Answered8 years ago
Is it legal to volunteer in Thailand on an education, retirement, or spouse visa?
question about volunteering. is it legal to volunteer in Thailand while hold visa such as education, retirement or spouse visa?
Answer summary
Volunteering in Thailand is subject to specific visa regulations. Generally, holders of a retirement visa are not required to obtain a work permit for volunteering. However, volunteering on an education visa is considered illegal. Those on a spouse visa (Non-Immigrant O) may volunteer but typically must obtain a work permit to do so legally. Additionally, it is possible to apply for a Non-Immigrant O visa specifically for volunteering purposes, which allows for obtaining a work permit.
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William **********
I’ve found this particular post very informative and helpful - so thanks to you all for that! ☝🏽
Жанна ************
OPso if i have retirement visa - no need work permit to volunteer
Жанна ************
OPRobert - make sense... most helpful; thanks
Robert *******
Official yes, but as always in Thailand if you volunterly help in community by picking up trash, help to cut the grass, plant a tree on the special days, there is no Police officer going to arrest you. If you're going to do this on a daily basis under a name of an organization, there will be one day questions are going to be asked.
Adam *********
Robert Lagas - even if your picking-up trash on the beach or cut the grass in your community/neighborhood (common area)?
Biff *******
It won’t cancel a retirement visa, they just won’t give you the work permit.
Жанна ************
OPI am sure in Ministry of Labor they will look at the visa status
Robert *******
You apply for a Work Permit at the Ministry of Labor, yes it is also a Government office but totally different that Immigration Office. Ministry of Labor can not cancel a VISA.
Жанна ************
OP@Robert ******
wonder once apply for the work permit while on retirement visa - with that cancel a retirement visa? since you cannot work while on retirement visaRobert *******
You need the work permit to work inside Thailand, even for volunteer work.
Жанна ************
OPquestion - can someone volunteer to do work while have a retirement visa, or need in addition a work permit
Жанна ************
OPgood to know. thank you
Robert *******
You can also apply for the Non Immigrant O visa based on being a volunteer, get the work permit and than you can work as volunteer. You can also follow classes in your spare time. As you do not need an ED visa to go school, you can go school with every visa.
Жанна ************
OPthanks! helpful
Robert *******
With Education Visa, retirement visa NO, it is illegal. With (spouse visa) Non Immigrant O visa or Extension of Stay based on marriage with a Thai National you are allowed to work or volunteer with a Work Permit.
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