If you get a one year letter from social department you can apply for the one year visa.

I tried to do the social letter after my first extension and it was voice recorded. I have e years of understanding visa and work permit processing for up to 170 volunteers. The processes change all the time and this was last year's process. It regularly changed and will always regularly change.

That was the process last year with Chiang Mai social department. Other places may be different. I have heard you don't even need one extension in Mae Sot from a friend's foundation.

Let's see the "visa" and the stamps! It's gonna tell everyone what you have got.

The letter takes weeks

Last year, you needed to get 2 x 3 month extensions, then ask for the letter from social department.

If you don't have the letter from social department it is the same paperwork for 3 months. Luckily you have a work permit.

Your first year goes like this.

Visa from outside.

Work permit.

1st extension. 1 month, immigration interview in your office, then 2 months stamp.

2nd extension. 1 month, 2 months stamp, then apply at social department.

Get letter.

1 year extension.

Any visa or exempt entry is possible.

Possible

I did.

99.9% of the time you have to leave the country to get a volunteer visa.