I came in on a single entry Type O visa as a volunteer teacher. Thai Immigration said that although I am a volunteer, since I am receiving a stipend I would need to change to a type B. I did that in Laos and they gave me 90 days to get the work permit. The thing is, I read all the visa issues that others have expressed here and I wonder if there is a way to avoid them all together. After my WP (in progress) expires, is there a procedure in place where if you show that you can support yourself and won't be working for a stipend or salary, that they will let you stay without the 90-day reporting? I realize that I would have to switch back to type O and I am prepared to do that. I want to volunteer and the stipend or salary is not absolutely necessary. I want time to see the country and the region without looking at the calendar every few months. I may also decide that I want to stay out here.

To summarize, does showing proof of support, no need to work and switching back to Type O (retirement) visa avoid the 90-day reporting requirement?

OR

If you want to stay in the country on a long-term basis, would proof of support and a Type O visa suffice?

Thanks in advance.

90 day reporting is required no matter what kind of permission to stay you are on. The only way to avoid it is leaving Thailand every 90 days.

But 90 day reporting is easy and can at most immigration offices done by mail. You seem to make a bigger problem out of it than it is.

1. Photocopy of passport pages with following pages
   - front page showing name / surname / Passport No., ect.
   - current visa
   - last entry stamp of immigration
   - last extension of visa
2. Photocopy of departure card TM.6 click to view Example TM.6 card
3. Previous notifications of staying over 90 days (if any) click to view Example document
4. Completely filled in and signed notification form TM.47 click to view Example document (Don't forget to sign name.)
5. Envelope with 10 Baht stamp affixed and return address of foreigner for the officer in charge to send back the lower part of form TM. 47 after having received the notification. This part must be kept for reference and for future notifications of staying over 90 days.
6. The above mentioned documents must be sent by registered mail and the receipt of the registration kept by the foreigner.
   Send the mail before the renewal date 15 days to Immigration office

Mario, thanks for your prompt response to my query.

Ok. So from your response, the 90-day reporting is not as onerous as I thought. So now I think I need to rephrase my situation/question.

When I left my home, I set out to be a global volunteer and I would like to stay in this region for a few years, volunteering and learning the country and its culture. My church has all sorts of volunteering opportunities and I have met people from other organizations (NGO's) who need help.

I have accepted that I must do the 90-day report ing and it does not have to be so terrible.

My new question is: What steps do I need to take to ensure that I can stay here for a few years. When I went to Laos to change from O to B they gave me 90 days to get the WP. I came in on a single entry visa. Does the single entry have an impact somehow? And what about my original question about showing proof of support? Does that affect anything?

Thanks again.

you need to get the wp and thna u can get a 1 year non b visa or possibly extension and for that you need do 90 day reports.

Ask the group ur volunteering with, am sure they know.

You do not need show of support.

What you need to do is get a work permit with the help of the organization you volunteer with. Once you have the work permit you can apply for an extension of stay at immigration. This extension of stay will either be for 90 days at a time or for 1 year at a time, depending on whether your organization can get a letter from a high ranking Thai official to support your application for an extension.

Thanks Mario and PhuketRichard.

The picture is becoming clearer and I have saved all the info for later. One last thing. In my previous life It was my job to help management identify WCGW's (What Could Go Wrong) and take steps to mitigate them. So in this scenario,

- What if someone in this work permit situation have a have a falling out with the organization?

- - How does the NGO handle it? i.e., does the organization have to provide docs at the request for extension?

- - How does the volunteer handle it at the 90 day deadline?

- - Does it mean that the volunteer is duty bound to stay with that org even if s/he is not happy?

- - If s/he moves on to another NGO, does s/he have to start the WP process anew?

Just trying to get a complete picture of my options so I can make informed decisions.

Thanks again.

- What if someone in this work permit situation have a have a falling out with the organization?

In that case you can quit, but would lose your permission to stay in Thailand and would have to leave or find a new reason to stay in Thailand.

- - How does the NGO handle it? i.e., does the organization have to provide docs at the request for extension?

If they don't, you don't get a work permit or extension.

- - How does the volunteer handle it at the 90 day deadline?

- - Does it mean that the volunteer is duty bound to stay with that org even if s/he is not happy?

See first question.

- - If s/he moves on to another NGO, does s/he have to start the WP process anew?

Yes, the current WP and extension would be cancelled and you would have to apply for a new WP and extension of stay.

Unhelpful reply removed.

EDIT: as well as a reply to it.

You do not need show of support.

What you need to do is get a work permit with the help of the organization you volunteer with. Once you have the work permit you can apply for an extension of stay at immigration. This extension of stay will either be for 90 days at a time or for 1 year at a time, depending on whether your organization can get a letter from a high ranking Thai official to support your application for an extension.

The financial (salary) side of the permission to stay extension is no longer ?

For a volunteer there is no income requirement.

Is 90 day reporting still required with the 500K baht Elite Visa Card?

Is 90 day reporting still required with the 500K baht Elite Visa Card?

Yes

Any stay longer than 90 days requires a report.

Thanks very much for all the replies.

In response to the following:

Colabamumbai has just posted a reply to a topic that you have subscribed to titled "Avoiding the 90 Day Reporting".

Get your work permit or find some other positive way to live here on another type of visa or go home. At the present time Thailand does not want you.

Colabamumbai, I wonder what makes you think you are in a position to make that statement about me Why don’t you visit the school at which I teach all levels and ask them directly if they need someone like me? It is very easy to be negative on a keyboard.

Mario and all who were helpful, thanks very much for your input.