Re-Entry Permit in Thailand: Cost, Process, Documents, Etc.

Reviewed by ThaiLawOnline, a licensed Thai law firm practising in Thailand since 2006. Thai lawyer of record: Wichuda Atthamethakon, LL.M., Thai Bar Licence 3149/2556.

Last updated on September 5, 2026

For expatriates and long-term travelers living in the “Land of Smiles,” your visa is your most valuable asset. However, one ordinary oversight catches foreigners out again and again, and it can turn a short trip abroad into a lost visa. If you have a long-term Thai visa, you need a Re-Entry Permit to travel internationally. This permit is important for your travels. Without this specific stamp, your active visa will be cancelled as soon as you go through immigration to leave the country. This happens no matter how many months are left on your visa.

Two things have changed the arithmetic of leaving Thailand since 2025. The Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) replaced the paper TM.6 in May 2025 and must be filed in the 72 hours before you land, and the international passenger service charge rose to 1,120 baht on 20 June 2026. Neither touches the re-entry permit itself, but both change what a trip out and back now takes. This guide covers everything you need to know about the Thailand re-entry permit. It includes current costs, airport counter locations, and tips to avoid common mistakes that could cost you your visa.

Last reviewed: 3 September 2026. The operative law on this page was read against primary texts, not against secondary summaries. Section 39 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979) was read from the consolidated Thai text and cross-read against the consolidation as at 16 September 2560, together with section 37 (to establish that its paragraph (5) is the ninety-day notification of address and not the re-entry permit), section 12 (prohibited persons, to which section 39 is subject) and the schedule of fees and charges annexed to the Act, which caps the two re-entry fees at 2,000 and 5,000 baht. The fees actually charged, 1,000 baht and 3,800 baht, were read from clause 1(5) of the Ministerial Regulation (B.E. 2523) issued under that Act, as amended, which also shows that the regulation prescribes a single rate per application and no airport premium. Form TM.8 was read from clause 9 and item 11 of the annexed list of forms in the Ministerial Regulation prescribing forms under the immigration law, B.E. 2559. The passenger service charge figures and their effective date of 20 June 2026 come from the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The Non-ED Plus entry follows the wording published by a Royal Thai Embassy.

This review does not certify three things, and says so rather than implying otherwise. It does not certify the office locations or opening hours below, which are administrative practice and change without notice. It does not certify the amount some airport counters are reported to ask above the prescribed fee: we can produce no legal basis for any such charge, which is why no figure for it is published here. And it does not certify the photograph and photocopy checklist, which comes from the form and from counter practice rather than from the regulation, whose only photograph requirement, four 4 x 6 cm photographs, attaches to form TM.13 under a different clause.

What Is a Re-Entry Permit and Who Needs One?

A Re-Entry Permit is an official document from the Thai Immigration Bureau. It lets a visa holder leave Thailand for a short time and return with the same visa.

It is essential to understand the difference between a visa extension and a re-entry permit. An extension prolongs the date you are allowed to stay in Thailand. A re-entry permit simply “pauses” or preserves your current “admitted until” date while you are outside the country. It does not add days to your visa; it merely ensures your visa is not voided upon departure.

Why It Matters

Imagine this: you have a marriage visa valid for another six months, but you fly out of Thailand without a re-entry permit. When you return, the best you can hope for is an ordinary visa-exempt tourist stamp, and that is 60 days for entries up to 14 September 2026 and 30 days for entries from 15 September 2026. Your marriage visa is gone. You would have to restart the process and may lose time, money, and even your legal status.

This kind of situation happens more often than you might think. A re-entry permit helps you avoid all of that.

Types of Re-Entry Permits in Thailand

There are two types of re-entry permits, and choosing the right one depends on how often you plan to travel.

Type	Description	Validity	Best For
Single Re-Entry	Allows one exit and return. Expires after use.	Valid for one trip	Short trips once or twice a year
Multiple Re-Entry	Allows unlimited exits and returns while visa is valid	Valid as long as your visa or extension is valid	Frequent travelers or those unsure about travel dates

Visa Types Requiring a Re-Entry Permit

If you have a “Single Entry” version of these long-term visas, you must get a re-entry permit before leaving Thailand

• Non-Immigrant B Visa: Holders of work visas (and their associated dependents).

• Non-Immigrant O Visa: This includes Retirement visas (based on being over 50), Marriage visas, and dependent visas.

• Non-Immigrant ED Visa: Students attending language schools or private institutions generally require a permit for every trip.

• Non-Immigrant O-A (Long Stay): This visa is often given as a multiple entry at first. However, for annual extensions, you usually need a re-entry permit to keep your status.

Exemptions: Who Can Skip This Step?

Not everyone needs to queue for this stamp. You are generally exempt if:

You have a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) or a valid Multiple Entry Non-Immigrant Visa. Check that your visa sticker says “Multiple.”

• You hold a Thailand Elite / Privilege Visa (these are inherently multiple entry).

• You hold the new Destination Thailand Visa (DTV), which is valid for 5 years with multiple entries.

• You hold a Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa.

• You hold a Non-ED Plus visa. It is granted to students at a Thai university at bachelor degree level or above, and its holders may leave and re-enter Thailand without a re-entry permit during the course of study. An ordinary Non-ED visa for a language school or a private institution does not carry this.

Thailand Re-Entry Permit Costs and Fees (2026)

Budgeting for your exit is important, especially as fees vary depending on where you apply.

Example of a re-entry permit. This specimen was issued in Bangkok in November 2021 and was valid until 5 April 2022. It is a single re-entry permit.

Official Government Fees

If you apply at a standard Immigration Office during regular business hours, the statutory fees are:

Cost of Thailand Re-Entry Permit (2026)

Permit type	Prescribed fee	Where the rate comes from	How long it lasts
Single re-entry	1,000 THB	MR (B.E. 2523), clause 1(5)	One trip
Multiple re-entry	3,800 THB	MR (B.E. 2523), clause 1(5)	Until your current permission to stay expires

The regulation fixes one rate per application. It prescribes no higher rate for applying at an airport, and no airport surcharge appears anywhere in the fee schedule.

Airport Surcharges and Service Fees

The fee is the same wherever you apply. The ministerial regulation fixes a single rate for a section 39 application, 1,000 baht or 3,800 baht, and it sets no airport premium; the other charges in that regulation are the out-of-hours inspection fees payable by the owner or master of a vehicle, aircraft or vessel, not by a traveller at a counter.

What the airport counters do add is service rather than a prescribed fee: the officers complete the form and take your photograph on the spot, which is why nothing has to be prepared in advance. Travellers do report being asked for a small amount above the prescribed fee at some counters. We can produce no legal basis for it, so treat it as a reason to carry loose cash, not as a published price.

Note: payment at these counters is almost exclusively in Thai baht cash. Do not rely on cards or QR codes at the desk.

The Other Airport Charge You Will Pay

Airports of Thailand raised the international Passenger Service Charge from 730 baht to 1,120 baht with effect from 20 June 2026, at all six AOT airports: Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai, Mae Fah Luang Chiang Rai, Phuket and Hat Yai. The domestic charge is unchanged at 130 baht.

You do not pay it at a counter. It is collected in the ticket price, so a ticket issued before 20 June 2026 still carries the old rate and a ticket issued since carries the new one. It has no effect on the re-entry permit fee, but it does raise what an international trip out of Thailand costs.

How to Apply at Immigration Offices (Recommended Method)

Applying at your local immigration office is the safest and most stress-free method. It removes the stress of rushing at the airport. It also makes sure your paperwork is ready days or weeks before your flight.

Required Documents Checklist

To ensure a smooth application process, prepare the following dossier. Missing a single photocopy can result in being sent to the back of the queue.

1. Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months and contain your current visa/extension stamp.

2. Form TM.8: The “Application for Re-Entry Permit into the Kingdom.” This can be downloaded online or picked up at the office.

3. Photo: One 4×6 cm photograph (white background, taken within the last 6 months). Tip: Dress professionally in the photo; no tank tops.

4. Photocopies (Signed):

◦ Passport biodata page (photo page).

◦ Current visa stamp page.

◦ Latest arrival stamp page.

◦ TM.6 Departure Card (if you still have a paper version in your passport).

Locations and Operating Hours

Bangkok:

• Immigration Division 1 (Chaeng Wattana): The primary hub for most expats. Open Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM, 4:30 PM (Closed for lunch 12:00-1:00 PM).

• Chamchuri Square (One Stop Service Center): Available strictly for those holding visas under BOI privileges.

Chiang Mai:

• Main Office (Airport Road): Offers full services. This office usually opens on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of the month. The hours are 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, making it a good weekend option.

• Central Festival Branch: Great for shopping, but they only handle re-entry permits in the morning (8:30 AM, 12:00 PM). Do not go here in the afternoon.

Processing Time: Generally, the process takes 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the queue. However, during peak seasons (before Songkran or New Year), queues can stretch to several hours.

How to Get a Last-Minute Re-Entry Permit at the Airport

If you forgot to apply for a permit in advance or have an emergency trip, you can still get a permit. You can obtain it at major international airports in Thailand. This service is available 24 hours a day.

Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Process

At Bangkok’s main airport, the re-entry desk is in a specific spot. Rushed travelers sometimes miss it.

1. Check in for your flight and receive your boarding pass.

2. Proceed through the security checkpoint (screening for liquids/laptops).

3. STOP. Do not go through the automated immigration gates or the standard passport control lines yet.

4. Look for “Immigration Zone 2”. The re-entry permit counter is in the departure hall. It is usually to the left or right after security, but before you go through immigration.

5. Timing: While the desk is open 24/7, queues can be unpredictable. It is highly recommended to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before your flight.

Don Mueang (DMK) and Regional Airports

• Don Mueang (DMK): The counter is in the international departure area. It is past the security check, near the “Overstay Payment” desk.

• Chiang Mai (CNX): The counter is located past the security checkpoint. Note that you may need to explicitly look for the desk or ask staff, as it is separate from the main immigration queue.

• Phuket (HKT): A dedicated counter exists within the immigration area.

Practical tip: at the airport the officers usually fill out the digital form for you and take your photograph with a webcam, so there is nothing to prepare. Have the fee ready in cash, 1,000 THB for a single re-entry or 3,800 THB for a multiple, plus a small margin.

How to Get a Re-Entry Permit at Suvarnabhumi Airport (Step-by-Step):

1. Check in and obtain your boarding pass.

2. Clear airport security (body/bag scan).

3. Do NOT pass through immigration passport control yet.

4. Locate Immigration Zone 2 (Departure Hall).

5. Present Passport, Boarding Pass, and Fee (Cash) to the Re-Entry Counter.

6. Receive stamp, then proceed to passport control.

Common Mistakes That Cancel Visas

One of the biggest mistakes foreigners make is assuming their visa will remain valid automatically when they leave. It won’t. If you leave without a re-entry permit, your visa or extension is canceled. You’ll either get a tourist stamp when you return or be refused entry. Another common mistake is thinking that the re-entry permit gives you more time in Thailand. It doesn’t. It only preserves what you already have. Also, remember that the re-entry permit becomes invalid if your visa expires while you’re outside the country. So, check your visa dates carefully before traveling.

The rules regarding re-entry are strict, and errors are rarely forgiven. Here are the pitfalls to avoid.

Departing Without a Permit

This is the “cardinal sin” of Thai immigration. If you walk past the re-entry desk and get stamped out of Thailand without a permit, your single-entry visa is terminated immediately.

• Consequence: You cannot “fix” this once you have left. You will have to apply for a brand new visa at a Thai Embassy abroad, starting the entire application process (and costs) from scratch.

Re-Entry Validity vs. Visa Extension

A common misconception is that buying a re-entry permit extends your stay.

• Scenario: Your visa extension expires on October 1st. You buy a re-entry permit on September 1st and leave for a month.

• Reality: When you return, you must still enter before October 1st. The permit does not give you extra days beyond the original expiry date of your visa extension.

Entering on the Wrong Stamp

When you return to Thailand, check your passport stamp immediately before leaving the immigration booth.

• The Risk: Sometimes, officers may miss your re-entry permit and stamp you in as an ordinary visa-exempt tourist instead. From 15 September 2026 that stamp is 30 days for the 60 countries on the exemption list, where before that date it was 60 days.

• The Fix: If this happens, your long-term visa status is technically inactive. You must point out the Re-Entry Permit to the officer while you are at the desk to ensure they use the correct stamp. Fixing this after leaving the airport is difficult and time-consuming.

Action Plan for Travelers:

1. Check your visa type: If it says “Single,” you need a permit.

2. Decide on frequency: 4+ trips a year? Get a Multiple Entry permit.

3. Prepare cash: keep 1,000 THB for a single re-entry, or 3,800 THB for a multiple, in your travel wallet.

4. Don’t risk it: Check your passport for the re-entry stamp before you board your outbound flight.

Safe travels, and welcome back to Thailand!

Legal Reference

The re-entry permit is created by section 39 of the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979). Section 39 provides that where a foreigner who has been permitted to stay temporarily travels out of the Kingdom, that permission comes to an end. But if, before departing, they obtained permission from the competent official to come back, and they re-enter without being a prohibited person under section 12, they may stay for whatever part of the original permitted period is still left. That is the whole mechanism: the permit preserves the balance of a stay you already have. It does not create a new one.

Section 39 also requires the application to be made in the prescribed form and on payment of the fee fixed by ministerial regulation. Two regulations supply those:

• Ministerial Regulation (B.E. 2523) issued under the Immigration Act B.E. 2522, clause 1(5), as amended, fixes the fee for a section 39 application at 1,000 baht for a single re-entry and 3,800 baht for one usable several times within the period of stay still remaining. The schedule to the Act itself caps those two figures at 2,000 and 5,000 baht.
• Ministerial Regulation prescribing forms under the immigration law, B.E. 2559, clause 9, prescribes form TM.8 for a section 39 application. It is item 11 in the list of forms annexed to that regulation.

Section 37(5) is sometimes quoted in this context, including in earlier versions of this page. It is a different duty altogether: the ninety-day notification of address that a temporarily admitted foreigner owes while in Thailand. It has nothing to do with leaving and returning.

Frequently Asked Questions about Re-entry permit in Thailand

Securing a Re-Entry Permit in Thailand is a fundamental responsibility for expats and long-term visitors. You can choose the local immigration office for a cheaper option or the 24-hour airport counter for convenience. The stamp is the only proof of your visa status.

As we are now in 2026, we need to plan more for international travel. The new TDAC digital system and higher AOT fees are important factors to consider. To make your return to the Kingdom smooth, keep your documents organized. This includes your TM.8 form, photos, and cash. Also, file your TDAC in the 72 hours before you land: the window opens three days out, and a card submitted earlier than that falls outside it and has to be done again. Immigration has tightened its checks since late 2025, so leave more margin than you think you need.

Let ThaiLawOnline Help You

At the moment, we do not offer legal services for re-entry permits. It is very easy to get through immigration. Please check the following link from Thailand’s immigration to help you.

Other links:

• Handbook on how to apply for Re-entry by Thai Immigration

A re-entry permit only protects a permission to stay that already exists. Our Thai immigration overview explains how the underlying visa and extension work.