How can I obtain a 1-year volunteer visa for working in Phuket while also working online?

@Trini *********

good luck!

@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 *********

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.

Oops, meant to say you can take the papers to the Thai embassy or consulate in your country.

@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.

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.

Yep, the online teaching trade is definitely something they watch for and try to target.

@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.

@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 *********

(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 country

@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 *********

, 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 entries

and at the same time. 55

haha, we said the same thing (almost). ;)

@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.

It was posted not even 3 x weeks ago !!!! It was not in 2015. I will send the link

@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).

@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 u

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..

@Tr***

Sorry, I dont know any volunteering teaching posts in Phuket. Maybe someone can comment and help you