Hello all!

I have a single entry non-imm "O" visa for volunteer work, valid for the standard 90days. In order to change this to multiple entry (and valid for a year), will I need to apply for a whole new one in Laos?? Or is there a way to extend at Immigration?

Thanks for any advice!!

You can apply for an extnesion of stay at immigation, if you have a work permit and the organisation is a registered charity. Extensions would be for 90 days, if they can provide a letter from the governor or other high ranking official of a government agency the organisation works with a 1 year extension is possible.

Without a work permit no extension is possible nor will you get a new visa in a neighbouring country.

Unfortunately due to some changes with the board of directors I won't be getting my work permit in time. For my previous job I did the same visa run but for a non-imm B and no work permit was required. Fingers crossed it will be the same this time.

Thank you for your help!

A work permit is not required to get the visa you you just need the WP3 receipt for application and at some locations a letter of approval from Labor office.

For a non-b for teaching you don't need the work permit application proof.

For the extension you must have the work permit.

Great,

Thank you both for your help

Does anyone know why if you have a year Work Permit for volunteering you can still only get visas for 90 days.

I am now in my 3rd year volunteering at a charity.. They just renewed my work permit for another year.. However when i get an extention at immigration the maximum is for 90 days and even then after 30 days I need to go back for another stamp for the next 60 days..

The most annoying thing about it is that i have almost filled every page in my passport and will need to apply for a new one despite there being another 4 years until it expires.

Because there have been many cases where the one year extension was done but the person was no longer doing volunteer work shortly after getting the extension. Perhaps just out having a good time.

By having people get extensions every 90 days prevents that or at least makes it much harder to do.

I it just a case of some people abusing the system and making hard on those that are really doing what they got the extension for.

This is similar to those going to a Thai language school and only getting 90 days.