What are my options for visa extensions for myself and my children while volunteering in Thailand?

Question

Hi, looking for some advice. I'm here with my 2 children doing voluntary work in chiang mai, we all participate and  currently all have a non o volunteer visa. I've been trying to sort the work permit out for 5 weeks now and starting to get tired of all tooting and throwing. The last piece of paperwork they want they want the volunteer place has never provided for any other volunteer and so aren't. Immigration are trying to get me to swap visas or volunteer somewhere else which we don't want to do. Our visa expires 10th March. I was thinking about just crossing a border and re-entering on a tourist visa. What's best way to do this as we will def be here for another 3 months at least and current costs. . Also do I need to do for the children too they are 9 and 13 and would we be guaranteed reentry as changing visas? Trying to work out our best options. But really don't want to get stuck with 2 children.

Ask Thailand · Answer

The user is seeking advice on visa options for themselves and their two children, as they hold NON-O volunteer visas that are about to expire. They are experiencing difficulties obtaining a work permit and are considering making a border run to secure a tourist visa. Commentary from other users suggests various options, including obtaining a tourist visa from a Thai consulate in Vientiane, extending a 30-day visa exemption stamp, and considerations regarding the children’s legal status and potential overstay. The discussion highlights the complexities in navigating immigration procedures in Thailand while volunteering.

Robert ******* · Answer

Your options: Convince the organization to follow up the rules and provide the documents for the work permit so you can apply for an Extension of Stay. OR make a border run, stamp out of Thailand, stamp in out neighbor country and stamp in for a new 30 day Visa Exempt Entry, which can be extended with another 30 days at Immigration. OR leave Thailand, apply for a Single Entry Tourist Visa at a Thai Consulate, this gives you 60 days of stay on entry and can be extended once with 30 days at immigration Office. As mentioned before if you like to have your kids legal, take them with you, or go alone as the kids will not be fined for overstay till their 15 years of age.

Charlie ******** · Answer

i know this site isnt about work permits so want to stay clear of that just trying to find out what my other options are.

Charlie ******** · Answer

Its a real volunteer visa, they say theyve never had to provide what they are asking for so they arent going to because they dont know what they mean and the lady doesnt do the paperwork

Shayne ********** · Answer

Your volunteer place needs to change its procedures or you need to find another volunteer place. Coming back as "tourists" means no more volunteering and is just going to mean another trip out and back.

Unless it's not a real volunteer visa.

Unless it's not a real volunteer visa.

Shayne ********** · Answer

There was a meeting last Friday regarding this. If your staff want to listen I have recordings of the event.

Tod ********* · Answer

You could go to the thai consulate in Vientiane and get a single entry tourist visa (and you could take the kids too IF you wanted to). That would stamp you in for 60 days and you could extend that for 30 more days at the immigration office for 1900baht. That would cover the 90 days you're needing.

Tod ********* · Answer

Kids under 15 can't be charged for overstay and kids under 18 can't be banned for it. So while it sounds crazy, I'd just let the kids overstay.

Tod ********* · Answer

You can't just cross the border and re-enter on a tourist visa.

You BUY a tourist visa from a thai consulate in another country BEFORE you come to thailand

So if all you're doing is border bouncing you're gonna get in on a 30 day visa exempt entry stamp.

What are my options for visa extensions for myself and my children while volunteering in Thailand?

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