A permanent resident is the term you're looking for... And getting PR is a fairly rare event.

Digital Nomads live in limbo land. There is no visa for them - but little is done to those here doing it.

Tod, I agree with the thrust of this post. But when it comes to B visa and a Work Permit not just anyone can do it. The laundry lists from the Labor Ministry and Immigration as to the required documents has many documents that would be needed for some but not others, i. e. teachers. So which ones apply to the applicant. I could not get a solid answer on this from any officer. They usually recommended to get an Agent. I have recommended (generically) to some that a Visa Agent is necessary but I make a preference for Accounting firms that offer such services for B Visa and WP. I have done my own Extension of Stay for 'retirement' three times, I have two Universiy degrees and went through two careers - last one owner of computer business for 22 years and I could not make sense of the B Visa - WP application procedure and process. The process seems like a circle of confusion even after visiting the Labor Ministry and Immigration offices twice. And when I went for the B Visa Extension the I/O insisted I bring the visa agent. This process can easily be beyond the grasp of many applicants. Finally I agree that names of Visa Agents should not be posted - any number of them are shysters. But I see nothing wrong with saying if you do not feel you can do this yourself then find a reputable visa agent and then decline to recommend any Agent by name.

Also after 5 years of reading hundreds and hundreds - perhaps more than a thousand visa / WP related posts I find that large numbers of people have no clue about the application process and the terminology as is witnessed here on this group every day. Often even after lenghtly threads trying to help people - many posters still seem lost. So what are they supposed to do?

Lastly, I firmly detest Visa Agents who falsify financial requirements for 'retirement' Extensions and agree 100 % that these Agents are totally off limits.

Thank you Luke. How anyone can confuse this very expensive Smart Visa meant for investments with. Medical visits is a mystery to me.

Medical and Well being Visitor? You have read this somewhere? Please explain.

If the company does not provide the staff assistance to apply for a Work Permit and Non Immigrant B Visa then I suggest that they/you hire a Visa Agent (often an Accounting Firm with a Lawyer available for certain documents. If you have little experience in Thailand and cannot read Thai - figuring out the correct documents and WP application form can take weeks and would likely be deficient. Fees range from 15,000 - to 20,000 Baht.

You can get a list of required documents for the WP - Work Permit from the Labor Ministry. And for the B Visa you can download from a Thai Embassy/Consulate website in a country neighboring Thailand.

The WP and B Visa are two separate documents from two different entities but the processes are intertwined and must be followed in the correct sequence.

One can also use the Monthly Income Method. Have the equivalent monthly income of 65,000 Baht from most any source from outside Thailand. You need an Embassy Statement / Affidavit done your Home Country Embassy in BKK.

Most Immigration office allow a new Extension to be filed up to 45 days before the Extension Expiry. Some only allow 3 30 days. If you are needing more than 45 days early - doubt you will get it

The organization you want to volunteer for must have some kind of management and funding. It seems odd in this day and time that they would not have a staff person or Agent to assist Volunteers to apply for a Nob immigrant O - Volunteer. It is not that difficult or costly for 90 days.

Paul - your solution is sensible and just fine with me. Governments around the world have rules and many of these rules are absurd. Do what works is my recommendation.

What is "tramit"?