Thailand Re-entry Permits: How NOT to Lose Your Thailand Visa

Are you a long-term visa holder who’s planning on leaving Thailand and needs a re-entry permit? Maybe you’re sitting in the taxi right now heading to the airport. Or worse yet, maybe you’re at the airport scrambling for help. Relax. We have you covered.

If you have at least forty-five minutes to spare before you flight takes off, then I’ll show you how to get your re-entry permit at one of the international airports in Thailand.

And if you have a few weeks or days before your flight leaves, then consider yourself off the hook. You’ll be able to get your re-entry permit ahead of time at one of the immigration offices listed in this guide.

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What is It?

If you have a visa that hasn’t expired and you want to leave and return to Thailand, you’ll need to apply for a re-entry permit before you leave Thailand.

A re-entry permit let’s you leave the country without forfeiting your visa. But this doesn’t “pause” your visa. Whether you’re in Thailand or not, the amount of time given to you on your visa still winds down.

Who Needs One?

When you first apply for your Thailand visa, you’ll have to choose between getting a single-entry visa or a multiple-entry visa.

• If your visa is a single-entry visa, then you’ll have to apply for a re-entry permit every time you want to leave and re-enter Thailand.
• If you leave Thailand on your single-entry visa without a re-entry permit, your visa will be voided immediately.

On the other hand, if you get a multiple-entry visa, then you won’t have to apply for a re-entry permit when leaving Thailand on your valid visa.

Please note that some visas, including the LTR visa and DTV visa is always a multiple-entry visa. So you don’t have to get a re-entry permit if you have them.

This process is not for you if you entered Thailand on a visa-exempt stamp or a visa on arrival.

How Many are There?

When you apply for your re-entry permit in Thailand, you’ll have two choices:

• A single re-entry permit: If you’re leaving Thailand in an emergency, or for a yearly vacation, then getting a single re-entry permit makes the most sense.
• A multiple-entry permit: If you plan on leaving Thailand more than four times with your current visa then you should get a multiple re-entry permit to save you money.

Single Re-Entry Permit

With a single re-entry permit, you can leave and enter Thailand just one time with your current valid visa. If you need to leave Thailand after that, you’ll have to apply for a new re-entry permit. The cost for a single re-entry permit is THB1,000.

Multiple Re-Entry Permit

With a multiple re-entry permit, you can leave and enter Thailand as many times as you like with your valid visa. The cost for a multiple re-entry permit is THB3,800.

Application Process and Costs

To apply for a Thailand re-entry permit, just go to your nearest immigration office or re-entry permit counter at any of the international airports in Thailand.

Where to Get It

You can apply for single and multiple re-entry permits at immigration offices and international airports throughout Thailand.

Immigration Offices

If you want to stay ahead of the game and get your re-entry permit before you go to the airport (smart move), then you can apply for your re-entry permit at any immigration office in Thailand.

No matter which immigration office you go, getting your re-entry permit is the same unless noted below.

Here’s the step-by-step process, with costs and required documents.

1. Go to the re-entry permit counter
2. Give the immigration officers the following documents:
   • 4×6 cm photo
   • filled in TM.8 form (it can be picked up at the counter)
   • photocopies of your passport picture page and valid visa page.
3. Pay THB1,000 for a single re-entry permit or
4. Pay THB3,800 for a multiple re-entry permit
5. Get your re-entry permit stamped into your passport

The whole process can take less than 10 minutes if there is no queue.

Here are a few popular locations, followed by a few links to an entire list.

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Bangkok

If you’re in Bangkok you can apply for your re-entry permit at the Division 1 Immigration Office in Chaengwatthana (link to Google Map). The office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30pm to 4:30pm, except on Thai holidays.

However, if you work for a BOI-promoted company, you must obtain it from the One Stop Service Center on the 18th floor of Chamchuri Square Building instead.

Chiang Mai

If you want to apply for your re-entry permit in Chiang Mai, go to Chiang Mai immigration office. The office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30pm to 4:30pm, except on Thai holidays.

Phuket

If you want to apply for your re-entry permit in Phuket, go to the immigration office in Phuket Town (link to Google Map). The office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30pm to 4:30pm, except on Thai holidays.

Other Locations

Here’s a map of Thailand Immigration Offices.

Airports

If you prefer not to visit an immigration office, you can apply for a re-entry permit at any of Thailand’s international airports.

A few things to keep in mind:

• The process may take less than 10 minutes if there’s no queue, but it’s best to allocate at least an hour to be safe.
• You must be flying out of the country on the same day you apply.
• If you have a connecting flight within Thailand and plan to get your re-entry permit at your second airport, be cautious with short layovers as timing can be tight.

The process at the airport is slightly more convenient than at an immigration office:

• No need to bring a photo; they’ll take a digital one for you.
• They may assist with filling out the form.
• There’s an additional fee of THB 200.

Suvarnabhumi Airport

If you’re leaving Thailand from Suvarnabhumi Airport you might want to get there at least three hours before your flight, as the process could take you up to 45 minutes because of the queue.

The re-entry permit counter is located all the way your left in the immigration departure halls. It’s open 24-hours a day.

Don Mueang Airport

If you’re leaving Thailand from Don Mueang Airport, getting a re-entry permit is quite easy.

The re-entry permit counter is located after passport control but before security. It’s open 24-hours a day.

Chiang Mai Airport

If you’re leaving Thailand from Chiang Mai, you can get your re-entry permit at Chiang Mai Airport after you check in for your flight. In the international departures area, you’ll find podiums where immigration officers can help you apply for your re-entry permit.

Phuket Airport

The re-entry permit counter at Phuket International Airport is located within the immigration area, after you present your boarding pass to an airport officer.

Now, on to You

Applying for a re-entry permit in Thailand is one of the easier immigration matters to handle–as long as you do it ahead of time at an immigration office. You can probably get away with applying for a re-entry permit at the airport, but if you’re worried about time, get it done beforehand.