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Answered6 years ago

Is it easy to obtain an education or volunteer visa to extend my stay in Thailand?

Kayla ******
asked Mar 17, 2021
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Hey all, is it relatively"easy" to get an education or volunteer visa as a way to extend? Anyone know the requirements and conditions to qualify? Google wasn't all that helpful. Thanks!
Answer summary
The conversation discusses the feasibility of obtaining education or volunteer visas as a method of extending one's stay in Thailand. Key points highlighted include the importance of attending classes and possibly undergoing language proficiency tests for education visas, while volunteer visas require legitimate volunteer work. Participants share personal experiences, caution about potential risks associated with certain visa types, and the role of agents in facilitating these processes. Some mentions include costs associated with volunteer visas and the requirement of a Non-O visa as a precursor for obtaining the volunteer visa.
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Terary **********
Terary **********
My volunteer visa was 70,000 baht easy. I think I overpaid and people are getting them cheaper.
Maxim ***********
Maxim ***********
A volunteer visa is 35k baht, but you need a Non-O first in order to get the volunteer visa, so if you don't have it it's another 25k baht to switch to it first, 3 + 12 = 15 months for 60k baht. You can sometimes apply for both the Non-O and volunteer at the same time (depend on the agent). As for extension, you don't need to do it yourself (I suggest you don't to avoid any potential drama). You can ask the agent to do it every 3 months for a small fee (around 500 baht). You don't need to send them your passport or anything, they can do it without. I'm pretty sure that it's extendable for another 12 months after that, if needed. At worse if you just need few months you can then get 3 months medical extension.
ลีน่าทอง ***********
ลีน่าทอง ***********
@Maxim **********
can U please recomend an agent that is able to assist as what U have mentioned.. TQ
Joe *******
Joe *******
How long did it take to transfer onto the volunteer visa from when you asked the agent to sort it? Just wondering how much time I will require on current one to allow time for processing
Terary **********
Terary **********
@Joe ******
You will want to talk to your Agent... And you will have to use an agent. For me it was 14 days + 14 days. Kinda of weird they told me come back after 14 days and they'll give me my passport with 90 day visa. After a that- come back and get visa for 12 months. But they called me, first time after 14 days then like 10 days after that. I hope they're more organized now - but this is Thailand.
Terary **********
Terary **********
I need to get a driver's license from my home country soon. Maybe its time
Terary **********
Terary **********
Philip McCormick Let me know how it goes. Mine will also expired - I think I have a few more months but none-the-less I will need to come up with a plan. I dont turn 50 for another 2.5 years
Terary **********
Terary **********
Was not an agent that posts here. I dont recall when I bought it. 6 months ago? Like Philip McCormickI was panicking. I also dont know about extending. I was told when I bought it, that it could not be extended. I am hopeful that will change I have another 9 months until I have to worry about it.
William **********
William **********
@Terary *********
how long ago did you purchase it and if you don’t mind me asking was it an agent that posts here?
William **********
William **********
I think you need to hear from people who have actually gotten the volunteer and education visas. Hopefully they message you here so you can think it thru! Good luck.
Brahim ******
Brahim ******
Those volunteer visas might bite you in the ass when you fly back to bkk and they question where did you get this visa...
Brendan *****
Brendan *****
If you are paying money. Doing your study and showing respect to people and the enviroment. What is the harm. Ignore the 40 baht bar flies

I am in a similar positions for reasons no poster here has any right to ask about.
Mcandrews ***********
Mcandrews ***********
That's why never learn Thai learn another language it does not have to be Thai
Galo ****
Galo ****
I did my volunteer visa very easy in an agency in Bangkok. Pm me if you want details☺️
あさくら *****
あさくら *****
@Galo ***
how much?
Jonah ************
Jonah ************
@Galo ***
sent Message...🙏 Galo
Maxim ***********
Maxim ***********
I always suggest when you are looking for answer to listen to people that: A) Have been here for more then a few years; B) That have use all different options on the table, including agent.

You can't listen to the fear mongering people who are on retirement visa last 20 years with no understanding of the current situation and how relations are forged between agent-IO-clients.

People confuse legality and legitimacy all the time. For example, you can buy lotto ticket at the black market, its not legal but you get paid fully when you win (legit). Even cops are often seen at these market buying tickets. The same goes for agent, not technically legal, but tolerable, and you get exactly what you pay for. That important distinction is ignored by people who sole purpose is to make you feel bad for trying to stay longer the alternative way.
Frédéric ******************
Frédéric ******************
@Maxim **********
When you get a retirement visa through an agent without having the required 800,000 baht in a bank account, this is clearly illegal and couldn't be obtained without the agent paying some tea money to an immigration officer. That's just helping corruption.
Todd *********
Todd *********
@Frédéric ****************
it is clearly not illegal
Frédéric ******************
Frédéric ******************
@Todd ********
I said it in my post above
Todd *********
Todd *********
@Fréd****
😂😂😂ya ok! 👌

Who said anything about bribing? U certainly look old enough to know better
Frédéric ******************
Frédéric ******************
@Todd ********
Bribing is illegal everywhere in the world.
Maxim ***********
Maxim ***********
@Frédéric ****************
Yes and No, this is not harming anyone. With that logic underground casino all over BKK, black market lotto tickets, border markets, etc, all of this should stop today. Some laws are outdated but remain for tea money purposes. It's like now the special visa is about to run out so the agent will get flooded by demand. It's all calculated and benefit both side.
Michael ********
Michael ********
Basically money and if you are going to do it properly attendance.

With education visa sometimes they will visit school to check you and also can test your language skills when you go for extensions.

Not sure about volunteer visas they sound dodgy to me unless you are actually volunteering somewhere, the gibbon rehabilitation project in Phuket is one official one I know and all above board.
Bobby ********
Bobby ********
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Kayla ******
Kayla ******
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