luck???

Edited December 20, 201213 yr by CeeBee

There are many organisations and educatonal institutions that will take a volunteer. Best starting point is to see wher your interest lies and where you are located.

I am aware of a couple cases in Chiang Mai where people on retirement extensions have been granted work permits. They are issued by different departments, Labor and Immigration, and you don't need to show the work permit to the Immigration people. However, the couple cases I know of are people who have been here a long time and have very specific and sought-after skills of value to the organizations that issue their work permits.

If you're simply a retiree who is bored, I'd suggest you look into hobby activities. Chiang Mai is full of groups of expats engaged in hobby activities -- hiking, bridge, computer club, photography, gardening, dining out, etc. Plus, there are numerous classes teaching Thai language, Buddhism, massage, meditation, etc. There is a much more to do in retirement than just sitting around a bar drinking or reading alone in a coffee shop.

As Mario2008 said, it would be helpful to know more about your location and interests -- but if you simply want to relieve boredom, then perhaps joining a class or club would be a "legal" alternative.

Hi Nancy

Thanks for your response.

It is indeed Chiang Mai that I favour as my new location. I can offer skills as a financial manager and business educator. Continuing with meaningful work, at least on a part-time basis, is more important to me than sitting around in bars or coffee shops. However, I am also interested in joining one or more groups with hobby activities such as hiking or computing.

Do you know of any specific organisations that may be interested in my existing skills and could potentially legally engage me? I would greatly appreciate contact details and look forward to hearing from you again.

CeeBee, I'd suggest you totally immerse yourself in CM expat life, at least for a while, right after you arrive. That's what Hubby and I did and I've seen other successful retirees do the same thing.

Watch the announcement section at the top of the Thai Visa CM forum, also announcements of activities can be found at websites of the CM Mail, Citylife magazine, CM Community church, expats club, etc, etc.

Go to anything that might be of interest, at least twice. Hubby and I set up a whirlwind of activities during our first few months, going to concerts, club meetings (Expats, computer, hiking, reading, bridge, dining out, ladies lunch, sports, VFW etc) and activities (Rotary, church services, craft fairs, exhibitions, quiz nights at the pubs, etc). After a while, we started to see the same people at some of the events, made friends and decided what activities and social circle was of interest and what wasn't for us. Don't commit to anything during the first few months (i.e. accept the role of an officer of a club), but keep your options open.

After a while, you'll know people and people will know you. That's how you'll find the ways to offer your skills as a "financial manager and business educator". That is, if you still want to do that by then. Hubby and I ran a nursery/greenhouse business before we retired and now we have no plants in our condo. We've moved onto so many other activities, much more fun than what we used to do in our previous life.

Thanks for your informative insights, Nancy