Seik 192 Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 (edited) Hi, Like some of you I was "offered" a volunteer visa by an agent (can I name them?). I'm on amnesty (visa exemption) with no thai family. I've never used an agent before, how legal / safe / reliable would that be? I don't know if I'm even comfortable leaving my passport in their hands. I'm also in the process of an Elite visa application but I'm afraid it won't be complete in time for 26 of Sept. Any experience or knowledge welcome. Edited July 31, 2020 by Seik 1 Link to post Share on other sites
anchadian 2,076 Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 Only use an agent if absolutely necessary. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Fromas 50 Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 (edited) Are you in or out of Thailand? If you are inside Thailand, best to consult your Elite agents. Edited July 31, 2020 by Fromas Link to post Share on other sites
Seik 192 Posted July 31, 2020 Author Share Posted July 31, 2020 37 minutes ago, Fromas said: Are you in or out of Thailand? If you are inside Thailand, best to consult your Elite agents. I'm in Thailand. The Elite people tell me the first part of the process takes 1 to 2 months, not much they can do about that since my application is in the hands of Immigration. I've got good hopes for it though! Link to post Share on other sites
Fromas 50 Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 Tell the agents you can't sleep at nights for fear of hitting Sept 26 without a valid permission to stay and ask them if they have a definitive solution. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Seik 192 Posted July 31, 2020 Author Share Posted July 31, 2020 (edited) They did offer that definitive solution, 65K for 15 months total, the problem is that's on paper and I'm afraid of backfire. A "Volunteer" visa without doing any volunteering seems strange. I'd rather go the legit way if I can. Edited July 31, 2020 by Seik 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Fromas 50 Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 (edited) 65K for an interim solution is excessive. Politely negotiate for something that will tide you over until the Elite kicks in. Don't be a pushover. Those guys have creative resources at their disposal. If it bothers you that much, join a few meetings and work activities at the place where you have volunteered. Edited July 31, 2020 by Fromas Link to post Share on other sites
moontang 2,291 Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 You would need a WP, to volunteer... Link to post Share on other sites
Fromas 50 Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 ED visa is also possible. Talk to your agents. Link to post Share on other sites
ifmu 104 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 17 hours ago, moontang said: You would need a WP, to volunteer... i dont think so but could be wrong i am on the same visa but thai wife double check it Link to post Share on other sites
darrendsd 3,424 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 From what I understand about the new Amnesty you can apply for a 30 day extension up to 26 September so this would take you into October Anyone please feel free to correct me on this As long as it's possible to convert this extension to a Elite then why not explore this option? Link to post Share on other sites
moontang 2,291 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 24 minutes ago, ifmu said: i dont think so but could be wrong i am on the same visa but thai wife double check it https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand/working-thailand.php#:~:text=Even volunteer or charity work,still to be given priority. "Even volunteer or charity work requires a work permit in Thailand.". This crackdown may have started after the 2004 Tsunami, when apparently there were many farangs around claiming to be volunteers, so I have been told. Link to post Share on other sites
ubonjoe 48,661 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 6 minutes ago, moontang said: https://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand/working-thailand.php#:~:text=Even volunteer or charity work,still to be given priority. "Even volunteer or charity work requires a work permit in Thailand.". This crackdown may have started after the 2004 Tsunami, when apparently there were many farangs around claiming to be volunteers, so I have been told. It can depend upon what you are doing. Under the latest change to the Act for work permits it is no longer required. Link to post Share on other sites
moontang 2,291 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 24 minutes ago, ubonjoe said: It can depend upon what you are doing. Under the latest change to the Act for work permits it is no longer required. I would like to read up on it, if you have any links, Joe. And don't forget the whole volunteer thing morphed into a cottage business of people paying good money to sleep on bunk beds, eat <deleted> food, and shovel elephant dung up North all in the name of being provided a proper volunteer experience..don't think anyone went to IDC, but I doubt they had proper visa, let alone WP. https://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/clg/business/tourism/voluntourism-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/ Link to post Share on other sites
Seik 192 Posted August 1, 2020 Author Share Posted August 1, 2020 So is ending up in IDC after getting a visa through an agent a possibility? The agent is saying there's no need for a WP by the way. Link to post Share on other sites
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