Do I need a re-entry permit to return to Thailand on my OA visa after it expires?

Oct 14, 2021
3 years ago
Daniel *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello I have an OA visa expiring today. I arrived two days ago and got stamped until Early October (as long as my health insurance’s validity). When I go back to Europe and want to come back to Thailand, later this year, will I need a re-entry To be able to stay until October ? Thanks !
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TLDR : Answer Summary
If you hold an OA visa and plan to return to Thailand after leaving, you will need to obtain a re-entry permit to maintain your current immigration status. This permit must be purchased before you leave Thailand, and it typically costs 1,000 THB at immigration offices or 1,200 THB at airports.
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Stephen *******
And you need to buy the re-entry permit BEFORE you leave Thailand.
Benjamin ******
You will need a re-entry permit to return to Thailand on your current stamp. A single entry re-entry permit will cost 1K THB at the local Thai immigration office (or 1,200 THB at the airport if the immigration officer fills out the form for you).
Martin *********
@Benjamin *****
the ‘ multi ‘ is your re entry ,ie ‘ multi entry ‘
Benjamin ******
@Martin ********
No, it is not the re-entry.

For a multiple entry one year Non-OA visa, on each entry, a person is stamped in for one year (I'll call it a Non-OA visa for short).

If a person has a Non-OA visa, issued on January 1, 2021, it should be valid until December 31, 2021.

If a person enters Thailand on this visa on January 15, 2021, they would be stamped in until January 14, 2022.

If a person then leaves on September 10, 2021, and return on December 31, 2021, they would be stamped until December 30, 2022.

IF they leave on August 15, 2022, WITHOUT A RE-ENTRY PERMIT, they would need to acquire a new visa. IF the acquire a re-entry permit, they would be able to return, on the same stamp, until December 30, 2022.
Daniel *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
very clear ! Thank you so much !! Your advice is so precious
Bobby ********
Daniel Brm. For simplicity, just look on the re-entry permit as keeping your last entry stamp alive. The date on the re-entry permit will be the same as the "permitted to stay" date on your entry stamp
Daniel *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Martin ********
in my case I was talking of the second year of my OA visa (stamp) and therefore my visa is no longer multi entry I guess (it is actually expiring today)
Ashley *********
@Benjamin *****
A fountain of knowledge, Benjamin! With a multi O-A I've never got a re-entry permit. So if I arrive on the 17th Nov with an O-A that runs out on the 18th November and get stamped to June 22 when my insurance runs out I can get a re-entry stamp to keep my O-A visa valid as long as I arrive again before the June date?
Benjamin ******
@Ashley ********
>So if I arrive on the 17th Nov with an O-A that runs out on the 18th November

Are we talking about the same year? A Non-OA visa is *usually* a multiple entry visa that's valid for one year.
Ashley *********
@Benjamin *****
Yes. My current multi O-A runs out on 18th Nov this year so I will come out before then. So no chance of a re-entry permit, then?
Benjamin ******
@Ashley ********
If you enter BEFORE November 18th, you will be stamped in for an entire year, or November 17, 2022 (assuming you have the health insurance, etc.). If you want to leave and return on this stamp, you will need to get a re-entry permit.
Ashley *********
@Benjamin *****
My insurance means I will be stamped to June 3rd 2022. It sounds like I can get a re-entry permit and "extend" my O-A visa as long as I return before then.
Benjamin ******
@Ashley ********
>I will be stamped to June 3rd 2022.

Then the re-entry permit will only let you return until June 3rd, 2022.
Ashley *********
@Benjamin *****
Great, thanks. One last question to be up-to-date. Where at BKK airport is immigration? Do you know if Khon Kaen airport has one?
Tod *********
@Ashley ********
in Khon Kaen you get a re-entry permit at the BUS station in Terminal 2 <- the immigration office is located there in Terminal 3 🙂
Ashley *********
@Tod ********
Good news :)
Ashley *********
@Tod ********
Thanks 🙂 Good to know.
Tod *********
@Ashley ********
unless I'm wrong khon kaen isn't an international airport 🙁 they dont' sell re-entry permits

At Suvarrnabhumi they sell them in International Departure 2
Henrik ****
@Ashley ********
, you can get it at your local immigration also.
Ashley *********
@Henrik ***
Thanks :)
Daniel *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Benjamin *****
thanks ! Is there a particular form template ? Like TM something ?
Benjamin ******
@Daniel ****
That would be a TM8 form. I believe we have a copy of it in the group in the "files" section, however is only for Bangkok Immigration. Different immigration offices do have slightly different forms, and may want their own forms to be used.
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