What are the best visa options for a Swedish citizen wanting to volunteer in Thailand?

Question

Hi, I'd really appreciate some input. I've been in and out of the country for 3 years. On tourist visa and visa on arrival. I've been out of the country for about 5 month. I have a new passport and a 30 day visa on arrival. Swedish citizen.

I figure I need to apply for a long term visa and I'm looking into a 12 month volunteer visa, teaching english in gov school. (non O?). I was going to apply for a work perm in Vietienne and then apply for the visa in Chiang Mai, this is how I got the process explained for me.

I was also thinking about getting an ED visa, thai or hand to hand combat but the upside with the volunteer visa is that after a year it can be prolonged instead of having to reapply. But if I get the ED visa it might be really heard to reapply after a year. I'm not sure, what do you think?

I'm freaking out a little as it seem to have become so much harder to get a visa. I figured I should be fine as I have a clean passport but it doesn't seem to be that easy anymore.

I'd like any input on my situation and how to think and what I need. I believe I already have an organization where I can volunteer. What do I need in terms of paper work etc.

Thank you!!

Ask Thailand · Answer

A Swedish citizen seeks advice on obtaining a long-term visa for volunteering in Thailand after spending three years in and out of the country on tourist visas. They are considering a 12-month volunteer visa (NON-O) or an ED visa for studies. The person is looking for guidance regarding the application process, required paperwork, and the complications of previous visa history.

Tod ********* · Answer

and just like that we're done. Thanx one and all for your suggestions to [mention redacted], I hope they find a visa/extension to meet their needs.

Good Luck

Robert ******* · Answer

it may sound very crazy, but why wast time to go school, why wast time being a volunteer. You like to travel and spend time in Thailand, get the Thai Elite Visa and you can do what you like for 5, 10 or 20 years.

Benjamin ****** · Answer

Here's my opinions:

1. Where you apply for the "work visa" is up to the school; you generally have no say where to go.

2. The process is:

A. Apply for the visa outside of the country (GENERALLY...)

B. Once you get the visa, then apply for the work permit inside

I'd be nervous with any school that says you get the work permit outside of Thailand.

3. Getting an ED visa for non-University studying with prior visa history is becoming difficult; a non-O or a Non-B would be best.

4. Clean passports are worthless these days. You don't want a visa, you want a way to get into, and stay, in Thailand.

5. What do you need in terms of paperwork to get the Non-O volunteer visa? The school would know. Ask them. If they don't know, run and find another school.

Tod ********* · Answer

Okay, let's get this sorted right now. A new passport wipes the slate clean at THAI CONSULATES in other countries when buying a visa, period end of story. At this time, consulates don't share a data base that shows previous visa purchase history. All they do is page thru your passport and look for thai visas/entry stamps.

Now with the new online application process that the thai consulate in London (and other cities have) at some point (once more and more consulates adopt this) you're NOT gonna be able to hide your visa/entry history by just getting a new passport.

Tod ********* · Answer

No disrespect intended BUT it seems more like you're just scrambling to find some visa that will let you stay more than you're wanting to do what that visa was issued for. :O

As far as what paperwork you need to get a 90 day Non-O visa based on volunteering, you OR the place you're going to volunteer for need to look at the website of the consulate you're going to go to and see what the requirements are.

James ******** · Answer

And read this...happening this day in Bangkok

[url redacted]

Bobby ******** · Answer

First thing to install into your thinking is a "clean" passport means nothing, other than the IO will look harder at your entry record. Every time you arrive/depart from Thailand it goes into your immigration record through biometrics and fingerprinting, you cannot hide your record

What are the best visa options for a Swedish citizen wanting to volunteer in Thailand?

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