What should I do if my volunteer visa in Thailand is about to expire and my foundation cannot renew it?

Dec 28, 2022
2 years ago
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello everyone. I have a big problem, help please. Our foundation we think can’t renew us for another year because the foundation had problems. We just knew this yesterday. And my visa expires in 12 days. I have been 2 years as volunteer. Is there someone in the same situation? I am really worry. Please help.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user is facing issues renewing their volunteer visa in Thailand as their foundation can no longer support the extension due to internal problems. With only 12 days left before the visa expires, other users suggest considering options like taking an English course, exploring different visa types (like the SETV or EV), or planning a border run (leaving Thailand briefly to reset the visa). There are significant challenges and recent government crackdowns on volunteer visas, affecting many. Helpful advice also includes recommendations on border destinations that are friendlier for visa renewal.
Rei ***********
You have to exit, then back with 45day visa then renew for another 30days
Paul *******
Hard to say Mark. At the very least, if you are unable to renew your visa in country you'll need to cross over to say Laos and spend like a week over there before trying to come back. Perhaps come back at a different border to the one you exited at. Make it look like you actually went to Laos for tourism.

If that fails then you may need to think about going back to your home country for a bit or remaining in Laos. It's easy for foreigners to use agents to extend their visas there. The situation in Laos is similar to Thailand 20 years ago. Basically anyone who can afford the agent fees gets an extension. They make the documents for you, you don't have to show thousands of dollars in your account transferred 2 or 3 months before the date of application as in Thailand and Laos doesn't require 90 day or 12 month reporting either, except for the purposes of renewing your visa which is generally required on an annual basis.
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rei **********
but I have many stamps and the last one volunteer for 2 years. I don’t think they allow me to enter again
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul *******
thanks so much
Jeremy ********
Big crackdown on volunteer visas so it’s tricky not impossible but definitely harder to do….I would look into a border bounce to buy time and look at schools for the education visa if you want to stay longer, ed visas are only done outside of country so there is some maneuvering for that …if you have the money buy the EV…look into the SETV as well good luck
Paul *******
Any other border is OK, such as Chong Sangam or Chong Chom.
Paul *******
Cambodia is OK just avoid Aranyaprathet on the way back.
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeremy *******
but border bounce seems difficult now. More for people with many stamps. Do you recommend me a place to leave? Laos or Malasia?
Jeremy ********
@Mark *******
do a fly Out/In airasia/Thai Dragon/Vietjet has cheap international destinations for border bouncing…Laos and Malaysia are more friendly than Cambodia for land border bouncing…Myanmar is closed from what I can gather
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeremy *******
hello. Thanks for your answer. What do you mean with “SETV”?
Stuart *********
@Mark *******
EV stands for Elite Visa. SETV stands for Single Entry Tourist Visa
Stuart ******
You might be able to sign up for an English Language course. Not sure if it'll help with your visa though. (I'm jesting) Prob speak directly with immigration and see what your options are
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart *****
what course do you mean?
Stuart ******
@Mark *******
That was just me being silly cos your English grammar skills seemed a bit lacking. But if you want a reliable source of visa services, get in touch with Hand 2 Hand Combat as they are reliable and might be able to help you out
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Braulio *********
The system has been abused and now the gov’t is cracking down. What sort “of problems” did the foundation have?
Jack *******
Which foundation are you using
Andy ***********
What type of volunteer are you ?
Jo **********
as Stuart says your options depend on your Nationality
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jo *********
but I think I have many stamps and now they will not allow me to enter again.
Jo **********
@Mark *******
many stamps is not a problem it’s the staying max days and coming back in one day and maxing out again
Stuart *********
Volunteer extensions have been stopped for months due to widespread misappropriation.
Paul *******
Just spend at least a night or two in Laos or whatever country you're exiting for. It's not that hard. Problems arise when people bounce and come back the same day. Why risk it. Stay away a few days, make a trip out of it. Besides, a bit of a change of scenery from Thailand is always nice and Laos is absolutely fantastic. Hardly anyone wears a mask either, unlike in Thailand.
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
The problem is that I don’t have time enough and I have all my things here. Can I go out and in with an agency to prepare my things with time?
Stuart *********
@Mark *******
really can’t say as it’s up to an individual immigration officer. They may see an issue they may not.
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
thank you so much for the answer
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
But I am not sure if they will allow me to enter here again. I know about one German guy who was rejected in the border with Lao by land.
Ivan ************
@Mark *******
was that specifically the Laos Chiang Rai border? If so may not be an issue at Nong Khai.
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ivan ***********
Nong Khai would be better?
Ivan ************
@Mark *******
it might be. I read the Chiang Khong border specifically was not letting people coming straight off volunteer or education visas bounce straight back in. But I think this was specific to that border. You could also exit Chiang Khong and try to come back at Nong Khai. Or fly back in if you had to.
Stuart *********
@Mark *******
depends on your nationality. You may be able to leave and return on a 45 day exempt entry.
Mark ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I had visa student and then I was volunteer for 2 years
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