What are the rules for leaving Thailand with a re-entry permit on a valid visa?

Mar 7, 2024
8 months ago
Cayleigh **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello, does anybody know how long you can leave Thailand for with a re-entry permit on a valid visa? Is there a certain time limit in which you need to return by to keep your visa valid?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
When leaving Thailand with a re-entry permit, it's important to return before your current visa or extension of stay expires to maintain its validity. The re-entry permit does not extend your visa; it merely keeps it valid while you are outside Thailand. You can be away for a long time, such as 6 or 7 months, but you must return before the expiration date on your visa stamp. Your re-entry permit also needs to be valid when you return; otherwise, you may face issues re-entering Thailand.
Tod *********
And now that we sussed out the O/P is NOT on ANY visa 😮 but instead on a yearly extension of stay from the immigration office in their area 🙂 Which means they would need to get a re-entry permit BEFORE they leave the country or their extension cancels when they stamp out.
Cayleigh **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
This is all very helpful thank you. So I understand it will not extend my visa at all and I can return within my current visa stamp and just use the remaining days. But just to clarify; for example if I have almost a year remaining on my current visa then I could leave for 6 or 7 months and return and live out the remaining
***
and a bit months on my visa is that correct? There's no limit to how long you are out of the country as long as you come back before your visa expires?

I'm sorry to ask again but it looks as though I may have to leave the country for some time but I'm worried how long is too long sort of thing.
Ellie *******
@Cayleigh *********
, your understanding is correct. No limit on being out of Thailand as long as you are back within your existing stamp is valid.
Robert *******
the date is mentioned in the Re-Entry stamp and in the big stamp with the text Extension of Stay Permitted to stay xx/xx/xx.

Example where to find the date:
Tom *********
Basically before your last day of entry the visa allows you in Thailand, the re entry permit doesn’t pause your visa it jus keeps it ‘live’ so you can enter on it. For example, you leave with 45 days left, return 40 days later you’ll get stamped back in for the 5 days you have remaining on that visa
Ellie *******
You need to be back in Thailand within the validity of your current stamp on which you have a re-entry permit, or your stamp is no longer valid for you to enter on that.

A re-entry permit does not add any days to your stamp, it just keeps the stamp "alive" when you are out of Thailand.

When you enter Thailand on a re-entry permit you will be stamped until the exact same date on your valid stamp, even if it's just one day.
Ellie *******
You have to enter Thailand again within the validity of BOTH of your current stamp and Re-entry permit. You cannot enter again on your supposed-to-be-remaining stamp if the re-entry permit has expired.

Or you cannot enter Thailand on a seems-to-be valid re-entry permit if your stamp is expired.

(these don't happen that often though)
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