Urgent! How To Obtain A Multi-entry Non-immigrant O Visa!

[Sawatdikaaa]

I have a friend who is currently volunteering in the Thailand and will be there for one year, total. He applied for a multi-entry Non-Immigrant-O Visa in Thailand but was only given a single entry visa. He and his organization have been unable to renew or change that visa to a multi-entry one within Thailand, so he is looking at options to change it to a multi-entry O outside of Thailand. I live in Cambodia, and am wondering if I can apply for and receive the visa FOR him, without him being here. Does anyone know if it is possible for me to get a multi-entry Non-Immigrant O visa for him in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and send it to him in Thailand, without him leaving Thailand himself?

If not, is it possible for him to get that visa in person, here in Phnom Penh? What documents would he need, and how long would that process take? Will Phnom Penh issue him the multi-entry visa, or is there an embassy in a different country that would be a better and more reliable option?

Thank you!

[Mario2008]

He has to apply in person and his passport can't leave Thailand without him.

If he is a volunteer he needs to get a work permit. With the work permit and some other papers from the organization he is volunteering for he can get an extension of stay for 1 year from immigration in Thailand. The organization has to be a registered charity.

[Lite Beer]

Mario is correct. He needs to apply for the Visa himself and he also needs a Work Permit.

[jazzbo]

He and his organization have been unable to renew or change that visa to a multi-entry one within Thailand...

Boy, does that one sound like Trouble with a capital 'T'... just how much experience does this group have with foreign volunteers?

[Sawatdikaaa]

Thanks for your irrelevant comment, jazzbo.

To the others, thanks for your replies. So now we know he has to leave Thailand. Where's the best place to go? I asked the embassy in Phnom Penh if they would issue a multiple-entry visa, and they said that we could only find out by trying (and then it would be up to the consular to determine if he would issue it with multiple entries or not). Doesn't sound worth the risk... Is there a place (like Penang, for instance) that is reliable and always grants the multi-entry visa? What's the best next-step??

Thank you!

[Mario2008]

It is unlikely he will get a multiple non-O based on volunteering in the region. Consulates in the region will expect him to extend his stay in Thailand at immigration. Why is he not able to do this? If it is a registered charity, it isn't that much of a trouble and for volunteerwork he needs a work permit any way. If he can get a work permit basicly he can get an extension of stay.

If it is not, he might be able to get a multiple entry in Perth. But he would still require a work permit for him to be volunteering legaly.

[bow]

Thanks for your irrelevant comment, jazzbo.

To the others, thanks for your replies. So now we know he has to leave Thailand. Where's the best place to go? I asked the embassy in Phnom Penh if they would issue a multiple-entry visa, and they said that we could only find out by trying (and then it would be up to the consular to determine if he would issue it with multiple entries or not). Doesn't sound worth the risk... Is there a place (like Penang, for instance) that is reliable and always grants the multi-entry visa? What's the best next-step??

Thank you!

Multiple-entry, 1 year, non-imm O is usually difficult in Penang. It might be easier in KL, but I have no recent personal experience from KL.

[Mario2008]

Multiple-entry, 1 year, non-imm O is usually difficult in Penang. It might be easier in KL, but I have no recent personal experience from KL.

We are talking about a multiple non-O based on volunteering, not based on marriage to a Thai national. A big difference!

[jazzbo]

Kuhn S.: Having worked over several years for a large Thai NGO under Royal Patronage, I can tell you that such organizations already have persons on staff who know every nuance of Thai Immigration and Labor Law and should be supplying you and your friend with answers; not leaving you to figure it out for yourselves. That said, my question which you deigned to answer still stands: Just how much experience does this group have with foreign volunteers? ... and there may be ways to deal with this that you will not be able to read here.

[jazzbo]

OK, so I'll take it one step further -- Kuhn Mario and Kuhn LB are 100% correct: In order to work in Thailand as a volunteer whether compensated in any way or not will require a work permit.

. (from the Ministry of Labor website) Definition:

“Alien” means a natural person who is not of Thai nationality; “ Work ” means to engage in work by exerting energy or using knowledge whether or not in consideration of wages or other benefits.

http://eng.mol.go.th/doe_service01.html

Since, as you describe it, the NGO in question has not provided or it seems intends to provide your friend with papers necessary to obtain a 'B' Visa and work permit, you can draw One of 2 conclusions:

1. The NGO has absolutely no idea what they are doing.

2. The NGO has an internal policy that for short-term volunteers they will not provide the necessary documents to obtain a work permit and, if your friend INSISTS on obtaining a work permit, they will tell him to take a hike somewhere else.

Happy trails.