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What should I know about re-entry permits and the Non-O visa in Thailand for extended stays?
Mar 31, 2025
a year ago
Bryn ********
ORIGINAL POSTERRecently changed to a Non-O. I asked about being able to leave the country and I was told if I left before the first 90 days I might not be allowed back in. Was told exits could be discussed after the first 90 days. Nowhere in the process was mentioned a single or multiple entry visa. The reality is I only want to be here for maybe 5 months out of the year, leaving when it gets too toasty for me. It seems Thailand leaves entry up to the discretion of Immigration. Can someone add a bit of clarity to this for me? Thanks.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user recently transitioned to a Non-O visa and is concerned about re-entering Thailand after leaving the country before the initial 90 days are up. They were informed that exiting early might result in not being allowed back into Thailand, and they were unclear about the legitimacy of that advice. A community member clarified that a re-entry permit must be obtained before leaving, which keeps the visa valid but does not extend the stay. Critics mentioned the variance in visa types such as single and multiple entries, highlighting the need to know the visa type and its implications on re-entry.
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Gary *****************
Apply for DTV š¤
Steve *********
What if, God Forbid, a family member passes away, and you need to be there for the funeral? This doesn't sound right to me.
Paul *********
@Steve ********
Happening to me right now mate. It's my fathers funeral April 12th, visiting Immigration Police officer stated that I won't get a re-entry visa until May 6th (when I returrn to get my full visa stamp).Steve *********
@Paul ********
my heartfelt condolences to you and your family š. I lost my mom in June 2023. I miss her so much.Bryn ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul ********
I left without a reentry visa and when I was stamped back in I didnt examine the stamp thinking my year-long was still valid. Wrong. When I went for my 90 day renewal, I was told I would have to leave the country immediately and to avoid any contact with police on my way out, and pay a ąøæ20,000 fine. I was also told to take a direct flight out of the country. I could then reapply for a new tourist visa from the country I would travel to to leave Thailand. ļæ¼ On my return, my passport was examined, they saw the fine I paid, smiled and waved me through.Paul *********
@Bryn *******
It can be a bit brutal........Bryn ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul ********
At least they donāt hold a grudge. Show your remorse, act with humility. Easy, peasy.Reply to
Bryn ********
Reply
Robert ********
All answers so far are talking about the time after the extension, not the very first 90 days of the visa.
I donāt know the current state. When I got my nonO, there were 2 distinct variants: single entry and multiple entry.
Single entry meant you enter the country, can stay for 90 days, and when exiting, the visa is done - no re-entry.
As this is more than 10 years ago, I donāt know about the current rule, but I wanted to point you to the difference between the time of the visa and the time after getting the 1-year extension.
I donāt know the current state. When I got my nonO, there were 2 distinct variants: single entry and multiple entry.
Single entry meant you enter the country, can stay for 90 days, and when exiting, the visa is done - no re-entry.
As this is more than 10 years ago, I donāt know about the current rule, but I wanted to point you to the difference between the time of the visa and the time after getting the 1-year extension.
Peter ****************
@Robert *******
Sorry, but Brandon also talks about the 90 day entry itselves. When on that 90 days, no extension' you ALSO can get a re-entry permit !! But ofcourse only valid till y'r last day of y'r entry stamp.Peter ****************
@Robert *******
Well Brandon talks about the non imm. O (Single entry) WITHIN the 90 days. What I understand from the non imm. O multi entry (1 year valid and with every border bounce you get 90 days again) does not exist anymore from the time it has to be asked on the Thai imm. internet site.Robert ********
@Peter ***************
Yep. Thatās my thoughts. Unfortunately the answers were about the extension, not the 90 days of the visa. And my understanding is that you canāt get a reentry for the visa itself. Once youāre out without your extension (before getting it), you canāt come back in on that visa.
Peter ****************
@Robert *******
This is what I mean.Reply to
Peter ****************
Reply
Graham *******
Where would I get a re entry permit from
Is it at the airport ?
Is it at the airport ?
Stuart *********
@Graham ******
You get them at your local immigration office or you can get them at the airport on your way out of Thailand. The airport will charge a small administrative fee if you donāt have the copies, form and photo. Cost is 1,000 baht for a single entry or 3,800 for multiple entries. At the airport they may only sell single entry.
Bryn ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
Do you know if a single entry can be applied for more than once?Stuart *********
@Bryn *******
Sure. Only downside is the stamp takes about ***
page of your passport each time.Bryn ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
Good thing more and more countries are switching to electronic scans.Stuart *********
I mean you can get more than one, but only one at a time.
Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
Annette *********
@Graham ******
airport or local immigration office.Reply to
Annette *********
Reply
Tony **********
You can only get a1yr extension at the end of your 90 day visa. You have to qualify financially.
Colin *********
@Tony *********
renew 1 month before it expiresPeter ****************
Umm I think if y'r non imm. O is based on Mariage (So not retirement) you can have a 60 days Family extension. A bit depending on the imm. office.
Graham ******
@Peter ***************
The 60 day "Visit Thai Family" extension is also available to anyone on a Non-O retirement visa if they meet the requirementsReply to
Graham ******
Reply
Wayne ********
@Tony *********
I do it every year. My extension begins January 31. I leave the end of March and I come back in October. All I do is purchase a reentry permit then of course in December it starts all over again with applying for the next year Ext. As far as your first question at the end of your extension or up to 45 days prior to the Ext expiring, you must reapply for a new extension every year.Farang *********
@Tony *********
at the end of the year extension can you get another extention or have to start again?Sorry second question. If I leave during the year extension can I reenter at a later date?
Tony **********
@Farang ********
John's comments are correct. But if you fall to meet any of the requirements you will need to start again.John **********
@Farang ********
you can get a new extension every year. You can leave and re-enter as long as you get a re-entry permit before leavingReply to
John **********
Reply
Brandon ************
Uhh, who told you that? It's not correct.
If you want to leave Thailand, you just have to purchase a re-entry permit before you leave. That will prevent your stamp from being cancelled by leaving. A re-entry permit is only valid for as long as the stamp you purchase it for, so if you have a stamp that gives you 90 days of permission to stay in Thailand with an end date of April 30th, and then you buy a re-entry permit and leave Thailand, you must be back before April 30th to apply for your extension. A re-entry permit does not give you any extra time, it just keeps your stamp alive.
When you return, you will be stamped back in on your existing stamp, so in the above example, even if you returned on April 29th, your entry stamp would give you permission to stay until April 30th.
If you want to leave Thailand, you just have to purchase a re-entry permit before you leave. That will prevent your stamp from being cancelled by leaving. A re-entry permit is only valid for as long as the stamp you purchase it for, so if you have a stamp that gives you 90 days of permission to stay in Thailand with an end date of April 30th, and then you buy a re-entry permit and leave Thailand, you must be back before April 30th to apply for your extension. A re-entry permit does not give you any extra time, it just keeps your stamp alive.
When you return, you will be stamped back in on your existing stamp, so in the above example, even if you returned on April 29th, your entry stamp would give you permission to stay until April 30th.
John *********
@Brandon ***********
where do you buy the re-entry stamp?Brandon ************
@John ********
At the immigration office or at the re-entry desk at the airportReply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Bryn ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
Would that mean if my Non-O started on February 1 and letās say I left May 1 with the reentry permit stamp on exiting, I could stay out until March 31st? That might be a head scratcher for Immigration. My plan was to be here from November through March, then move on.
Brandon ************
@Bryn *******
What part do you not understand? A non-O is 90 days. After that you apply for 1-year extension. When you get the 1-year extension you can apply for a re-entry permit. Then you must be back before your extension ends. There is no head scratcher involved.Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Do I need a re-entry permit for my Non-O visa when traveling outside Thailand for over three months?
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