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How can I obtain a 1-year volunteer visa for working in Phuket while also working online?
Volunteer VisaPhuketExpat AdviceWork PermitImmigration RulesDigital NomadsTeaching in ThailandNon-Immigrant Visa
May 2, 2018
8 years ago
Trini **********
ORIGINAL POSTERHi all! I am looking to volunteer in Phuket while my husband and I work there online. I wish to get a 1 yr volunteer visa. Does anyone know of any organizations in Phuket that will help me with the visa? Any advice on how I would go about finding one? Thanks!
TLDR : Answer Summary
The poster is seeking advice on obtaining a 1-year volunteer visa to work in Phuket while their husband works online. Community responses discuss the need for a work permit tied to the specific organization and warn about the legal implications of working online without a proper visa. Suggestions include learning Thai as a visa option, and there are mentions of uncertainty regarding the legality of online work from Thailand. Recommendations for specific organizations in Phuket and necessary documentation for volunteering are provided.
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Jules **********
Another option is to go to school and learn Thai this would give you the visa. Its quite good fun too!
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Jules **********
@Trini *********
good luck!Trini **********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks Jules!!!!!
Jules **********
@Trini *********
you go to local immigration every 90 days, the school gives you the papers to take and it costs 1900 baht each time.Trini **********
ORIGINAL POSTERSounds like a great option! 🙂 so how often do you have to go to immigration to renew and how much does it cost?
Jules **********
@Trini *********
you can apply in Thailand but you would need to still leave and go to Malaysia or neighbouring country to get the visa and then enter Thailand. Most of the schools you go for 2 hrs, 2 times per week, so it’s not much time at all, to be honest it’s quite nice, little bit of time out from the usual! Lol. You could always request a different class for your husband so you don’t go at the same time, the school will run a few classes.Trini **********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks Jules, can In apply while in Thailand? I have 90 days entry. I had heard of the ED visa option but was afraid of the amount of hours we would have to commit to a week. Going together might be hard as we have a little baby. Do you know what is the min. Amount of hrs of lessons per week required?
Jules **********
Oops, meant to say you can take the papers to the Thai embassy or consulate in your country.
Jules **********
@Trini *********
yes he could apply as well, it means you don’t have to go out of the country on visa runs every 90 days so it’s probably better if you do it together. There are a few schools in Phuket so you can pick one near where you are going to live. The school can send you the papers and you can go to your embassy get the visa and then enter Thailand. It’s very easy to do as the school take care of all the paperwork.Trini **********
ORIGINAL POSTERI definitely would love to learn Thai. Thanks for the link! Do you know if my husband would have to apply for the ed-visa as well?? We also have a baby (7 month old at the time of the move).
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Trini **********
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Lisa ***************
Thanks
@Tod ********
for clarifying teaching online only in Thailand is definitely still a target for immigration. I know all the research myself and my colleagues did we were advised NOT to risk it and to keep working in our schools as we are provided with work permitsIvan ************
All the examples I am aware of of online teaching being targeted the teachers were all organized and working for a boss physically in Thailand. I haven't seen any suggestion they are "targeting" individual teachers quietly working online from home for, for example, Chinese companies. This doesn't mean it's legal- that interview with the Chiang Mai immigration they said it technically wasn't legal, but it was not a priority for them. That 17 teachers arrested thing was 2015 and the 17 teachers were all working together in a condo "office" and being paid in Thailand. Which is a bit different.
Tod *********
Yep, the online teaching trade is definitely something they watch for and try to target.
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Tod *********
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Tod *********
@Trini *********
, just so you know your volunteer visa and work permit will be specific to the foundation you volunteer for and it will NOT let you do anything else as far as working online, etc...As far as foundations that will provide the correct visa and a work permit I'd say google is your friend.
Ivan ************
@Tri***
it's really one of these don't ask don't tell scenarios. It's at best a grey area. Going strictly by the law it is almost certainly not allowed but a lot of things in Thailand are not allowed strictly by the law and it is not a priority for enforcement.Trista ********
@Tod ********
Can you post or send me a link with info about what you said above regarding working for your home country online while in thailand and it not being an issue with their government. I was under the impression that if you were going to work online while in thailand that you would need a work visa even if the work is only for/related to the US. Just want to cover my basis as im exploring my options as well.Trini **********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Tod ********
yes from Chile! Thanks for the adviceTod *********
@Trini *********
(that means you come from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru or South Korea ;) ) you certainly can apply for a 6 month METV from the thai consulate in your countryTrini **********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks
@Tod ********
for the advice- my country of birth requires no visa to enter for 90 days. Do you know if I can get a Multi entry tourist visa anyways?Tod *********
@Trini *********
I'd say come here on a 6 month METV <- multi-entry tourist visa (which gives you almost 9months of stay in 60 day increments) and then look around for a place to volunteer.Trini **********
ORIGINAL POSTERYes- I think that is an option. I thought a volunteer visa might be a good way to stay longer and also give back to the community while i'm enjoying the stay.
Tod *********
@Trini *********
, the visa you have to be in thailand will have no bearing on what you're doing in your country. You could be here on a multi-entry tourist visa or visa exempt entriesTrini **********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks
@Tod ********
and Robert for the clarification. I am running a business in my home country so it has nothing to do with Thailand. Am I able to do this still if I have a volunteer visa?Reply to
Trini **********
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Robert *******
Just to explain: Next to the volunteer visa, which allows you to stay inside Thailand, to work as a volunteer you need a work permit. Also the organisation should help you to obtain one. Work Permit is limited by place and job prescription. Yes, you are legal inside in Thailand and you can perform your duties in the volunteer organisation. It will not cover your online working.
Robert *******
and at the same time.
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55Tod *********
haha, we said the same thing (almost). ;)
Reply to
Tod *********
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Lisa ***************
You cannot be in Phuket legally and only work online. The Thai immigration are clamping down on Digital Nomads And this is a crime. Unless one of you has a proper job offer do not even risk it !
Ivan ************
@Li**
it was 2015. Look at the link. The exact number, 17. It would be a remarkable coincidence if CM immigration repeatedly picked up groups of exactly 17 online English teachers. Also- this case was a group of teachers all working together, in one physical location, for a boss who was paying them in Thailand. Quite different from individual teachers working at home. That is not strictly legal, but I don't think it is targeted either.Lisa ***************
It was posted not even 3 x weeks ago !!!! It was not in 2015. I will send the link
Tod *********
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Tod *********
@Li**
, umm that was in 2015 :O and those people were employed by a company HERE in thailand :/ BUT I see your point. I was referring to other types of employment via the inter-web, NOT teaching. Believe me a LOT of people who are "digital nomads work online in fields other than teaching..
The Chiang Mai immigration dept came out and said that they are NOT targeting people who work online (in trades other than teaching).
Trini **********
ORIGINAL POSTERBut that is why I am inquiring about volunteer visas- so that I can be there legally.
Lisa ***************
@Tod ********
recently there were 17 x online teachers arrested in Chang Mai for this very thing !! Thanks for confirming we can all live in Thailand and just teach online and not have to go to work. I have been working hard in a school because I thought online only would be against the immigration rules. Good to know i can quit my job now and sit at home rather here in Thailand. Thank uTod *********
That is totally incorrect :/ In fact the thai immigration office came out and said they were NOT targeting people who worked online and generated an income in another country.
Please quote a source that backs up your statement..
Please quote a source that backs up your statement..
Reply to
Tod *********
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Brooke *******
Try Phuket has been good to us foundation
Steve *******
I doubt you'll get a 1 year visa. Probably 90 days. You'll need documentation/paperwork from the organization you're volunteering with
Steve *******
@Tr***
Sorry, I dont know any volunteering teaching posts in Phuket. Maybe someone can comment and help youTrini **********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks for your reply, I am aware I would need the documentation for the organization.
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Trini **********
Reply
Trini **********
ORIGINAL POSTERPS: I am a trained elementary teacher so I would love to volunteer with children.
Reply to
Trini **********
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