Options for remaining in Thailand after amnesty - volunteer visa?

[SteezyP]

Hi, I'm British but live in Malaysia, currently in Thailand because the borders are closed. It's important that I get to stay here rather than go back to my passport country until the border reopens.

 

I contacted a visa agent who are able to get me a volunteer visa for 3 months for 25000.  However I noticed the visa fee is only 80 USD.  Is there any way I can do this myself without the agent?

[ubonjoe]

At immigration the fee for a non immigrant visa is 2000 baht.

Without paperwork from a registered charitable foundation to support your visa application you could not do the change to one if you have a valid visa exempt or tourist visa entry or the 30 day extension of it.

See: http://bangkokimmigration.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/09.pdf

[SteezyP]

Oh, I see.  So it's the letter that's the obstacle.  Thanks for your reply!

[theWTD]

I got quoted 18k for 3 mo volunteer.  No idea of the credentials of the agent though.  Open to suggestions for a good agent.  I suspect they could become busy very quickly.

[SteezyP]

19 minutes ago, theWTD said:

I got quoted 18k for 3 mo volunteer.  No idea of the credentials of the agent though.  Open to suggestions for a good agent.  I suspect they could become busy very quickly.

Are you able to name the agent? And which city?

[jonga80]

What is a volunteer visa? I am very interested in that 3 month visa. Where can I get? Can I get before the 31th of july?

[Caldera]

40 minutes ago, SteezyP said:

Are you able to name the agent? And which city?

The same information would be interesting to know from you as well, so that we can compare offers. Maybe someone will even be able to chime in with a review if anyone has used these agents before.

[Dart12]

Looking for suggestions and solutions myself, as well, for extending visas.

[theWTD]

1 hour ago, SteezyP said:

Are you able to name the agent? And which city?

Chiang Mai.  

 Lookup on FB: 

Maneeporn Jankra(แม่นวลมณี)

Founder | Thai Legal | Entrepreneur
Hard Working Mother | Business Fixer

 

I tried to do some research on her company, didn't see a whole lot just a FB page.  Some visa services have lots of "testimonials" but her FB didn't really.  So no way to know if its legit.   I asked her for references.  Someone else can followup if they're local up there perhaps.  I think she has the lowest prices I've heard for the Volunteer visa which either means she is quoting low, doesn't know all the details, or isn't a real fixer.

[dsf9]

Why not just wait a few more days.

Thai Airways have apparently suspended operations to September now, cant see them asking people to return to their home countries when the flag carrier isn't even flying. 

[BritManToo]

11 minutes ago, dsf9 said:

Why not just wait a few more days.

Thai Airways have apparently suspended operations to September now, cant see them asking people to return to their home countries when the flag carrier isn't even flying. 

.... and AirAsia.

[Mulambana]

18K-25K for three months is very expensive in my opinion. If I'm in the same situation I would go back to my home country (USA). There is nothing in Thailand right now that will warrant such a stiff price.

[jonga80]

Quote

The VOLUNTEER VISA process would be as follows
(This visa does NOT allow you to WORK in Thailand!)

• 3 Month Visa for Non-IMM (from TR/arrival/amnesty) - ฿25,000
• 1 Year Volunteer Visa - ฿35,000

= ฿60,000 for 15 months (takes 3-4 weeks)

OR if you entered on a Non-B, ED, Non-IMM, or NON-O visa then it would be

- 1 Year Volunteer Extension - ฿35,000
- Addition fee to cancel out ED or Work Permit - ฿2,000 to ฿5,000 (case by case)
= ~฿37,000 (takes 1 week)

Once you already have the long term visa yearly extensions would only be ฿35,000

If you need Multiple entry its an additional ฿4,000, and a single reentry permit is ฿1,200.

We handle all requirements, and only need passport + two photos.

If you are in Bangkok, you can request us to pickup/drop off passport from you, or you may stop by our office ( g.page/thaivisacentre )

If you are outside of Bangkok you can mail passport and photos to our office by EMS (ThaiPost / Kerry).

They sent me this info. The question is, if the they don't extend again, to be 40 days in overstay is 20.000 bahts and very risky. So, it's like a lotery, maybe you pay 25.000 bahts for 3 months and the next day they announce 3 more months of amnesty hehe. My idea would be to stay until the end of october moreless.

[Cutter]

The info. regarding volunteer visa is consistent with what I was told.

 

However, An agent I trust did strongly recommend though to only get a volunteer visa if I plan to stay in Thailand for the 12-15 months and not travel outside Thailand. He thinks that border immigration may refuse you entry when you try to come back into Thailand because you are not Actually volunteering/working, you only have the visa. If IO questions you on this, you won't have an answer and won't be let back in.

[Jajazazajaja]

I’m considering this visa just because I HAVE to stay here till mid September

 

but worried about the turnaround time of 3 to 4 weeks tho 

 

do they keep your passport the entire time?

[jonga80]

Do you know how long does it takes to get the volunteer visa?

 

Once you pay 25,000, it seems better 35,000, but my idea is to stay 3 more months, maybe four, in my case I think it does'nt deserve to pay 10.000 more bahts for an hypothetical fourth month, 10.000 bahts are 278€.

[SteezyP]

23 hours ago, theWTD said:

Chiang Mai.  

 Lookup on FB: 

Maneeporn Jankra(แม่นวลมณี)

Founder | Thai Legal | Entrepreneur
Hard Working Mother | Business Fixer

 

I tried to do some research on her company, didn't see a whole lot just a FB page.  Some visa services have lots of "testimonials" but her FB didn't really.  So no way to know if its legit.   I asked her for references.  Someone else can followup if they're local up there perhaps.  I think she has the lowest prices I've heard for the Volunteer visa which either means she is quoting low, doesn't know all the details, or isn't a real fixer.

Oh, I'm in Chiang Mai too, I'll check her out.

[jonga80]

I asked if the volunteer visa arrives before the 31, and they answer me this:

 

"The process will take around 3-4 weeks and we can't confirm you will get it back by that time. Once we send your passport to immigration you will be ok to stay in Thailand even though the Amenesty visa is expired."

[salsajapan]

On 7/15/2020 at 10:56 PM, jonga80 said:

I asked if the volunteer visa arrives before the 31, and they answer me this:

 

"The process will take around 3-4 weeks and we can't confirm you will get it back by that time. Once we send your passport to immigration you will be ok to stay in Thailand even though the Amenesty visa is expired."

 

 

Why so long ? in pattaya they do it in 2 days !

 

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

 

 

[ThaiVisaCentre]

36 minutes ago, salsajapan said:

 

 

Why so long ? in pattaya they do it in 2 days !

 

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

 

 

 

Agents will sometimes hold the passport during the under consideration period.

 

This avoids two trips, and other complications.

 

This is also why they said "Once we send your passport to immigration you will be ok to stay in Thailand even though the Amenesty visa is expired.".