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Do I need a work permit for volunteering in Thailand through Helpx or Workaway?

Jan 26, 2025
2 months ago
Pygo ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Good evening everyone, I am applying to volunteer through Helpx and Workaway hosts.

The host who has accepted me says I don't need a work permit as the work is not paid, but every group or forum I have looked at says the opposite is true. I will be volunteering legally but want to know that the Immigration Bureau also agrees that I don't need a work permit.

These rules of the Immigration service (and banks) are rather confusing.

I want to get a 'non O visa' but I need a Thai bank account, but of course I can't get a Thai bank account without the visa that the bank requires...
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The question focuses on whether a work permit is necessary for volunteering in Thailand via Helpx and Workaway. The poster is confused by contrasting information from hosts and various forums, leading them to seek clarification from the Thai Immigration Bureau. Comments reveal a consensus that, according to Thai law, volunteering is considered work and requires a work permit, irrespective of payment. Several commenters advise against participating in such volunteer programs without proper documentation, citing potential legal consequences.
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Sandy *******
Volunteer for Jungle Aid, PAWS, Trash Heroes Beach Cleaning, Royal Rotary Club Hua Hin, Hua Hin Heroes. No work permit. No problem and don't let the fear mongers tell you differently. They are all protected.
Sandy *******
Don't sweat it...the percentage that Immigration takes the time and effort to investigate, apprehend, process and fine a foreigner for volunteering (normally to help Thai people) is .005%
Arne *****
Depending on the setup it can be eco tourism. Especially if you pay them a little. It's legal to do a course on local farming techniques while on vacation, for example.

In practice you probably wouldn't be useful to them as a worker so fair enough.

Anyway, don't ask these questions here, ask immigration of the area you plan to stay at.
Bill ********
No volunteer work....
Alastair *******
Volunteering is setting yourself up problems with immigration, and it does take jobs away from low paid Thais. I am not sure your motivation for this; sounds like you want to stay long term in Thailand? Thus choose a more suitable visa?
David **********
Any form of work regardless if volunteering or not requires a work permit
Robert ******
Wow this must be the most sanctimonious site ive seen.

No help only threats and criticism.

Ive been here for 34 years and most of the "legal" answers are extreme.

It's a help sits not a site to show off how much you know better than someone else.
Davey *************
If all the " Farangs " left Thailand the Economy would collapse... I think many people are tired of seeing all the conditions put on people who come over and stimulate the Thai economy.... Maybe they should all pull out and see how the wonderful Sawadee nation gets on afterwards?? Trust me when I say there are other countries equally as good if not nicer than Thailand #unappreciative
Pertti *************
It's illegal if they don't offer you so called volunteer visa etc. Deportation center.. Run.. Pay agent few thousand for bank account and apply visa. You can report that place to immigration..
Jim ************
@Pertti ************
Don't report them until out of country or with 100% legal visa.
Laurel *******
I was also told by a dog rescue that it would be fine for me to volunteer that it’s “no problem”. But I also researched and learned this is not true. I assume these charities have nothing to lose—they get a volunteer and if you are caught it doesn’t impact them. I hate that I can’t volunteer tho!
Garrett ***********
@Laurel ******
You can volunteer at an animal shelter
Laurel *******
@Garrett **********
REALLY?!! Is there a list of acceptable charities???
Frazer ******
Your volunteering is taking away someone's job
Jim ************
@Frazer *****
the correct phrasing is "... could be taking away someone's job". The reality is plenty of socially desirable outcomes just wouldn't happen without volunteering ( legal or illegal ).
Charles ********
How long is the volunteer program?

Sounds like an illegal program. Under the letter of the law you need a work permit to sweep your own floors. A staffed volunteer position would absolutely require a workpermit and id enforced because it taking a job away that could go to a Thai person and be paid if you didn't volunteer.

If it's working exchange of room/board, and no work permit...that a not something that would be consider legal at all and would likely be taken seriously by immigration police.

If you just here on holiday and you take a few hours to some kind of volunteer task every now and then, that's not really an issue. Spending weeks or months with a regular schedule would be a serious issue.

My advice...don't do it. No one wants to see the conditions of immigration jail first hand.
Sahar ***************
@Charles *******
"sweep the floors"😆
Pygo ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Charles *******
it's not a 'program', there are 3 main organisations worldwide that connect hosts with volunteers, who are unpaid but get bed and board.

But of course in Thailand the rules are slightly different...
Charles ********
@Pygo *******
Thailands rules really aren't different. Most countries would require a work permit, even for volunteer position.
Pygo ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Charles *******
not in Europe.
John *******
@Pygo *******
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Charles ********
@Pygo *******
I looked one up online, it looked like couch surfing of volunteer type thing. Saw volunteer in exchange for room or board at farms. It's definitely not legal. I never heard anything about these program being raided by authorities, but it's a real risk that could get you deported and blacklisted.
Brandon ************
Why would the host care if you're legal or not? You said you're "legally volunteering" but where did you get that idea?

The Thai government considers volunteering to be work. Whether you get paid or not, it is work. To legally work you need a visa that allows work (tourist visa and visa exempt explicitly prohibit work) and you need a work permit. The only way to legally volunteer is with a volunteer visa and a work permit. There is no confusion about this.

Also you ARE getting paid, just because it's not in cash doesn't mean you aren't receiving a payment. That's how those sites work. So it's not even truly volunteer work.

You get a visa for a country BEFORE you travel. You would apply from your Thai embassy for the non-O visa and then travel to Thailand, and then you could open a bank account.

Many people volunteer illegally in Thailand. Just be aware that there could potentially be consequences since you are breaking the law.
Pygo ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
thank you, just as I thought.

The host is wrong.
Wayne ********
@Pygo *******
I’d be leery about hooking up with some organization that is telling you you don’t need a work permit to volunteer.
Pygo ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne *******
it's not the organisation that is telling me, and it's an organisation I have used many times before in Europe where you don't require a work permit to do voluntary work...
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