Re-entry permits: keep your extension when you travel
Leaving Thailand on a retirement, education or business extension? A re-entry permit keeps your permission to stay. Single vs multiple, and when to apply.
Why re-entry permits exist
When you hold an extension of stay in Thailand, such as a retirement, education or business extension, that permission is tied to you being in the country. If you leave without arranging anything, the extension is normally cancelled at departure.
A re-entry permit prevents that. It tells Immigration that you intend to come back and keeps your existing extension valid while you travel.
Who needs one
You usually need a re-entry permit if you hold:
- A retirement (Non-O) extension
- An education (ED) visa extension
- A business (Non-B) extension with a work permit
- Any other extension of stay granted inside Thailand
If you are on a multiple-entry visa such as the DTV, the visa itself allows you to leave and re-enter during its validity. If you are unsure which applies to you, ask before you book travel.
Single or multiple
- Single re-entry: valid for one exit and return.
- Multiple re-entry: valid for any number of trips until your current extension ends.
If you expect to travel more than once before your next renewal, a multiple permit avoids repeat applications.
When and where to apply
You can apply at Chiang Mai Immigration before you travel. Apply well ahead of your departure, not on the way out. Immigration may ask for additional documents, such as your TM30 receipt.
What you normally need
- Passport with your current extension stamp
- The re-entry permit form
- A recent photo
- Copies of your passport pages, signed
What a re-entry permit does not do
- It does not extend your stay. Your extension still ends on the same date.
- It does not replace your 90-day reporting. When you return, your 90-day count restarts from your date of entry. See the 90-day report explained.
- It does not replace your annual renewal. Make sure you are back in Thailand in good time to renew.
Before you travel: a quick checklist
- Confirm your extension end date.
- Get a re-entry permit, single or multiple.
- Plan to be back before your extension ends, with time to renew.
- After you return, check whether your landlord needs to file a new TM30. See TM30 for foreigners.
Get help
We can prepare re-entry permits alongside our retirement visa extension, education visa and work permit and business visa services. Message us for a quote.
Questions clients ask us
What happens if I leave without a re-entry permit?
Your extension of stay is usually cancelled when you leave. When you come back you enter on whatever status applies at the border, and you may have to restart your visa process.
Do I need a re-entry permit on a DTV?
The DTV itself is a multiple-entry visa, so you can leave and come back while it is valid. The details of each case can differ; message us if you are unsure.
Single or multiple re-entry permit?
A single permit covers one trip. A multiple permit covers any number of trips until your extension ends. If you travel more than once a year, multiple is usually more practical.
Does a re-entry permit extend my stay?
No. It only keeps your existing permission to stay valid while you are away. It does not change the end date.
Related services
- Education Visa (ED Visa)
Study Muay Thai or Thai in Chiang Mai, Bangkok or Sakon Nakhon on an education (ED) visa. We match you with the right school and handle the paperwork.
- Retirement Visa Extension
Renew your one-year retirement extension at Chiang Mai Immigration. We prepare the file, help with the bank letter and go with you on the day.
- Work Permit & Non-B Business Visa
Work legally in Thailand. We help employers and employees in Chiang Mai prepare Non-B visa, extension and work permit applications.