Answered2 years ago
Is it legal to volunteer on a tourist visa in Thailand?
We will be staying in Thailand for about two months as tourists, visa-exempt (from US).
Is it illegal to also volunteer while on a tourist visa? My understanding is some countries don’t want foreign tourists volunteering while they are on a tourist visa.
I’m interested in possibly volunteering in an orphanage or local school. I have several years of experience teaching EFL & I’m also a Speech-Language Pathologist. We’ll be traveling with my young daughter and she struggles with interactions with peers and I was thinking it might be beneficial to do something like this with her while we are there (both benefiting local kids and her at the same time). Possibly an hour or two a day or at least a couple times a week. Im not looking for paid work.
I read about the volunteer visa, but I don’t think it applies, as volunteering is not our main purpose. Can anyone provide insight and/or point me in the right direction for info about volunteering while on a tourist visa?
TIA!
Is it illegal to also volunteer while on a tourist visa? My understanding is some countries don’t want foreign tourists volunteering while they are on a tourist visa.
I’m interested in possibly volunteering in an orphanage or local school. I have several years of experience teaching EFL & I’m also a Speech-Language Pathologist. We’ll be traveling with my young daughter and she struggles with interactions with peers and I was thinking it might be beneficial to do something like this with her while we are there (both benefiting local kids and her at the same time). Possibly an hour or two a day or at least a couple times a week. Im not looking for paid work.
I read about the volunteer visa, but I don’t think it applies, as volunteering is not our main purpose. Can anyone provide insight and/or point me in the right direction for info about volunteering while on a tourist visa?
TIA!
Answer summary
The post discusses the legality of volunteering while on a tourist visa in Thailand. The consensus from the comments is that volunteering is legally considered work, which requires a proper visa and work permit, thus making it illegal for tourists. Some comments note that while many people do volunteer informally, it poses legal risks. Suggestions include obtaining a volunteer visa or collaborating with organizations that could sponsor such a visa.
18 repliesnewest first
Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.
Carlos *********
They are funny about having the appropriate visa. So if you want to volunteer without any trouble, you should get a volunteer visa. However, I have carried in my neighbors groceries for her a few times,( don't tell).
Neil ******
You can see if the orphanage wants to sponsor you for a volunteer visa.
Kate *******
Why not get involved with one of the world schooling hubs while you’re there instead?
Rob *********
I’d love to see a reasonable shift in this. Shame expats with so much to offer can’t and don’t play with it. Nobody wins. I’d love to chat up the new PM on the subject.
Colin *******
Get a working visa
SJ *******
Yes they need the proper checks done, this is how the bad guys get access to children.
Erin *******
OP@SJ ******
Interesting. I had not thought of that. I wonder how much and what type of background checks are done for workers in early education in Thailand.
Michael ********
@Erin ******
slim to none unfortunatelyErin *******
OP@Michael *******
I was afraid that might be the case
Brandon ************
In Thailand, volunteering is considered work, even if you aren't receiving pay.
All work requires you to have both a visa that allows work, and a work permit.
Neither of these applies to a tourist, so it is illegal to volunteer as a tourist.
Does that mean people don't do it? Of course not. Plenty of people do. But you need to be aware that it would be illegal, and what the potential consequences are if you are caught.
All work requires you to have both a visa that allows work, and a work permit.
Neither of these applies to a tourist, so it is illegal to volunteer as a tourist.
Does that mean people don't do it? Of course not. Plenty of people do. But you need to be aware that it would be illegal, and what the potential consequences are if you are caught.
Christopher *******
Brandon ThurkettleThis guy know, do listen. Not Andrew. You can get in real trouble and people do. Ao Nang may have trash everywhere because the government won’t pay for sanitation. But they will spend a 100 hours looking for the reported Burma man selling street food. Meanwhile don’t go swimming after it rains.
Andrew ********
@Brandon ***********
What a lot of organizations do to work around the WP for Volunteers is that they call a paid experience as volunteering. They still call it volunteering which is ok, I guess, but in reality, the person is paying for whatever experience they are doing. So technically they are not "volunteers." They are paying tourists. This is really common in the elephant tourism industries here.Erin *******
OP@Andrew *******
Interesting.Christopher *******
@Andrew *******
It is not legal, elephant tourism, prostitution are the mafia’s domain. Think about it.Andrew ********
@Christopher ******
You can say it's not legal, but you can't show me anything that says paying for a tourist experience is illegal. That's just not true.Erin *******
OP@Brandon ***********
Thank you. That’s the info I was looking for. Definitely not worth taking the risk. 👍Rene ********
@Erin ******
nip in , do the odd workshop and vanish, no time to denounce you .....and almost no-one will....they will cherish your input.........just ban cameras as a prerequiermentRene ********
Phones. Social network. Etc.......go for it
Activity
12 joined12
people
Related
25How can I apply for both a volunteer visa and an extension for tourism in Thailand?
438131y
What is the difference between the automatic 60-day tourist visa upon arrival and applying for a tourist visa online?
2.6k14322y
What are the chances of getting denied a 30-day extension on a tourist visa in Thailand after multiple entries?
2.6k6212y
Can I convert a tourist visa to an educational visa and later to a retirement visa in Thailand?
8.8k87592y
What are the differences in obtaining a retirement visa in Singapore compared to Thailand, and how do extensions work for tourist visas?
3.4k30203y
What are the visa rules for a US citizen returning to Thailand after traveling to Cambodia, and what are the options for extending a stay or marrying a Thai citizen?
5.4k43554y
Can I apply for a tourist visa after leaving Thailand on a volunteer visa?
1.1k6114y
Can I leave Thailand on a volunteer visa and re-enter after applying for a tourist visa in Cambodia?
2k1955y
Can you convert a Non-B teaching visa to another type of visa like a tourist or volunteer visa in Thailand?
47425y
Can a Volunteer visa holder switch to a Tourist or Covid visa while in Thailand?
885645y
What visa options do I have for long-term stay in Thailand, and can my mother-in-law help with a work permit?
2k1875y
Can I use visa exemptions to visit Thailand every two months for dental treatment?
1.4k9115y
What are the best legitimate visa options to stay in Thailand for 6 months or longer before applying for the Elite Visa?
1.1k845y
Can I switch from an ED Visa to a Tourist Visa and then to a Volunteer Visa in Thailand?
1.1k5126y
Can I switch from a volunteer visa to a non-O visa in Thailand without leaving the country?
6.1k54556y
Can I change from the visa exemption to an ED or Volunteer visa in Thailand?
1.1k776y
Can I Re-enter Thailand on a Tourist Visa After Leaving on a Volunteer Visa?
797557y
What should I know about traveling to Thailand with a one-way ticket and applying for a volunteer visa?
45747y
Should I apply for an ED Visa in Canada or from Thailand while choosing a Thai language school in Phuket?
2k15158y
What are my options for visa extensions for myself and my children while volunteering in Thailand?
1.6k1538y
What are the best options for long-term stays in Thailand after receiving a warning on tourist visa use?
58778y
How can I obtain a tourist visa or volunteer visa in Thailand without frequent visa runs?
1.8k9228y
Can a South African citizen obtain a 60-day tourist visa in Penang after being denied in KL?
47338y
Can I obtain a visa on arrival in Thailand and later switch to an education visa?
1.7k1718y
What are the options for extending my stay in Thailand with friends who hold US, UK, and Icelandic passports?
578159y
Resources
Need help with your Thai visa?
#1 visa agent · 4,000+ reviews · 100,000+ expats served