Visa For Internship

[Nynke]

Hello,

I'm Nynke, 24 years old and i'm from the Netherlands. I'm going to do an 4 month internship in Bangkok, as part of my education (Bachelor). It's an required internship as part of my graduation.

I will do this internship at a company in Bangkok, it will be fully unpaid, there will be no salary / allowance and I will cover my own expenses.

Wich visa should I get?

The Thai consulate told me to get an ED visum, cause it's part of my education, but also asks for an Letter of acceptance from the concerned schools/universities or institutes from Thailand, but there is no Thai School / university involved?

And on this forum I found some topics saying to get an E visum, when working / doing internship. So now i'm a bit confused

I hope you can please help me out

Thank you!

[commande]

Have your current university contact the Thai Embassy and sort it for you. An Interm must be sponsored if required by your university outside your home country. Even though your not getting paid, there are job restrictions in Thailand, even foreigners that own companies here that don't have a work permit and want to serve coffee at their company can't because it's a restricted job and they don't have a work visa; yes just because you own the company doesn't entitle you to work in Thailand.

Generally in most countries sponsoring interns from overseas, there is still a special visa issued and it's not an Education Visa. Education Visa lets you go to school, it's doesn't allow you to work or even work for free. There are exceptions to every rule in every country but I would definitely consult with your university and the Thai Embassy getting everything in Writing and not just a phone call.

[Satcommlee]

That's a tricky one...

Is it normal for people on your course to do internships in Bangkok?

[digitalchromakey]

Even if you are not being paid you will need the company where you will do your internship to get you a Work Permit, otherwise what you do is defined by Thai Law as working and leaves you liable to arrest and deportation without a WP..

You should get a One year Multiple Entry Non Immigrant Category 'B' Visa to support your Work Permit Issue, check with you local consulate as to what company papers they require to issue such a visa to you..

[BrianCR]

Have your current university contact the Thai Embassy and sort it for you. An Interm must be sponsored if required by your university outside your home country. Even though your not getting paid, there are job restrictions in Thailand, even foreigners that own companies here that don't have a work permit and want to serve coffee at their company can't because it's a restricted job and they don't have a work visa; yes just because you own the company doesn't entitle you to work in Thailand.

Generally in most countries sponsoring interns from overseas, there is still a special visa issued and it's not an Education Visa. Education Visa lets you go to school, it's doesn't allow you to work or even work for free. There are exceptions to every rule in every country but I would definitely consult with your university and the Thai Embassy getting everything in Writing and not just a phone call.

If it is a Thai or western company they have to issue the documents to get you both the "non b" visa and the work permit (which as stated you definitely need). If the company was located by your university ask them to contact the company directly. Without the correct documents you can't legally work and also the company will not be able (legally) to give to the documents to obtain your university credits

PS to accept interns from overseas the company should have an agreement with your university, Thai Department of Education and Thai Immigration

[Nynke]

That's a tricky one...

Is it normal for people on your course to do internships in Bangkok?

No it's not, I'm the first one to go to Thailand. Usually, internships will be in my home country, or in europe.

[commande]

That's a tricky one...

Is it normal for people on your course to do internships in Bangkok?

No it's not, I'm the first one to go to Thailand. Usually, internships will be in my home country, or in europe.

It appears you have a lot of work ahead of you if you want to perform an Internship in Thailand. Good luck to you and keep us posted if you get this worked out as it will be good information for others possibly considering the same thing.

[Nynke]

Have your current university contact the Thai Embassy and sort it for you. An Interm must be sponsored if required by your university outside your home country. Even though your not getting paid, there are job restrictions in Thailand, even foreigners that own companies here that don't have a work permit and want to serve coffee at their company can't because it's a restricted job and they don't have a work visa; yes just because you own the company doesn't entitle you to work in Thailand.

Generally in most countries sponsoring interns from overseas, there is still a special visa issued and it's not an Education Visa. Education Visa lets you go to school, it's doesn't allow you to work or even work for free. There are exceptions to every rule in every country but I would definitely consult with your university and the Thai Embassy getting everything in Writing and not just a phone call.

What do you mean by "must be sponsored" ?

This is the answer the Thai Consulate in Amsterdam gave to me:

Is the internship a part of your curriculum that you are studying in the Netherlands? If yes, a Non Immigrant “ED” visa is required.

They also told me al the stuff that I needed to get this visa, one of those thing was a "Letter of acceptance from the concerned schools/universities or institutes from Thailand" When I replied to that, telling them that it IS a part of my curriculum, but that I would go work at this company, unpaid, and there is no Thai university involved, they told me:

"In this case, you need a letter of acceptance from Thai company and a letter of guarantee from your school in Belgium." (I'm studying in Belgium)

[Nynke]

Have your current university contact the Thai Embassy and sort it for you. An Interm must be sponsored if required by your university outside your home country. Even though your not getting paid, there are job restrictions in Thailand, even foreigners that own companies here that don't have a work permit and want to serve coffee at their company can't because it's a restricted job and they don't have a work visa; yes just because you own the company doesn't entitle you to work in Thailand.

Generally in most countries sponsoring interns from overseas, there is still a special visa issued and it's not an Education Visa. Education Visa lets you go to school, it's doesn't allow you to work or even work for free. There are exceptions to every rule in every country but I would definitely consult with your university and the Thai Embassy getting everything in Writing and not just a phone call.

If it is a Thai or western company they have to issue the documents to get you both the "non b" visa and the work permit (which as stated you definitely need). If the company was located by your university ask them to contact the company directly. Without the correct documents you can't legally work and also the company will not be able (legally) to give to the documents to obtain your university credits

PS to accept interns from overseas the company should have an agreement with your university, Thai Department of Education and Thai Immigration

Thanks for your response as well. The company told me that they would get me an invitation letter, for my visa application.

I'm not sure if they have an agreement with the Thai Department of Education and Thai Immigration.. It's a company who has offices around the world, the headoffice is located in Germany and they have non-Thai people working there as well (In Bangkok). So I assume that I wouldn't be the first intern.

I'm confused now, since the Thai Consulate told me that an ED visa would be OK...

[Nynke]

That's a tricky one...

Is it normal for people on your course to do internships in Bangkok?

No it's not, I'm the first one to go to Thailand. Usually, internships will be in my home country, or in europe.

It appears you have a lot of work ahead of you if you want to perform an Internship in Thailand. Good luck to you and keep us posted if you get this worked out as it will be good information for others possibly considering the same thing.

Thanks a lot I hope this will work out, I has been my dream for years.. I will keep you updated!

[Satcommlee]

Nynke,

What is the definition of Work and what is the definition of Education?

A lot on here love giving you the "oh! you'll go to jail spiel", but in reality the Police are only after the obvious P###takers, like those guys running businesses illegally and which usually involves earning lots of money!

As far as I would be concerned an internship is part of your education and if you manage to get the Education visa then you should (in my opinion) be OK.

Definition of work in work permit law is defined as "exertion of energy"... so am I not working if I knock up a tasty Thai dish in a cookery class under a ED visa? or even doing a bit of gardening in my own back yard? The law makes no sense and relies on common sense interpretation.

Don't get paranoid, the only people that need to be worrying are those that are evading tax, running bars, running tour groups etc..

but don't be complacent, walking down a busy high street wearing a suit and carrying a briefcase may attract attention.

Good luck with everything.

[commande]

Have your current university contact the Thai Embassy and sort it for you. An Interm must be sponsored if required by your university outside your home country. Even though your not getting paid, there are job restrictions in Thailand, even foreigners that own companies here that don't have a work permit and want to serve coffee at their company can't because it's a restricted job and they don't have a work visa; yes just because you own the company doesn't entitle you to work in Thailand.

Generally in most countries sponsoring interns from overseas, there is still a special visa issued and it's not an Education Visa. Education Visa lets you go to school, it's doesn't allow you to work or even work for free. There are exceptions to every rule in every country but I would definitely consult with your university and the Thai Embassy getting everything in Writing and not just a phone call.

What do you mean by "must be sponsored" ?

This is the answer the Thai Consulate in Amsterdam gave to me:

Is the internship a part of your curriculum that you are studying in the Netherlands? If yes, a Non Immigrant “ED” visa is required.

They also told me al the stuff that I needed to get this visa, one of those thing was a "Letter of acceptance from the concerned schools/universities or institutes from Thailand" When I replied to that, telling them that it IS a part of my curriculum, but that I would go work at this company, unpaid, and there is no Thai university involved, they told me:

"In this case, you need a letter of acceptance from Thai company and a letter of guarantee from your school in Belgium." (I'm studying in Belgium)

The term Sponsor means - the company or University in the country your doing your internship in. You have been told from what I read here that you need a letter of acceptance from the Thai Company, they would be your sponsor in Thailand. The letter from you University is to back up the sponsorship in Thailand and confirm that this is for an internship.

If you get all this together, it seems you should be good to go because you will have everything in writing and the Ed Visa will be issued based on that documentation. Seems things should be all set for you.

[Nynke]

Commande and Satcommlee, thanks for your answers! I got an e-mail from the company, they sorted it out for me and told me too, to get an ED visa

So thats what I will try to get

[digitalchromakey]

Commande and Satcommlee, thanks for your answers! I got an e-mail from the company, they sorted it out for me and told me too, to get an ED visa

So thats what I will try to get

You will find this when you get to work here, that a lot of people (employers included) do not know the current employment law (Thai Working of Aliens 2008), which amongst other things states that:

Section 5 "Working means a working by physical strength or knowledge whether or not intended for wages or any other benefits"

Section 51 An alien whoever working without a Work Permit shall be liable for punishment by imprisonment not exceeding five years or a fine from two thousand baht up to 100,000 baht or both.

Employers often can't be bothered to spend the time and money needed to apply for a Work Permit, particularly when it is only for a temporary employee.

Put somebody's nose out of joint or get caught on a raid and you will be on your own and telling them that your employer, the Thai Consulate in Amsterdam or someone on Thai Visa said it was ok wont help you, they will just smile and shake their heads.

To do what you plan to do requires a Work Permit; yes you may well not be caught but be aware of the law which is very strict on working without the correct permissions.

Working as an alien without a wage here does not exclude you in any way from the requirement to hold a Work Permit, not to mention that you are arranging the employment directly your self, not your educational institution.

Lets hope that your dream of working in Thailand does not turn into a nightmare.

[Nynke]

But The Thai consulate also told me to get an ED visa.. And it's my school who is arranging this internship, not me.. Pff this is confusing!

[Maestro]

I have seen posts on this forum saying that an internship as part of a degree-earning program is treated as education and that no work permit is required.

P.S. I did a quick search and found that a distinction is made on the basis of whether the student is enrolled with a university in Thailand or not: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/232396-internship-work-placement-work-permit/#entry2435372

Nynke, it looks like you will need a work permit. Thai consulates often are not particularly knowledgeable about work permit requirements.

[digitalchromakey]

But The Thai consulate also told me to get an ED visa.. And it's my school who is arranging this internship, not me.. Pff this is confusing!

If your school is organizing the internship then how come you are directly negotiating with the employer?

Pretty much every Consulate has their own reading of the regulations which are laid down by the MFA, FYI here is a link to their website re Non 'B' Visas.

http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/123/15388-Non-Immigrant-Visa-%22B%22-(for-Business-and.html

[Nynke]

But The Thai consulate also told me to get an ED visa.. And it's my school who is arranging this internship, not me.. Pff this is confusing!

If your school is organizing the internship then how come you are directly negotiating with the employer?

Pretty much every Consulate has their own reading of the regulations which are laid down by the MFA, FYI here is a link to their website re Non 'B' Visas.

http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/123/15388-Non-Immigrant-Visa-%22B%22-(for-Business-and.html

My school has contacted the company at first (It's a international company wich has an office in The Netherlands as well), and they told me to feel free to contact them directly with any questions. Since I'm Dutch, and my school is in Belgium, I would be easier if I arrange the visa myself.

I just e-mailed the Thai Ambassy as well, so I will wait for there response..

[Maestro]

From another web page of the webbsite of Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs:

3. NON-IMMIGRANT VISA

- to study, to come on a work study tour or observation tour , to participate in projects or seminars , to attend a conference or training course , to study as a foreign Buddhist monk (Category "ED")

Perhaps the consulate misunderstands what an internship is and thinks it is a "training course"

[Nynke]

I have seen posts on this forum saying that an internship as part of a degree-earning program is treated as education and that no work permit is required.

P.S. I did a quick search and found that a distinction is made on the basis of whether the student is enrolled with a university in Thailand or not: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/232396-internship-work-placement-work-permit/#entry2435372

Nynke, it looks like you will need a work permit. Thai consulates often are not particularly knowledgeable about work permit requirements.

Thanks for your response. Maybe I can figure something out with a Thai university.. There is an school in Bangkok, wich offers exact the same education wich I'm doing right now ( It's the Sirindhorn School of Prosthetics and Orthotics ).

But i'm not the first foreinger at this company, I know there works another foreinger at the office in Bangkok, and it's a from origine German company(Headoffice) .. So I assumed that the would know the rules..

[Maestro]

...If your school is organizing the internship then how come you are directly negotiating with the employer? ...

The university makes the internship a requirement but usually does not arrange it, ie the student has find an employer himself.

[asiaexpat]

Most internships for non-Thai students are arranged by a Thai university that has an exchange agreement/co-opperation agreement with a university outside Thailand. The Thai university issues the documents needed for an ED visa as part of the exchange agreement. Since your university appears to not have such an agreement, you should apply for a Non-B visa using documents provided by the company you will intern with. That company should also assist you with a work permit.

[commande]

60,000 baht for a work permit and all the paperwork the company has to file, I wouldn't pay that out of pocket for an internship with a company paying me nothing back. To much of a hassle, to expensive and doubtful the company would even complete the paperwork...

It sounds to me that the company is just doing things on the "down low" not worried if they get caught because they never have in the past. It's a risk the interns blindly take and it appears they have gotten away with it for a long time. Company here in Thailand is happy to have the Intern, they work for free, they want to learn, great deal for them so they don't care how you show up as long as your willing to work for free and do a great job. Trust me, they will have no intention of ever hiring you to stay and work in Thailand. You would be to expensive being from the west...

This is of course considering if the information here is correct. Me personally, I would call the Bangkok Embassy and get everything in writing from them as to what you need. Paper is everything, words mean nothing at the end of the day. Get everything is writing.

[onthemoon]

I suggest to contact the German-Thai Chamber of Commerce, as the company in Thailand appears to be a German company. GTCC ofyen asks their members to accept interns, so they will know about the visa.

I believe the Netherlands-Thai Chamber of Commerce does the same. And since your university is in Belgium, there is also the BeLuThai chamber.

I can introduce you, send me PM.

Sent from my LG-P698f using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Soutpeel]

"60,000 baht for a work permit and all the paperwork the company has to file".... THB 60k ?.... ....since when ?

[Mario2008]

Not sure were they 60,000 baht comes from. A work permit costs 3,100 baht for 1 year.

[Maestro]

60,000 baht for a work permit and all the paperwork the company has to file, I wouldn't pay that out of pocket for an internship with a company paying me nothing back. To much of a hassle, to expensive and doubtful the company would even complete the paperwork...

The interns I knew received a salary, but they did not work in Thailand. How is it in Thailand generally?

[commande]

Not sure were they 60,000 baht comes from. A work permit costs 3,100 baht for 1 year.

That number is what some moron gave me a while back - I actually was waiting on someone like you to give the real answer... LOL

[Satcommlee]

What is the definition of "work study tour" under the ED visa requirements, posted earlier???

I knew there would be at least one post saying you'd go to jail and get deported though, but maybe this "work study tour" criteria covers you.

If you get the ED Visa issued under these circumstances then I would think you are in the clear.. Although I'm not pretending to be an expert..

Get whatever you can in writing, and if they do Issue you with the ED visa without Thai university sponsorship, then the consulate/embassy has accepted your criteria and that's got to be worth something, surely?

Don't let the Thaivisa doom-sayers spoil your dream mate!

And keep this thread up to date, it may be very helpful to other people considering the same in future.

[Sophon]

What is the definition of "work study tour" under the ED visa requirements, posted earlier???

I knew there would be at least one post saying you'd go to jail and get deported though, but maybe this "work study tour" criteria covers you.

If you get the ED Visa issued under these circumstances then I would think you are in the clear.. Although I'm not pretending to be an expert..

Get whatever you can in writing, and if they do Issue you with the ED visa without Thai university sponsorship, then the consulate/embassy has accepted your criteria and that's got to be worth something, surely?

Don't let the Thaivisa doom-sayers spoil your dream mate!

And keep this thread up to date, it may be very helpful to other people considering the same in future.

Visa and work permit are separate issues, and the embassy issuing the visa does in no way indicate that you do not also need a work permit. After all, people moving here to work normally start off by having a Non Immigrant B visa issued in their home country, but they still need to get a work permit before starting working in Thailand.

And I would never rely on advice from an embassy with regards to work permits. Embassies know about visas and little else, and have frequently been known to give incorrect advice about extensions and work permits.

Sophon