Non- O Volunteer Visa???

[KhunFred]

I keep seeing references to a supposed "new" Non- O visa based on  volunteering. Does anyone have any information on this?

One concierge in Bangkok is charging 14 thousand baht to process paperwork for this visa, while an outfit in Chiang Mai will do it for a mere 35 thousand baht.

The CM agency includes a work permit. Why would you need a work permit to volunteer??  Any light shed on this visa would be appreciated.

[ubonjoe]

A non-o visa based upon being a volunteer is not new. It has been available for many years.

A work permit is needed to apply for an extension of stay based upon working as a volunteer for an organization.

Extensions based upon being a volunteer work are only for 90 days at a time unless a signature from a government department is possible. Without that sigantrue they can only be applied for to give a total stay of one year from the non-o visa entry and then a new non-o visa is required. With that signature they can be for one year and can be extended again.

 

[thaibeachlovers]

48 minutes ago, KhunFred said:

Why would you need a work permit to volunteer?? 

Volunteering is classified as work in Thailand.

[JackThompson]

It's been an "agent" thing for a bankroll for years, unless you work for a large non-profit, which has their own "lawyer" to handle it.  You often have to pay the lawyer-fees, in addition to working for free.

[KhunFred]

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

 

Extensions based upon being a volunteer work are only for 90 days at a time unless a signature from a government department is possible. Without that sigantrue they can only be applied for to give a total stay of one year from the non-o visa entry and then a new non-o visa is required. With that signature they can be for one year and can be extended again.

 

The latest rules say you can stay one year and get a renewal at the end of the year. This is the information being given out by the agencies in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

[Saltire]

Yep I got here 3 years ago from Cambodia where I volunteered for 5 years with no work pemit (I believe it has changed now). I was immediately approached by the local school but had to decline their invite to support their English program as a volunteer, as they had no clue how to get me a work permit, and besides I was on a retirement visa so no working allowed.

 

Maybe they will change this one day as I feel many would be happy to help. Lots of wasted resource sitting around.

 

 

 

 

[ubonjoe]

5 minutes ago, KhunFred said:

The latest rules say you can stay one year and get a renewal at the end of the year. This is the information being given out by the agencies in Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

That is not correct info unless they are getting a the required certification . This from police order 327/2557.

 

[KhunFred]

On 6/2/2020 at 1:52 PM, ubonjoe said:

That is not correct info unless they are getting a the required certification . This from police order 327/2557.

 

The agencies also claim that there are no requirements to prove income.

[ubonjoe]

4 minutes ago, KhunFred said:

The agencies also claim that there are no requirements to prove income.

Proof of income is not required. It is not mentioned anywhere.

[KhunFred]

I smell a major scam, if these agencies are not giving out correct information. They are saying you can effectively retire here on a volunteer visa. I noted in a reply that the VV was only good for ninety days. They shot back with info that showed a one year arrangement. Seems this type of visa would completely replace the Non O on the basis of retirement, if true. I don't trust the source.  They also quote a five thousand baht price for doing the paperwork. Lowest price I have ever heard of.

[JackThompson]

If one is going to 'agent route' an extension, and over 50, seems like retirement is more straightforward at around 12K to 15K per-year.  This option would be better suited to under 50s, where retirement is not an option.

 

11 minutes ago, KhunFred said:

They also quote a five thousand baht price for doing the paperwork. Lowest price I have ever heard of.

I find that highly unlikely to include all costs - a WP and Visa is involved.

[KhunFred]

There are at least two YouTube videos that give conflicting information on the Volunteer visa. Thus far I have seen three prices quoted, with the lowest being 5000 baht and the highest being 35 thousand. I have already made my decision to move to the Philippines, so it's really a moot point for me, although I am always on the lookout for information that could help me stay.  My last extension cost me 14 thousand baht, which is far too high. I can only assume that these two "concierge" agencies are blowing smoke. Just one of many reasons why I can't stay here.

[Caldera]

That's an interesting offer and I've also seen a few others I had never seen or heard of before. Maybe these "agents" and the immigration officers they are "working with" got creative, because other income streams have dried up. Or it's an outright scam in some cases. Hard to tell!

 

 

[theWTD]

I'm considering this visa as an option to avoid going back to the USA.  Are there any reputable visa agencies with this?  I'm also skeptical of a scam here, as mentioned with all the different prices and rules.  I checked with a lady from Facebook in CM, Maneeporn Jankra.  Price: 18000B/3mo, 38000/12mo. Single Entry. Add mutiple entry 5000B. 

 

I'd pay it in a heartbeat if it was real. 

[salsajapan]

On 6/2/2020 at 12:13 PM, KhunFred said:

I keep seeing references to a supposed "new" Non- O visa based on  volunteering. Does anyone have any information on this?

One concierge in Bangkok is charging 14 thousand baht to process paperwork for this visa, while an outfit in Chiang Mai will do it for a mere 35 thousand baht.

The CM agency includes a work permit. Why would you need a work permit to volunteer??  Any light shed on this visa would be appreciated.

 

14000 ? i only found 4000 !

 

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1193105-volunteer-visa-vs-thai-wife-extension-visa-both-priced-40000-around-pattaya-which-one-would-you-choose/

 

 

[AjarnRichard75]

What happens if a person is offered a paying job while on their volunteer visa?

[ubonjoe]

19 minutes ago, AjarnRichard75 said:

What happens if a person is offered a paying job while on their volunteer visa?

It would be possible to get a work permit and then apply for an extension of stay based upon working.