I have a retirement visa, and just did a 90 day check-in a few days ago. I plan to visit my family in the USA for two months. I asked at the immigration office about a re-entry permit, and the woman told me that if I returned to Thailand in time for my next 90 day check-in, my existing retirement visa would remain valid. She didn't say anything about a re-entry permit. I want to be sure I have done my homework before I take my vacation, rather than get stuck with more fees when I return.

Is a re-entry permit required if I leave the country for less than 90 days?

First we have to know what you have:

1. A non immigrant O-A retirement multi entry visa issued by a Consulate allowing a one year permitted to stay stamp on entry into Thailand? If so, and the visa expiration date will not have expired when you return, there is no need for a re-entry permit.

2. A one year extension of stay obtained from Immigration that allows you to stay in Thailand for one year (or a little less if first time)? You need a re-entry permit to keep that extension of stay alive.

3. A multi entry non immigrant O visa that allows a 90 days entry and you exit country every 90 days? No re-entry permit required.

What you were told by Immigration makes no sense. If you are here on an extension of stay a re-entry permit is required for any exit of the country - or when you return you will be without the extension of stay and only allowed entry that your nationality allows for non visa (most of us 30 days).

I applied for a retirement visa at the immigration department in Bangkok. The stamp in my passport says:

"Bangkok, Thailand extension of stay permitted up to 10 Jul 2008 holder must leave the kingdom within the date specified herein offenders will be prosecuted ... Retirement 23 Apr 2007 ... If you don't want to make for re-entry before you leave, visa will be cancelled."

The last part is in Thai, and I had a friend translate it. It seems to say I need a re-entry permit before I leave, so I will go back to immigration tomorrow. How can the person at the immigration desk tell me wrong information? I guess that is a rhetorical question in the LOS.

You absolutely need a re-entry permit prior to travel to keep that extension of stay.

You absolutely need a re-entry permit prior to travel to keep that extension of stay.

And your 90 day reporting requirement will kick back in 90 days after your next arrival in Thailand.

Naka.

You must have the re-entry permit before you leave Thailand or your Non immigrant O-A visa will be stamped as used and you will have to reapply for your Non immigrant O-A visa again (just as you did the first time) at a Thai Embassy outside Thailand. Single or multiple entry rentry permits can be obtained at the Suan Plu Immigration office in Bangkok. Having been caught in this situation before, I now routinely get a single reentry permit when I annually extend my visa just in case I have to leave Thailand in a hurry!

The 90 day check-in period will restart from the time you reenter Thailand so you can ignore the date on the little white slip you got when you did your last check in.

See post #3. He does not have a retirement visa (as is true of most people) but has an extension of stay from Immigration. That is why he will need a re-entry permit. Most people who obtain a long stay visa, at least in the US, obtain a multi entry type and re-entry permits are not required until the visa itself expires.

People can easily obtain a non immigrant visa if they qualify for extension and retirement extension of stay inside Thailand from Immigration.