Roy
Sorry to hear you’re in cold Canada and not warm Bali!
This topic has been discussed many times in the past on this forum, and you will find some great differences in the responses offered on this subject. Some responses in the past have been along the lines of, “working is working and it doesn’t matter if it’s volunteer work or not…you still need a working permit, (visa)”. In other words, those responses take a cut and dry interpretation of the visa regulations. Just so you know, I completely disagree with that interpretation, and I have yet to hear of anyone in Bali having problems with immigration based solely on their volunteer work.
Other responses have been more along the lines that I will once again (and gladly) re-visit, but only in general terms as more specific information would be needed in order to provide a more detailed answer.
As far as volunteering goes, let’s limit the discussion to non profit and other NGO activity. The concept of “volunteering” within a business enterprise is not viable, and I would say there is no chance of you “volunteering” within a business (for profit) entity and having that activity be considered as acceptable activity without a working permit.
I personally know many expats who are on various types of long stay visas, kitas, retirement, social/cultural, etc. who spend a great deal of their time, (and for some, all of their time) doing volunteer work for established NGO’s, Rotary, or their own personal things without any difficulty. I have also met folks who are only here on a 30 tourist visa and chose to spend their time in likewise activity…also with no problems.
It is definitely more “safe” to volunteer here under an already established umbrella, most especially if this volunteer work is going to be project orientated as opposed to non project oriented, or say the retiree who helps out with the local village school where he or she lives. In the past, there have been instances where someone sets up a “non legal” health and welfare “NGO” as a cover for what is in essence a scam to make a profit. The local authorities, meaning the police, immigration, and the tax office are all very well aware of this scam, so if your intentions are to start a new program, or NGO, this most certainly should be done within the legal framework as required by law.
Most all existing NGO’s, and international Rotary, will accept the time and efforts of any foreigner here regardless of the visa they are on and not require that person to have a work permit issued with them being the sponsor…unless such work, time and effort is to be compensated in any way.
So in general terms, yes, it is most certainly possible to volunteer one’s time here regardless of the visa they are on. Cheers, and hopefully you find yourself in warm Bali soon! Cheers!
