What should someone with a Volunteer Visa in Thailand do as it approaches expiration?

@Zou ******

Don't ask if you are going to argue with the answer :)

@Zou ******

Sorry just read another one of your posts. You said "the agent disappeared". If so, leave immediately, by air, with 20,000 Baht cash in hand. Prepare to spend a good year outside of Thailand unless your visa hasn't been canceled or it was canceled less than 90 days ago. In that case, you can come straight back in, though I wouldn't.

I'd still stay away for a while and then return with at least a tourist visa.

If you like Thailand and want to spend time here in the future, the next best thing is to hang out in one of it's neighbors in the meantime. Cambodia is the easiest, though Laos is similar.

Both countries rely heavily on agents bribing immigration, though unlike Thailand, there doesn't seem to be any crackdowns going.

Also, it's perfectly legit to get a 6 month extension on a 1 month ordinary visa for Cambodia, leave the country for a day, then come back and do it all over again. For the 12 month visas, agents fake the paperwork for a company and work permit. Unless you're 55 and over, in which case you get a legit retirement visa with no funds in the bank required.

@Zou ******

Yes, assuming it's not been canceled in the meantime. You're in a sticky situation. My advice would be to contact your agent and ask what the status of the visa is. Otherwise, your other options are to leave ASAP, carrying with you 20K Baht to pay any overstay fines. However, if you believe your visa may have been canceled more than 90 days ago, you'd want to leave by air and fly back to a country that allows your entry.

If it's a short overstay, a land border is OK, but carry enough for a possible fine.

Anyway, I don't want to scare you. Just talk to your agent first. Then you'll know the situation. Don't delay.

@Zou ******

last year during covid

@Zou ******

OK in that case - leave ASAP. Bring enough cash for the fine (20,000 Baht) and depart by air.

@Zou ******

welcome to Thailand

@Zou ******

it's best if you exit and come back with a new passport.

@Zou ******

So it's a bogus visa, so in theory you could already be on overstay if the visa has been cancelled. Probably best to leave the country and stay away for about six months, and then come back on a proper visa. Don't rely on visa exempt.