What are my options for extending or changing my Non-O visa in Thailand before it expires?

Oct 19, 2020
4 years ago
James *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi guys and girls, new here. Thanks for the ad, looking for some advice as I'm getting told many different things...

Three months ago I got in udon Thani a three month non O volunteer visa. I've been told I can not transfer to an education on this visa.

One agent has told me my only option is to extend for 12 months. At 59,000thb

Another agent has said I have to cancel my visa first then go back to a tourist visa then apply for the education. But I have to return to issan to do this as I'm in Phuket.

My visa expires in four days and the border is closed! Surely if it expires in four days and the border is closed I would be allowed to get the extension till January giving me time to sort out what company to get my education visa with ?

I've been instructed I will be on overstay once it finishes. I keep getting told a different story and the price keeps going up. Hoping someone is able to let me know what to do.

Thank you in advance
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is facing confusion regarding their options for extending or changing their non O volunteer visa before it expires in four days. They are receiving conflicting advice from agents about whether they can extend their current visa, switch to an education visa, or if they need to cancel their existing visa and obtain a tourist visa first. There are suggestions from other users recommending reaching out to the volunteer organization for assistance, as well as warnings about the legitimacy of agents. Additionally, the discussion highlights the issues surrounding visa overstay and the urgent need for action before the expiration date.
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Anyarin ****************
Your Visa grant from Khonkan not from Udon,
James *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Brian McCarter and anyone else who has given good honest advice, I really appreciate the help thank you..
Frank ******
Since you took " back door" route , you beholden to the vultures, only they can help with chain of further back doors
James *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank *****
I had no idea what a volunteer visa was when I was getting it, I actually wondered who or what I was volunteering for... Alot of you guys are very quick at pointing the finger...

With that said I do appreciate the good advise I have been given
Meysam ********
If you plant living here long time
Meysam ********
Dear friend if you want leson ageant ..... you most pay any time the want and always be worry what the do what the not do ... try to do by your self ...
James *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Daniel ***
sorry I don't understand
Shayne **********
And this is why it makes it so hard for legitimate volunteers to extend their visas!
Dayumay **********
@Shayne *********
if Thailand could make it easier for everyone to stay long term and not only for those over 50/ married to a Thai, then people wouldn't have to go through all this BS.
James *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Shayne *********
I wish I never got the thing, I was looking for an education visa in Phuket was in Udon Thani with my girlfriend, and got sold this rubbish for
*****
for three months the day I paid for it the Amnesty was extended that night and they wouldn't allow me to cancel
Dominic ****
And the moral of the story is - don't wait until 4 days before your visa expires to start planning. Why do you think you'd be allowed to stay just because the border is closed?
James *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dominic ********
not the case I been talking back n forth to so many different agencies getting told different things I was going to Goto immigration today when a friend suggested this FB page, he said most ppl are very helpful but some make worthless comments... But thanks for your input
Dominic ****
@James ****
Good luck. It's not a worthless comment if other members heed the advice. Those that went down the agency route will currently be facing the most probs, as their only aim is to get your cash.
Andy ********
If it is as it appears that you have paid an agent for a volunteer visa rather than actually being a volunteer. You are now in the grasp of the agencies. There is little option than to carry on paying whatever the agent asks for.

If you are actually volunteering then your organisation can sort out further extensions.
James *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andy *******
I'd say your right
James *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Only problem us their in Udon Thani and I'm back in Phuket. I'm speaking to the Thai visa company in BKK they just told me for
*****
they can extend for one year. I can send my passport, if I don't do before my visa expires on the 24th I have to pay overstay if the amensty ends... Does this sound correct?.
Sasawan **********
Hopefully it's not Thai Visa Centre.
********************************************
*****
449
Brian **********
@James ****
yes 35k to extend for 1 year from the same agent that sold you it, if you paid 20k to 30k for the initial 90, sounds about normal
James *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brian *********
I haven't spoken to the same agent I went to as they are in udon Thani and I'm now in Phuket. I'll give her a phone call in an hour see what she says
Brian **********
The tricky part is they either need to extend with whataver corrupt charity they put you on, or somehow get you listed with a new organization. That requires a level of knowledge of tea money and its rules, that only an agent is gonna be able to fix. Just make sure yours doesn't list you as a Chinese interpreter if you can't speak Chinese.....
James *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brian *********
maybe I'll stick with the Thai visa company I been talking to in BKK they have been recommended by several ppl to me.. but who knows it's Thailand everyone just want money
Scott **********
@James ****
It sounds correct at some levels. The reason various visa agencies are quoting various high prices is I think they are bribing immigration officers to bend the rules but of course I have no proof of that
James *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Scott *********
would not surprise me
Sasawan **********
I'm not an expert about this but I heard that Education Visa is only available now for people who got admit in the university program. And Education Visa cannot be obtain within Thailand. You have to go out of the country, apply for the visa at any Thai Embassy, then come back. Don't trust those agents too much. Some are very shady.
Sasawan **********
ohhh
Duncan *******
You can get an ED inside Thailand at the moment. Plenty of private schools around advertising the service as well.

What you can't get at the moment is an ED visa for a non-government/private school outside of Thailand that allows you into Thailand.
Charlie *******
@Duncan ******
are you sure? My school told me that I was not able to get a student visa inside thailand even they got documents from ministry of education
James *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Duncan ******
I can't convert the non O visa to an education visa I have been told... I found a education visa for
*****
a year and 5000 every 90 days
Darren *******
Speak to organisation you're volunteering for...
Eric *********
@Darren ******
hè cant. 555
Eric *********
Follow the rules and you not get any problem.
Dayumay **********
@Eric ********
is for you to say, not everyone is here married to a Thai or over 50 years old, then the only option is to go through all this BS, but one day they might kick you in your balls as well 😂
James *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Eric ********
rules?? Where are these rules ? Your in Phuket?
James *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
That's exactly how I volunteered
Brian **********
@James ****
once you go the agent route, basically everyone in immigration knows and your stuck using the agents forever.
James *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brian *********
that's not good, what's my other option lose my passport when covid19 is over ?
Brian **********
and if by volunteer, you mean give a pile of cash and your passport to am agent, go back to the agent. The 1 year extension was part of the package
Наталья ***********
Once your visa expired you will stay under visa amnisty. Visa amnisty until 31 October and after that you have to leave. Better you extend your volunteer Visa assap
James *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Наталья **********
I'm.on it thank you
Brian **********
You go back to the organization you volunteer with to extend the 90 day. They should be able to help you with the required paperwork.
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