Hello!

I am a British citizen who lives in France, and I would like to spend my gap year in Thaïland, to do some volontairy work. I'm not sure how to get a visa for this, I had a look, but I can't find anything to allow me to stay there for a whole year..

Could you please tell me how to get a visa for this, and how much it will cost?

thank you in advance

Edited March 21, 201313 yr by jennyrenny

What you really want is an 0 visa but you can only get one of those if you are married, over 50 and load's of cash either in Thai bank or regular income.

But as your are on a gap year I believe that will not apply.

There may be a way via booking into a school to learn Thai but it would be slightly illegal, there are many that have done so though, you should get more post's helping you out.

Re the voluntary work I do believe you would need a work visa again not easy to get.

Hope other's can help out best of luck.

Edited March 21, 201313 yr by fredob43

Seeing as you are on a gap year it would be best to apply for a triple entry tourist visa,this will allow stays of 60 days that can be extended for a further 30 days,giving almost 9 months with the odd trip over the border to reactivate each entry.

Also why not consider travelling around a bit to Laos,Cambodia or Vietnam where visas can be obtained on arrival or in advance via the net.

One thing to consider when wanting to partake in voluntary work is the need for a work permit which makes things even more complicated.

You can always obtain another Thai tourist visa in either Vientiane Laos or KL in Malaysia etc.

If you really wish to do the voluntary work why not travel initially on a tourist visa,get a feel for your surroundings and who knows what you maybe able to achieve once in Thailand.

Most of all be safe,have fun and enjoy.

Edited March 21, 201313 yr by stoneyboy

My lawyer in Chiangmai has a smart and legal construction to get you a year visa for THB35,000. I know a few people who using this.

To volunteer in Thailand you legally need a work permit and a non-immigrant O visa. For a year of volunteering it cost me about 5000 baht which includes Thai assistance. You do not need to go through a lawyer. You will sign up for volunteering or interning, pay their fee if you want to have accommodation, Thai language lessons, cultural outings and such. They will send you a certified letter, if needed by your consulate, stating their government registration number in Thailand and information about your position. You do get a Non-Immigrant O visa out of Thailand for volunteering but it is obviously not for marriage and such. Once in Thailand your volunteer hosts will help you get the work permit. Also, you will need to turn in the following documents to get the work permit but only after getting the non-immigrant O visa in your country.:

application

passport;
Two (2) passport-quality photographs measuring 4x5 cm;
A letter identifying the objective of the stay in Thailand;
Company documents as supplied by the employer;
Most recent Financial Statement of the employer;
A recent medical certificate;
Evidence of tax payment by the employer;
Social Security information of the employer;
Other documents requested by the Labor Department such as the appropriate license(s)

They helped me with all of this and no problem at all volunteering for a year, just took time.

I would recommend 3 months of volunteering to learn Thai culture, language and about the people, then travel Asia, then more volunteering or interning if you have a specialty.

Hope this helps.

A 3 entry tourist visa can give you almost 9 months of stay without needing a new visa. You would need to extend each 60 day entry 30 days at immigration (1900 baht) you just have to sure and do last entry just before visa expires 6 months from date of issue. Then make a trip to Vientiane Laos and get a 2 entry visa there that would give you about 6 months total.

My lawyer in Chiangmai has a smart and legal construction to get you a year visa for THB35,000. I know a few people who using this.

A very expensive visa. Lots of cheaper options. Don't know why someone would waste 35,000 baht on a visa. If it's legal, then why so expensive?

Tried ringing your local Thai embassy ? They are good help and sure to point you in the honest direction .

Edited March 22, 201313 yr by krisb

Rubber duck that sounds dodgy to me. Perhaps some honest advice for the op 1st.

To volunteer in Thailand you legally need a work permit and a non-immigrant O visa. For a year of volunteering it cost me about 5000 baht which includes Thai assistance. You do not need to go through a lawyer. You will sign up for volunteering or interning, pay their fee if you want to have accommodation, Thai language lessons, cultural outings and such. They will send you a certified letter, if needed by your consulate, stating their government registration number in Thailand and information about your position. You do get a Non-Immigrant O visa out of Thailand for volunteering but it is obviously not for marriage and such. Once in Thailand your volunteer hosts will help you get the work permit. Also, you will need to turn in the following documents to get the work permit but only after getting the non-immigrant O visa in your country.:

application

passport;

Two (2) passport-quality photographs measuring 4x5 cm;

A letter identifying the objective of the stay in Thailand;

Company documents as supplied by the employer;

Most recent Financial Statement of the employer;

A recent medical certificate;

Evidence of tax payment by the employer;

Social Security information of the employer;

Other documents requested by the Labor Department such as the appropriate license(s)

They helped me with all of this and no problem at all volunteering for a year, just took time.

I would recommend 3 months of volunteering to learn Thai culture, language and about the people, then travel Asia, then more volunteering or interning if you have a specialty.

Hope this helps.

Hi thanks for posting that info it's very helpful. I was wondering if you could answer a couple of questions:

- how long did it take the work permit from when you applied for it?

- you mention a medical certificate. Where did you obtain yours from?

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer

Edited March 22, 201313 yr by generalwaste