Did you know that you can leave Thailand and come back on the same Thai visa? A Thai re-entry permit is a convenient (but necessary) stamp that allows current Thai visa holders to travel to other countries and come back without forfeiting their current visa.
UPDATE:Â This post has been updated as of May 2018. |
Know Before You Go
Here are several important things to keep in mind if you have a Thai visa (Tourist or Non Immigrant) and plan to travel in and out of the country. Please read the following answers to our FAQs:
WHEN YOU NEED A RE-ENTRY PERMIT
- A re-entry permit should be used only if you have a single entry Tourist Visa or a single entry Non Immigrant Visa.
- If you are on a Non Immigrant Retirement Visa, you will need a re-entry permit only after you have received your one-year extension.
- A re-entry permit is valid throughout the length of your visa extension (an extension is obtained at an Immigration Office inside of Thailand whereas a visa is obtained from a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate outside of Thailand). If you get a new extension (applicable to single entry visas) your re-entry permit will be voided and you must apply for a new one.
- A multiple re-entry permit is only cost-effective if you have received a nine-month extension on single entry Non Immigrant Business or a one-year extension on a Non Immigrant Retirement Visa. Otherwise, apply for a single entry re-entry permit as needed.
- If you have a Non Immigrant Visa and leave the country on a re-entry permit, your 90-day check-in count restarts at ‘Day 1’ when you re-enter Thailand.
WHEN YOU DO NOT NEED A RE-ENTRY PERMIT
- This permit cannot be used if you have a Visa On Arrival or a Visa-Exempt Stamp. (Which country are you from?)
- You do not need a re-entry permit if you have a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa or a Multiple Entry Non Immigrant Visa (the exception is a Non Immigrant Retirement Visa that has a one-year extension)
The Benefits of a Thai Re-Entry Permit
A re-entry permit allows visitors to leave Thailand for a brief period of time to travel to another country and then re-enter Thailand on the same visa. You neither give up the days remaining on your original Thai visa nor do you have to make arrangements to get a new Thai visa before coming back to Thailand.
Why is this great?
For starters, it’s helpful for tourists who’ve been suddenly presented with an amazing opportunity to travel to another country but still want to finish their original time in Thailand.
It offers relief for teachers, students, or retirees who have a year-long Thai visa and need or want to leave the country for a vacation or travel experience.
It’s also essential in cases of emergencies where foreign visitors must leave the country but have every intention of coming back to Thailand.
A Thai re-entry permit completely eliminates the hassle of rounding up the correct supporting paperwork for a completely new Thai visa, traveling to a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate, and paying for the application. That itself is priceless!
Thai Re-Entry Permit Application Requirements
When deciding whether or not you need a Thai re-entry permit, ask yourself, “Will my trip outside of Thailand go beyond the expiration date of my current Thai visa?”
If your Thai visa expires before you return to Thailand, then you won’t need a re-entry permit. If you still have time left on your Thai Tourist or Non Immigrant Visa when you want to return to Thailand, then you will need to apply for a re-entry permit.
To apply for a re-entry permit, you will need:
- Passport with a valid Thai visa (you cannot get a re-entry permit on a 30-day Visa Exempt Stamp or Visa On Arrival)
- Copies of the photo page, current visa page, and immigration departure card
- Copy of extension stamp page (applicable to Non Immigrant Thai visas)
- Re-Entry Permit application (form TM.8)Â that is provided at your local Thai Immigration Office
- One 2″ x 2″ passport photo
- 1,000 baht for a single re-entry permit; 3,800 baht for a multiple re-entry permit (cash only)
NOTE:Â If you are on a Non Immigrant B Visa, you do NOT need to have received a visa extension or a work permit to apply for a re-entry permit. |
If you decide to leave Thailand without first securing a re-entry permit you will subsequently end your visa. You’ll have to go through the entire process of getting a new visa unless you have more entries left to use, as in the case of Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) or multiple entry Non Immigrant visa.
When to Apply for a Re-entry permit
If you plan to leave Thailand for a brief trip and want to re-enter on the same Thai visa you originally entered with, apply for a Thai re-entry permit before your trip.
Apply at a Thai Immigration Office in Thailand
Apply for a re-entry permit at your local Thai Immigration Office before you leave Thailand. There’s an office in every province. Plan your travel schedule accordingly and give yourself at least a few hours to complete this task.
We recommend going at least one day in advance and not on the same day as your international flight. The process should take between 30 minutes and 2 hours depending on the volume of people at the immigration office.
NOTE:Â Thai Immigration Offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am or 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. They are closed on weekends and on Thai holidays. Plan accordingly. |
Apply at an International Airport in Thailand
Thailand’s international airports offer this service. You can only apply for a re-entry permit at an international airport on the day of your flight.
After you’ve checked into your flight and gone through the security line (where security officers check your airline ticket and scan your carry-on luggage) but before you go through immigration and get stamped out of Thailand, there is a small kiosk or desk area that you can apply for a re-entry permit.
The re-entry permit desk at an international airport is open every day the airport services an international flight. If you have an international flight departing at 12pm noon, 9pm, or 2am, the office will be open.
TIP: Give yourself roughly 10 minutes per person to process a re-entry permit at the airport. For example, if you have three people traveling in your group, show up to the airport 30 minutes early. This should be enough time get a re-entry permit. |
How to Use a Thai Re-Entry Permit
Once your passport has been stamped with the Thai re-entry permit, it is imperative that the immigration officer looks at it when you re-enter Thailand.
When it’s your turn to go through the immigration checkpoint, tell the officer (politely) that you have a re-entry permit. Hand them your passport open to the page with your re-entry permit. Even point to the permit. Just make the officer aware that you have a re-entry stamp so that you don’t wrongly receive a 30-day Visa Exempt Stamp.
If the immigration officer somehow misses your re-entry permit, your Thai visa will be voided. Sadly, you will be responsible for paying the fees to obtain a new visa or any overstay fees (500 baht per day).Â
Each Thai re-entry permit is good for one entry into Thailand. If you plan on making several trips in and out of the country over the course of the same visa extension, we recommend applying for a multiple re-entry permit. This gives you unlimited access in and out of Thailand during the time your visa is valid.
When We’ve Used a Re-Entry Permit
We’ve used a re-entry permit several times, the latest being for a Viking River Cruise. We left Thailand and went to Hanoi, Vietnam, down the Mekong River, then to the Angkor Wat Temples in Siem Reap, Cambodia. At the time we were both on single entry Non Immigrant Thai visas. We applied for our re-entry permits a few days before our trip and were able to fly back into Thailand without a hitch.
hello, it’s possible to secure re entry permit to consulate in my country? thank you..
Nope. A Thai re-entry permit must be applied for and purchased WITHIN Thailand – at any immigration office (at least one in every province) and at international airports.
Hello I am leaving to Hanoi from Krabi airport and in some webpages it says I can get my re-entry permit at any international airport and in some other web pages it says you can only get it at the three main airports. I called the embassy in my country (Mexico) and first they told me I could get the permit at Krabi airport but then by email they answered I had to do it at Bangkok airport, but I know if you get it at the airport you have to do it the same day you leave. So I… Read more »
It is to our understanding that all international airports in Thailand have a desk or kiosk that issues re-entry permits. (Which are the three main ones you speak of?) You’re right about having to apply the same day if you are doing so at the airport. To be on the safe side, we suggest going to the immigration office in Krabi (just outside of Krabi Old Town) and applying for a re-entry permit there. Give yourself an hour or two sometime between Mon to Fri, 8:30am to 4:00pm.
Hi Chris and Angela. I read the text above and I’m still confused.
I have a non immigrant b visa (90 day)and o need to go to SG to attend a wedding. My work permit is still being processed. Is it possible that I can go out of Thailand without forfeiting my current Visa (not extended yet) through the the reentry permit?or Do i have to wait for my work permit?
I’m looking forward for your reply. Thank you.
As long as you come back to Thailand from Singapore before the 90 days of your Non Immigrant B Visa expires, then YES, you can leave as long as you get a single entry re-entry permit.
If you are coming back to Thailand after your Non Immigrant B Visa’s original 90 days expires, you will have to wait for your work permit in order to do your visa extension and then get a re-entry permit.
Thank you very much! You’ve been a great help! :D
HI,
Could you please let me know, what’s the maximum stay outside of the country to apply for the re-entry permit. I’m traveling to Thailand in June, I plan to be there around 5 days and then go to Cambodia where I probably stay around 10 days and come back to Thailand. Is there any restrictions regarding the time you can be outside?
Thanks
When does your visa expire? From the post, 3rd section 2nd paragraph: “If your Thai visa expires before you return to Thailand, then you won’t need a re-entry permit. If you still have time left on your visa when you want to return to Thailand, then you will need to apply for a re-entry permit.” There is no restriction regarding the time you can be outside – aside from running out your Thai visa. Have a great trip!
Hello ! I would like to ask if we can be able to use the re entry permit when travelling by land specially in Aranya/poipet border. My girlfriend has a NON immigrant B Visa, and we are planning to visit siem reap. And we’re only gonna take bus from Bangkok, and vice versa.
Looking forward for you reply.
yup!
My two cents. If you want a re-entry permit at Suvarnabhumi Airport, you need to go through Departures Section 2 because that’s where the re-entry kiosk is (otherwise you’ll have to go through security twice like I did). Secondly, when I got there I had my photos, form filled out, and 1000THB ready. They told me from now on you have to pay 1200 or 1250THB for them to enter the details on computer. This is a new thing at Suvarnabhumi Airport, apparently. Anyway, they didn’t charge me the extra amount and took my form away and returned within 10… Read more »
Thanks, Rob. We thought we heard about this ‘convenience surcharge’ somewhere, but thanks for confirmin that info. We’ll add that bit into the text. Glad to have you back in town!
Hello, thanks for the information. I am a South African, so I don’t need a visa for the first 30 days in Thailand. If I leave the country after my first 30 days, can I re-enter still without a visa for a further 30 days?
Yes, OR you can go to the immigration office in whatever Thai province you are staying in and get a 30-day extension for 1,900 THB. As of Jan 2017, Thailand only allows visitors two 30-day visa exempt stamps per year (just in case you plan to do a lot of traveling back and forth to Thailand).
Hi Chris and Angela,
Thank you for sharing your experience and wisdom. This has been very useful for me.
Best,
jwny
Thank you for this! I have heard that now we need 2 photos instead of 1, do you know if that is true?
We haven’t heard anything about providing two photos. The last time we applied for a re-entry permit (Nov 2016) we submitted just a single photo each.
Hello, I am traveling in Vietnam from Thailand where I have a non b visa which is now expired.. is there any easier way of re entering the country in order to get my new non b visa with my new school aside from re applying for a tourist visa at the Thai embassy in hanoi?
Yes, depending on your nationality (read sections 1 and 2), you can either enter Thailand on a free visa exempt stamp (aka, visa waiver) or get a visa on arrival. No need to apply for a tourist visa at a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate General. Good luck!
Yes, thanks very much. I know it. My flight would land at DMK at 3 am. My flight for bali is 6 am. So after crossing immigration if I go for bali departure and apply for reentry, is there any problem?
Since you have another flight, yes, you will be able to get a re-entry permit. After you go through security for your Bali flight but before you get stamped out of Thailand and go into the terminal there will be a re-entry permit office/kiosk for you to get your stamp. Good luck!
After landing and crossing immigration at 3 am if I apply for reentry at 4 am I.e after an hour is there any problem
To our understanding, it is not possible to apply for a re-entry permit after you land – you can only do it before you take off. That’s because the re-entry permit office is located after you go through security (you NEED a place ticket to get through) but before you get stamped out of Thailand and permitted to go to your departure gate. In this case it has nothing to do with your 3am arrival time. You just can’t do it because you will have to go “backwards” through the airport’s security. We don’t think that’s possible, but we suppose… Read more »
DUE TO THE OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF REQUESTS FOR HELP REGARDING INDIVIDUAL VISA SCENARIOS, WE ARE NO LONGER APPROVING COMMENTS ON THIS POST.
HOWEVER, YOU MAY BE ABLE TO FIND YOUR ANSWER IN THE COMMENTS BELOW. IF YOU WOULD LIKE PERSONALIZED ASSISTANCE, BOOK A COACHING SESSION WITH US.
I am traveling to Thailand tomorrow and think I made a boob. I will be there for 72 days and did not get any visa before. I am a UK national, can I go pay the 1900 bht for a 30 day extension twice ? or leave and re-enter twice ? A further problem is I only have one page left on my passport so cant handle anywhere that gives those annoying full page visas.
You can get one extension + one border run OR do two border runs. Don’t do a border run to Laos bc they require a full page visa to enter the country.
Hi,
I had a 60 day visa which runs out on the 23rd of January. I am planning on going to Bali before this date. I was planning on flying back to Bangkok on the 10th Jan as I was under the impression that I could get another 15 day visa on arrival. I have a flight to Hong Kong from Bangkok on the 16th February.
Is this still do able? I thought it was however I am in hospital atm and when explaining to the international people about my travel plans she seemed super confused.
Please help!
You have two options: 1) Get a re-entry permit (1,000 baht) before you go to Bali so that your current 60 day visa remains valid through Jan 23; otherwise, your visa will be canceled. After you return to Thailand on Jan 10th but before your visa expires on Jan 23, go to an Immigration Office (one in every province) and get your 60 day visa extended for another 30 days (1,900 baht, 1-2 hrs processing time). That will extend your visa until Feb 22nd. 2) You can forget about the re-entry permit and fly back into Thailand on Jan 10th… Read more »
Hello! I’m wishing you’ve had a wonderful day.
I wish u could help me.
Can I travel to Bangkok directly as a tourist after having stamped my visa here in Riyadh? I’ll be traveling this coming June.
Or do I need to go to my home country right away?
We aren’t aware of Thailand imposing any restrictions like that, but it’s probably best to contact the Thai Embassy in your home country for their rules.
Hi Chris and Angela! We will visit Thailand for 2 weeks in the middle of March, and we will fly to Angkor Wat for 2 days. In Bulgaria the thai consul is asking for 150 euros per person for multiple visa or 30 euro for single entry, but we have to loose our tickets for Siem Riep. Do you think we have to pay that amount, we are 4 person, so that means 600 euros or we can apply for the permit you are talking about and get also tourist visa at the airport in Bangkok. Thanks and happy holidays!
If we understand correctly, you will fly to Thailand and vacation for a total of two weeks but in the middle you will go to Angkor Wat for 2 days. As a Bulgarian passport holder, you can get a visa on arrival from the airport in Bangkok for 1,000 baht per person and it is valid for 15 days. On the same day as your trip to Angkor Wat (in the airport, after you’ve gone through international security but before you are “stamped out”), apply for a single entry re-entry permit, which is another 1,000 baht per person. There is… Read more »
Hello Chris and Angela, This is an awesome site maintained and information is really useful. I have below query and your advice would help a lot. I and my colleague are on B Non immigrant visa Single entry valid up to 29th Feb 2016 and arrived in Thailand on 9th December2015. The Visa is sponsored by company and is issued from Thai embassy from India. On new year we want to go to Cambodia by Road or by Train (not by Air). Do we need to apply re entry permit or same can be obtained at border check point while… Read more »
You need to obtain a re-entry permit at the immigration office within whatever province you will be staying at in December. Do it at leat one day before your trip. You will not be able to get a re-entry permit at a border check point. The re-entry permit will have no affect on your single-entry Non Immigrant B Visa; your visa will still be valid up to 29 Feb. We have never heard of anyone having a re-entry permit rejected. However, when you come back into Thailand from your Cambodian trip, we recommend turning to the page in your passport… Read more »
hello , we are going in Thailand on 26 of december for 2 weeks and the same day we are flying to Cambodia for 3 days. We need visa on arrival cos we are bulgarian , but I am not sure if I can use it after that again or I need another on visa when i back .I am very confused ….
Apply for a re-entry permit at your nearest immigrstion office before your flight to Cambodia OR apply for a one on the same day as your flight once you’re in the international terminal after you’ve gone through security but before you go through inmigration. This will allow you to keep the same Thai visa on arrival after your three day trip to Cambodia.
Oh well am going to apply for re entry permit while i am here re the 90 day report after the first one i will be going to uk for 6 months ….how will i do my 90 day report if i am in uk ? Many many thanks for a great job
You only have to do a 90 day report if you’ve been physically in Thailand for 90 consecutive days. Foreigners cannot file a 90 day report once they’ve departed Thailand (since the “count” ends as soon as they leave). Your 90 day reporting will begin again after you come back from your trip to the UK.
Hi i have just had a retirement visa granted can i apply straight away for a re entry visa or do i have to leave it to last minute ie just before my flight back to UK
You should be able to immediately apply for a re-entry permit to be used with your new retirement visa.
Dear Chris and Angela,
The information is very helpfully! Ill need a re-entry VISA as tourist, a person told me I need to be 6 hours before my flight? how it works? I will leave in DM Airport at 6 am in that case i will have to “sleep”there (?) also I read just 1 hour before. If you could help about how long it takes i Will appreciate.
Regards!
Hi Su! The little office at DMK that issues re-entry permits is open whenever there are international flights. You can get a re-entry permit right before your flight as long as you give yourself enough time to get to the gate (6 hrs in advance is hogwash!). We were told that even for early morning flights someone will be there to issue re-entry permits. A much less stressful alternative is to apply the day before at your nearest immigration office. It should take about 2 hrs.
Oh, alright, then I think I should get another visa.
THank you so much
Hi Chris & Angela
Thanks for your helpful information.
However, I have a question that is it possible to get re entry permit after leaving thailand?
I mean is it possible to get re entry permit in other country?
No, it’s not possible to get a Thai re-entry permit in another country. You must get it before you leave Thailand, either in advance at an immigration office (one in every province) or on the same day as your exiting flight at whatever international airport in Thailand you are leaving from (right after you go through security and get “stamped out”) but before you head to your departing gate.
Quick question about the 30 day exempt stamp.
I am arriving in Bangkok by air (from Seoul but I am a Canadian), and will be travelling the next day to Laos for 10 days on a tour, then will be returning to Thailand for an additional 3 weeks. Should I apply for a Visa or am I allowed to enter Thailand twice?
Thanks so much,
Sabrina
You’re eligible for a 30 day visa-exempt stamp both when you initially arrive to Bangkok and when you want to return to Thailand after your trip to Laos. No need to spend the time or money getting a single-entry tourist visa. You’ll be able to enter Thailand twice. Have a great trip!
Hi,
so as long as you arrive in Thailand, leave Thailand say to go to Cambodia and Vietnam for 7 days then come back to Thailand to catch your flight home, you will not need a re-entry visa? you will just be eligible for the 30 day visa exempt stamp? I am on an Australia passport but travelling from the USA where I live.
Correct!
Hi Chris and Angela I’m planning to travel to Thailand from the UK for 35 days in July 2016. Whilst there I wanted to travel to Cambodia for approx. 7 days and return to Thailand. However, I have since found out that I can only get a 30 day visa-exempt stamp on arrival. Another option would be to get a 60 day single entry visa for £25 or a 60 day multiple entry visa at a cost of £125 from the Thai Embassy in the UK which seems quite expensive since I only want to leave and re-enter once. If… Read more »
You’re the perfect candidate to enter Thailand on a free 30 day visa-exempt stamp, go to Cambodia, and then come back to Thailand and get a brand new free 30 day visa-exempt stamp. No need to pay for the single entry tourist visa – or worse – the multiple entry tourist visa. You cant be considered a visa over stayer bc you are going to Cambodia in the middle our your stay. Have a blast exploring SE Asia!
You’re the perfect candidate to enter Thailand on a free 30 day visa-exempt stamp, go to Cambodia for a week, and then come back to Thailand and get a brand new free 30 day visa-exempt stamp. No need to pay for the single entry tourist visa – or worse – the multiple entry tourist visa. Don’t worry, you can’t be considered a visa over stayer bc you are going to Cambodia in the middle our your stay. Have a blast exploring SE Asia!
Hi Chris & Angela
Hopefully you can give me some advice however from reading through your site i am slightly concerned.
I recently did my 90 day report unfortunately I left Thailand but did not realise about the re-entry visa. I am on a retirement visa.
I was told by immigration that that I now only have a 30 day tourist visa ?
I take it this will mean my retirement visa is cancelled .
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
When you re-entered Thailand you received a 30 day visa-exempt stamp (there’s no such thing as a 30 day tourist visa, immigration used the wrong terminology). You can extend this stamp for another 30 days (for a total of 60 days in Thailand) before you must leave the country again. Hopefully by then you can put together all the paperwork you need for a new retirement visa :/
Thank you for your very fast reply and very helpful information. I now realise I don’t even have a Visa lol. I think I will fly out to Cambodia or Myanmar on 3rd Jan and re enter to either Bangkok or Chang Mai on the 6th for another 30 days because I have been South and in Koh Samui (for the rainy season lol unfortunatley) so will go Chang Mai then Chang Rai before Laos. Thank you again and have a good day ?
Hi Chris and Angela I am currently in Thailand and have been to Phuket to extend my VOA without problems. However my Visa now expires January 5th. My partner however fly’s back to the UK for Christmas, New Year and doesn’t return to Bangkok until the 6th. As I have already extended my Visa once what are my options to extend again. Ir get a new one. If I fly to either Cambodia or Myanmar would I be allowed to re enter in Chang Mai with a fresh 30 day VOA? My Passport is UK. Or is it possible to… Read more »
Unfortunately, you are only allowed one extension on your 30 day visa-exempt stamp so you don’t be able to stay in Thailand and extend it further come Jan 5th. You can make a quick hop into a neighboring country and come back the same day on another 30 day visa-exempt stamp or you can try your luck on a single-entry Tourist Visa. This takes one business day (24 hours) to receive, M-F at a Thai Embassy or Consulate. (A side note: a Visa on Arrival or VOA exists but you can’t get that on a UK passport. What you have… Read more »
Hi! I´m leaving to Cambodia with my friends in two days via Aranyprathet/Poipet but we´re coming back to Thailand in the next days. I already have my e-visa and i would like to know if i can get the re-entry permit right in the poipet border…. we are from Austria, Mexico, Ecuador and France!
thank you very much,
Renee!
Off the top of our heads, we aren’t sure if the immigration at the Poipet border will offer a re-entry permit to all three of your nationalities. To be safe, we’d recommend going to the immigration office in whatever province you’re in and apply for a re-entry permit there. Same day service, should take between 1-2 hours.
My mother has a retirement visa and has left Thailand for a trip to HK. She is returning and has a single re entry visa. She then has another trip out less than 2 days later. Can you get another single entry re-entry visa at the airport?
Yes, right after she clears the immigration check point.
Hi chris and angela,
May I ask a question? I would go to manila through bangkok with single entry tourist visa. When I will apply for rentry? Aftet landing at BKK airport or some hour before departure to manila?
Thank u in advance. Indeed its a useful post.
Zia
You’d apply for a re-entry permit in the airport the same day (an hour or two before) of your departing flight for Manila. Once you check in at the ticket counter and pass through international security, THEN there will be a booth where you can apply for you re-entry permit. Have a great trip!
Hello Chris, I am travelling to Thailand next month on Tourist visa. Now my questions is as below: I fly into Thailand on Dec 17…travel around Thailand….depart (fly) from Thailand on Dec 26 to Siem Reap…return (fly) to Thailand on Dec 30…and then fly back to India on Jan 2. 1) Can i go for two VISA ON ARRIVALS i.e. once on Dec 17 and then again on Dec 30? 2) What other option can you suggest? The VISA fees for Multiple Entry increased all of a sudden (may be coz of peak season). I shall await your reply. Regards,… Read more »
After digging around for awhile on the internet, we are sorry but we were unable to confirm if a re-entry permit is applicable to a Visa on Arrival. Nor were were able to confirm the likely hood of being granted a second Visa on Arrival when you fly back to Thailand after you stay in Siem Reap. We recommend this: while you are obtaining your first Visa on Arrival on Dec 17, ask to speak with the manager (not just any ol’ desk staff if you can help it) and ask what to do for your situation. We just aren’t… Read more »
How long can you leave athailand with a re-entry permit,my Thai wife and I Re thinking of travelling around Vietnam for 8 weeks,is this possible?
What type of visa are you on? If you are on a tourist visa than no, there’s no point in getting a re-entry permit because that entry of your visa will expire within the 8 weeks time you are in Vietnam. If you are on a Non Immigrant Visa then get a re-entry permit.
Thank you for this information !!! We just arrived and what a wonderful city ! Didn’t like Bangkok that much though… :)
You’re very welcome! We didn’t like Bangkok the very first time we visited, but once we started to explore areas away from Sukhumvit strip, we started to really like it. Hope the rest of your trip is a blast!
Hi Chris and Angela ! Thanks for the info about the re entry permit ! I leave Bangkok tomorrow night by train to Chiang Mai and I wondered if there was an immigration office to apply in Chiang Mai other than the one in the airport that Vince talked about ?!
Thanks a lot ! :)
Yes, the office that you can apply for re-entry permits in Chiang Mai is located in the Promenada Mall, a few miles southwest of the Old City’s square moat. There’s a map at the bottom of another post we recently did (about extending your tourist visa) where you can get that re-entry permit you need.
Hi Chris and Angela. My husband was in BKK on a tourist visa and left before it expired. He reapplied for a new one and they gave him a visa with a void on it without any explanation. Do you know if he can come on VOA or should he re apply for another type of visa. My daughter and I are here and were waiting for him to come back so we can apply for our sons education visa but now we feel stuck. What do you suggest we do? My husband is an Indian passport holder.
We don’t understand why he applied and paid for a new tourist visa and the Thai Embassy/Consulate gave him one with ‘void’ written on it :/. At the very least your husband should be able to return to Thailand and apply for a Visa on Arrival so that you as a family can go together and take care of your son’s education visa. Sorry to hear about your predicament!
Hi Chris, I was wondering if you could help me figure out a Thai Visa question. I am currently in Thailand on a year long non-immigrant type O multi-entry visa. My visa expires the 26th of February. I’m planning to leave Thailand on the 25th of Feb., but I would like to re-enter Thailand in early March for a few days to tie up loose ends before heading back to the States in mid-March. Do you know if I can re-enter as a tourist with Visa exemption for 30 days so close to the expiration of my Thai visa? What… Read more »
As far as we can tell, If you leave before your current Non Immigrant O Visa expires (which is a good idea) and then come back a week or so later on a free 30 day visa-exemption stamp, you aren’t breaking any rules. Good luck getting everything squared away!
Thank you for your quick response. Appreciated.
Hi Chris and Angela, I guess I need your advice. I have single Thailand visa and I am traveling from Singapore to Thailand and then planning to cross Maesai- Tachileik border to enter Myanmar on the same day and stay there for 3 days and come back to Thailand. Is there any chance that I can get re entry permit at Bangkok airport? I have no documents (bus tickets etc) to show them that I am crossing the border. Your advice will be very much appreciated.
You can get a re-entry permit at BKK but it can only be used by people who have an international plane ticket and have passed through the security and immigration check point (the re-entry permit office is on “the other side” along with the departure gates). In your case, you would have to apply for a re-entry permit at one of the Immigration Offices in Bangkok. You do not need any other documents (i.e, no onward bus tickets) to apply for a re-entry permit aside what is listed in this post. You should be able to get it within an… Read more »
hi, I have ED Visa here in Thailand , and I’m planning to have a vacation in different country for 1 week . Do I need re-entry visa? or is it possible to leave and go back again ?
If you have a single entry ED Visa that you have already extended or will be extending, get a re-entry permit before you leave. If you have a multiple entry ED visa, you can come and go in and out of Thailand as you please without applying for a re-entry permit.
HI..I was is Thailand for a a teaching course in Thailand on tourist visa.I completed my course and got job in a school and then came back to India to apply for Non B Visa with all necessary docs required. Embassy has void my Non B request and did not give any reason. My luggage is still in Thailand and courier is costing me a lot.Can I go by Visa on arrival option to Thailand and get my luggage and come the next day?As my Non B Visa is Void are there chances that they may void my touris visa… Read more »
Yes, you can come back to Thailand on a Visa on Arrival. Being denied the Non Immigrant B Visa should have no affect on getting a different kind of visa.
I am currently on an Education visa which is good for another 90 days. However I have to leave the country for the next year. Before I leave, my dad and I were going to travel into Cambodia but fly back to the States via BKK. Do I need to get a re-entry stamp if I only plan on going to the airport to leave?
Thank you
You don’t need a re-entry permit. If you’re just in BKK Airport on a layover then you will be in transit (if you don’t enter officially enter Thailand by going through immigration), but if you do go through immigration you will get a visa exempt stamp that is good for 30 days. Hope this helps.
Thanks for the tip! We were wondering if this could be done.
You’re welcome. Yup, any Immigration office or as Vince said, Suvarnabhumi and Chiang Mai International Airports. Good luck on your travels!
If you have to leave the country and don’t have a re-entry permit you can get one at either Suvarnabhumi or Chiang Mai airports. The re-entry desk is open whenever there are international flights scheduled. So far I have seen no reports of anyone finding the desk closed. You must have your boarding pass to get the re-entry permit. The only other requirement is your passport. At these re-entry desks they will do all the paperwork for yoou and take your photo for the form. They do charge an extra 200 baht for the service so a single re-entry permit… Read more »
Great supplemental info, Vince. It makes sense that the offices would be at international airports (Suvarnabhumi and Chiang Mai) and that it’s before you go through immigration… travelers’ purgatory. Thank you always for your extra bits of knowledge. That’s a big help! :)
Another great post! Always helpful and informative. Will probably be my main resource, once I start making plans to get back to Thailand. Thanks! and Chris… Chok Dee with the DSL. Ever go to Punspace and work with the other Digital Nomads? I suspect it’s getting crowded over there :-)
There are several co-working spaces in Chiang Mai, including Punspace, but we just work from home mostly. We may go to a cafe once or twice a month, but otherwise we wouldn’t get much work done around a bunch of others!
Hi Chris and Angela,
Happy New Year to you both. This is an awesome website. I like it and like leaving you little comments too. Just wanted to wish you both well. Stay in Thailand. You’ll have a much less stressful life. You’re a good man Chris and I wish you (and Angela) the very best.
Richard Barbian
Happy New Year, Richard. We really hope you can make it over some day. I hope everything is well back in the US. We always enjoy your comments. Take care and all the best in 2015.
Nice shot in front of Angkor Wat guys! With the new visa processes and all after the coup this post is especially helpful.
Thanks for clarifying and enjoy the Land of Smiles!
Ryan
Thanks and you’re welcome :) Boy, do the visa processes ever change. Luckily this seems to be pretty solid.
Hey guys, great info. We just left thailand to Cambodia (needed to come back to pick up.medication) and so that was our first visa by land (as we went into thailand from Cambodia 3 weeks ago). We want to go to myanmar by bus – this requires re-entering thailand, and we can get our second by-land visa for thailand. However we need to come back to Cambodia, as our plane home leaves from Cambodia – so that would mean a 3rd entry by land (to get the bus back to Cambodia from Myanmar). Should we get a Thai visa in… Read more »
As of January 1st 2017, tourists can only be granted two visa exempt stamps per 12 months (we think it’s the ‘by land visa’ you are referring to – if you got it at the border and it’s FREE then we’re talking about the same thing). So, for your THIRD entry by land (from Myanmar, driving through Thailand, and then into Cambodia in order to catch your international flight), you can’t get another visa exempt stamp. Instead, you will need to apply for a single entry Thai tourist visa in Phnom Penh as you had suggested. You DO NOT need… Read more »