If you hold a Thai visa and wish to leave and return before its expiry date, you will likely need a re-entry permit before you depart. Perhaps you are on holiday and want to return to Thailand before your trip home, or you are living in Thailand on a long-term visa and wish to visit another country and then continue your stay. In either case, your visa may be cancelled after your departure if you do not apply for a re-entry permit, even if your visa has a long remaining term.

This page explains what a re-entry permit for Thailand is, whether you need one, and how to obtain one to avoid the premature cancellation of your visa.

What is a re-entry permit for Thailand?

This authorization is issued by the Thai Immigration Bureau and allows you to leave and re-enter Thailand with the same visa you originally used. The re-entry authorization is not a visa and does not extend your stay. It does not affect the validity period of your visa or the permitted length of stay.

If you wish to leave Thailand and return, first check the validity period of your visa. If your visa expires during your stay, you will not be able to re-enter Thailand, even if you have a valid entry permit. You will then need to apply for a new visa abroad or, if you meet the requirements, take advantage of visa-free travel or a visa on arrival.

In Thailand there are two types of re-entry permits:

  • Single-entry re-entry permit: Entitles you to a single re-entry into Thailand with the same visa. You will need a new permit for each subsequent departure.
  • Multiple re-entry permit: Entitles you to leave and re-enter Thailand as often as you like during the validity period of your current visa.

    • If you leave Thailand knowing that you will receive a different visa for your return, you do not need a re-entry permit.

    Do you need a re-entry permit for Thailand?

    Thai visas can generally be divided into two categories: single-entry visas and multiple-entry visas.

    A single-entry visa, as the name suggests, only allows one entry into Thailand, regardless of the length of stay. For example, if your visa is valid for 60 days, but you leave on the 20th day, you cannot re-enter Thailand with the same visa unless you apply for a re-entry permit before your departure.

    Many tourist visas and even some long-term visas for non-immigrants in Thailand are single-entry visas. If you leave Thailand and wish to return with the same visa, you will need a re-entry permit if you hold one of these visas:

  • Thai tourist visa for single entry
  • 90-day non-immigrant visa
  • Thailand Retirement Visa (1-Year OA Visa)

    • Which Thai visas do not require a re-entry permit?

    The other type of Thai visa is the multiple-entry visa. With this visa, you can leave Thailand and re-enter with the same visa without restrictions. You can enter and exit as often as you like without having to worry about a re-entry permit.

    These are long-term visas for Thailand, intended for residents and frequent travelers. The following multiple-entry visas are available in Thailand:

  • Tourist visa for multiple entries to Thailand
  • Long-term stay visa for Thailand
  • Visa for Thailand
  • Thai Retirement Visa (5-Year OX Visa)

    • How do I obtain a re-entry permit for Thailand?

    Fortunately, obtaining a re-entry permit for Thailand before departure is quite easy. If you are leaving Thailand from an international airport, you can apply for the re-entry permit at immigration control on the day of your departure.

    Please arrive earlier than usual to avoid missing your flight. You will need to fill out the application form (available at the checkpoint) and wait for approval. This usually takes no more than 15–30 minutes, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Therefore, please allow plenty of time if you submit your application before your flight.

    Alternatively, you can apply for a re-entry permit at any Thai immigration office before your departure. While this is possible in advance, processing takes longer than applying at the airport.

    Documents required for a Thai re-entry permit

    Regardless of whether you submit your application at the airport or at the immigration office, you should prepare all required documents in advance to avoid delays. Documents required for a re-entry permit to Thailand include:

  • Your current passport with your current Thai visa and/or entry stamp
  • Photocopies of the relevant passport pages, namely: page with personal data, pages for changes to personal data, page with the last entry stamp, stamp for extension of stay (if applicable).
  • A passport photo of yourself
  • Application form for re-entry authorization TM.8 (You can find and print this online)
  • TM.6 Arrival card (if available)

    • How much does a re-entry permit for Thailand cost?

    The costs depend on what type of re-entry permit you are applying for.

  • One-time re-entry permit: 1,000 Baht
  • Multiple re-entry permit: 3,800 Baht

    • These fees usually have to be paid in cash.

    Professional services for applying for a Thai visa

    Do you need a new Thai visa for re-entry, or would you like to apply for a multiple-entry visa to avoid the need for re-entry permits? Then contact Siam Legal. We are a full-service law firm and visa consultancy, and for over 20 years we have been helping travelers from all over the world to obtain their Thai visas quickly and easily.

    Whatever your immigration needs may be, our experienced visa consultants will help you prepare your application and submit it to the relevant authorities so that you can enjoy the Land of Smiles without any worries.