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The Thai Visa Re-Entry Permit Guide

For those who have decided to make Thailand their long-term (or semi-long-term) home, there’s always the issue of balancing your visa type with the frequency you’d like to leave the Kingdom.

And while it’s not the most exciting topic, I know that the visa re-entry question can cause plenty of confusion.

To simplify your re-entry permit process for easy travel in and out of Thailand, I’ve compiled this helpful guide that will help you determine if, when, and how you should apply for a re-entry permit in the near future.

Is the clock ticking on your time in Thailand? Read on.

thai-re-entry-permit

What Is a Re-Entry Permit?

If you’ve made the move to stay in Thailand for an extended period of time, you’ve likely already gone through a lengthy process to obtain a visa of one kind or another.

And, as you probably know, entering and exiting the Kingdom without the proper measures in place may invalidate your current visa, leading to a lot of headaches, paperwork, and payments at border control.

Fortunately, a Thai re-entry permit, stamped on your valid visa, allows holders to travel in and out of Thailand without jeopardizing the validity of their current visa.

Note that if you need a re-entry permit and do not get one, your visa will no longer be valid.

Who Needs a Permit?

Because the Thai immigration process is a bit convoluted, the re-entry permit eligibility is as well.

If you are a tourist and the holder of a Single Entry Tourist Visa or a Single Entry Non-Immigrant Visa, you require a permit.

If you have gone from a Non Immigrant O Visa to an extension based on marriage, which permits you to stay in Thailand for a year without leaving and requires 90-day reporting, then you will need a re-entry permit when you leave the country to ensure the extension remains valid.

If you are on a retirement visa extension, you will need a re-entry permit to leave and return while keeping your extension valid.

If any of the above apply to you, you can obtain a re-entry permit and simplify your travel in and out of the kingdom.

Who Doesn’t Need a Permit?

You won’t need a permit if you have a Visa On Arrival or a Visa-Exempt Stamp from specific countries.

You won't need a re-entry permit if you’re in possession of a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa or a Multiple Entry Non-Immigrant Visa.

Are There Different Types of Re-Entry Permit?

Yes. Eligible applicants can apply for either a single re-entry permit or a multiple re-entry permit, depending on their current visa status and their travel requirements.

If you obtain a single re-entry permit, be warned that you’ll be able to leave and re-enter the kingdom once with the stamp on your current visa.

Any time you need to leave the country again, you’ll have to apply for another permit, which will cost you 1,000 THB each time.

If you’re planning on leaving and returning to the Kingdom more than four times a year, a multiple re-entry permit is certainly more cost effective.

What Are the Requirements for a Re-Entry Permit?

You’ll have to go to your local immigration office or the immigration counter at an international airport in Thailand.

Be sure that you bring your boarding pass (at the airport), a 4×6 cm photo of yourself, a completed TM.8 form, photocopies of all of your documents (including your passport photo page, your current and valid visa, and your TM.6 departure slip), and cash to pay for the permit.

What Is the Cost of a Re-Entry Permit?

Those applying for a single re-entry permit must pay 1,000 THB.

Those purchasing a multiple re-entry permit will pay 3,800 THB, making it the more cost efficient option for frequent international travelers.

What Are the Benefits of a Re-Entry Permit?

Whether you’re an avid adventurer, you have an international family, or you’re chasing opportunities in neighboring countries, there are numerous benefits of a Thai re-entry permit — namely, that your visa will still be valid after you’ve left and re-entered the country.

Tourists will find this especially helpful as the re-entry permit allows them more flexibility than their original visa may have offered.

Those teachers, students, and retired expats who are looking to travel or pursue opportunities in different places will now have the opportunity to do so easily.

And finally, the re-entry permit is a fantastic resource for emergencies. If you need to leave the Kingdom quickly to deal with an issue, but don’t have the time to pack up your entire life and leave suddenly, a re-entry permit is invaluable.

Those who have gone through the hassle of applying for a visa will know that any stamp allowing them to escape a voided visa is a great option.

Where Do I Apply for a Re-Entry Permit?

If possible, prepare your application for a re-entry permit ahead of your trip!

You can apply at one of Thailand’s many immigration offices:

Bangkok

Bangkok’s Division 1 Immigration Office in Chaengwatthana is open to those seeking permits Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Here's a map to help you get to the office:

Chiang Mai

Those based in Thailand’s northern city of Chiang Mai should venture to Promenada Mall for their permit; the location is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Here's a map to help you get to the office:

Phuket

Those living in the tropical paradise of Phuket should head to the main immigration department in Phuket Town, which is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Here's a map to help you get to the office:

Can’t make it to one of the major cities?

Don’t worry: there are plenty of Thai immigration offices in airports across the Kingdom. You can use this map to find your local department.

Tips for Getting Your Re-Entry Permit at an Airport

As mentioned above, you can also apply at one of Thailand’s many international airports.

But be forewarned: when applying at an airport, you must be flying out of the kingdom on the same day that you apply for a re-entry permit. So get to the airport in plenty of time.

At Bangkok’s Survarnabhumi Airport, you’ll need to arrive at least three hours early — going through immigration could take as long as 45 minutes.

Head to the immigration section of the departure halls; the booth is open 24 hours a day.

Because this is a last-minute process, you may have an additional administrative fee tacked onto your permit charge. Expect to pay at least 200 THB more.

You’ll have an easier time at Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport, where processing a re-entry permit may take as little as 10 minutes. You can find the immigration counter after the passport control station — it’s also open 24 hours a day.

If you’re heading out of Thailand’s Jewel of the North, you can get your re-entry permit at Chiang Mai International Airport, in the international departure zone.

For those departing from Phuket: there has been a lot of contention as to whether or not travelers can obtain a re-entry permit from the Phuket Airport. Be safe and get it from the immigration office in Phuket Town instead.

How Long Does It Take to Process a Re-Entry Permit?

You never really know quite how long your permit processing will take, so be sure to dedicate at least a few hours to the process.

If you’re visiting your local immigration office, your permit will likely be validated between one to six hours. You may want to drop the documents off and come back at the end of your work day to avoid standing in line.

At the airport, the process will likely be much quicker, but you should also leave a substantial amount of time before your flight in the event that it isn’t.

Immigration experts recommend arriving at least three hours prior to your flight’s departure, if you’re looking to obtain a re-entry permit before flying.

You may also want to call the immigration departments of your local airport to see if they can provide any information about the wait time that day.

How Do I Use a Re-Entry Permit?

When you re-enter Thailand with the permit, make sure that the immigration officer knows you are in possession of it by either opening your passport to the re-entry stamp or by pointing to the visa.

If the immigration officer misses the stamp, your visa will be revoked and you’ll be responsible for paying the 500 THB-per-day overstay fee, so take care!

When returning to the kingdom, always write your re-entry permit number on any immigration forms or questionnaires. This will ensure that everything runs smoothly.

Now that you’ve gotten your re-entry permit, you’re free to travel in and around Southeast Asia — and beyond — without the fear that your life in Thailand will be disrupted!

Got any questions or comments about the process? Leave them in the comments below.

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  1. Alice says

    Hey I have a single entry non immigrant visa as I’m volunteering for a few weeks near Phuket. I want to leave and travel round Cambodia and Vietnam but will need to return to fly home just for a few days. I’m from the UK, is it possible just to re enter on a visa waiver since I won’t need the remaining time on my visa or will I still need the re entry permit to get back in?
    Reply

  2. Chan says

    Hi, i applied for the non immigrant category ovisa with multiple entry based on marriage with the thai embassy in singapore. I enquired with the thai embassy about re entry permit, and they said that there is no requirement for TM8 re entry permit even if i enter and leave the kingdom regularly since my visa is a multiple entry right from the start.Please clarify about this. Thank you.
    Reply

      • Chan says

        Hi,Because i am confused. Some websites and articles say that it is still needed to have TM8 reentry permit despite having a multiple entry ovisa.So based on your earlier reply, it means that they are wrong right?Thank you so much for clarifying
        Reply

        • TheThailandLife says

          Which article says that? Think about it like this: you have a multiple entry visa. The purpose of multiple entry is that you can leave and re-enter. So why would you need a permit to re-enter?
          Reply

        • Martin1 says

          Hi Chan!Just my 2ct: I second both the Thai embassy and the TTL-Peter in this point!But don't worry, you will have to do with re-entry permits soon - when you move physically to Thailand. Then no multiple-entry visas will be issued. :-PI assume you have a one-year long valid visa?When you apply for a visa within Thailand they usually start with issuing a three-months visa. After that you would have to apply for another visa for 9 months, and re--entry permit again, of course. Like that they sell you two visas and two re-entry permits in one year. Brilliant, eh?Regards!
          Reply

  4. Arvind Gurung says

    I am a Nepali traveling to bangkok on the 29 of May and I have a single entry tourist visa valid till August but I have a flight to another country the very next day and I come back to bangkok on the 3rd of June...can I get a re entry permit at the airport and yes my flight reporting time is 3 am in the morning. Will the counter for re entry be open at that time.. Thank you
    Reply

  5. Hiro says

    Hello, when applying re-entry permits, do you think I can apply 2 single entry permits at a time in the same immigration office? I am planning 44 days trip to Thailand and Laos with a Single Entry Tourist Visa, and want to go to and back from Laos twice in this trip. One is out from Chiang Khong to Huay Xai, and then back from Vientiane to Nongkhai. Another is out from Nakhon Phanom to Thakhek, and then back from Savannakhet to Mukdahan. I learned there is a multiple re-entry permit, but 2 single re-entry permits are cheaper than 1 multiple one. So, if I can apply 2 single re-entry permits at a time, I hope to save money, as well as time on the line in the office, maybe at Ayutthaya or Chiang Mai. I would be happy if I can have your advice. Thank you so much.
    Reply

  6. Khaja Sarfaraj Mansur says

    Hi, I am Khaja from Bangladesh. I have got a re-entry permit last month from Duong mang airport when I exit from Thailand.My question is, do I have to enter Through only Duong mang airport to use re-entry permit. Or I can use re-entry to any other air port?Thanks khaja
    Reply

  10. otrebibo says

    Hi, i am currently staying at Bangkok and planning to leave thailand this coming Monday, I graduated High School last year 2018 but I still have a Ed Visa/extension of stay that will expire on June 21 2019. I am planning to fly out in Don Muang Airport without getting cancellation letter from my former school nor re entry permit1. Would it be possible that the immigration officers just put a cancellation stamp on my visa without asking question?2. If they let me pass and exit thailand, is there any incoming problems in the future especially at the immigration because i am already enrolled in university and I am planning to go back in Thailand in July after my visa get expired3. If i get a re entry before i leave in Thailand and never use it until it expires together with my ed visa (June 21, 2019), will i be in trouble when i return back in bangkok?4. would it be better if i stay on my own country and wait until my ed visa expire (June 21, 2019) before i apply for my new ed visa at the thai embassy? so that my visa is already cancelled and clear.Hope someone can give me an idea on how to fix my visa so that i can be able to continue my education in Thailand.Please help me on how to avoid being fine and banned in thailand since my class will start this August.will Appreciate it a lot if someone can help me
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      1. It will be cancelled by default when you re-enter. You will be given the usual 15/30 day stamp, depending on which country you are from. 2. You would need to renew the visa. You'd still be enrolled at university but your visa status wouldn't be the same. 3. No. There is no legal requirement to use the permit. You pay for it and either use it or you don't. 4. Exactly. Just go home and get a new Ed visa from the embassy. Return to Thailand and continue your studies.Good luck.
      Reply

  11. Lizzy says

    I am flying into Thailand for 3 days - on the third day I’m leaving (by land border to Cambodia) to travel around for over a month. Then I am flying into Thailand again (from Laos) to stay in Thailand for 65 daysThai embassy has told me that the Visa Re-Entry Permit stops the clock on the visa - so I could use 3 days and then re enter and use 57. But other people/blogs online all say that the permit doesn't stop the clock and so I would run out of time. What is your view?My only other option seems to be getting a Visa in Vientaine - which sounds very risky now with the new 2 week online appointment system - and I only have one day when I could do this.I don't want to have to get the METV which seems extreme just to solve the problem of these 3 days!Thanks for your help in advance :)
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      The re-entry permit doesn't freeze the visa, it just keeps the visa (single entry) valid so that you can re-enter the country. Once the visa expires it expires. If you get a 6-month multiple entry tourist visa you can enter and leave after 3 days, travel for a month, then re-enter and get stamped in for 60 days. To solve the issue of the extra 5 days, simple go to immigration before the 60 days is up - say on day 58 - and get an extension to stay a further 30 days for 1,900 Baht.
      Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      You would have needed 6 months left on your passport to apply for the visa. The rule is that you need a passport that will be valid for the duration of you visa, and generally without a visa you need 6 months on your passport. However, because you already have the visa and your passport must have had 6 months left on it when you applied you may be okay. But I can't say for sure. I would call your embassy in Bangkok and double check before you try to re-enter. Maybe someone else on here as experience with this?
      Reply

  13. Alan says

    1. Can I get a ‘non o’ multiple re-entry permit on the same day I Hope to renew my Retirement visa At Phuket Immigration Office .2. I have only 5 pages left in my UK passport . Is that acceptable to obtain my Visa and Multiple Re-entry Permit ? 3. If I get a new UK passport will the Visa and Re-entry Permit in the old passport he accepted at immigration when I return to Thailand ?Thank you
    Reply

  14. Swallow Lwin says

    I had returned to Myanmar from BKK through Don Maung Airport and stamped a single re-entry. I will re-enter to BKK on 27th April. After re-entering into BKK, may I need to report within 24 hours or report as a 90-day report after 3 months?
    Reply

  15. Atanu Majumder says

    I am an Indian passport holder going to Bangkok directly with Single entry visa on 1st October. Then I will go to Cambodia for 3 days and again will return back to Bangkok on 7th through Flight to BKK airport. Now, what is my options?1. Can I take a re-entry permit from Immigration Office in Chaengwatthana before my travel to Cambodia?2. I go out from Bangkok on 3rd to Cambodia and return back to BKK airport on 7th and go for a Visa on arrival. In this case, will I be allowed to take a flight from Siem reap to BKK (I am not holding thai Visa that time) or I have to travel by land to enter Thiland from Cambodia and apply for visa on arrival at border?
    Reply

  16. Sam Scott says

    Let's assume I have a retirement visa And a re-entry stamp. How long can I stay outside Thailand and still be able to re-enter using the re-entry stamp? If more than 90 days, what about the mandatory 90 day reporting requirement? Is that simply waived while I'm outside Thailand. Thanks for your advise. I'm considering retiring to Thailand but I may need to return to Australia for a seven month period.
    Reply

    • Martin1 says

      Hi Sam!Those are easy to answer questions. Both the visa and the re-entry permits have the same valid-until dates. This is the last day you might enter the Kingdom.In regards to the 90 days reporting: Correct, we "only" need to do it if we consecutively stay 90 days in the Kingdom! If you always leave the Kingdom before 90 days, you will never have to do 90 days reporting. Every time you cross the border to Thailand the 90 days counter starts at 0.
      Reply

  17. Tess says

    My friend and I left Thailand last week and we wish to re enter on the 10th of may but we only have a single entry visa for 30 days ( we landed in Thailand on the 18th March). Can we obtain a re entry Vida from the Thai embassy in Hanoi?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      You won't get one automatically. You only need a re-entry permit if you have a single entry visa (see the post details) and plan to leave the country and re-enter on the same visa. The re-entry permit keeps the visa valid. If you're just coming for a holiday and entering on an exemption stamp you won't need a permit.
      Reply

  19. John says

    I am in Thailand with a Non ) visa. It expires on August 5th of this year. I will be getting a new one year extension in July. If I buy a multi re-entry permit now...April...will it expire with my current extension to stay, or will it continue for one year with the new expiration date of August 5th 2020? Thanks
    Reply

  21. Carol says

    Hello, we are a family of 4, from Costa Rica with a Single Entry Visa, and want to know if we can as a Costa Rican citizens apply for a Re-Entry Visa, we want to visit Cambodia and Vietnam during our vacations in Thailand. Thank you
    Reply

    • Jim says

      Swasdi krap...I'm in Vietnam, my flight back to Canada departs Bangkok at 0630k Apr 33rd. I need to overnight in Bangkok, only stay in Bangkok for about 14 hrs. Do I need a visa re entry into Thailand to catch my flight home?
      Reply

      • James E says

        Jim, BKK has an overnight lounge called the Miracle Transit Hotel. You'll probably have to pre-book but then you won't even have to clear into the country. If you've got checked luggage see if you can arrange a transfer to your CA bound flight otherwise you'd have to get stamped in under Visa Exemption, go back upstairs and check out. You can book direct or through Agoda.
        Reply

  25. ayush shrivastava says

    I arrived thailand on 19th Feb on NON IMMI B visa (90 days validity) for Employment,The visa is valid till 19th May. My company will extend it for 1 year on 19th April. I want to go to India during 13-16th april and come back on 17th april. Am i eligible to get the reentry permit ? Thanks.
    Reply

  26. Prak says

    Being from India , I shall be able to enter Thailand on Visa On Arrival" scheme. Said Visa is a single entry one, valid for 15 days. .Reaching Thailand on the 16th Mar and then depart to Jakarta on the 19th Mar. On 4th April I want to come back to Thailand again. When I reach Thailand, will Immigration issue me another Visa On Arrival, I have confirmed flight tickets, hotel bookings, etc
    Reply

  28. christian barrios says

    Hello! Im from Mexico and I will be in Thailand traveling around. Im flying from Chiang Mai to Hanoi and I want to ask for the re entry, my flight will be on 28th April that its Sunday. Can I go to Promenada Mall requesting my re entry on Friday and flight on Sunday without problem? Or is there any chance to get the re entry at the airport?Thanks a lot!
    Reply

  29. Mike says

    I hold one year Non-B visa with multiple re-entry permit. My visa is expiring on Jan 26, 2019 but my company asked me to do extension on Jan 15, 2019 together with other staff. I need to travel out of Thailand on Jan 19 and back on Jan 21 (before my visa expiry date). When I extend visa every year, I am always given one month consideration period and only after that period, I get one year visa (actually 11 months because 1 month consideration period is counted in one year visa duration). My question is - once I do extension on Jan 15 as my company asks, will my current multiple entry which is valid until Jan 26 will become invalid and do I need to apply for a re-entry permit for my leaving on Jan 19-21? Please advise.
    Reply

  30. Martin1 says

    Great article!I would like to add that above you focus much on the cost of single vs. multiple entry visas. There is another important aspect: re-entry stamps (and visas) fill up your passport quickly!To come to your cost aspects: in my country a 48 pages passport cost 120 Euro. That equals in 2,50 € p.p. (i.e. 100 THB) paasport pages cost.
    Reply

  31. GaryA says

    Dear TTL abd readers, if I'm on a Non-Immigrant O based on marriage to a Thai national, and need to leave Thailand temporarily with a Re-Entry Permit, does the 12 months initial O Visa validity granted, keep ticking away whilst you are outside the kingdom please? Thank you
    Reply

  32. Murshid says

    Hi I am issued with a single entry tourist visa on December 15th, 2018 and it is valid for 3 months. I plan to travel to Thailand on 23rd December 2018 and return on 29th December 2018 but I will be coming back to Thailand on 29th of January 2019 again. My question is: I will apply for the re-entry permit on the 29th of December 2018 when I return from Suvarnabhumi Airport, so when I apply for the re-entry permit what will the time allowance I will get to enter Thailand again? Will they give me 1/2/3 months time to enter the Kingdom or will they follow the validity time of the visa I got which is valid till March 2019? Will I get enough time so that I can enter a month later from the date I depart?
    Reply

    • James E says

      I think your best (and cheapest) option would be to enter in December on your existing visa and then after you leave get a new visa. Not sure where you are, but in the U.S. that total cost would be about US$80. Just a reentry permit from Thai Immigration costs over US$100 now. Plus you'll have to spend a day in Thai Immigration.
      Reply

      • Martin1 says

        Sorry! Is that answer really correct?In my case (same, Non-O Thai Wife) I was always allowed to stay until the validity of the visa (incl. 90 days reporting). But indeed, a re-entry permit is not required if one has a multiple entry visa - which you cannot get inside of Thailand, only at embassies outside.
        Reply

        • TheThailandLife says

          I have a multiple entry Non O Visa. I don't do 90-day reporting. I can leave and come back in as many times as I need to within the validity of the visa. I time the last entry so that I get 15 months out of the visa instead of 12.
          Reply

  36. Sunil says

    Hi Peter, thanks for the great tips, much appreciated.My Australian passport allows me 30 days without visa. My question is that if I depart and re enter after spending a week in a neighbouring country, would I need a re entry visa ?I am assuming that a fresh 30 day clock would restart when I re enter the country.I would appreciate your thoughts please. Thanks,
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Sunil, The 30 days that you get is provided without a visa, so there is no need for a re-entry permit of any kind when you leave. As you assumed, when you re-enter the country you will get another 30 days. However, if you leave and re-enter over a land border then you may only get 15 days. It's really easy to get a tourist visa, though. A single entry tourist visa will give you 60 days stay. A multiple entry tourist visa would give you 60 days stay, but a six month validity, which means that you could stay for 60 days and then leave and re-enter and get a further 60 days. You could do this again until the six-month visa expires. You can also extend for a further 30 days inside Thailand for a fee of 1,900 Baht.
      Reply

  38. Gary says

    Hi, Thanks for keeping the useful tips flowing and helping the rest of us to hopefully travel a little more smoothly. I have a question which relates to filling out the T M 6. I am arriving in 2 weeks time on a 60 visa with the intention of obtaining a retirement 1 year visa shortly afterwards. As far as filling out the departure side of the TM6 do I leave it blank or is the something I should put in there as I obviously hope to stay for the year and if successful might visit local countries before any future uk visit . Any advice ?
    Reply

    • TheThailandLife says

      Hi Gary, you can leave it blank. I always do and I've never been asked to fill it out, except on exiting the country, obviously. Even if you did fill it out and your plans change due to the extension, you can just pick up a new one on the way out of Thailand.
      Reply

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