Visa and entry basics for volunteering in Thailand
Last reviewed: February 2026. Thai immigration rules can change quickly, and enforcement can change even faster. This page helps you find reliable sources and ask the right questions before you travel.
Important: Voluntouring.org is not a visa agency and cannot give legal advice. You are responsible for choosing the correct visa, following entry requirements, and respecting Thai law. The final decision at the border (and on extensions) is always made by the immigration officer.
Start with official sources
Use these links first. They are the closest thing to a “single source of truth” for visa applications, entry steps, and official notices.
Thai e-Visa (official portal):
thaievisa.go.th
Visa exemption scheme (official reference page):
Royal Thai Consulate-General (LA)
Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC, official):
tdac.immigration.go.th
Two recent changes you should know
Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) is mandatory for non-Thai nationals entering Thailand by air, land, or sea, and it must be completed online before arrival (the official TDAC guidance says submit information 3 days in advance).
Visa exemption (60 days) is available for many nationalities under the updated scheme introduced in July 2024, with the possibility of an extension (at the officer’s discretion). Always confirm your passport’s exact rules on an official page before you book long stays.
Volunteering is a special case
If you are going to volunteer (even if unpaid), do not assume that a tourist entry stamp is “good enough”. Many Thai embassies treat volunteering with non-governmental organizations (NGO), foundations, or associations under a Non-Immigrant O (Volunteer) pathway and require documents from the host organization.
In practice, hosts may need to provide an invitation letter describing your role and dates, plus proof of the organization’s registration as a non-profit/NGO. If a host cannot provide paperwork and still tells you “just come on a tourist visa”, treat that as a risk signal and ask for clarity before you travel.
Community help (fast, practical)
For real-world, day-to-day questions, this group is widely used by travelers and expats:
⇒ Thai Visa Advice (Facebook group) ⇐
Keep questions Thailand-visa related. Use correct terminology and include the basics below so people can answer accurately.
What to include when asking for help
Your passport nationality and where you will enter (airport or land border).
Your current status (visa exemption, tourist visa, non-immigrant, etc.) and the “admitted until” date.
Your plan (tourism only, volunteering with an NGO, course/education, visiting partner, remote work, etc.).
Your timeline (arrival date, total days you want, and if you need an extension).
Overstay is expensive and avoidable
Thai authorities warn that overstays lead to fines and possible bans. A commonly stated reference is 500 Thai baht (THB) per day, up to a maximum of 20,000 THB, with additional consequences for longer overstays. If you are close to the deadline, deal with it before your permission to stay expires.
Voluntouring note on safety and eligibility
Voluntouring.org does not publish opportunities for under-18s. For placements involving children or vulnerable people, take safeguarding seriously and verify both legal and ethical conditions before you commit. A “nice project” still needs the right paperwork, clear supervision, and responsible boundaries.
Final disclaimer
Advice from communities can be helpful, but it is not a guarantee. Always cross-check with the official Thai e-Visa portal, the relevant Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate for your country of residence, and the official Thai Immigration channels. Immigration officers have discretion on entry and extensions.
If you spot an outdated link or a rule that changed, contact us and we will review this page.
