How can I obtain a tourist visa or volunteer visa in Thailand without frequent visa runs?

Tourist Visa Non-O Visa Volunteering in Thailand Visa Regulations Visa Runs Work Permit Expat Advice

Dec 21, 2018

6 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi! I am currently in Phuket. I arrived from America, left after 30 days and went to KL. So, I would LOVE to have a tourist visa (I volunteer, not work). Any suggestions so I can stop doing these visa runs just as I get my kids starting to learn I have to leave! 

Best, cotie

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user, currently in Phuket, is seeking advice on how to obtain a tourist visa, as they are experiencing difficulties with frequent visa runs for volunteering purposes. The responses highlight that under Thai law, individuals cannot legally volunteer on a 30-day visa-exempt entry or a 60-day tourist visa. To engage in volunteering, one needs to obtain either a Non-O or Non-B visa and a work permit, even if the work is unpaid. Suggestions include liaising with the volunteer organization to secure the necessary visa documentation and work permit.

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Tod *********

and I believe on that final comment from

@St***

we're done.

To give you a quick recap

@Co***

, you CANNOT legally volunteer (paid or unpaid) on 30 day visa exempt entries OR 60 day tourist visas :/

To volunteer you need the correct visa (either a Non-O or a Non-B) AND a work permit.

Good Luck in your endeavors.

6 years ago

Robert *******

I understand all your feelings, but I guess after 7 comments it is clear that volunteers need a a work permit and the non immigrant o visa. Please contribute to this topic if you have anything to add.

6 years ago

Steve *******

Volunteering is WORKING !

6 years ago

Tod *********

You're not allowed to volunteer on a 30 day visa exempt entry OR a tourist visa entry. SO as Benjamin suggested you get your employer to give you the documentation so you can indeed hold the correct visa (and get a work permit <- because you need that even if you're unpaid because you are WORKING) .

Otherwise you're going to be visa running for single entry tourist visas AND working (volunteering) illegally.

6 years ago

Benjamin ******

It's easy to get a volunteer visa. You ask for it from your employer, they would give you papers to take to an embassy, and you'll get a Non-O visa. From there, they would take you to the local employment office, and they'll give you a work permit. The company you're volunteering with should know how to do it. If they want you to work as a tourist, run!

6 years ago

Christopher *********

Absolutely. No work permit from them, sayonara!

6 years ago

Reply to

Christopher *********

Tanya *********

You can’t work on a tourist visa; even unpaid work

6 years ago

Lisa ***************

Volunteers have to have a work permit or you are working illegally regardless if you are being paid or not

6 years ago

Robert *******

You volunteer, ask the place where you volunteer to apply for the work permit as volunteer and apply for the Non Immigrant O visa based on being a volunteer in Thailand.

6 years ago

Reply to

Robert *******

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