What Is a Re-Entry Permit?
A re-entry permit is an essential immigration document for any foreigner living in Thailand on a long-term visa or extension of stay. It allows you to leave Thailand and return without losing your current extension of stay or visa status. Without a re-entry permit, leaving Thailand will automatically cancel your extension of stay, and you will need to apply for a new visa from scratch at a Thai embassy abroad.
The re-entry permit is applied for using the TM8 form and is stamped directly into your passport. It is one of the most commonly overlooked requirements among expats, and forgetting to obtain one before traveling can have costly consequences.
Why Do You Need a Re-Entry Permit?
Under Thai immigration law, an extension of stay is tied to your continuous presence in Thailand. The moment you exit the country, your extension is cancelled unless you have a valid re-entry permit. This applies to all types of extensions:
- Retirement extensions
- Marriage/family extensions
- Work permit-based extensions
- Education extensions
- Any other Non-Immigrant visa extension
Tourists on short-stay visas (30-day visa exemption, 60-day tourist visa) generally do not need a re-entry permit because they do not have an extension to preserve. However, if a tourist has obtained a 30-day extension at immigration, they may want a re-entry permit if they plan to travel and return before that extension expires.
Single vs. Multiple Re-Entry Permits
Single Re-Entry Permit
- Cost: 1,000 THB
- Validity: Good for one exit and re-entry into Thailand
- Expires: When used, or when your extension of stay expires — whichever comes first
- Best for: Occasional travelers who make one or two trips per year
Multiple Re-Entry Permit
- Cost: 3,800 THB
- Validity: Unlimited exits and re-entries during the validity period
- Expires: When your extension of stay expires
- Best for: Frequent travelers, business people, or anyone who leaves Thailand more than 3-4 times per year
The cost comparison is simple: if you plan to leave Thailand more than 3 times during your current extension period, the multiple re-entry permit is more economical.
How to Apply
At an Immigration Office
You can apply for a re-entry permit at any immigration office in Thailand. The process is straightforward:
- Obtain the TM8 form at the immigration office or download it in advance from the Immigration Bureau website.
- Fill out the form with your personal details, passport information, and travel plans (destination country and intended departure date).
- Attach one recent photo (4x6 cm) to the form.
- Submit with your passport and the fee (1,000 THB for single, 3,800 THB for multiple).
- Wait for processing — usually 15-30 minutes.
- Collect your passport with the re-entry permit stamped inside.
The main immigration office in Bangkok (Chaeng Watthana) processes re-entry permits on a walk-in basis. Provincial immigration offices also handle these applications during regular business hours.
At the Airport
Re-entry permits are available at international airports in Thailand, including:
- Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK): The immigration service counter is located on the departure floor (Level 4), near the immigration checkpoints. Look for signs saying "Re-Entry Permit" before you pass through passport control.
- Don Mueang Airport (DMK): Available at the immigration service counter on the departure level.
- Phuket International Airport (HKT): Available at the immigration counter before departure.
- Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX): Available at the immigration service point.
Airport re-entry permits are convenient but come with risks:
- Counter hours may be limited (not always 24/7)
- Long queues during peak travel times
- You need to arrive at the airport with extra time (at least 2-3 hours before your flight)
- The counter may occasionally be closed due to staffing issues
For peace of mind, it is strongly recommended to obtain your re-entry permit at an immigration office before your travel date rather than relying on the airport counter.
What Happens If You Forget?
If you leave Thailand without a re-entry permit while holding an extension of stay, the consequences are immediate and significant:
- Your extension of stay is cancelled. It cannot be reinstated.
- You must apply for a new visa at a Thai embassy or consulate in another country before returning.
- You will need to restart the extension process from the beginning once back in Thailand, including meeting all financial requirements again.
- For retirement visa holders: Your 800,000 THB seasoning period starts over.
- For work permit holders: Your work permit may also be affected, creating complications with your employer.
There is no way to obtain a re-entry permit after you have already exited Thailand. The permit must be obtained before departure.
Re-Entry Permits and Different Visa Types
Non-Immigrant O-A (Retirement) Visa
The O-A visa is a multiple-entry visa valid for one year. If you have an O-A visa that has not yet been extended, you can travel freely without a re-entry permit during its validity. However, once you apply for and receive an extension of stay, you need a re-entry permit to preserve that extension.
Non-Immigrant B (Business) Visa
If you hold a single-entry Non-Immigrant B visa, you need a re-entry permit before any departure. If you have a multiple-entry B visa, you can travel freely during the visa's validity period without a re-entry permit. Once extended, a re-entry permit is required.
LTR (Long-Term Resident) Visa
Holders of the 10-year LTR visa do not need re-entry permits. The LTR visa is a multiple-entry visa by design, and leaving Thailand does not cancel the visa or extension.
Practical Tips
- Get a multiple re-entry permit when you extend your visa. Many people apply for the re-entry permit at the same time as their annual extension to avoid forgetting later.
- Check your re-entry permit before every trip. Verify that it is valid and has not already been used (for single permits). Make it part of your pre-travel checklist alongside booking flights and packing.
- Keep a copy of the re-entry permit page in your phone and in cloud storage, separate from your passport.
- Set a reminder when your extension expires. Your re-entry permit expires on the same date as your extension — getting a new extension means getting a new re-entry permit.
- Do not confuse re-entry permits with visas. A re-entry permit preserves your existing status; it does not grant new permission to stay.
- Airport counters are a backup, not a plan. Always try to get your re-entry permit from an immigration office during regular hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for a re-entry permit online?
No, re-entry permits cannot be applied for online. You must apply in person at an immigration office or at an airport counter.
How long does it take at the immigration office?
Processing usually takes 15-30 minutes, though wait times at busy offices can be longer. The actual stamp takes just a few minutes.
Can I get a re-entry permit at a land border crossing?
No, re-entry permits are only available at immigration offices and international airport counters. They are not available at land border crossings.
I have a multiple re-entry permit. Does it transfer to my new passport?
If you get a new passport while holding a valid re-entry permit in your old passport, you should visit an immigration office to have your records updated. Carry both passports when traveling until this is done.