Thailand Re-Entry Permit — Keep Your Visa Valid When You Travel
Protect your 1-year extension or long-stay visa before leaving Thailand.
If you have a Thai visa or extension (work, marriage, retirement, education etc.) and you plan to leave Thailand temporarily, you may need a Re-Entry Permit so that your permission to stay does not cancel when you exit. VisaTrip helps you understand when re-entry is required and assists with the application.
What is a Thailand Re-Entry Permit?
A Thailand Re-Entry Permit is an immigration endorsement that allows you to leave Thailand and come back without losing your current visa or extension of stay.
Why It Matters
- Many long-stay visas (work, marriage, retirement, education) are valid only as long as you stay in Thailand.
- If you exit without a re-entry permit, your extension can be cancelled automatically when you leave.
- With a valid re-entry, you can return to Thailand and continue to use the same permission to stay until its expiry date.
Who Commonly Needs It?
- Foreigners on a 1-year work permit + Non-B visa.
- Husbands or wives of Thai citizens on marriage-based extensions.
- Retirees on retirement visas / extensions.
- Students on education (Non-ED) extensions.
- Other long-stay holders planning temporary trips abroad.
When Do You Need a Re-Entry Permit?
In simple terms, you need a re-entry permit when:
- You have a multi-month or 1-year permission to stay inside Thailand (extension or long-stay visa), and
- You want to leave and come back before that permission expires, without losing it.
Typical Situations Where Re-Entry is Important
- You are on a 1-year work permit and want to visit your home country for 2 weeks.
- You are on a 1-year marriage or retirement extension and want to travel abroad for holidays.
- You are studying on a long education visa and need to attend an event outside Thailand.
Documents Typically Needed for a Re-Entry Permit
Requirements can vary slightly by Immigration office or airport, but generally include:
1. Passport & Current Stay Proof
- Original passport with current visa or extension stamp.
- Photocopies of passport bio page, visa page and latest entry/extension stamp.
- Departure card / arrival record (if still used at that time).
2. Application Form & Photo
- Completed re-entry permit application form.
- Passport-sized photograph as per Immigration requirements.
- Local address and contact details in Thailand.
3. Fee & Supporting Details
- Government fee for single or multiple re-entry (amount can change).
- Sometimes proof of reason for travel, if Immigration requests it.
- For some categories, copies of work permit or extension approval may be helpful.
Re-Entry Permit Process — Step by Step
Single vs Multiple Re-Entry Permit — Which is Better for You?
Thailand offers both Single Re-Entry Permits and Multiple Re-Entry Permits. The right choice depends on how often you expect to travel.
| Feature | Single Re-Entry Permit | Multiple Re-Entry Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Trips | Protects your visa/extension for one exit and return only. | Covers unlimited trips in and out of Thailand until your current permission expires. |
| Best For | People who plan only one short trip abroad before their visa or extension ends. | People who expect to travel several times (business, family, regional trips) during the year. |
| Typical Cost | Lower fee than multiple (exact amount can change). | Higher one-time fee, but better value if you make many trips. |
| Risk if Plans Change | If you travel again without getting another permit, your visa may cancel on the second exit. | More flexible — you do not need to worry about repeat permits for each journey. |
| Expiry | Valid until your current permission expiry date or until you use it for one round trip. | Also valid until the current permission expiry date, but for multiple uses. |
Re-entry permits do not extend your overall stay. When your underlying visa or extension expires, the re-entry validity ends as well.
Common Mistakes with Re-Entry Permits
Travellers exit Thailand assuming their 1-year visa will automatically remain valid. In many cases, the permission cancels and they must start again.
Arriving very close to departure time, then trying to get re-entry at a busy airport counter can be stressful and risky if queues are long.
Buying several single permits over the year may cost more than simply choosing a multiple re-entry from the beginning.
Some people expect a re-entry permit to give extra months of stay. It does not. It only protects what you already have.
VisaTrip focuses on preventing small technical mistakes that can cause big immigration problems later.
Before You Leave Thailand — Quick Re-Entry Checklist
- ✅ Check the exact date your current permission to stay expires.
- ✅ Confirm whether your visa/extension type usually needs a re-entry permit when leaving.
- ✅ Decide if you will travel once or many times before expiry (single vs multiple).
- ✅ Prepare passport copies, photos and fee in advance.
- ✅ If possible, arrange re-entry at a local Immigration office before the travel day.
Not Sure If You Need a Re-Entry Permit?
Send VisaTrip a photo of your current visa / extension stamp and your travel dates. We will clarify if you need a re-entry permit and help you choose between single and multiple options.
Frequently Asked Questions — Thailand Re-Entry Permit
What exactly does a Thailand Re-Entry Permit do?
A Re-Entry Permit allows you to leave and return to Thailand without losing your existing visa or extension of stay. It protects your current permission until its normal expiry date.
Does a Re-Entry Permit extend my stay in Thailand?
No. A Re-Entry Permit does not give extra time. It only preserves the time you already have on your visa or extension. When that date arrives, you still need to renew or change status.
Who usually needs a Re-Entry Permit?
People on longer-term permissions such as work, marriage, retirement, education or other 1-year extensions often need re-entry if they travel abroad before the expiry date and wish to return.
Do short-term tourists need a Re-Entry Permit?
Many short-term visitors who plan to leave at the end of their stay and not keep any remaining days do not use re-entry. However, each case depends on the visa type and future plans, so it is important to check.
What is the difference between Single and Multiple Re-Entry?
Single Re-Entry protects your status for one exit and return. Multiple Re-Entry covers several trips in and out of Thailand until your visa or extension expires.
Can I apply for a Re-Entry Permit at the airport?
In many cases, you can apply at certain airport Immigration counters on the day of departure, but queues or limited opening times can be an issue. Applying earlier at a local Immigration office is often safer.
What happens if I leave Thailand without a Re-Entry Permit?
In many long-stay cases, leaving without re-entry causes your existing permission to cancel automatically. When you come back, you may enter on a different status and lose your previous extension.
Do I need a new Re-Entry Permit each time I travel?
If you have a Single Re-Entry Permit, you normally need a new one for each new trip. If you hold a Multiple Re-Entry Permit, you can usually travel several times until your visa or extension expires.
Will my work permit or other documents still be valid if I forget re-entry?
If your underlying permission to stay cancels, it can affect connected documents such as work permits or long-stay structures. That is why re-entry planning is very important for workers and families.
How can VisaTrip help with Re-Entry Permits?
VisaTrip can review your current visa, advise on the need for re-entry, help you choose between single and multiple options, and assist with forms, copies and visit planning to Immigration or airport counters.
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