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What challenges do former holders of the Thai Volunteer Visa face when applying for other visas like the Elite Visa?

Thai Volunteer VisaThailand Elite VisaVisa Application ChallengesImmigration PolicyEducation Visa (Ed-Visa)Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV)Expat Life in Thailand
Sep 19, 2022
2 years ago
Darren ********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi all. I'm reaching out to any previous holders of the dreaded Thai Volunteer Visa. Mine expired recently (after 2.5 years) so came back in as a tourist last month for 30 days. Extending this week for another 30.

I was considering the Elite Visa but have been told they are rejecting all applicants who previously held a volunteer visa during the pandemic. Nice. That's that then.

So, I was wondering if anyone else had experienced any difficulty with other visa applications of any kind for the same reason? I'm now pondering other options (METV, Ed-Visa etc) but worried I don't have any if they are unfairly punishing us for previously holding the Volunteer Visa. Thanks for your help.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the difficulties faced by a former holder of the Thai Volunteer Visa when trying to apply for new visas, particularly the Elite Visa. The poster is concerned about being rejected due to their previous visa status, especially after hearing from agencies that applications from former Volunteer Visa holders are frequently denied. Multiple comments share experiences and advice, indicating uncertainty and frustration regarding the visa application process for individuals with a history of holding a Volunteer Visa in Thailand.
Patrik ********
Are there any other experiences on this topic? Has anyone recently got a Thai Elite Visa after having a volunteer or education visa?
2 years ago
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Darren ********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Patrik *******
 I got rejected 2 weeks ago with a new passport.
2 years ago
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Patrik ********
@Darren *******************
 I'm sorry that it didn't work out for you. I hope you found another solution.
2 years ago
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Patrik ********
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John *****
Hi everyone, this is copied from my Thailand Elite approval email from last week. It may help clarify some of the misunderstandings in this thread about volunteer visas and approval validity "Package: Elite Easy Access 
Remittance in THB: 600,000 (exclusive of any bank charges) 
***Non-refundable in any case*** 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
****PLEASE DO NOT MAKE THE PAYMENT**** If you fall under the following conditions: 
- Please check if the entry stamp permission on your passport, If you have an outstanding overstayed record on your current stay, you will not be able to obtain a Thailand Elite visa under any circumstances. 
- Please check if you have a history or currently hold a Non-Immigrant type O (Volunteer), you will not be able to obtain a Thailand Elite visa under any circumstances. 
- Please check if you hold a Non-Immigrant MT (Medical Treatment) without the patient reports from the hospital, the medical certificate, and a Non-Immigrant ED* (an education visa without an official document from the Office of Basic Educational Commission: OBEC), you will not be able to obtain a Thailand Elite visa under any circumstances. 
Once again, if you fall under the condition above Thailand Privilege Card Company Limited company reserve the right not to refund the membership fee under any circumstances. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
A remittance of membership fee must be completed in a single transaction to comply with the Anti-Money Laundering Act, B.E. 2542 (1999) (AMLA) and its amendment, such as a mobile banking remittance shall be equivalent to the membership fee in a single transaction only. 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 
** This approval letter email is valid for 30 Days. All Payments submit in compliance with the above conditions, will not be eligible for the promotion. For all expired applications and an approval letter will be required to resubmit all documents. "
2 years ago
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Darren ********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John ****
 So this confirms what I've been told and saying. Thanks John.
2 years ago
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Charles ********
@Darren *******************
 I highly encourage you to walk into the elite office and talk to them.. Not email. Sometimes (often) they give wrong information and "sales agents" online really do not know...
2 years ago
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Charles ********
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Steve ********
Which border did you cross back into Thailand? I'm in the exact same situation and afraid of get a denied entry at the airport... Thanks
2 years ago
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Garrett ***********
ONE person reported not being able to be issued the elite visa after being on a vollenteer visa. ONE person, and there could have been other issues he didn't tell us.

When you submit an application, immigration does a background check and approves or denies the elite visa application. Only way to know is apply. It's free to apply and the acceptance letter is valid for 1 year so no reasons not to apply and see what happens.
2 years ago
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Steve ********
I asked them about it..
2 years ago
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Darren ********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *******
 Who sent you this reply Steve?
2 years ago
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Steve ********
@Darren *******************
 one of the Thailand Elite representatives.. I send a mail with my question to the main email address on their website..

I also send you a pm Darren.
2 years ago
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Darren ********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *******
 Ok thanks Steve. Will look out for that.
2 years ago
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Darren ********************
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Darren ********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *******
 It's just madness they are doing this. No logic behind it. Elite must be pissed off too.
2 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@St***
 Bullshit
2 years ago
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Darren ********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
 Why do you think it's bullshit? Genuine question.
2 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Dar***
 There's absolutely no reason a legitimately issued volunteer visa would be a disqualifier for the elite visa. There's plenty of NGO's and even government offices (translator's in the police offices in Bangkok?). That agency just doesn't want to deal with it.
2 years ago
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Darren ********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
 I hope you're right. I'll be trying to apply soon.
2 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Dar***
 Apply through the official site, it's online and 1 page long. No reasons to wait, it takes 4-6 weeks for the application to be approved and it valid for 1 year.
2 years ago
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Darren ********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
 Yep that's the plan. Not getting my hopes up but might as well try. I have a friend who is already talking to her direct contact in the Elite office about my case and that contact says to try. Suprised he said that with all the blanket nos I've been getting recently. But ultimately it's immigration who decide right.
2 years ago
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Garrett ***********
@Dar***
 No reason to wait, just put the application in today. It doesnt cost anything and you don't need to write anything, just fill in your details. Better to know sooner than later so you have more time to figure something else out if it doesn't workout.
2 years ago
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Garrett ***********
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Darren ********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
 Who is this one person Garreth? How many volunteer visa holders have reported they have recently been approved?

I've been told by the two main Elite Visa agencies that ALL their Volunteer Visa holder applications have been rejected this year and they have had so many. They've lost so much business because of this. Like you say, I may as well try but have been told I probably won't be approved based on that fact only. It's crazy.
2 years ago
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Shayne **********
@Darren *******************
 it was the fake Pran foundation the fake Visa center volunteer visa that has made it very difficult and annoying for all real volunteers.
@Garrett **********
 there are a couple of foundations who have been able to assist people off that visa at a premium.
2 years ago
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Darren ********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Shayne *********
 Hi Shayne. I assume the foundations assiting people off volunteer visas can help only those who volunteered for them?
2 years ago
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Shayne **********
@Darren *******************
 yes.
2 years ago
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Shayne **********
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Garrett ***********
@Dar***
 It's Garrett, not Garreth. And there's no such thing as an "Elite visa agency." There is 1 government owned company that manages the Elite Visas. Some visa agencies can submit the application for you and collect a referral fee if you end up buying it, but that's it. Whatever agency's you talked to probably wanted to sell you something more profitable to them.
2 years ago
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Darren ********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Garrett **********
 It's ThailandEliteVisas.com who told me this. They seem like an agency to me but I could be wrong. All the prices are the same as the Elite website. And also my friend asked their contact in the actual Elite office about the Volunteer Visa situation and they confirmed it's true.
2 years ago
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Darren ********************
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Russell *******
I thing is good for them to make there own rules. 🙏
2 years ago
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Ch**
how about applying ed visa (language school) ?
2 years ago
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Darren ********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ch**
 Hi yes that's what I'd like to do. I was just wondering if anyone had applied and been rejected for having a volunteer visa like me.
2 years ago
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Ch**
@Darren *******************
 aww i see..sorry i have no exp for this 😅
2 years ago
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Darren ********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ch**
 No worries 😀
2 years ago
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Darren ********************
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Steve ********
Was it a genuine volunteer visa or one of those bogus agency visas? There is a difference
2 years ago
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Darren ********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *******
 Bogus. But at the time of applying I naively didn't know that 😕 I did some volunteering but not nearly enough to justify the visa.
2 years ago
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Steve ********
@Darren *******************
 I understand these visas were being sold for around 50,000 baht, so no-one will believe you thought you were getting a genuine 2000 baht visa from an immigration office. As you probably know, a new chief was installed in the Immigration Department who put a stop to these and to the bogus ED visas, and to subsequently punish those who bought them (unfairly you claim, but I think if you're honest about, you'll accept that it's not so). Your best strategy would be to slowly rebuild your immigration record with proper visas, and to steer well clear of agents. Elite visa will probably be out of bounds for you for some years, if not forever. However, there's nothing to stop you trying with a new passport. Failing that, think about either working here, or engaging in genuine study. Other than marriage, there's no other real long-term option until you reach 50, as the STV appears to have run its course
2 years ago
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Darren ********************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve *******
 Thanks Steve. That will be my plan providing it's only the Elite Visa i'm banned from. I do have a new passport and seeking help from a friend with a contact inside the Elite office so we'll see if it's worth me applying.

Failing that, I'll most likely learn some Thai (if I'm allowed). I have been wanting to learn anyway after living here for almost 4 years. Until i get something sorted I'll go back to tourist visas/runs. Fingers crossed the Thai Consulates in other countries aren't singling us out too when applying for tourist visas. Thanks again.
2 years ago
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Darren ********************
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Brandon ************
The ED would probably be fine. The METV is generally only available in your home country, and not every country even sells it.

I've seen anecdotal evidence that the Elite Visa might be possible if you get a new passport without any volunteer stamps in it. I know it doesn't make sense since they have records of all that, but I've seen people say it.
2 years ago
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Steve ********
I tried and ask them.... Probably not possible 😑
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Steve *******
 this is Thailand. You don't ask, you do. It's free to apply for Elite and find out if you're approved. You don't pay until after they. If you're set on trying, get the new passport then apply and see what happens.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
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