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What experiences do people have with the Volunteer Visa in Thailand?

Volunteer VisaThailand VisaExpat ExperiencesImmigration RulesNGOs in ThailandVisa ExtensionsVolunteer Organizations
Aug 20, 2020
4 years ago
Marguyvin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Has anyone on this forum ever done the Volunteer Visa? I have not encountered a single instance of someone who had done it and can share their experience with it.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion centers around the Volunteer Visa in Thailand and the varied experiences of expats using it. Some users mention the challenges and complexities associated with obtaining a legitimate volunteer visa, including working through agents and the requirement for regular renewals. Others highlight issues related to immigration crackdowns on volunteer visas, which have made it harder to obtain them legitimately. There are also anecdotes about the sincerity of volunteering efforts versus those who exploit the system. Overall, there seems to be significant interest and varied experiences shared about the volunteer visa process in Thailand.
Geoff *********
Would be appreciated if you can tell us more.
4 years ago
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Terary **********
I just got mine. Certain amount of stupidity but I was desperate.
4 years ago
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Marguyvin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Terary *********
 PM'ed you.
4 years ago
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Marguyvin **********
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Tod *********
If you are talking about a volunteer visa where you actually DO volunteer at a real foundation (as in you do something) there are hundreds and hundreds of people who are on those types of visa/extensions

BUT

If you're talking about handing your passport and a pile of money to an agency that will take it to a province you don't live in, use an immigration office you've never been to, get a volunteer visa and then an extension for a foundation you don't work for, can't even pronounce and have no idea what they do, I'd say that is NOT the best way to go about getting a long term stay here ;)
4 years ago
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Steve **********
@T**
 😂😂😂
4 years ago
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Tod *********
@St***
, hate the message you wingnut NOT the messenger
4 years ago
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Steve **********
@T**
 that’s the nicest thing I’ve been called in years. Thanks 🙏🏻
4 years ago
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Steve **********
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Peter ********
Tourist police?
4 years ago
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Richard ******
Volunteer for what ?
4 years ago
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Shayne **********
I have 10 years as a volunteer. I also looked after 170 volunteers for two foundations all over Thailand for 3 years. It was 50-60 hours a week.
4 years ago
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Keryn ******
Are you looking at getting a volunteer visa. Time is running out for all visas
4 years ago
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Siddhartha *********
You need to go to volunteer organization; there you can encounter many encounters 😹
4 years ago
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Steve *******
Not easy to get legitimately, Immigration cracked down on them a few years ago. The vast majority of legitimate ones issued are done through NGO's.
4 years ago
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Marguyvin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
 what exactly happened in the "crackdown"?
4 years ago
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Steve *******
@MarGuyvin **
 Embassys looked deeper into the paperwork before issuing visas, Immigration stopped issuing automatic 1 year extentions of stay, investigated organizations offering 'volunteer visas', the same thing happened with ED visas.
4 years ago
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Steve *******
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Siddhartha *********
You never try it., Never know Na Ja 😹
4 years ago
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Amy ***************
Yep I'm here on a legitimate (as in I actually volunteer with them 5 days a week) volunteer visa with a local charity. Work through an agent to help with all the paperwork, it's a pretty long process and you've got to renew in 90 day increments until the 3rd renewal when you can get a year and got to apply separately for multiple entry each time. They also go to your place of volunteering during the consideration phase to check that you actually go there when you say you do.
4 years ago
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Greg ********
@Amy **************
 You seem to be very legit. I suspect the agents offeeing the under the table no need to do the actual volunteer work pay to get around this somehow
4 years ago
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Erik *******
@Greg *******
 But you won’t get around Immigration random inspection at the place you are supposed to work !!! Don’t jeopardize your chance to get later a LEGIT long term visa
4 years ago
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Marguyvin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Erik ******
 what will happen? Blacklisted from ever returning?
4 years ago
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Erik *******
@MarGuyvin **
 Not only... Please read paragraph “Many innocent foreigners fall for visa fraud” with attention ...
4 years ago
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Erik *******
@MarGuyvin **
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/09/thai-conman-arrested-for-selling-fake-visas-to-unsuspecting-foreigners-as-one-innocent-farang-spends-2-months-in-thai-prison/
4 years ago
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Greg ********
@Erik ******
 Not my problem. I am on BOI. I think we might be pointing out same thing
4 years ago
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Greg ********
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Amy ***************
@Greg *******
 I expect that is the case indeed, but I have no experience of this to offer I'm afraid 😊
4 years ago
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Greg ********
@Amy **************
 No need. My first Non-B 20 years ago was similar. 3 months at a time until 3 times then 1 year. WP ran with the visa. This time I am on BOI so 18 months first issue. I hear 2 years on renewal. What area are you volunteering in, no need for specifics?
4 years ago
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Amy ***************
@Greg *******
 you've been through it a fair few times then! Got to love paperwork.

I'm a Vet, employed in the UK, volunteering my expertise and research skills to a charity over here 😊
4 years ago
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Greg ********
@Amy **************
 Good one. I was thinking about volunteering in Cambodia with young business people when I was retired. My pal was British Ambassador then so had contacts. Ended up getting bored in Thailand. Headhunter approached about a new role here on expat salary and conditions. Jumped at the chance. Life of Riley lol
4 years ago
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Amy ***************
@Greg *******
 Nice job if you can get it!
4 years ago
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Greg ********
@Amy **************
 I know I fell on my feet. Appreciate it most days. Not today though. We have new CEO so it is like Game of Thrones and I am not playing 😉. I just deliver his strategic projects. The others can jockey for position.
4 years ago
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Greg ********
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Marguyvin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks! When does this "consideration phase" take place? I never heard of that.
4 years ago
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Amy ***************
@MarGuyvin **
 First month of the renewal period, you get a temporary Visa for a month and once they've checked out your application you get the remaining 2 months. I'm not sure if this is the case for every renewal, but it was for my first 😊

Oh and you need to get a work permit to renew the volunteer visa too - about 6000THB if I remember correctly. (And 4000thb per 3 month renewal)
4 years ago
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Marguyvin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Amy **************
 wow...a lot of money on top of the time you have to put in. You're very noble!
4 years ago
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Marguyvin **********
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Bobby ********
Possibly because most "volunteer" visas are done through an agent charging high fees, hence they're under the counter, so people keep quiet about them.
4 years ago
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Rob ******
If there were lots of bad experiences I'm sure you'd be able to read about those.
4 years ago
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Marguyvin **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby *******
 just would like to know if anyone ever had a bad experience with it.
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
@MarGuyvin **
. Understand, but you could have trouble locating someone willing to talk. They might think you're undercover immigration officer! 🤣🤣🤣
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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