Thailand Re-Entry Permit: THB 1,000 or THB 3,800
A Thai re-entry permit costs THB 1,000 for a single return and THB 3,800 for multiple returns. A permit granted before you leave keeps the remaining period of your stay. Leaving without one ends your permission to stay. File form TM.8 in person at your local immigration office.
On this page
Leave Thailand without a re-entry permit and your permission to stay is considered terminated. A THB 1,000 stamp before you go prevents that.
What a re-entry permit does
If you are permitted to stay temporarily and travel out of the Kingdom without a re-entry permit, the permission to stay is terminated. A permit granted before you leave lets you continue for the remaining period of your visa when you return. The stamp authorises the same length of stay as the existing permission.
หากเดินทางออกไปนอกราชอาณาจักร ให้ถือว่าการได้รับอนุญาตให้อยู่ในราชอาณาจักร … เป็นอันสิ้นสุด
If he travels out of the Kingdom, the permission to stay in the Kingdom is deemed ended. Immigration Act B.E. 2522, section 39
Who needs one
A foreigner who entered in the temporary-stay or tourist category and wants to keep the remaining permission must get a permit before leaving. The permit rests on sections 39 and 46 of the Act.
| Your situation | What applies |
|---|---|
| Tourist or temporary stay with time left | Permit before leaving |
| Holder of a stay extension | Permit protects the extension; bring a copy of the stamp page |
| LTR visa holder | Exempt |
| DTV holder | Multiple-entry visa |
If you hold an extension
A stay extension is permission to stay temporarily further. Leaving without a permit ends that permission too. Bring a copy of your extension stamp page to the counter.
While an extension is pending
While an extension is being considered you may stay. Officers may stamp appointments to hear the result, in total no more than 30 days from the day the permission ended. The single permit suits that wait.
Long-stay and special visas
LTR visa holders are exempt from the re-entry permit. The DTV is a multiple-entry visa. A DTV holder can apply for one extension of 180 days, then must leave and may re-enter on the same DTV within its validity.
Single or multiple: what each costs
| Permit | Fee |
|---|---|
| Single entry | THB 1,000 |
| Multiple entry | THB 3,800 |
A single permit is requested before every trip abroad. A multiple permit is requested once and covers several trips. The multiple permit costs THB 2,800 more.
Three single permits cost THB 3,000 in all. Four cost THB 4,000, more than one multiple permit at THB 3,800.
| Trips abroad | Single permits | One multiple permit |
|---|---|---|
| Two | THB 2,000 | THB 3,800 |
| Three | THB 3,000 | THB 3,800 |
| Four | THB 4,000 | THB 3,800 |
The single permit suits a short permission and the wait for an extension result. The multiple permit suits people who leave the country often.
Fees are not refunded in any case. The fee is THB 1,000 for one-time use and THB 3,800 for multiple uses.
Re-entry permit or a new visa
Leaving without a permit means a new entry on a new permission, so compare the fees.
| Option | Fee |
|---|---|
| Single re-entry permit | THB 1,000 |
| Multiple re-entry permit | THB 3,800 |
| Tourist visa | THB 1,000 |
| Single-entry Non-Immigrant visa | THB 2,000 |
| Multiple-entry Non-Immigrant visa, one year | THB 5,000 |
| Stay extension | THB 1,900 |
These fees come from Ministerial Regulation 27 (B.E. 2546), in force since 26 August 2003.
What to bring and how to file
- Your passport.
- Form TM.8 with one 4x6 cm photo that is not more than 6 months old.
- Copies of your passport bio page, expiry page, any page with changed personal details and last entry permit stamp.
- The departure card TM.6 and one copy, if you have one.
- A copy of your extension stamp page, if you have an extension.
- If you are prohibited from leaving, the original documents from the relevant authorities and one copy.
You apply in person at the immigration office.
At the counter
- The officer checks form TM.8, the passport and the fee.
- The officer checks the rights you already hold before the permit.
- The officer records the details in the re-entry computer program.
- The officer issues the fee receipt and gives you the original.
- The officer stamps the re-entry permit in your passport.
Where to apply
File at the immigration office that covers where you live. In Bangkok, file at Immigration Division 1, 2nd floor, Building B (south side), the Government Complex, Chaengwattana Road.
Migrant workers from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam who live and work in Bangkok file at separate immigration service points. Foreigners under special laws file at Sub-division 3, Immigration Division 1, 18th floor, Chamchuri Square. Those under the special laws on petroleum, investment or industrial estates may also file at Passport Control (International Departures) at the airport on the day of departure.
Common mistakes
- Leaving without a permit: the permission to stay is terminated.
- Skipping the copy of the extension stamp page when you hold an extension.
- Expecting a refund after you cancel a trip: fees are not refunded in any case.
- Buying single permits for four or more trips: four singles cost THB 4,000, against THB 3,800 for one multiple permit.
- Buying a permit as an LTR visa holder, who is exempt.
- Assuming the airport counter is open to everyone: it serves special-law groups only.
Step by step
- Decide single or multipleA single permit costs THB 1,000 and a multiple permit THB 3,800.
- Prepare form TM.8 and a photoBring your passport and form TM.8 with a 4x6 cm photo. Add a copy of your extension stamp page if you have one.
- Apply in personGo to the immigration office before you leave Thailand. In Bangkok, use Immigration Division 1 at the Government Complex.
- Collect the stampThe officer stamps the re-entry permit in your passport.
Not confirmed: Whether the airport counters issue permits to travellers outside the special-law groups is not confirmed. File at your local office before the flight. Whether a visa-exempt entry counts as a temporary stay for the permit is not stated either.
Common questions
How much is a Thai re-entry permit?
A single permit costs THB 1,000 and a multiple permit THB 3,800.
Is the re-entry permit fee refunded if I do not travel?
No, fees are not refunded in any case.
Which permit fits while I wait for an extension decision?
The single permit suits the wait for the extension result.
When does the multiple permit pay off?
From the fourth exit: four single permits cost THB 4,000 in all, more than one multiple permit at THB 3,800.
What do I bring to the counter?
Bring your passport and form TM.8 with a 4x6 cm photo not more than 6 months old. Add passport page copies and a copy of your extension stamp page if you have an extension.
Do LTR visa holders need a re-entry permit?
No, LTR holders are exempt from the re-entry permit.
Do I need a permit if I hold a DTV?
The DTV is a multiple-entry visa, and a DTV holder must leave after 180 days plus one 180-day extension and may re-enter on the same DTV.
Is a re-entry permit cheaper than a new visa?
A single permit at THB 1,000 costs the same as a tourist visa at THB 1,000, and less than a single-entry Non-Immigrant visa at THB 2,000.
Read next
General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.
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Comments (5)
Ok-Needleworker-3486
Yes METV isn't for long term stays, you are already at 86days and have been given a warning. If you plan to stay longer consider a DTV otherwise an agent.
Pinknailzz69
Show them a copy of your employment contract from where you are on sabbatical. Show them your lease for wherever your home is. Show them your return ticket back to your home country. Otherwise your travel pattern exactly matches the ones of visa scammers/remote workers/gig employees.
milkteahalfsw33t
I’ve heard that Elite has warned people away from applying if they’ve held an ED visa within the last 3 years. Many are getting denied currently based on having had the ED…even those who attended reputable schools. But even if they don’t immediately reject you bc your school is accredited, they’ll ask the school for attendance records. Not sure how good your chances are of approval, sorry to say.
NokKavow
You're entering on Oct 9, and allowed to stay until Oct 13. What is the point of this exercise, are you hoping to get an ED-based extension from Oct 13 onward? Are you (and the school) ready to apply for that extension on time? It's entirely possible that they'd let you into the country but not give you the extension (if you've been "studying" for a while, but have mostly been out of the country). Unless you think your chances of getting the extension are high, I'd I'd rather get a 60-day tourist visa, enter after Oct 13, and have a (relatively) clean slate, at least for the following 2 months. You're not guaranteed entry, but might have a stronger case than "I'm clearly not studying, please give me an ED extension".
Greg25kk
If you're denied entry at a land border then you're simply not allowed to cross the border. If you're denied entry by air then you're placed in the immigration detention centre until your flight out of Thailand. What happens to your belongings and such really depends on a number of factors like your landlord and if you have any friends with access to your condo. They aren't going to let you in because you have a lease and you need to collect some things.