Unanswered7 years ago

What options do I have if my volunteer visa extension process delays my work permit?

Volunteer Visa Visa Extension Work Permit

James *****************

asked Dec 30, 2019

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Hi there,

Hope someone can help me with a predicament. 

I have a volunteer visa and am on the yearly extension. My WP expires in May and my extension expires end of Feb. 

I made the mistake of thinking the letter from the Ministry of Social Development which is needed, was for the work permit, and as it expires in May I thought I had lots of time. It's actually for the visa extension. I was just informed that  it takes two months to process in BKK (one month last time, but seems two months is the new rule), and i was told if i submitted docs to city hall in Chiang Mai on Jan 2 when office opens that would be 53 days. They won't accept the docs based on being shorter than two months. 

This will mean i cannot extend my visa at Chiang Mai. I am hoping they might allow 53 days, but am told it might not happen. Seems i cannot ask to expedite the process, and I am willing to pay for that. 

Does anyone know a way around this, or some advice they can offer. I don't want to give up WP and cancel visa just for a few days late in sending the docs. It is quite the process doing it all again. 

If i have to do that, if I go out of country again and apply for new O visa what will happen to my work permit. Would it still be valid? I fear trying to go on a tourist visa while i sort this stuff out since I have been here legally for a long time working and volunteering. 

Apologies for the convoluted problem.

Summary so far

The user is facing a predicament with their volunteer visa and work permit. Their visa extension expires soon, but the necessary documentation from the Ministry of Social Development is delayed, risking their ability to extend the visa. The community offers mixed advice, suggesting either seeking assistance at City Hall or preparing to leave the country to apply for a new visa, as missing the two-month requirement may necessitate starting over.

14 repliesnewest first

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Tod *********

@James ****************

, know that I mean no disrespect in this answer BUT you or the company you volunteer for failing to understand or follow the rules as they are is not grounds for them to waive the rules.

I think you will have to leave the country and start all over. BUT

That's just what I think. You won't know until Thursday the 2nd when the thai government opens back up and you can actually go ask someone what happens in your situation.

I don't think you're gonna get any good advice from the group, so we're done,

Good Luck,

7 years ago

Daniel ******

A few months ago we had a similar problem with missing the two month requirement. Immigration officer in charge at that time said we had to go out of country and get new visas (said that they could not give a 90 day extension after we had a one year already). This problem effected my family and two other families in our foundation. I went to Penang and had no problem at all getting a new visa for myself and my family. BUT the other two went first to Vientiane, then Savannakhet, then Kuala Lumpur, and were told each time that because they already possessed a work permit they could not get another non O volunteer visa without a letter from city hall or immigration explaining the need. Immigration and city hall had not heard of such before. Kuala Lumpur also said that since they had work permits they could only give them a non B visa. This was a violation of their volunteer work permit so our foundation had to cancel their work permits and start all over again for them.

If you have to go out and get a new non O volunteer visa then I would advise you go to Penang.

7 years ago

James *****************

Thanks. It is very confusing. I wasn't even aware of the two month deadline. You'd think someone might think ok, an honest mistake was made. I'm seven days out. I wonder what would happen if i took a letter explaining I missed that deadline. Maybe i will go to city hall and ask them to write me a letter, but of course, that will go further than the nice gal at the desk. I'd like to keep the WP so as not to go through that hurdle again, even thought they are cool at that office - besides when they cancelled us after the cave rescue thing. At least the food is great in Penang. But man, I hope they allow my 53 days.

7 years ago

Robert *******

I try to understand this but am I getting close that you mean: You need a document from the Ministry of Social Development to apply for a new 1 year Extension of Stay. To apply for this document you have to visit the City Hall but

you need more than 2 months left on your current stay

as this form is only valid for 2 months and

it takes 2 months to get it this form?

So you not apply on 2 Jan 2020 at City hall, as somebody told you the time frame as mentioned above.

I would say visit City Hall and apply, show your passport with end date of Extension of Stay, explain you need this letter in less then 6 weeks.

7 years ago

James *****************

I am trying to do that right now. I guess there is no way to tell immigration the letter is on the way and can they extend a few days? Not sure we can extend an extension of stay.

7 years ago

Robert *******

but I would go for the Extension first, keep Vientiane as an alternative

7 years ago

James *****************

Great. Cheers for the advice.

7 years ago

Robert *******

yes, bring the wp with you. you get a new visa, get 90 days on entry and after 45 days you can apply for the extension of stay in Chang Mai immigration

7 years ago

James *****************

Ok, so if I got the new Non O, I could try get extension quickly in Chiang Mai based on I have a work permit already? Would it help if I took my WP to Laos and explained I just made a mistake? Usually you get the O visa and then apply for the WP, but i have the WP already.

7 years ago

Robert *******

Good luck, alternative is Vientiane, you can get a new Non Immigrant O visa there, but they have some extra requirements mentioned on the website where you make an appointment.

a New visa does not effect your Work Permit, so no problems there

7 years ago

James *****************

I am trying, but the foundation says they got told two months or nothing. At the moment, my foundation is asking if they can let me off the few days late. Hope so. Thanks for the reply.

7 years ago

Robert *******

That is what people do tell, I still say go for it, nothing lost by trying, all lost when you sit down and do nothing

7 years ago

James *****************

I could interview on Jan 2nd, but that is 53 days before my extension runs out.

7 years ago

James *****************

Yes, correct. Last time it was about one month, but I am told they now have a minimum of two months. You visit city hall. They interview you about what you do, then they send off the information. When BKK decides to pass, you get the letter from them and you take that to immigration. Part of the docs you give. You need work permit, lots of photos, what you do, plus that letter from BKK. It takes two months in BKK to send that letter back.

7 years ago