Thailand Re-Entry Visa: Explained In Details!

For those travelling to any other country from Thailand or find an opportunity to travel somewhere after arriving in Thailand, Thai Re-Entry Permit is a tool which makes it possible. You can re-enter Thailand even when you hold a single entry tourist visa (most common for Bangladesh nationals).

Now Thai Re-Entry Permit or commonly called "Re-Entry Visa" can be for both Single Entry or Multiple Entries, irrespective of the kind of visa you held originally (single or multiple).

You need to obtain the re-entry permit before you leave Thailand at:

Thai Immigration

located at Chaengwattana Road, Bangkok

Any other local immigration offices

International airports such as Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi (easiest & fastest)

Thai Re-Entry Permit can be easily obtained at the airports such as Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang as well as at the Immigration Division 1 office in Chaeng Wattana or few other local immigration offices. At the airport, it cost you THB 1200 & THB 4000 and at Chaeng Wattana Immigration Office or other local offices, it costs you THB 1000 & THB 3800 for Single Entry & Multiple Re-Entry Visa.

Thai Single Re-Entry Permit from Suvarnabhumi Airport

The above re-entry visa was from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. The Re-Entry Permit counter is located on the left of the immigration counters (you need to go through Immigration Hall 1). Takes around 5 minutes to process. You don't need anything except boarding pass at the airport. This Re-Entry Permit allowed me to return to Thailand a week later, even though I only had a single entry tourist visa. That's why it's such a handy tool for a traveller who wants to make the most of any travel opportunity!

As for Bangkok Don Mueang Airport, the Re-Entry Permit Counter is located right after you cross immigration & before you go through security. Look out for the sign "Re-Entry Visa"on the glass window.

There are a few things you should keep in mind such as the validity of your re-entry. People often confuse themselves thinking about the validity of the re-entry visa is the same as the sticker visa obtained from the embassy. NO, IT ISN’T!

The validity of your re-entry visa is up to the date of your initial entry permit (the entry stamp is given by the immigration upon first entry into Thailand using your Thai Visa) and upon returning to Thailand using the re-entry visa, your stay permit will be up to the date mentioned in your original entry-permit. Basically,

the re-entry permit does not prolong your visa or permit to stay. It is just a permit to be able to return to Thailand and use the remaining days of your permit to stay or extension of stay. Remember when arriving back into Thailand, you must note the re-entry permit number on the Immigration.

To clear out any confusion, check the image below:

Thai Re-Entry Permit: Explained With Notes

Here’s is the detailed information provide by Suvarnabhumi Airport Authority:

Re-Entry Visa Guideline from Suvarnabhumi Airport Authority

As already stated above, Re-Entry Permit can also be obtained from Chaengwattana Immigration Division 1 or local immigration offices and this is especially important to those who have plans to leave Thailand by land or from airports others than Suvarnabhumi & Don Mueang in Bangkok.

The process of obtaining Re-Entry from these offices are cheaper but involves a bit of a hassle. One needs to carry a few documents along to the office and may involve bit of waiting at the offices. The immigration offices can be pretty crowded on days like Monday and Friday. This facility is often used by the long-term Thai Non-Immigrant Single Entry Visa Holders or those who have extended their visas.

When applying for a re-entry permit at the local offices or at Chaeng Wattana Immigration Division 1 you will need to submit the following:

A completed

TM-8 form

The correct fee

Colored photo (4cm x 6cm)

Photocopy of passport (main page and latest entry stamp)

Re-Entry Permit from Immigration Division 1 Office

So, it is highly recommended to simply pay that extra THB 200 and get it at the airport when you are exiting Thailand by Bangkok Suvarnabhumi or Don Mueang Airports. But in case the only option you have is to apply at the offices, there is a process of Online Queue for Re-Entry Permit Application. I used this facility back in 2016 for my first Thai Re-Entry Visa application. For details visit:

https://immigration.go.th/

You can also check the official guideline provided by Thai Immigration with regard to Re-Entry Permit application from the PDF "Public HandBook for Re-Entry Application"

Public Handbook for Re-Entry Application

Download • 210KB

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