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What is the process for obtaining a Volunteer Visa in Thailand and are there any associated risks?

Volunteer VisaThailand immigrationVisa processLong-term visa optionsNON-O visaVisa extensionsVisa scamsExpat experiences
Jul 13, 2020
4 years ago
Terary **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
So pondering options to do long term visa.

The one most recommended is Volunteer Visa.

It sounds like this is the new back-door.

Anybody familiar with the process? Anybody know anybody who has done this?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
This discussion revolves around the Volunteer Visa process in Thailand, which some consider a backdoor route for long-term residency. Participants share experiences with using agencies to acquire these visas, often highlighting the high costs, potential scams, and the requirement to apply from outside Thailand. While some users mention the legality and risks of using such an agency, others argue that legitimate volunteer opportunities do exist. Concerns are raised about the possibility of deportation and life bans if caught engaging in fraudulent visa practices.
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Frank ******
Pure entertainment while eating my popcorn!
4 years ago
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Ivan ************
Volunteering is a legit option. Many people on these visas do actually volunteer, it is not necessarily a scam visa.
4 years ago
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David *********
Offered to to help teach English to child who’s patents can’t pay for free just to give these kids a chance in life

It just falls on deaf ears I am English so I speak without a accent like some who say they speak English but not correct

I think every thing is a scam or making money for someone but not the for the children
4 years ago
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David *********
What I was trying to say was that I offered to help children to speak English but they didn’t want to know when I looked into it further they were happy to have some people who spoke English but they had a bad accent and could not say the word completely perfect so children are learning not completely correct it’s like me saying I can speak thai and learning children I can speak thai my way but not correctly

But you can think what you like of me I am past that point in my life of taking notice of people seen to much cruelty and death to care anymore

We will leave it at that happy life
4 years ago
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Steve **********
@David ********
 never heard an Englishman speak without an accent. It's like American, so many dialects. Want perfect English, go to where the world news goes for announcers.

US Mid west !

Anyone that doesnt annunciate like you, to you, has an accent.
4 years ago
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David *********
That’s what happens on a small phone my friend so you have never made a mistake on you phone excellent
4 years ago
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Ken ***********
@David ********
 I am far from perfect, I acknowledge my faults and realize that I should stay humble ...maybe I am mistaken but your post strikes me as arrogant that your English is superior...if it doesn't represent your true personality, I apologize
4 years ago
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Ken ***********
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Ken ***********
@David ********
 you are quick to criticize other people's English accent; however, the grammar in your post is far from perfect. Perhaps you should not be so quick to criticize others.
4 years ago
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Ken ***********
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Robert **********
A real volunteer visa is to really volunteer with a real organization which sorts a work permit. Not many such opportunities
4 years ago
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Nick ************
@Robert *********
 they all think they are clever. They just make it harder for people to stay legitimately
4 years ago
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Nick ************
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Jenn **********
4 years ago
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Greg ********
No, you paid a lot of money for a visa which if they find out is not fit for purpose you might well get done.
4 years ago
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Greg ********
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Yvor ***********
4 years ago
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Patrick ********
Volunteer for what exactly ?

Makes me think of the saying that the road to hell is paved with good intentions 🤔

just saying 🤷‍♂️
4 years ago
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Todd *********
you did what exactly Jenn.... u sound like a pure bullshitter. Tick tock. Let's see if your fake profile responds
4 years ago
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Joe ***********
Great until the validity of your Visa is questioned by the local immigration office
4 years ago
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Todd *********
@J**
 looks like 🇺🇸 wants their taxpayers to all come home and share the Covid joy 😂
4 years ago
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Todd *********
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Jenn **********
wtf,,,i have a 1 year non O volunteer visa,,my agency was out of B.KK
4 years ago
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Jenn **********
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Jenn **********
i just did it,,,50k baht and dont have to leave thailand,,,they do the reporting if you cant...bunch of agency can do it for you,,,better hurry..tick tock
4 years ago
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Terary **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
How long do they keep your passport?
4 years ago
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Simon **********
Hi
@Je**
, do you need to show you are actually doing any volunteer work?
4 years ago
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Jenn **********
@Simon *********
 nope, you can go and do a photo shoot to show whatever if your worried...but thats why its so expensive(pay off the I.O),,,if you file it yourself, its only 5k baht
4 years ago
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Nick ************
@Jenn *********
 hope you can stay in Thailand for the rest of your life. They will only spot your fraudulent Visa when you attempt to leave. Then the fun will start.
4 years ago
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Greg ********
@Nick ***********
 It will not be a fraudulent visa though. The fraud part is they do not do any volunteering.
4 years ago
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Ken ***********
@Jenn *********
 will the agency pay your court costs if you are found out to be on a fraudulent visa ?
4 years ago
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Jenn **********
@Ken ******
 i dont know, ill ask them
4 years ago
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Simon **********
Cheers Jenn
4 years ago
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Simon **********
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Mark ******
Education visa,
4 years ago
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Tod *********
Totally is the new thing.

You hand your passport and a pile of money and two passport photos to an agent they take it to a province you don't live in, get a 90 day Non-O visa based on volunteering at a foundation you don't volunteer for, then get a year extension from the same immigration office at the same time and then bring your passport back to you. That gives you 15 months total stay.. And for an extra fee they even do your 90 day reporting for the whole year too :O

Totally REAL immigration office stamps, with a real foundations name on the visa/extension gotten by totally back-door, under the table means.

What could possibly go wrong.
4 years ago
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Terary **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Why would they put money in a fake bank account??

Why would they need a fake letter?
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Terary *********
. To satisfy the immigration requirements of having 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account. The account is set up by the agency, but in the applicant's name. The bank manager is paid his percentage to give the letter confirming the deposit. Once the visa is obtained, the agency closes the account and takes its money back. When the stupid applicant is caught the agency denies all knowledge, and the bank manager states the letter is fraudulent. The applicant is arrested, detained, court appearance, fine, deported, life ban.
4 years ago
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Tod *********
@Bobby *******
 it's a REAL bank account they open for you and give the bank book and the ATM card to you when they give your passport back with the extension in it
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Tod ********
. But does it have the 800,000 baht in it?
4 years ago
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Tod *********
@Bobby *******
 It usually works like this:

Your "agent" takes you to a bank, they open an account for you (by greasing the wheel with the bank manager) you put in 500baht to get it open, give them the bank book and ATM card and pin code. Then you leave them with your passport, the ATM and the bankbook

They deposit 800K baht cash into your account, they get the manager to write a bank letter, they update the bank book, then they pull the money right back out and go get the visa issued in your passport.
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Tod ********
. And the following year when you go for an extension you are compelled to use the agent again (and pay the big bucks), so that the "two months before, three months after" is not picked up by immigration?
4 years ago
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Tod *********
@Bobby *******
 you're almost locked into using them again, because you didn't keep the money in the account for 3 months after you got the extension AND you didn't keep the balance at 400K baht for the rest of the year.

it's a slippery slope or like falling into a hole, once you start down it or fall in you have a really hard time slogging back up and climbing out of it on your own.

I really believe it's a GIANT multi-billion baht money laundering dealy and the visas are a throw away service :O , because they put cash into your account but when they take it out it's FROM you to them so it's "real money"
4 years ago
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Tod *********
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Todd *********
soooo interesting
4 years ago
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Esing ********
@Tod ********
 during covid all sorts of unusual things happen, dont get too surprised!!
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Eshing *******
. It's an agency scam. It's illegal, which is fine until you get caught, then it turns ugly. Arrest, deportation, life ban. Good times!
4 years ago
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Esing ********
@Bobby *******
 is this agency scam practible only during the amnesty?? And how sure are u that its a agency scam?
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Eshing *******
. I had a cousin who got caught with an agency scam, the one where they put money in a fake bank account and get a fake bank letter, to avoid transfering 800,000 baht into Thailand. He got caught. It wasn't pretty. Arrest, detention, deportation, life ban. They would not even let him pack up his condo. Lived in Thailand for eight years and he had to get friends to pack up his things and send them to him in England. The agent ran for cover and they hide their tracks well, but throw you to the lions. But hey! It's only illegal if you get caught! 🤣🤣🤣
4 years ago
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Esing ********
@Bobby *******
 OK.
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Eshing *******
. A volunteer visa costs about 2500 baht. And you ask if paying 50,000+ baht for one is legitimate? I'm totally confident you are not that stupid that you can work out something doesn't add up
4 years ago
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Terary **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Bobby *******
 American - Stupidity is in our nature.
4 years ago
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Esing ********
@Bobby *******
 was it during the amnesty??
4 years ago
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Esing ********
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Yvor ***********
4 years ago
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Philip **********
@Yvor **********
 😂
4 years ago
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Philip **********
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Raviv *********
I hear that can do change to non o and then to volnteer...but its f expinsive..60k...there is a ed visa that can do for 25k but thay start the visa from last time we come to thai...
4 years ago
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Terary **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
75,000baht 3 months + 12 months.

Another alternative, some schmuck quoted me 25,000 for 3 month extension.

My METV expired over the weekend. Had it not been for covid - I would have have stamped out/in for another 90 days.

Worse pandemic ever!!!
4 years ago
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Christov ********
@Terary *********
 got mine for 20k and then can renew for 1 year for 35 or 36 more something like that. Expensive but it is what it is I guess.
4 years ago
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Christov ********
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Bobby ********
@Raviv *******
. It's 60k because it's through an agent who's paying a bribe to an immigration officer. You can act dumb when you're caught but it won't stop you from being deported and getting a life ban. Really worthwhile for a 90-day visa?
4 years ago
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Raviv *********
@Bobby *******
 90 days?? Its 1 year so i hear..i didnt do it i just say what i hear..lol
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Raviv *******
. It's 90 days and then extended. There's no 12 month visa for volunteers!
4 years ago
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Todd *********
@Bobby *******
 it appears to be 3 months... and then 12. All at same time. 15 months
4 years ago
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Raviv *********
@Bobby *******
 oh..ok then
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Raviv *******
. Some mugs will get sucked in!
4 years ago
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Bobby ********
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James **************
You still have to apply for it outside of thailand.
4 years ago
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Seko ******
Can't apply it outside, if u out, can't back again,

A lot agency doing it , no need to out,
4 years ago
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Tod *********
yeah, no you don't actually you can get it issued straight of ANY entry stamp and amnesty :(
4 years ago
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Tod *********
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Steve ********
I'm also interested about it.. but as I heard we can't change from the amnesty to a volunteer visa inside Thailand.. is that correct? So basically we have to leave which will make it hard to get back in until the restrictions are eased.....which could take ages...
4 years ago
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Seko ******
In the Pattaya a lot visa agency doing it, without out country, cost around 60-80K , crazy
4 years ago
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Brian **********
@Steve *******
 nah, with the amount of the bribe your paying that's handled
4 years ago
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Steve ********
@Brian *********
 where? any ideas? pls inbox me :D
4 years ago
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Brian **********
@Steve *******
 if I trusted anyone I'd have done it. Sit an wait like the rest of us.
4 years ago
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Brian **********
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Greg ********
It might not be the new back door for long if you keep shouting about it. just like they have questioned people about their Thai language skills they might just check up on your volunteering.
4 years ago
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Richard ******
Are you drunk
4 years ago
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Greg ********
@Richard *****
 Drunk? Hardly my dear chap.
4 years ago
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Greg ********
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Greg ********
Milos Zorica I am here on a BOI Expert visa or whatever it is. I get a couple of years at a time but do realise if they change their minds I have no rights. The company I work for employs a lot of people in Thailand and has had BOI status for over 45 years and pretty much not moving unless a massive change in strategy.
4 years ago
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Richard ******
@Greg *******
 how about doing things correctly no wonder you cheap charlies are not welcome
4 years ago
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Greg ********
@Richard *****
 Oh dear - I am being labelled a cheap charlie by a potless fat sex tourist who posts pictures drinking Chang in cheap charlie central - Jomtien. - for fucks sake. It is people like you that Thailand does not need.
4 years ago
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Richard ******
@Greg *******
 suggest you get youre facts right.obviously seems to be a thing you dont seem capable of doing.
4 years ago
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Greg ********
@Richard *****
 "Youre" - did he play for Man City at one point? Are you illiterate? Listen sex tourist. You got your facts wrong in your first post having a go. Go away and do one, you odious little toad. Normally an apology would be in order from yourself but you are a ompus uneducated prick so would not be accepted.
4 years ago
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Richard ******
@Greg *******
 i think you mean pompus .
4 years ago
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Greg ********
@Richard *****
 Hahaha I actually meant pompous but it was a typo. When you corrected me you even got it wrong. What a buffoon. You are boring me now little man. Suffering fools like yourself does that so toddle off. Save up for your next trip and those cheap Chang on the beach.
4 years ago
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Richard ******
@Greg *******
 i have my own home far from beaches.
4 years ago
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Greg ********
@Richard *****
 Bet I am not the first to tell you that you are a boring bastard. You had a go as you assumed I was not here correctly as you put it. You were completely wrong and you continue to make yourself look like the odious prick you obviously are. The type of uneducated illiterate oaf who puts University of Oxford as his alma mater in an effort to impress.
4 years ago
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Richard ******
@Greg *******
 ive told you i dont drink chang .in fact i dont drink
4 years ago
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Greg ********
@Richard *****
 How did you get your little beer belly then 😂😂😂😂
4 years ago
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Richard ******
@Greg *******
 may i suggest you take up some lessons in english.As for youre youre swearing i am not impressed i know eight year olds who can out swear you.
4 years ago
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Greg ********
@Richard *****
 You are talking about my English FFS. Look in the mirror at yourc writing you uneducated buffoon. You Chang is waiting fatty. Get back under your rock where you belong.
4 years ago
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Greg ********
@Richard *****
 Oh a typo instead of your illiterate drivel you fat little sex tourist. Get back to your chang on the beach you potless fool.
4 years ago
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Richard ******
@Greg *******
 i dont like chang
4 years ago
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Richard ******
@Greg *******
 the picture in question is not of me.
4 years ago
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Greg ********
@Richard *****
 So fuck - if the cap fits
4 years ago
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Richard ******
@Greg *******
 no get youre facts correct same as everything else
4 years ago
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Greg ********
@Richard *****
 You were the one in the wrong mate jumping to assumptions in your post. You assumed I was not here on the correct paperwork and thus called me a cheap charlie. You showed your ignorance so stick that where the sun does not shine you fat sex tourist. It is the likes of you that are not welcome.
4 years ago
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Greg ********
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