Thailand Re-Entry Permit Guide

Required Documents

Fees

Step-by-Step Process

Expert Tips

• Multiple re-entry permits are excellent value if you travel to neighbouring countries regularly — the ฿3,800 is far cheaper than re-applying for a new visa each time.
• If you forget to get a re-entry permit before leaving, your extension will be cancelled and you will need to apply for a new visa. This is one of the most painful and preventable immigration mistakes.
• Some people choose to apply at the airport departure counter on the day of travel. This is convenient but can be stressful if queues are long — always allow extra time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting entirely to get a re-entry permit before a short trip abroad, losing months or years of accumulated visa status.
• Getting a single re-entry permit when planning two international trips — the second trip cancels the extension.
• Not realising the re-entry permit is tied to the current extension period, not a general travel right.

Important Warnings

When entry can be refused

Holding a valid visa is not the same as a right of entry. The Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979) sets out eleven grounds on which an immigration officer may refuse a foreigner at the border.

1. 1

   No genuine valid passport, or a valid passport without a visa — unless you meet the visa exemption requirements. The terms of both visa issuance and visa exemption are set by Ministerial Regulations rather than by the Act itself.

2. 2

   No appropriate means of living after entering the country.

3. 3

   Entering to work as an unskilled or untrained labourer, or to work in breach of the Alien Work Permit law.

4. 4

   Being mentally unstable, or having any of the diseases listed in the Ministerial Regulations.

5. 5

   Not vaccinated against smallpox or otherwise inoculated as required, and refusing vaccination by the Immigration Doctor.

6. 6

   Having been imprisoned by a Thai court, or by a foreign court — except for petty offences, negligence, or cases the Ministerial Regulations exempt.

7. 7

   Behaviour that could endanger the public, or being subject to an arrest warrant from a foreign government.

8. 8

   Reason to believe entry is for prostitution, trafficking of women or children, drug smuggling or other smuggling against public morality.

9. 9

   Not holding the money or bond the Minister prescribes.(Section 14)

10. 10

    Being a person the Minister has prohibited from entry.(Section 16)

11. 11

    Having been deported by Thailand or another country, had a right of stay revoked, or been expelled from Thailand at the Thai government's expense — unless the Minister grants an individual exemption.

Summarised in plain English from the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979), published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kingdom of Thailand and read on 2026-08-12. This is a summary, not the statutory text — read the source document if anything here affects your travel.

Thai bank holidays, 2026

Banks, government offices and immigration are closed. Visa extensions and 90-day reports cannot be filed on these dates, and the days either side are the busiest of the month.

• 13 Oct 2026H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great Memorial Day
• 23 Oct 2026H.M. King Chulalongkorn the Great Memorial Day
• 7 Dec 2026Substitution for H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great’s Birthday, National Day and Father’s Day (Saturday 5th December 2026)
• 10 Dec 2026Constitution Day
• 31 Dec 2026New Year’s Eve

Source: Bank of Thailand. Financial-institution holidays; some government offices keep different hours.

Frequently Asked Questions