Which Thai embassies do not require the new volunteer letter for a volunteer visa?

Thai visa rules Volunteer visa Thai embassy requirements NON-O visa Expats in Thailand

Feb 20, 2024

9 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello, does anyone know of a country who's Thai embassy doesn't require the new volunteer letter for a volunteer visa? I can get all the other required documents from volunteering foundations but there's apparently a new letter requirement that was introduced last year that the foundations I'm in touch with are struggling to get. Thanks in advance for any advice

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TLDR : Answer Summary

An expat is seeking information on Thai embassies that do not require a new volunteer letter for a volunteer visa. Some comments indicate that the requirement may not apply at the Vientiane embassy if the applicant has not previously held a Volunteer Non-Immigrant O visa. However, there is a consensus that obtaining a volunteer visa has become increasingly difficult due to stringent regulations after past abuses.

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Christopher *************

What passport do you hold and where are you?

8 months ago

Megan *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Christopher ************

UK but starting an Asia trip soon. I wanted all visas organised before hand but my application is pending this letter that doesn’t seem to exist right now. I read online that some embassies in Asia don’t require it but I’m not sure how reliable that is

8 months ago

Christopher *************

Depending on how long you plane to visit any Country in SE Asia visa rules change. You do not need a visa for Singapore, Malaysia or Thailand. If you are staying more than 30 days things change.

8 months ago

Reply to

Christopher *************

Shayne **********

The stupidest thing I have ever heard.

9 months ago

Roberto *********

@Shayne *********

Not really. Dodgy agents were arranging fake volunteer visas during and immediately after covid. Obviously some top brass at immigration has decided to weed out the bad boys!

8 months ago

Shayne **********

@Roberto ********

14 years as a real volunteer. I know more than most immigration officers and I have regularly voiced my concerns about immigration dodgy practices with arrangements with some companies even connected to visa groups.

Actual immigration officers on the take just get moved.

8 months ago

Megan *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Shayne *********

can I ask if you’ve needed this new letter during your time as a volunteer? I’ve volunteered in Thailand once before with the volunteer visa. When I applied for the e-visa this time round I was emailed asking for an extra letter which I didn’t need before, the foundation I want to visit is struggling to get this. I’ll be travelling other Asian countries before Thailand and read online that not all embassies require the letter but I don’t know how reliable that is

8 months ago

Roberto *********

@Shayne *********

It's a shame the fake volunteers are spoiling it for the genuine ones. Visa agents are generally f*****g everything up for those who do the right thing. Same as ED visas

8 months ago

Reply to

Roberto *********

Stephen *******

On the Vientiane Thai embassy site, it asks for this additional letter ONLY if you were previously issued the same type of visa.

"If the applicant was previously issued a Volunteer Non-Immigrant O visa, he/she must also present a certification letter for a foreign volunteer issued by a relevant government agency."

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9 months ago

Megan *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Stephen ******

thank you! I had one in 2022 but for a different foundation in a different part of Thailand, before this extra letter was a requirement. I will look into if this will cause an issue

8 months ago

Reply to

Megan *********

Stuart *********

I have no idea of any embassy that would not have that requirement. There may be. Volunteer visas have been toxic for a number of years now due to their systematic abuse over the years.

They are like the proverbial rocking horse “poop”. Possibly able to get if you’re going to be volunteering at a specifically recognised agency but it’s probably going to be a mountain to climb to get a legitimate one.

9 months ago

Reply to

Stuart *********

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What issues might arise when processing dependents' visas at the Thai Consulate in Vientiane for a volunteer visa application?

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