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Can I volunteer to teach at a charity school in Thailand on a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV)?
Jun 19, 2025
10 months ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERCan we do volunteer teaching (no pay) at charity school with DTV
TLDR : Answer Summary
No, you cannot volunteer teach at a charity school in Thailand with a Digital Nomad Visa (DTV). Volunteering is classified as work under Thai law, which requires a valid work permit and the appropriate visa. The issue of volunteer visas has become stricter, with recent discussions indicating that it may be difficult to obtain such a visa. It's advised to check the specific visa requirements and consider seeking legal assistance to ensure compliance with Thai immigration regulations.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Hans *******************
No, it is work
Bob **********
No
Henrik *****
No, volunteering is regarded as work, so need a workpermit, since it will take the jobs away from Thai people who could make a living by doing that job.
Search your Thai Embassy website for volunteer visa.
Search your Thai Embassy website for volunteer visa.
Sanjay *******
There is a visa called Volunteer Visa.. no need to apply for DTV ( DTV is for freelancers who are employed by foreign company )
FYR:
FYR:
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Elías ********
No
Greg ********
Certain voluntary work seems to be ignored on some Visas such as "O" etc. However, I would not push the envelope while on the DTV and take a risk.
Anonymous ******************
You can, but it’s not legal.
Anna *********
No
Callum *******
Yes you can volunteer for the annual purge that is Pattaya Walking Street
Scooter *****
No
Anonymous ******************
No
John **********
No. You need a work permit to volunteer in Thailand and you can't get one on the DTV
James ********
@John *********
correct ✅Reply to
James ********
Reply
Anonymous ******************
You can't. Volunteering requires the adapted visa. I'm not sure if the volunteer visa is still there but that would be this or a Non-B with work permit.
Greg ********
Anonymous participant 108 Impossible to get VOL Visa these days. Greg Lange of Bangkok Community Help has posted about it - he had the support of an MP I think. They were stopped due to the abuse.
Reply to
Greg ********
Reply
Steve *******
You cannot do any work in Thailand without a work permit and the correct visa.
Volunteering is working, according to the Thai government.
Even building a deck in your own yard is considered working here.
Volunteering is working, according to the Thai government.
Even building a deck in your own yard is considered working here.
Meline ***************
@Steve ******
no, by law you just need to sit at home and relax🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣Travis ********
@Steve ******
can I make coffee for myself at home? Cook? Clean?Marcus **********
@Steve ******
thank youMarcus **********
@Steve ******
so would this mean I can’t renovate my girlfriend’s house too?? Anonymous ******************
@Marcus *********
Technically you can't without a work permit. There were some rare stories of people caught working in their own house. The risk is however much lower than teaching in a school... It's all about how you handle it with the neighbors. Be nice with them and it should be okay.Steve *******
@Marcus *********
yes, technically that's against the law. But law enforcement here isn't exactly.. organized or efficient.So as long as your neighbors don't snitch, the risk is minimal.
Marcus **********
@Steve ******
or would she need a property renovation company in order for me to be able to do anything she want me to do?.Ash ****
@Marcus *********
you cannot do anything (working, volunteering, renovating, giving a hand to the construction workers etc.) legally.. Full stop.Marcus **********
@Steve ******
okay so if the girlfriend become my wife could I still not do it?.John *********
@Mar***
, renovating your own or gf/wife home is the absolute tiniest of risk when we talk about working without a work permit.Going to a school to volunteer and be publicly facing poses a risk. This is a job. A regularly scheduled commitment.
However, that doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to do other charitable deeds.
For example, there’s a Chiang Mai Clean City movement and foreigners can and do show up to their events to help beautify the city with trash removal.
After the flood in October, many foreigners were helping locals with cleaning and other tasks.
This is not “work” that would get someone arrested in a group photo, fined, possibly jailed and deported.
Steve *******
@Marcus *********
No, you're still working without a work permit. But again. The risk is tiny, unless someone tells immigrationReply to
Steve *******
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