Thailand Re-Entry Permit

Why You Need A Re-Entry Permit

When you hold an extension of stay in Thailand (an annual extension for Non-OA, Non-O, Non-B, or a DTV 180-day extension), that extension is tied to a single "entry." If you leave Thailand without a re-entry permit, your extension of stay is cancelled the moment you exit — even if you return the next day.

On return, you enter Thailand fresh, under your visa's standard entry permission. For Non-OA holders this means a new 90-day entry stamp rather than continuing the 12-month extension you had been using. For DTV holders, you start a fresh 180-day entry rather than continuing a previous stay.

The re-entry permit preserves your current extension so that when you re-enter, you continue with the same permission expiry date you had when you left.

SINGLE vs MULTIPLE RE-ENTRY PERMIT Single re-entry permit: allows you to leave and return once while preserving your extension. Valid for one exit-and-entry. Fee: 1,000 THB. Multiple re-entry permit: allows unlimited exits and entries while preserving your extension, valid until your current extension expires. Fee: 3,800 THB.

For frequent travellers: the multiple re-entry permit (3,800 THB) is nearly always better value — it covers all trips for the remainder of your current extension period.

How To Get A Re-Entry Permit

Option 1 — At Immigration Before Departure

Apply at the Immigration Bureau for your province before your trip. Bring: passport, TM.7 (or TM.8 — some offices use different forms; ask at the front desk), passport photograph, 1,000 or 3,800 THB fee. Same-day processing.

Option 2 — At The Airport On Departure Day

Thai airports (Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket International, Chiang Mai International) have Immigration counters that issue re-entry permits before departure. Arrive early — do this before check-in or at minimum well before your gate closes. Same fee and documents.

What Happens If You Forget

If you leave Thailand without a re-entry permit, your extension is cancelled. On re-entry, you will be admitted under your visa's standard entry permission (e.g., 90-day entry on a Non-OA). You will then need to re-apply for an annual extension from scratch — including meeting the financial seasoning requirement again (800,000 THB seasoned continuously in a Thai bank for the 3 months before applying for Non-OA, then maintained for a further 3 months after approval).

For DTV holders: leaving without a re-entry permit simply starts a new 180-day entry. Less consequential than for retirement/marriage extension holders, but still worth noting if you are mid-way through a 180-day extension.

How Visa Centre Helps

We remind clients about re-entry permit requirements before any international travel during their extension period. For annual extension holders, we include re-entry permit advice in our pre-travel checklist.

General guidance only. Re-entry permit rules are established under Thai Immigration law. Verify current fees and requirements at immigration.go.th. Independent assistance agency; not affiliated with any government body.