A re-entry permit keeps your extended stay alive when you leave Thailand and return. At the time of writing a single permit costs 1,000 THB and a multiple permit 3,800 THB, so multiple is cheaper from the fourth trip. It is applied for in person before you depart and does not extend your stay.
Many long-stay holders lose months of their stay by flying out for a weekend. The stamp in the passport is normally cancelled when you leave, unless you hold a re-entry permit.
Figures in this guide were checked at the time of writing and can change. Always confirm with the official source or in your free pre-check.
What a re-entry permit does
The permit preserves your current permission to stay while you are abroad. It does not extend the stay, change your visa category or protect you if your stay ends while you are away. See our re-entry permit service.
Single or multiple
Which one fits depends on how many trips you expect before your stay ends.
| Item | Single | Multiple |
|---|---|---|
| Fee (at the time of writing) | 1,000 THB | 3,800 THB |
| Trips covered | One trip out and back | Several trips within the validity of your stay |
| Best when | You travel once | You expect more than three trips |
| Cost comparison | Three singles cost 3,000 THB | Cheaper than four singles (4,000 THB) |
Who needs one
Anyone on an extended stay who leaves Thailand and wants to keep it, for example on a retirement, family, work or study stay. If your visa already allows multiple entries, check its terms first. See Non-Immigrant visa types.
Who needs one, in detail
Reports from visa advisers and a Board of Investment help page describe the cases like this. Details can differ by office, so check your own stamp.
| Your situation | Permit needed? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Extension of stay (retirement, marriage, work, study) | Yes, to keep the extension | Leaving without a permit cancels the extension |
| Multiple-entry visa with an extension inside Thailand | Yes, to keep the extension | The visa lets you re-enter on its own terms, but the extension is still cancelled when you leave without a permit |
| Visa-exempt or visa-on-arrival stay | Not normally | There is no extension to keep; if you extended it, ask first |
| SMART or LTR visa | Reported not needed | Check the terms of your programme |
When and where to get it
The permit has to be applied for in person at an immigration office or at an airport counter, before you depart. Sources report that it cannot be done online. Airport fees are described differently in different sources, so confirm the amount before you travel. Counters are busy and the permit takes time, so plan it a few days ahead rather than on the day of your flight.
Fees and extras
The government fees are 1,000 THB (single) and 3,800 THB (multiple), as listed on the Board of Investment one-stop service help page. Airport counters can add a service charge, and older guides quote a total of about 1,200 and 4,000 THB. Current airport pricing could not be confirmed, so check before you travel.
What happens if you leave without one
In most cases the extended stay is cancelled when you leave, and you re-enter on a new entry permission, often with a shorter stay and a restart of your paperwork. It is one of the most expensive small mistakes in Thai immigration. See common visa mistakes.
Plan it with your other dates
If you travel close to the end of your stay, plan the extension and the permit together, see visa extension. Your 90-day report count continues to matter after you return, and an overstay is fined, see overstaying in Thailand. If your passport is lost, see what happens to your visa.
How we can help
Send us your passport copy and your travel dates. We tell you which type fits and arrange the permit before you fly.
The permit does not pause the clock
Your stay keeps running while you are abroad. If your permission ends during the trip, the permit does not protect you. Come back with several days of margin, and plan the next extension or 90-day report around the return date.
We check your case first and handle the paperwork, so you avoid wasted trips and fees.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a re-entry permit in Thailand?
At the time of writing, 1,000 THB for a single permit and 3,800 THB for a multiple permit.
Can I get a re-entry permit online?
Sources report that it must be applied for in person at an immigration office or airport counter before you leave.
Does a re-entry permit extend my stay?
No. It only preserves your current stay while you travel.
Single or multiple?
One trip: single. If you expect more than three trips before your stay ends, multiple is cheaper.
Do I need a re-entry permit with a multiple-entry visa?
The visa itself allows re-entry on its own terms, but an extension of stay is cancelled when you leave without a permit. Buy one if you want to keep the extension.
Is the permit more expensive at the airport?
Reports say airport counters can add a service charge. Confirm the amount before you travel.
Do SMART or LTR holders need a re-entry permit?
Reports say no. Check the terms of your programme.
Official sources
Last reviewed on . Thai immigration rules and fees change. We confirm the current requirements for your case in your free pre-check.