Can my son on a student visa travel abroad and return to Thailand without issues?

Dec 8, 2017
7 years ago
Gabriella *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
dear Visa Experts! I am new in Bangkok, and probably an old question in this page.. sorry . My son got a visa as a high school student, I understood he has to renew it every 3 months. But : can he travel abroad, ( like coming home during Christmas..) or he must stay in Bangkok? Is it a multiple rientry visa or not?? Please I need your help: here the photo of the visa.. for me a bit difficult to understand . (and what does it means up to July if he has to renew it in 3 months???? ....thank you so so much!!!! 🤔🙄
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is inquiring if their son can travel abroad during Christmas on his student visa, which requires renewing every 3 months. The comments clarify that the visa is actually an extension allowing a 6-month stay, and that he can travel if he gets a re-entry permit, either at the airport or immigration office prior to leaving. It's important to note that if he stays in Thailand for over 90 days without leaving, he must file a 90-day report, which can be done by someone else on his behalf. The discussion addresses procedures and costs associated with the re-entry permit.
Manu *********
Everything written is ok so far, but let me add something:

- I warmly recommend to go to the local immigration for the re-entry, better don’t wait to be at the airport

- some immigrations don’t accept students in ED Visa being out for more than 14 days; it’s not by the law, but don’t forget that they are “free” to decide who stays out. On samui, for instance, up to 7 days out of the country it’s ok, up to 14 only for specific reasons and with a leave of absence letter. For more than 14 days out of the country they might deny the entrance with the same visa
Tod *********
there is no down side to getting the re-entry permit at the airport either. Just allow extra time in case there's a line at the re-entry permit window
Manu *********
Yes
Tod *********
you are talkin' about people enrolled in private schools to learn thai etc. That does not happen for people in international schools
Edward ******
Yes this is visa till date 2018 if you go out need re.entry visa 1000 baht fee for single 3800 baht for multiple
Edward ******
@Jim ****
thanks
Edward ******
By the way, what is Visa? And re entry permit.
Edward ******
😀
Tod *********
@Edw***
, that is NOT a visa :( That is an extension of stay and you don't get a re-enter visa you get a re-entry permit. :(
Tod *********
There is no need for negative comments. The visa and extension rules are tricky and this group is for people to ask ANY questions without feeling embarrassed to do so.
Gabriella *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
you mean at the airport or at immigration? thank you
Henry *********
I managed to get Re-entry permits at Chaengwattana for my wife and son without them being there, but I had to be referred to a senior officer (and grovel) to do so. The bonus was they were issued straight away so I didn't have to wait in the queue to collect the passports.
Arch *****************
Ohh yeah yo right at
@Tod ********
has to be done in person!
Tod *********
@Ar**
, are you sure about that?

This is on the bottom of the TM.8 re-entry permit application
Gabriella *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
?????
Arch *****************
You can go for him! I you take his passport size Fotos (3 of them) I don't remember properly!
Tod *********
@Gabr*****
, it says on the application that it has to be made in person.
Gabriella *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
what a complicated Country ..
Tod *********
It doesn't matter where he gets a re-entry permit as long as he gets one BEFORE he stamps out of the country.

Get it at the immigration office, or get it at the airport before he stamps out of the country BUT get one for sure or you're lose everything on this extension and have to start all over from zero again
Gabriella *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
can I go myself for him , or he has to go himself?
Arch *****************
At the immigration! Doing it at the airport is so tricky! Actually not recommended!
Arch *****************
Please tell your son to go do re-entry before leaving Thailand! I used to study in Thailand and could leave on a regular basis!
Henry *********
Do under 16s have to do 90 day reports? I haven't been doing them for my son, who's 2.5.
Henry *********
Thanks. I still think I won't bother and they can try and fine him!!
Tod *********
if they're on a visa or an extension yes
Tod *********
@Gabriella ********
, is there a stamp like this in the passport?
Tod *********
@Gabr*****
, nope :( ,

what you are doing does not require an agent to push paper out at the immigration office. It just takes patience and then some more patience too :O .

Sorry but on this group we don't let people recommend agents inside the country to help at the immigration offices :/

Good Luck (y)
Gabriella *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
You are an amazing expert. thank you so much for your help, now is all very clear. And finally last question: can you suggest us a visa agent? In the future might be useful if we give up trying by ourselves.
Tod *********
@Gabr*****
, if not at the airport when he flies out then you have to go to the the immigration office at Chaengwattana Road.

The section that sells re-entry permits is section C-2..
Gabriella *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
before , if not at airport.. where? at immigration.. again ( pls no..)
Tod *********
@Gabriella ********
as people posted already he can get a re-entry permit at the airport before he flies out OR at the immigration office.
Gabriella *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
😲😲😲😲
Tod *********
If there is NO stamp like that that says "RE-ENTRY PERMIT" then you need to get one BEFORE your son leaves the country or he will cancel his extension stamp when he leaves
Tod *********
Gabriella, do not confuse 90 day reporting (which anyone who stays in thaialdn longer than 90 days has to do) with the amount of time your son can be here on his extension.

His extension of stay in the picture you showed is good until 31 July 2018. Meaning that's how long he's allowed to be here

However IF he stays inside the country longer than 90 days he will have to file a 90 day report (which is free to do).
Sunny *******
@Gabriella ********
All Information from Tod is correct. Just another note, as a former HR of International School in Thailand and mother of non-Thai student, you can ask/contact someone at Bangkok Prep’s HR (or Admin) department for assistance/info. regarding student visa, re-entry permit, 90 days report or else. Some (international) schools in Thailand provide this kind of service to the non-Thai students. Good luck!
Tod *********
@Gabriella ********
no :/ , they will not give him another paper.

If he leaves before the 8th of march and comes back you need to count the 90 days from the date he comes back yourself and then go do the 90 day report.
Gabriella *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ah.. I knew it , I forgot about the 90 days counting, sorry , yes you are right, they will give him another paper on arrival I guess
Tod *********
Gabriella, (y) Okay, then IF your son doesn't leave the country before then, that is when his FIRST 90 day report is due.

IF your son leaves the country before that date, when he returns the 90 day clock starts again and his 90 day report is due 90 days from the date he came back to thailand..
Gabriella *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
so, he can go out for christmas and I dont have to do anything apart the airport procedures , then I will see immigration again before 8 march!! correct?🙂
Gabriella *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
yes. 8 march
Tod *********
That paper tells you when he is required to do a 90 day report (which has nothing to do with how long he can stay here).

Is there a paper like that in the passport?
Tod *********
Now when he got that extension on Dec 7th this year he should have gotten another paper a small one that looks like this
Mark *******
Ummm... first time I think he has to go...but
@T**
would know best.
Gabriella *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
has to go himself? or can be done by somebody else, he’d loose a day of school...( mother worried not him) 😉😉
Tod *********
@El***
, once they have done one 90 day report to get into the data base they can do them online like anyone else.
Ellie *******
Can a school kid also do 90 days report online or by post? Or is there any condition by age?
Tod *********
anyone can do a 90 day report for someone else, you just take the passport and the filled out TM.47 form to the immigration office.
Arslan ********
He can get re-entry permit at airport also at the time of leaving country.. Counters are behind passport control..He just needs to tell IO that he needs re-entry permit. IO will direct him to the room behind him
Mark *******
Unless you leave for Christmas (with re-entry permit). Then the 90 days restarts when he re-enters the country.
Gabriella *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I mean to immighration
Gabriella *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
so he need to go again after 3 months, correct?
Mark *******
Side note... if he is in the country for 90 contiguous days he has to do a 90 day report with immigration. They didn't tell me that when I had my Ed visa and I managed to get fined. ;)
Tod *********
Okay, what your son has is an "extension of stay" based on being a student. It was issued 7 Dec 2017 and he is allowed to stay until 31 July 2018.

You don't renew it every 3 months it's good for a stay of 6 months.

If he wants to leave the country and come back to thailand he would need to get a re-entry permit from the immigration office or from the airport before he flew out. They cost 1000baht for a single entry one and 3800baht for a multiple entry one,
Nimo *****
I think your son can do all that on his own or maybe you can accompany him to the immigration office;)
Nimo *****
Actually I had a question on re-entry but you’ve already answered 🙏🏾
Tod *********
@Ni**
, sometimes it's tricky figuring out exactly what's what ;)
Nimo *****
Nice info Tod daniels
Tod *********
A re-entry permit looks likes this
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