Are you planning a short trip back home to visit your family? Or perhaps you have an important business engagement overseas? If you are working or living in Thailand on a Non-B visa or any other long-term visa, there’s one critical document that many expats forget about—the Re-Entry Permit.
It may appear to be just a simple administrative requirement, but here is what you need to know: If you leave Thailand without obtaining one, your visa will be cancelled right away. No second chances, no going back. You will have to start the entire visa.
At RLC Outsourcing, we’ve been helping business professionals and companies navigate visa documentation for years. Today, we are breaking down everything you need to know about Re-Entry Permits so you can travel with confidence.
What Is a Re-Entry Permit
Imagine a Re-Entry Permit as your visa’s personal bodyguard when you travel. It’s an official document issued by Thai Immigration that keeps your visa active while you are outside Thailand.
What Re-Entry Permit Covers:
- Protects your visa while you are away: Your visa stays valid even when you are exploring other countries.
- Ensures hassle-free returns: Walk back into Thailand and continue your stay as if you never left, right up until your visa expires.
What Re-Entry Permit Doesn’t Cover:
- Give you more time in Thailand: Your stay duration remains the same.
- Renew your visa: The expiration date doesn’t change.
- Replace your visa: Think of it as an “add-on,” not a substitute.
It only works within the timeframe of your existing visa. If your visa expires while you are overseas, even with a Re-Entry Permit, you can’t use it to return.
Example:
Your visa is valid until December 31st, but you need to travel in November.
- Without a Re-Entry Permit: Your visa is immediately cancelled upon departure—forcing you to start the entire visa process again when you return.
- With a Re-Entry Permit: Your visa stays protected and valid until December 31st, allowing you to travel freely and return without any complications.
Which Visas Need a Re-Entry Permit
Most long-term visas issued in Thailand are Single Entry, meaning one entry is all you get. Cross the border without a Re-Entry Permit, and your visa is automatically cancelled — unless you have a Re-Entry Permit.
Visa Type | Need Re-Entry? | Notes |
Non-B (Work Visa) | ✔️ Yes | Without it, both visa and work permit are cancelled |
Non-B Extension (1 year) | ✔️ Yes | Annual extension ends immediately if you leave without one |
Non-O (Family/Spouse) | ✔️ Yes | Most are single entry |
Non-O Extension (Marriage) | ✔️ Yes | Must restart entire process without it |
Non-O Retirement (OA) | ✔️ Yes | Only valid during original visa period |
BOI Visa (Standard) | ✔️ Yes | Except SMART Visa |
SMART Visa (BOI) | ❌ No | Automatic multiple entry |
LTR Visa | ❌ No | Unlimited entries |
Elite Visa | ❌ No | Multiple entry included |
Tourist Visa (Multiple) | ❌ No | Enter/exit as allowed |
Single or Multiple Re-Entry Permit
Choosing between Single and Multiple Re-Entry Permits depends on your travel plans. A Single Re-Entry Permit covers one trip out of Thailand and back, while a Multiple Re-Entry Permit lets you leave and return as many times as you want until your visa expires. Frequent traveler? Go multiple. One-time trip? Single is enough.
Thailand Re-Entry Permit Fee
1. Single Re-Entry (1,000 THB)
- Good for one exit only
- Once you return to Thailand, it’s used up
- Best if you are only traveling once
2. Multiple Re-Entry (3,800 THB)
- Good for unlimited exits until your visa expires
- Travel as many times as you need
- Best value if you travel frequently
Pro tip: If there’s even a chance you will leave Thailand more than once this year, go for Multiple. It costs 3,800 THB upfront but saves you the hassle (and cost) of getting a new Single Re-Entry every time.
For a complete step-by-step guide—including required documents and the latest fees—visit the Thai Embassy website.
How to Apply for a Re-Entry Permit in Thailand
You have two options:
Option 1: At the Airport (Most Convenient)
Major airports like Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, and others have dedicated Re-Entry Permit counters.
Option 2: At Immigration Office
You can apply for a Re-Entry Permit at any Immigration Office in Thailand before you travel. This option is ideal if you prefer to complete the process in advance and avoid potential queues at the airport.
Documents for Thailand re-entry permit
Here’s what you will need to bring:
- Passport: Must have more than 6 months validity
- Passport copy: Showing your photo page and latest visa stamp
- Photo: 4×6 cm, passport-style
- TM.8 Form: Available at airport or immigration office
- TM.6 (Departure Card): If you were issued one when entering Thailand
For official documents and a complete guide from Thai Immigration, visit the Immigration website.
Re-Entry Permit Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Forgetting to Get It Before You Leave
Re-Entry Permits can only be obtained before you leave Thailand—not after, not from overseas.
❌ Assuming Your Visa Won’t Be Cancelled
Some expats think, “My visa isn’t expired yet, so a quick trip abroad won’t matter. ” Wrong. Under Thai law, leaving without a Re-Entry Permit automatically cancels your visa—no exceptions.
❌ Not Checking Your Visa Expiry Date
Remember, a Re-Entry Permit only works within your current visa’s validity. If your visa expires while you are abroad, you cannot use it to return.
❌ Showing Up at the Airport Unprepared
Rushing to get a Re-Entry Permit at the airport with incomplete documents could mean missing your flight. Always prepare ahead.
FAQs
It expires when your visa expires. There’s no separate expiry date.
Extend your visa first, then get a Re-Entry Permit. If you absolutely must travel before extending, consult with a visa expert.
A Visa Extension renews your visa for another period. A Re-Entry Permit just preserves your current visa status when you leave Thailand. They’re two different things.
No. It must be done before you exit Thailand.
How RLC Can Help
At RLC, we have an experienced visa service team ready to make your life easier. Every time clients come to receive their visa—whether Non-O or Non-B, our team always asks:
“Would you like us to process a Re-Entry Permit for you as well?”
If you say yes, we will handle everything right then and there. No need to make another trip. Convenient, fast, and time-efficient.
If you are unsure, we will provide personalized recommendations based on your travel plans and business needs.
Whether you need advice on visas, work permits, or aren’t sure if you need a Re-Entry Permit, the RLC Outsourcing team is ready to help.
Summary
A Re-Entry Permit may seem like a small formality, but it safeguards everything that matters—your visa, work permit, and legal status in Thailand. Leave without one, and your visa is instantly cancelled, forcing you to restart the entire application process from scratch. Whether you choose Single for a one-time trip or Multiple for unlimited travel, getting your permit is simple: apply at the airport before departure or visit any Immigration Office in advance. Just remember, it protects your existing visa timeline—it doesn’t extend it—so always verify your expiry date before booking that flight.
