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Visa and stay7 min readPublished
Thailand Re-entry Permit: What It Preserves and What It Does Not
TM.8, official single/multiple re-entry fees, and the key distinction between immigration permission to stay and a Work Permit.
# Thailand Re-entry Permit: What It Preserves and What It Does Not
A **Re-entry Permit** is an Immigration Bureau permission connected to an existing **permission to stay**. It is used when a foreign national needs to leave Thailand and return without losing the immigration permission that would otherwise be affected by departure.
## Important distinction
A Re-entry Permit is **not a Work Permit** and should not be described as preserving or extending employment authorisation by itself. Work authorisation and immigration permission are separate controls. Check both before travel.
## Types and official fees
The Immigration Bureau public handbook states:
- **Single Re-entry Permit: 1,000 THB**
- **Multiple Re-entry Permit: 3,800 THB**
The application uses **TM.8** and requires the passport and supporting documents listed by Immigration.
## Timing
Obtain the appropriate Re-entry Permit **before departing Thailand** when it is required for the permission-to-stay route. The permit does not add days beyond the existing permitted period; its usefulness is tied to that permission.
## Official reference
Immigration Bureau public handbook: https://www.immigration.go.th/citizen_manual/guid_en5.pdf
*Reviewed in August 2026. Check the current permission-to-stay stamp/record and Work Permit separately before travel.*
A **Re-entry Permit** is an Immigration Bureau permission connected to an existing **permission to stay**. It is used when a foreign national needs to leave Thailand and return without losing the immigration permission that would otherwise be affected by departure.
## Important distinction
A Re-entry Permit is **not a Work Permit** and should not be described as preserving or extending employment authorisation by itself. Work authorisation and immigration permission are separate controls. Check both before travel.
## Types and official fees
The Immigration Bureau public handbook states:
- **Single Re-entry Permit: 1,000 THB**
- **Multiple Re-entry Permit: 3,800 THB**
The application uses **TM.8** and requires the passport and supporting documents listed by Immigration.
## Timing
Obtain the appropriate Re-entry Permit **before departing Thailand** when it is required for the permission-to-stay route. The permit does not add days beyond the existing permitted period; its usefulness is tied to that permission.
## Official reference
Immigration Bureau public handbook: https://www.immigration.go.th/citizen_manual/guid_en5.pdf
*Reviewed in August 2026. Check the current permission-to-stay stamp/record and Work Permit separately before travel.*
