Learn who needs a Thailand re-entry permit, how much it costs, and where to apply at immigration offices or international airports before leaving Thailand.
Are you a long-term visa holder who’s planning on leaving Thailand and needs a re-entry permit? Maybe you’re sitting in the taxi right now, heading to the airport. Or worse yet, maybe you’re at the airport scrambling for help. Relax. We have you covered.
If you have at least forty-five minutes to spare before your flight takes off, then I’ll show you how to get your re-entry permit at one of the international airports in Thailand.
And if you have a few weeks or days before your flight leaves, then consider yourself off the hook. You’ll be able to get your re-entry permit ahead of time at one of the immigration offices listed in this guide.
Contents
- Key Takeaways
- What is It?
- Who Needs One?
- Re-Entry Permit vs. Multiple-Entry Visa
- Types of Re-Entry Permits
- Where to Get It
- FAQ
- Do I need a re-entry permit if I have a multiple-entry visa?
- What happens if I leave Thailand without a re-entry permit?
- How is a re-entry permit different from a multiple-entry visa?
- Can I apply for a re-entry permit online?
- How long does a re-entry permit take to process?
- Does a re-entry permit extend how long I can stay in Thailand?
- Do Thailand Elite (Privilege) visa holders need a re-entry permit?
- Now, on to You
- Sources Cited
Key Takeaways
- If you have a single-entry visa and leave Thailand without a re-entry permit, your visa is voided on the spot.
- Multiple-entry visa holders do not need one. Neither do holders of the LTR or DTV visa.
- There are two types: a single re-entry permit (THB1,000, good for one trip) and a multiple re-entry permit (THB3,800, unlimited exits while your visa is valid).
- You can apply at any immigration office Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm, or at any international airport 24 hours a day.
- At an immigration office, bring a 4×6 cm photo, a filled TM.8 form, and passport photocopies. The process takes under 10 minutes if there is no queue.
- At the airport, no photo is needed (they take a digital one), but there is an extra THB200 fee. Arrive at least one hour early.
- If you work for a BOI-promoted company in Bangkok, you must apply at the One Stop Service Center in One Bangkok, not the main immigration office.
What is It?
If you have a visa that hasn’t expired and you want to leave and return to Thailand, you’ll need to apply for a re-entry permit before you leave Thailand.
A re-entry permit lets you leave the country without forfeiting your visa. But this doesn’t “pause” your visa. Whether you’re in Thailand or not, the amount of time given to you on your visa still winds down.
This is different from choosing your visa type in the first place. If you’re still deciding which visa fits your situation, our Thailand visa guide compares every non-immigrant category, including which ones come as multiple-entry by default.
Who Needs One?
When you first apply for your Thailand visa, you’ll have to choose between getting a single-entry visa or a multiple-entry visa.
- If your visa is a single-entry visa, then you’ll have to apply for a re-entry permit every time you want to leave and re-enter Thailand.
- If you leave Thailand on your single-entry visa without a re-entry permit, your visa will be voided immediately.
On the other hand, if you get a multiple-entry visa, then you won’t have to apply for a re-entry permit when leaving Thailand on your valid visa.
Please note that some visas, including the LTR visa and DTV visa is always a multiple-entry visa. So you don’t have to get a re-entry permit if you have them.
This process is not for you if you entered Thailand on a visa-exempt stamp or a visa on arrival.
Re-Entry Permit vs. Multiple-Entry Visa
These two terms get mixed up often, but they solve different problems. A multiple-entry visa is a visa category you choose before you apply. A re-entry permit is a separate stamp you add to a visa you already hold.
- Multiple-entry visa. You request this visa type at a Thai embassy or consulate before you travel, or immigration office in Thailand during your visa application. It already lets you exit and re-enter Thailand as many times as you want while it stays valid. No extra permit or fee is needed at the border.
- Re-entry permit. You apply for this after you arrive in Thailand, only if your current visa or extension of stay is single-entry. Leaving without one cancels your permission to stay, so you need a new permit before every departure unless you buy the multiple version.
Most extensions of stay, including retirement and marriage extensions, are single-entry by default. That means holders need a re-entry permit every time they leave, unless they add the multiple re-entry permit instead.
See our guides to the retirement visa and marriage visa for how these extensions work.
Types of Re-Entry Permits
There are two types of re-entry permits in Thailand:
- Single re-entry permit
- Valid for one trip only
- Once you leave and return to Thailand, the permit is used up
- Costs THB1,000
- Best if you only plan to travel once, such as for a vacation or emergency trip
- Multiple re-entry permit
- Allows unlimited exits and re-entries while your visa remains valid
- Costs THB3,800. (Verified September 2026.)
- Best if you plan to travel abroad frequently, usually more than four times during your current visa period
Where to Get It
You can apply for single and multiple re-entry permits at immigration offices and international airports throughout Thailand.
In my opinion, it’s more convenient to get a re-entry permit at the airport. However, you should arrive at least one or two hours early to make sure you have enough time to complete the process before your flight.
Immigration Offices
If you want to stay ahead of the game and get your re-entry permit before you go to the airport (smart move), then you can apply for your re-entry permit at any immigration office in Thailand.
No matter which immigration office you go to, getting your re-entry permit follows the same process.
Here’s the step-by-step process, with costs and required documents.
- Go to the re-entry permit counter
- Give the immigration officers the following documents:
- 4×6 cm photo
- filled in TM.8 form (it can be picked up at the counter)
- photocopies of your passport picture page and valid visa page.
- Pay THB1,000 for a single re-entry permit or
- Pay THB3,800 for a multiple re-entry permit
- Get your re-entry permit stamped into your passport
The whole process can take less than 10 minutes if there is no queue.
Here are a few popular locations, followed by a few links to an entire list.
Bangkok
If you’re in Bangkok, you can apply for your re-entry permit at the Division 1 Immigration Office in Chaengwatthana (link to Google Map). The office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30am to 4:30pm, except on Thai holidays. (Verified September 2026.)
However, if you work for a BOI-promoted company, you must obtain it from the One Stop Service Center on the 6th and 7th floors of One Bangkok instead.
Need directions or want to know what to expect once you arrive? Our guide to the Chaeng Wattana Immigration Office covers transport options, parking, and how the queue system works.
Chiang Mai
If you want to apply for your re-entry permit in Chiang Mai, go to Chiang Mai immigration office. The office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30am to 4:30pm, except on Thai holidays.
Phuket
If you want to apply for your re-entry permit in Phuket, go to the immigration office in Phuket Town (link to Google Map). The office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30am to 4:30pm, except on Thai holidays.
Other Locations
Here’s a map of Thailand Immigration Offices.
Airports
If you prefer not to visit an immigration office, you can apply for a re-entry permit at any of Thailand’s international airports.
A few things to keep in mind:
- The process may take less than 10 minutes if there’s no queue, but it’s best to allocate at least an hour to be safe.
- You must be flying out of the country on the same day you apply.
- If you have a connecting flight within Thailand and plan to get your re-entry permit at your second airport, be cautious with short layovers as timing can be tight.
The process at the airport is slightly more convenient than at an immigration office:
- No need to bring a photo; they’ll take a digital one for you.
- They may assist with filling out the form.
- There’s an additional fee of THB 200. (Verified September 2026.)
Suvarnabhumi Airport
If you’re leaving Thailand from Suvarnabhumi Airport, you might want to get there at least three hours before your flight, as the process could take you up to 45 minutes because of the queue.
The re-entry permit counter is located all the way to your left in the immigration departure halls. It’s open 24-hours a day.
Don Mueang Airport
If you’re leaving Thailand from Don Mueang Airport, getting a re-entry permit is quite easy.
The re-entry permit counter is located after passport control but before security. It’s open 24-hours a day.
Chiang Mai Airport
If you’re leaving Thailand from Chiang Mai, you can get your re-entry permit at Chiang Mai Airport after you check in for your flight. In the international departures area, you’ll find podiums where immigration officers can help you apply for your re-entry permit.
Phuket Airport
The re-entry permit counter at Phuket International Airport is located within the immigration area, after you present your boarding pass to an airport officer.
FAQ
Do I need a re-entry permit if I have a multiple-entry visa?
No. A multiple-entry visa already lets you exit and re-enter Thailand as many times as you want while it’s valid. A re-entry permit only applies to single-entry visas and single-entry extensions of stay.
What happens if I leave Thailand without a re-entry permit?
Your permission to stay is cancelled the moment you exit the country. Immigration officers cannot reinstate a voided visa or extension at the border, so you’d need to apply for a new visa from outside Thailand to come back. This is different from overstaying while still in Thailand; see our guide to Thailand overstay rules for what happens if you stay past your permitted period instead.
How is a re-entry permit different from a multiple-entry visa?
A multiple-entry visa is a visa category you choose when you first apply, before you enter Thailand. A re-entry permit is a separate endorsement added to a visa or extension you already hold, and it doesn’t change your visa type or add extra time to your stay.
Can I apply for a re-entry permit online?
Not for most travelers. Thai immigration requires an in-person application, either at an immigration office or at the airport counter on the day you leave.
How long does a re-entry permit take to process?
At an immigration office, the process usually takes under 10 minutes if there’s no queue. At the airport, plan for at least an hour to allow for check-in and possible lines at the counter.
Does a re-entry permit extend how long I can stay in Thailand?
No. A re-entry permit only protects your existing visa status while you travel. It doesn’t add extra days, so the expiration date on your current visa or extension stays the same.
Do Thailand Elite (Privilege) visa holders need a re-entry permit?
No. The Thailand Elite visa is issued as a multiple-entry visa, so it already covers unlimited travel in and out of Thailand. See our Thailand Elite visa review for how the program works.
Now, on to You
Applying for a re-entry permit in Thailand is one of the easier immigration matters to handle–as long as you do it ahead of time at an immigration office. You can probably get away with applying for a re-entry permit at the airport, but if you’re worried about time, get it done beforehand.
Sources Cited
- Immigration Division 1, Royal Thai Police: re-entry permit rules, required documents, and where to apply.
- Immigration Division 1 fee schedule: current government fees for single (THB1,000) and multiple (THB3,800) re-entry permits.
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