This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What is the cost of a 1-year visa in Thailand for someone who doesn't work?
Feb 15, 2022
4 years ago
Paul *****
ORIGINAL POSTERHow much does a 1 year visa cost? And what is best one for someone who doesn’t work here?
(Please don’t message me about your services)
(Please don’t message me about your services)
TLDR : Answer Summary
The cost of a 1-year visa in Thailand varies depending on the type. For genuine volunteer visas, the cost ranges from 2,000 THB for an in-country Non-O visa related to volunteering, to 35,000-55,000 THB for agent-assisted visas. However, bogus volunteer visas are no longer available. An alternative option is the Thailand Elite Visa, which ranges in cost based on the duration (5, 10, or 20 years) and provides a legal option for those not employed or unable to qualify for a retirement visa.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Retirement Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Ken ******
suggested to.do some google and youtube search on what visas available, pros n.cons etc, agents services
Danny *******
We don't need anymore "volunteers". 😠
Marie *****
You have the option of Thailand Elite Visa which is for 5, 10 or 20 years. Although the cost would be higher than the classic non-o or non-b visa, it is a fully legal option to stay in Thailand for someone who is not employed and does not qualify to the retirement visa
Alex ******
@Marie ****
and what are the prices for each of these?Reply to
Alex ******
Reply
Duncan *******
Legitimate volunteer visas are still available. What has been banned is dodgy ones, particularly out of places like Pattaya. It may shock some people to learn - a legit volunteer visa involves actually doing volunteer work.
Zxa **********
*****
+Shayne **********
I got a volunteer visa in January. Why? Because I am a real volunteer and have been for 12 years.
Jeremy ********
@Shayne *********
wow 12 years .did you get a medal or some honor.thank you to exist and continue your good work.we need you on earth .Garrett ***********
@Shayne *********
I just bought a box of cookies last night actually. If you wait a few hours I can give you some.Reply to
Garrett ***********
Reply
Chulala **********
Volunteer on banned look for other visa
Benjamin ******
2K THB for an in-country Non-O Visa based on volunteering, 1,900 for an extension of stay based on volunteering.
Bobby ********
Genuine volunteer visas are still available, but if you were getting one of these you wouldn't be asking the question as the volunteer foundation will assist in obtaining your visa and work permit. As far as the bogus visas are concerned these are no longer available due to a crackdown by the new immigration boss. A genuine visa is 2000 baht. The bogus ones used to sell for 50,000+
Maxim ***********
@Bobby *******
Two things are factually incorrect about your post. 1) The cost for a volunteer visa with an agent was never 50k+, it was always around 35k baht. 2) The visas obtained with an agent is not bogus, it's legit, but ofc it's true that plenty of agents are fake and will steal your money. As for right now, the only long term visa available with an agent is marriage visa. Volunteer and Ed visa is not available with agent atm. If someone offer one, it's fake 100%.Bobby ********
Maxim Thibodeau. Read the OP's comment. He paid 55k. And you reckon it's legit? The cost of a volunteer visa is 2000 baht. A volunteer visa requires a work permit and actual volunteering work. The bogus visas don't come with this. You're kidding yourself. If someone is married to a Thai, why would they use an agent? You get the visa from the immigration office.
Maxim ***********
@Bobby *******
55k is never legit, it's way too expensive. But the way you worded it is "every agent and visa obtain with agent is bogus", which is factually incorrect. A lot of people are married but they don't have the 400k in bank, this is why they use an agent to get marriage visa. To get a marriage visa with an agent, you need to met every requirement except the financial one (this is why many use an agent). So the marriage certificate need to be valid and everything else.Bobby ********
@Maxim **********
. So you believe paying a bribe to avoid having the 400k in the bank is legit? Are you serious?Maxim ***********
@Bobby *******
Yes, a visa obtained with an agent is legit, as long as it's a real agent and not a scam. A real agent will provide the payment slip, real stamp done by real immigration officer, and everything will be registered as if it was done without an agent. But yes, you do pay more to avoid one of the requirement. To me, it's the equivalent of black market lotto tickets in Thailand. If you win, you get paid, many buy such lotto tickets including cops. Is it legal? Not technically, but it's legit in the sense that they are delivering exactly what they are claiming to, and every stamps, etc, are all delivered the way it would the other way. Same with lotto tickets... you get paid with real Thai baht if you win, not fake ones.Bobby ********
@Maxim **********
. Of course you get the real stamp! Because the immigration officer has been bribed to give it. If a spot check is carried out it brings you undone.Maxim ***********
@Bobby *******
You implied that the stamp and the visa were not real or fake, its real and legit. Maybe we just dont have the same definition of what is a scam, fake and not legit.Bobby ********
Maxim Thibodeau. Yes the stamp is genuine. The process to get it is not. Bribery is actually illegal in Thailand (although we know it goes on). I know one case with a retirement visa, same story 800k. Got a visit from immigration police. Couldn't produce bankbook. Arrested. Sent to IDC. 20,000 baht overstay fee. Deported. Five year ban. I wouldn't risk that, but I'm not a Cheap Charlie
Maxim ***********
@Bobby *******
Such anecdote are very rare, I'm sure you know it. There is usually more to these stories. p.s: You could go to Savannakhet to get Non-O based on marriage pre-covid without the 400k financial requirement. It was even possible in Penang for a while. This particular requirement is there so that some can profit from it (agent, officer, etc). It doesn't make a whole lot of sense. It's different from volunteer work where not going defeat the purpose of it, or not going to school on ed visa. It would be the equivalent of having a marriage visa without being legally married (not having marriage certificate).Bobby ********
Maxim Thibodeau. The marriage visa is accomplished easily in-country with a transfer of 40k baht each month. That's about US $1200 per month. Are you telling me there are people out there cannot afford that? I can see where the term "Cheap Charlie" comes from.
Reply to
Bobby ********
Reply
James *******
Miguel, the guy is a loser. For someone living it up in Thailand he sure spends a lot of time talking shit about other people's finances on visa forums.
Bobby ********
James Smith. Yeah I'm a loser 🤣🤣🤣
Reply to
Bobby ********
Reply
Royce ***********
@Bobby *******
may I know then initial steps to do the genuine volunteer? My thai partner and I live together and I would like to volunteer and of course stay longer hereRoyce ***********
@Maxim **********
Yes, we’re talking about the normal way here. Given the time restraints, will try to dig deep the volunteer visa because I can dedicate my excess time, which I possess, to my listed interests above. Ed visa is also ok but the good schools like duke is quite far from my place. It would’ve been good when I was still living in Phra Ram 9 where every places are literally accessible. I tried looking for good thai language school near Mahidol University but Am not really digging deep into it. Mahidol, I think, they’re already closed for the classMaxim ***********
@Royce ***********************
Get married, even if it's not a good reason to do so. It's the only way for you to stay long term in Thailand atm if you are not over 50 (retirement). I've been with my Thai GF for 6 years, we will get married soon. There was a time where you could get education visa and not go to class, but it haven't been possible for maybe 2 years (immigration will properly test you Thai skill every 3 months). Months ago they also discontinued volunteer visa with agent, so if you want one you need to volunteer for real. So any long term visa right now except marriage mean that you need to give a lot of your time for a foundation or at school.Royce ***********
@Maxim **********
hi Maxim. This is personal but ok we’ve given a thought of that already obviously. So can I apply for a visa as fiance or do we really need to be wed before applying? The reason of this question is we haven’t given it a real time to discuss until recently but given the time before my next visa expiry; it’s too shortMaxim ***********
@Royce ***********************
For marriage visa you need the marriage certificate, so yes you need to be married. You first need the affidavit from your embassy, then having it translated and certified by ministry of foreign affair (there is one in Bangkok and Chiang Mai), then you go to district office to get married and get marriage certificate. The whole process is no more then a week. After that to get the marriage visa you need to have had 400k baht in the bank for months or proof of 40k baht per month income. If you do not met the financial requirement, you can use an agent, they still do marriage visa.Doing volunteer or ed visa the "normal way" imply that you will need to volunteer or go to school. If it's something that you want then do it the "normal way".
Reply to
Maxim ***********
Reply
Shayne **********
@Royce ***********************
I found this website many years ago and had trouble finding it again. It's very good. ********************************
Royce ***********
@Shayne *********
this is great! Thank you for your help!Reply to
Royce ***********
Reply
Shayne **********
@Royce ***********************
it's very simple. There's about 4000 foundations in Thailand, find one that does things you like or passionate about. Then see how you can offer your services and come to an arrangement. It's probably a lot cheaper than the others, but may take more time.Royce ***********
@Shayne *********
good to know! I am going to look at possible foundations. I am passionate about environment or like back home I am keen to humanitarian assistance, or about dogs. Any leads?Reply to
Royce ***********
Reply
Bobby ********
@Royce ***********************
. Talk to @Shayne *********
. He's had a lot of experience in volunteeringReply to
Bobby ********
Reply
Paul *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bobby *******
that bogus one you’re talking about is the one I likely bought. Paid 55,000 baht. 3 months ago I went to visa shop bought 1 year visa. They said it was a student visa.
They said it would take until February bc “visa is closed for foreigners but now open so processing takes long time” or some excuse like that.
Now they delayed it till March. They said the visa is get is a volunteer not student anymore.
I don’t know what to believe
Maxim ***********
@Paul ****
Volunteer visa with agent has been discontinued months ago, same with ed visa, the only available long term visa with agent atm is marriage visa (if you cant meet the 400k bath requirement, you use an agent). Also, there is no such thing as a "visa shop". A proper agent has an office that you can go in and visit, and will make your visa extremely fast after they receive your passport. "Delayed", even by a week, is also a red sign.Shayne **********
@Paul ****
it's all explained in what they put in your passport. I have 12 years of volunteer visas and used to look after 170 volunteers for a foundation so I know a little bit if you need to know more.Reply to
Shayne **********
Reply
Miguel *************
@Bobby *******
what about a genuine education visa to do bogus studying? 😎Maxim ***********
@Miguel ************
Do not listen to Bobby, he does not speak from experience. To answer your question, all sort of visas obtained with agent (volunteer, education visa, marriage, etc), are legit. The stamps are all done the same way if you had not use an agent. BUT... right now volunteer and education visa are NOT available with an agent. If an agent offer you such visas it's a scam. Marriage visa is the only visa one that agent can do atm (if you don't meet the 400k requirement, if you do, do it yourself).Bobby ********
@Miguel ************
. Or a bogus education visa to do genuine studying? 🤣🤣Miguel *************
@Bobby *******
still prefer just one that allows me stay longer 60 days without border-hopping and doesn’t require much of my scarce free time. 😉Burnard ************
Bobby ********
@Miguel ************
. Elite visa is good for five years. Don't have to leave.Miguel *************
@Bobby *******
I know about the Thai Elite Visa, but it’s expensive. I’m looking at my other options.Bobby ********
@Miguel ************
. Ok. I thought you had money!Miguel *************
@Bobby *******
I have money, I’m just not rich or like to throw it away.Bobby ********
@Miguel ************
. Plenty have been throwing away 50,000+ for a visa which is not even legitimate! Elite Visa works out at about US$10 a day. It worked well for me when I was working in the mines in Western Australia. I'd work three full months and make enough money to then take nine months off. The Elite Visa meant I just come and go without even thinking about it. For a miserable $10 a day it's a no-brainer. I laugh when I see these digital whackpackers scrambling and scampering for their pissant visas!Miguel *************
@Bobby *******
$300 a month is about ***
th of my salary and more than many Thais make per month. My salary is pretty decent even for European standards, but I reserve the right to decide what I consider reasonable, and paying $18k or so for a 5-year visa when I would stay no longer than a year is not a reasonable solution even if I made 3x as much.Also, if you’re coming to a forum to laugh at people because they don’t meet your standards, besides being no more than a troll, you clearly need to find a better hobby.
Bobby ********
@Miguel ************
. Sorry if you got offended. I just tell it as it is, but understand in our modern world we can no longer say it this way, because so many get "offended". I give options. If people have money they take it. There's plenty of people with Elite Visas. I mentioned how it worked for me. I hate immigration with a passion and do whatever I can to stay away from it and refuse point-blank to pay dirty money to an agent in order to pay a bribe. Those are my standards.Miguel *************
@Bobby *******
I’m not a backpacker nor is it the case that I “cannot afford it”, I just find it despicable that you would refer to people struggling in those terms because they don’t have options. That’s not telling it like it is, that’s being what you know you were.And I wouldn’t get offended because someone makes a proposition as if it’s really good when he doesn’t know my circumstances.
There are plenty of Thai Visas, sure, there is a market for it and there’s good cost/benefit for a lot of people, I’m very much aware of that.
Bobby ********
Miguel da Fonseca. Wow! Hit a nerve. I think we all need a group hug to repair any hurt feelings!
Reply to
Bobby ********
Reply
Steve *******
They stopped selling volonteer visas in November 2021. It might come back, it might not. Nobody knows.
Anyway, they used to cost 35-55,000 baht per year, depending on which agent you used.
Anyway, they used to cost 35-55,000 baht per year, depending on which agent you used.
Paul *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve ******
that’s how much I paid. People said that it cost 1900 baht idk whyMaxim ***********
@Paul ****
1.9k is when you do actual volunteer work. 35k is when you are suppose to but stay home. People use agent to avoid volunteering or going to school, but still be on that visa. It is not possible anymore to do so.Lyndon ************
@Paul ****
because 1900thb is the cost for a 90 day application or one year extension, if you do it yourself... the rest is agent fees and bribe money.Steve *******
@Paul ****
yes, that's what it costs when you're actually volonteering. If you just buy one, you're basically bribing agents and immigration officers to get the visa.Paul *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Steve ******
do u know how to sign up and volunteer? I’d love to do it legitimatelySteve *******
@Paul ****
no clue, really. But pretty sure you can Google and find a few foundations ready to hire someone. Good luck budReply to
Steve *******
Reply
Michael ********
If anyone does message you tell us and we will ban them.
Its really not recomended to get a bogus volunteer visa at the moment.
Its really not recomended to get a bogus volunteer visa at the moment.
Maxim ***********
@Michael *******
Agent don't give volunteer visa atm, it's being discontinued for months, so if people get offered one from agent it's 100% fake agent.Michael ********
@Maxim **********
i knowReply to
Michael ********
Reply
6 comments
2 years ago
65 comments
2 years ago
26 comments
2 years ago
15 comments
2 years ago
100 comments
2 years ago
44 comments
2 years ago
19 comments
3 years ago
74 comments
3 years ago
20 comments
3 years ago
58 comments
3 years ago
25 comments
3 years ago
28 comments
4 years ago
45 comments
4 years ago
25 comments
4 years ago
99 comments
4 years ago
18 comments
4 years ago
43 comments
4 years ago
30 comments
5 years ago
94 comments
5 years ago
14 comments
5 years ago
107 comments
6 years ago
27 comments
7 years ago
13 comments
8 years ago
17 comments
8 years ago
103 comments
9 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.