Answered6 years ago

What options do I have to change my non O volunteer visa to a non B visa during closed borders in Thailand?

NON-O visa NON-B visa visa change expat advice immigration Thailand work permit

Emile ********

asked Aug 25, 2020

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Hi guys, I need advice. I am currently on a non O volunteer visa as I was doing volunteer work while I was doing my bachelor's in education. I since graduated and already have a school, but the problem now is that I have to change from non O to non B of course. Problem is that the borders are closed to any other countries. Does anyone have an idea to my options?

I have my degree and papers. My visa expires in March 2021, but my volunteer work permit expires now September 9th.

Answer summary

The user is on a non O volunteer visa and needs to transition to a non B visa now that they have graduated and found a school position. Due to border closures, they seek advice on their options to manage this change before their current visa expires in March 2021. Commenters suggest that while an extension of stay can be based on current volunteer work, a valid work permit is required for transitioning to employment-based extensions, which might still be feasible with the proper documentation.

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Gregor **********

he has a valid volunteer visa, which is as good as a valid work permit and which enables him to change the reason the visa was issued for, into another reason. Quite like Tod Daniels pointed out

6 years ago

Cathie ********

Just to save other people’s time as regards to this advise of changing the reason for extension. With reference to Changwattana Immigration: You need to have a valid work permit as a criteria to be able to change extension based on employment.

6 years ago

Benjamin ******

@Steph *********

You know, this isn't related to the OP's question. Can you make your own post?

6 years ago

Benjamin ******

Steph Donnezan You can not be on a Non-O dependent visa; you have to be on an extension of stay. What's your extension of stay?

6 years ago

Benjamin ******

Steph Donnezan A visa and an extension of stay are two completely different concepts.

A visa is what lets you enter Thailand. This includes tourist visas, transit visas, non-B visas (for employment), Non-O visas (for Retirement, marriage to a Thai female, raising Half-Thai children, etc.), ED visas, etc. Generally these are good for 60 or 90 days.

An extension of stay is what lets you stay longer in Thailand. An extension of stay may include marriage to a Thai national, employment, being over 50, being a student, etc.

A person entering on one type of visa can get an extension of stay that *MAY NOT* be related to the original visa. For example, someone who entered on a Non-O visa based on marriage to a Thai national can get an extension of stay based on raising half Thai children.

6 years ago

Benjamin ******

Steph Donnezan Yes, you can get a work permit before you get an extension of stay based on employment.

6 years ago

Tod *********

In theory you should be able to cancel your current extension of stay based on volunteering using paperwork from who ever you were volunteering for and then apply for a new extension based on employment using paperwork from your new employer.

You wouldn't need a Non-B VISA because to get an extension based on employment the requirement is that you previously held a Non-Immigrant TYPE visa (and you did, it was just a type O).

I'd say take your new employer to the immigration office and see if you can do what I outlined.

6 years ago