Can I change a single entry visa to a multi entry visa before or after arriving in Thailand?

Visa Types Single Entry Visa Multi Entry Visa Reentry Permit Thailand Immigration UK Expat Visa Rules

May 30, 2022

3 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Would it be possible to change from a single entry visa to a multi entry either 1) before we leave for Thailand or 2) once we're in Thailand? 

Are either or both of these possible? 

Coming from the UK.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

It is not possible to change a single entry visa to a multi entry visa either before departing for Thailand or after arriving. However, you can obtain a reentry permit which allows you to leave and reenter Thailand without affecting your single entry visa. The cost for a single reentry permit is 1000 baht, while a multiple reentry permit costs 3800 baht.

Garrett ***********

No, you cannot change the type of visa. If you have a single entry visa/extension you can buy a reentry permit either at immigration or at the airport.

Reentry permit allows you to leave and reenter without affecting your single entry visa. 1 reentry is 1000 baht, multiple is 3800 baht.

3 years ago

Wyn **********

Garrett need your help pls. Im on my second year of the OA visa and i want to go to Vietnam next month and come back .Do i just need a single re entry permit. Thanks.

3 years ago

Brandon ************

@Wyn *********

you do need a re-entry permit, and they'll also check your insurance again upon re-entry so make sure you have that and it lasts until the end of your stamp or else they'll only stamp you in for as long as your insurance.

3 years ago

Reply to

Brandon ************

Jason ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Garrett **********

thank you.

Can you get a multi entry after you’ve had a single entry visa?

Ultimately, we wanted to come for 6 months but the visa requirements for for the multi entry requires us to have £5,000 in both our accounts (mine and my partners) for the past 6 months but this hasn’t happened. We planned to come on the 14th of July.

How would you proceed?

3 years ago

Jason ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

You’re a star. Thank you

3 years ago

Brandon ************

@Jason *****

you'll get 90 days out of single entry+extension. After that just take a vacation to a neighboring country and apply for a new tourist visa while you're there. Then you'll get another 90 days upon your return and you'll be done.

You could also just border bounce for a 30 day visa exempt and then extend it and repeat for the last 30 days of your trip, but getting the visa reduces your trips outside of Thailand to 1 and you can enjoy another country for a few days.

3 years ago

Jason ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

just to confirm. Is there a limit for how many times you can apply for a single entry visa in a year?

3 years ago

Brandon ************

@Jason *****

there's no limit written into law. The only thing that has a firm limit is you can only enter using visa exempt BY LAND 2 times per calendar year and unlimited times by air.

But embassy/consulate staff and immigration upon arrival both have the discretion to question why you're entering as a tourist so often and if you're actually a tourist. If they think you're abusing the system they can and will deny you entry and tell you to get a proper visa for your stay.

There are people who leave every 60 days and come back on visa exempt for years and never get questioned, and then there's people that only do it a few times and get grilled by immigration. It's luck of the draw.

3 years ago

Reply to

Brandon ************

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