How can I extend a 90-day volunteer visa in Chiang Mai for an additional 35 days?

Volunteer Visa Extension Chiang Mai Immigration Thai Visa Rules Non-Immigrant Visa Border Run Document Requirements for Visa Extension

Oct 19, 2018

6 years ago

Robyn ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Has anyone had recent experience extending a 90 day volunteer visa in Chiangmai? We have friends who need 35 more days than their 90. If we can get them a 30-day extension, perhaps we could just do a border run for the last few days. We are headed to Immigration this afternoon to see what they say. Any help is much appreciated.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A user seeks advice on extending a 90-day volunteer visa in Chiang Mai by an additional 35 days. Comments suggest that if the volunteer organization supports the extension with the necessary documents, it may be achievable. However, without proper documentation for a volunteer extension, a border run to Mae Sai could provide a simpler solution, allowing for a 30-day extension as a tourist entry.

Robyn ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

They are still volunteering, so we'll see what that entails. We understand some of the paperwork needed and that should not be a problem. Good to know that they could go through the border and then extend that visa, thanks for the info! That's a great plan B, or maybe even plan A.

6 years ago

Robyn ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I see, good to know, much thanks!

6 years ago

Ivan ************

@Ro***

it's 30 days now for most countries. The two week thing is finished several years ago, there is no two week visa exempt entry any more.

Presuming they are from an eligible country (most developed countries) bouncing in Mae Sai they would get 30 days visa exempt and would be able to extend that for a further 30.

This might be less hassle than going through a volunteer extension but they would not strictly legally be able to volunteer on this visa exempt entry.

6 years ago

Robyn ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Sorry, my wording wasn't very clear. I understand they can get a two week tourist visa when crossing the border and ask to have that visa extended to 60 days. They have not crossed the border this calendar year. We went to immigration today and they gave us a list of paperwork to extend their current volunteer visa. The list appears to be how to extend a foundation visa, we explained it was an organization, not a foundation and they said they could still do it for them. We'll prepare the documents and see what happens.

6 years ago

Robert *******

they can not extend that Visa at a border. Depending on passport they might get a new Visa Exempt Entry for 30 days if they do a border run and not done it already twice this calendar year.

6 years ago

Reply to

Robert *******

Ivan ************

You can't just extend non immigrant categories for 30 days with no documentation like a tourist entry. You'd have to be still volunteering, and the extension would typically be longer, and the documentation and process are a lot longer, and would need to be supported by your volunteer organization as Robert says. I believe with volunteer visa extensions they go "under consideration" for a period while they think about it. I am guessing from your post that the volunteering is probably finished and you probably won't be going through a full volunteer extension, which is an involved process.

If they only need 35 days your best bet is probably to do a border run to Mae Sai at the end of the current 90 days. You can then extend that normally for 30 days without documentation as a tourist entry. That will get you 60 days which is >35.

6 years ago

Robert *******

If the volunteer organisation can support the application with all the correct paperwork it should be no problem.

6 years ago

Reply to

Robert *******

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