What is the process for applying for a Type O Work Volunteer visa at the Thai Embassy in Singapore?

Thai Embassy in Singapore - someone was recently asking for experiences. I also searched this group prior to applying there and didn’t see any. As I just received my Type O Work Volunteer visa from this embassy and it was a unique process, here are some notes for anyone interested. Hope they help the community (You can skip to point 6 if you’re discouraged by point 1)

1. They require an online application to be filed AND ACCEPTED 10 days before departure for SG. This involves filling out an online visa form and uploading every single required visa document that you will present in person. With only a 5mb file limit, I had to max compress some PDFs to make sure they would upload. (Easy through online Adobe Acrobat) If any document is missing or rejected, your online status will change to “rejected” and you have 2 more opportunities to upload what’s missing or wrong. (They will tell you in a comment field what they want from you) If by the third attempt there are still issues, your application will be finalized as “rejected” and you need to start the process over again by filing a new online application. I filed my first online application on March 8th and it was finally accepted on March 21st, on the third attempt. Then your status changes to “accepted” and you’re approved to apply in person. You cannot apply in person until this process has been completed and you receive an official date and time to go to the embassy. They will turn you away if tried. So it's helpful to start well in advance and maybe don’t book flights or lodging until you’re sure you’ll be able to apply on the dates you need to.

1. This embassy asked me for a couple of documents that, without going into detail, were really unusual. Just be prepared for anything. Again, well in advance will pay off.

1. If the date they give you to apply in person doesn’t work for your itinerary, you can contact them and ask for a specific date.

1. Make sure you still take all documents you uploaded in person to the embassy. Apparently the embassy is getting quite busy now with Thailand re-opening. The visa gate is on the back side of the embassy and definitely pays to get there prior to the 0930 opening time to line up. (I arrived at 0930 and completed my drop-off close to noon)

1. Although there are fields within the online application status for “Approved” and “Not approved” pertaining to your final visa status, it appears these fields are not updated until after you pick up your passport, so don’t bother with obsessively reloading your visa page Wednesday and Thursday like I did haha.

1. Finally, I want to say that the Thai Embassy staff in SG I worked with were among the friendliest, most encouraging staff I have met at any Thai embassy. They were always willing to answer my questions on the phone and answer emails quickly. They remembered me and even called me to work through the issues I was having. It seemed they had a genuine desire for a successful application process. I didn’t feel like just a number. Plus, the embassy is beautiful, in a really nice area (Orchard Road) and SG is an amazing place to visit. So while the initial process can be time consuming, detailed, and a little stress-inducing, the payoff is working with a great embassy in a great location, only a short flight away. Also in hindsight, I can see the pre-upload process ensures that you have the best chance of receiving your visa since you know for sure you’re not missing any requirements and have exactly what they want to see.