What Are the Hour Requirements for Volunteer and Education Visas in Thailand?

The question is very hard to answer or very easy to answer. We all know there are schools without classrooms and teachers and very good in helping you to get the appropriate paperwork for a smal donation to stay inside Thailand. There are volunteer organizations who let you walk the dog 1 hour a week and provide the paper work for you.

The real question is: Are you in Thailand to study, then go to school and study

Are you in Thailand to volunteer, then sign up and volunteer

Are you in Thailand to abuse the visa system, no problem but there is a chance that a visa get denied, an entry get denied or you get busted on the spot and end up in jail, court and a deportation center.

Stay legal and in any doubt, visit the Immigration Office for details.

That is all we can advice.

Now that I have the added info from you Wylie ...

Get a METV ...multiple entry tourist visa before you come in March. With planning that gets you 6 up to 9 months in Thailand...plus if you follow with 2 land border runs plus 2 - 30 day extensions, you will have up to 13 months to sort out your life plans ...Married or Not..

BTW..

You can study Thai on the METV.

Good Luck

James has good starting suggestions.

My school supplied the ED visa packet for me. It is *huge*. There are detailed pages indicating the number of hours and days, teachers, coporate officers, crazy detailed info about the school, and more. [As an aside, it seems like 90% of it could be sent once by the school to immigration, then a single code could reference all of that, but hey, redundant paperwork is what all the cool kids are into]

I'm surprised you saw mostly 8 hour a week schools. Mine is 15, and most I saw in Bangkok when I was searching were 9-15. Some go by month, so 60 hours per month for mine but I did see some 45. Other cities may differ, and some are known for minimal effort. You are also not required to attend full time (you can take a month off), though your school can have their own requirements so always check.

When I got my visa, the consulate had no questions about my school, but mostly seemed to want to verify that I was actually going to be learning and that I had enough money to live without a work permit (or begging, stealing, etc.). Too many bar flys trying to pretend to be students. No guarantee they won't question you about it, but this is a good reason to have a proper school.

As its 2:30am now in Thailand, you may see replies in the morning.

Wylie...you are an American citizen ?

What visa, if any, do you now have in Thailand?

How long have you been in Thailand?

Again Google is your friend.

Contact Ministry of Education for licensed Ed Visa schools...

contact the schools for their requirements.

Likewise contact NGO - Non Government Organization - sponsors of Volunteering in Thailand.

Find out their requirements and those of the Thai Consulate or Embassy outside of Thailand for the Non O Volunteer Visa requirements.

Same with finding out school requirements for the issued Ed Visa and Thai Embassy/Consulate requirements for the Non B Ed Visa.

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