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Can I do visa runs from Vietnam and Laos while waiting for my visa approval in Thailand?

Visa RunVisa ApprovalThailand VisaVolunteer VisaImmigrationExpat Life
Sep 25, 2023
a year ago
Paul *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
I was told that I have to wait 5 months for my visa approval. In the mean time, will I be able to do visa runs back and forth from Vietnam and Laos?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is inquiring about the possibility of doing visa runs to Vietnam and Laos while waiting for their visa approval, which they were informed would take 5 months. The conversation reveals concerns regarding the legitimacy of volunteer visas, the experiences of others with similar visas, and specific visa regulations for entering Thailand. Commenters advise caution and share insights on how many times one can re-enter Thailand on a visa exempt basis.
Dan ********
You've been in this group three years and you haven't read about volunteer visas ? As others say, avoid, end of. Unless you are genuinely volunteering, which is a fixed agreement with the hosting/benefitting organization, who should be assisting with the visa.. It's not a generic 'turn up in Thailand and volunteer how, where and when you like'. How come you are dealing with an agent ? Either way, don't leave your passport, or pay any significant sums in advance.
a year ago
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Paul *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dan *******
 this visa is legit. I've had many friends who have been on it. I just want to know if during the wait, I can cross back in forth 3 times.
a year ago
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Dan ********
@Paul ****
 Don't be naive, that means absolutely nothing. Let me guess, your friends used the same visa agency ?. Have your friends gained other visas since holding the volunteer visa ? Which organisation are you volunteering for ? Where is the paperwork from them with their info, and your info ? What is the cost of the visa ? No Visa application takes 5 months. End of. Just be wary.
a year ago
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Paul *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dan *******
 the Visa is through the church of Christ of Thailand
a year ago
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Paul *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dan *******
 it's a legit visa. My friends are on on it right now. It's through a Christian organization. They also told me it took them 5 months. But they were staying in multiple countries to wait for the paperwork. I just want to know if I can country hop while waiting.
a year ago
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Dan ********
@Paul ****
 I believe some visa applications can be affected by leaving/returning. Your agent should know. How did you end up applying through this agent ? So not the same agent as your friends ? How did they apply ? So nobody actually has a visa yet, or doing any voluntary work ? Sound normal to you ?
a year ago
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Paul *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dan *******
 they are currently on it now. I applied through the church. The church organization pays for the visa, but I'll be volunteering them. I was just afraid that most immigration officers don't let people border hop more than twice now.... so I may need to go somewhere to wait until my visa is ready and then go retrieve it in Vientiane.
a year ago
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Dan ********
@Paul ****
 . You can enter by land on visa exempt twice in a calendar year. You can enter by air unrestricted on visa excempt.
a year ago
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Dan ********
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Frank **********
Volunteer visas are like a death sentence for any future visa.
a year ago
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Paul *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank *********
 why is that?
a year ago
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Roberto *********
@Paul ****
 If you're getting a bogus volunteer visa my strongest advice is forget it. Your card will be marked for life and future legitimate visa applications could possibly be rejected or subject to ongoing scrutiny.
a year ago
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John **********
@Paul ****
 unless they are legit they are a problem. The long lead time your agent has given you makes me question the legitimacy. Many volunteer visas have been cancelled recently as they were obtained under the table, some with bad stamps, some from an immigration office in a different province etc.
a year ago
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Frank **********
@Paul ****
 because Immigration views them and Ed Visas with suspicion. There was a scandal here not too long ago where Immigration Officers were fired for dubious visas.
a year ago
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Frank **********
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John **********
What sort of visa have you applied for that you have to wait 5 months for approval? Or am I misunderstanding?
a year ago
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Paul *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 volunteer visa
a year ago
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John **********
@Paul ****
 so have you actually put in your application to immigration or do you mean you have to wait 5 months before you put in your application to immigration?
a year ago
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Paul *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
 submitted my application 3 weeks ago. My agency says it can take up to 5 months.
a year ago
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Kool *******
@Paul ****
 umm, it does not take 5 months, and do not let them keep your passport. Too many volunteer visa scams so it has been cracked down on. If you are not actually working daily with the licensed organization, it is a scam, and could get you barred from entering Thailand in the future. If you are not getting the volunteer visa through the actual organization you will be volunteering with, be warned.
a year ago
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John **********
@Paul ****
 you submitted to an agent by the sounds of things and not to immigration?
a year ago
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John **********
After submitting to immigration you should get a receipt, if you leave Thailand after that point you will need to start over, hence my question
a year ago
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John **********
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Brandon ************
a year ago
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Brandon ************
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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