Re-entry permit: what's the logic behind it?

[pub2022]

Apart from using us as a cash cow, what's the logic about getting a re-entry permit?

The visa (extension, whatever) is already there, just give me another 'admitted until' damn stamp!

[NanLaew]

You've already answered your own question.

[lamyai3]

Unless it's a multiple entry visa (like the first year of a Non O-A) the visa is used up the first time you're stamped in. So the re-entry permit allows you to leave and come back during the period you were stamped in for. 

[Tod Daniels]

I stopped looking for anything remotely resembling 'logic' here in the glorious "Land 'O Thaiz" a long long time ago 😛 

[RupertIII]

Just another form of tax levied on foreigners.

[stupidfarang]

what is logic in Thailand? 

[Digitalbanana]

The re-entry permit is about maintaining long term stay and immigration control, not 'cash cow' as the op suggests. It's Thailand’s way of saying: "If you're going to leave temporarily, tell us first, or your long-stay visa ends here."

[DrJack54]

11 hours ago, pub2022 said:

The visa (extension, whatever) is already there, just give me another 'admitted until' damn stamp!

One could suggest that the 12 month extension should be 5700b which in fact it is for those that buy a reentry permit at same time as extension. 

1900 + 3800.

If it was a fixed 5700b which included multiple entry then people would complain that they never exit and reenter so why need a multi entry. 

 

I'm surprised the 12 month extension is only 1900b 

 

Thinking folk more hopeful that the TM30 and TM47 rubbish would someday be put in the bin (where it belongs) 

Suits zero purpose. 

 

[10000Baht]

4 hours ago, Tod Daniels said:

I stopped looking for anything remotely resembling 'logic' here in the glorious "Land 'O Thaiz" a long long time ago 😛 

Even foreigners with residency permit need a re-entry permit!

[Stocky]

19 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

One could suggest that the 12 month extension should be 5700b which in fact it is for those that buy a reentry permit at same time as extension. 

1900 + 3800.

If it was a fixed 5700b which included multiple entry then people would complain that they never exit and reenter so why need a multi entry. 

 

I'm surprised the 12 month extension is only 1900b 

 

Thinking folk more hopeful that the TM30 and TM47 rubbish would someday be put in the bin (where it belongs) 

Suits zero purpose. 

 

The total cost of extension + re-entry permit is about the same as the cost of a marriage multi-entry non-O, so I always thought that was probably the reason.

[Will B Good]

2 hours ago, Digitalbanana said:

The re-entry permit is about maintaining long term stay and immigration control, not 'cash cow' as the op suggests. It's Thailand’s way of saying: "If you're going to leave temporarily, tell us first, or your long-stay visa ends here."

 

Not disputing what you say....but don't see how it works?

 

They know you have left, they scan your passport........they know when you come back....... passport plus TM6.

 

You could get a re-entry permit then leave and not comeback.......or never leave and not use it?

[GanDoonToonPet]

Isn't it amazing that Cambodia can do exactly the same thing without the need for re-entry permits. Maybe someone from Thai Immigration could pop over the border and ask them how they do it.

[DrJack54]

3 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

You could get a re-entry permit then leave and not comeback.......or never leave and not use it

One issue not mentioned is eg those that want to kill off their permission of stay permit. 

For example I currently have an extension however no reentry permit. 

If I wished to obtain eg DTV, I could exist Thailand without reentry permit. 

Could then apply for new Visa (DTV) 

If the extension was a multi entry then no way to kill off the extension prior to expiry. 

[DrJack54]

3 minutes ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

Maybe someone from Thai Immigration could pop over the border and ask them how they do it.

Don't follow. 

Perhaps you could look into obtaing a visa for Vietnam. 

They are offered in single and multiple flavours. 

Thailand does not offer Non O multi entry one year visas anymore. 

[DrJoy]

11 hours ago, pub2022 said:

Apart from using us as a cash cow, what's the logic about getting a re-entry permit?

The visa (extension, whatever) is already there, just give me another 'admitted until' damn stamp!

The Thai immigration is notoriously corrupt, their whole visa system is corrupt and cash generating for their government.

Same goes for re entry permit

[GanDoonToonPet]

9 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Don't follow. 

Perhaps you could look into obtaing a visa for Vietnam. 

They are offered in single and multiple flavours. 

Thailand does not offer Non O multi entry one year visas anymore. 

Don't follow also.

 

I took the OP as referring to extensions of stay. In Cambodia, one can enter on a 30 day 'E' visa then obtain a 12 month extension without the necessity for re-entry permits.

[DrJack54]

24 minutes ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

Don't follow also.

 

I took the OP as referring to extensions of stay. In Cambodia, one can enter on a 30 day 'E' visa then obtain a 12 month extension without the necessity for re-entry permits.

All countries have their own policies. 

There are nice options for long term stay in various places eg Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines etc. 

Cleary many opt to live in Thailand. 

[josephbloggs]

53 minutes ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

Isn't it amazing that Cambodia can do exactly the same thing without the need for re-entry permits. Maybe someone from Thai Immigration could pop over the border and ask them how they do it.

Isn't it amazing that Cambodia charges a hell of a lot more for it?

Thailand one year extension= 1,900 baht. Add a single re-entry and it comes to 3,700. Make it a multi entry and it comes to 5,700 baht.

How much is your amazing one year Cambodian extension with multi entry? $285 USD? That's around 9,250 baht.

I know which I'd rather have.

[josephbloggs]

49 minutes ago, DrJoy said:

The Thai immigration is notoriously corrupt, their whole visa system is corrupt and cash generating for their government.

Same goes for re entry permit

Ok, which country gives away free long term visas? 

A short term visitor visa to the UK is £115 / 5,000 baht!

I've lived her for 30 years on various types of visas and never once encountered corruption at immigration. Never been asked for a bribe, never paid one. I also don't know anyone else who has ever come across it. 

If you don't meet the requirements and have to pay a bribe via an agent then that is up to you. But if you are a genuine applicant there is absolutely zero corruption.

This thread is certainly bringing out the bashers.

 

[lamyai3]

54 minutes ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

In Cambodia, one can enter on a 30 day 'E' visa then obtain a 12 month extension without the necessity for re-entry permits.

 

The Cambodian visa and extension of stay was probably put together much more recently and involved much simpler legislation. 

 

Thailand immigration law is ancient and anachronistic and tends to involve amendment after amendment over many years. The re-entry permit requirement was brought in back in 1979 (under Immigration Act B.E. 2522) when tourism was barely a thing and the only long stay expats were the few who worked here - this is the same act that introduced the TM30 and the 90 day report. Back then the country had very different problems and was concerned with keeping tabs on movements of communist insurgents after the fall of the Khmer Rouge, the Maoist Regime etc - the whole region was quite lawless. It's quite ridiculous that we're still having to adhere to rules that were drafted for such a bygone era, but that's Thai bureaucracy for you. 

[TroubleandGrumpy]

1 hour ago, DrJack54 said:

One could suggest that the 12 month extension should be 5700b which in fact it is for those that buy a reentry permit at same time as extension. 

1900 + 3800.

If it was a fixed 5700b which included multiple entry then people would complain that they never exit and reenter so why need a multi entry. 

 

I'm surprised the 12 month extension is only 1900b 

 

Thinking folk more hopeful that the TM30 and TM47 rubbish would someday be put in the bin (where it belongs) 

Suits zero purpose. 

Be quiet Jack !!  Dont tell them it should cost more mate.

 

The 90 day report should be canned too - totally unnecessary nowadays and clearly make absolutely no difference to those over staying. 

 

[Liquorice]

12 hours ago, pub2022 said:

Apart from using us as a cash cow, what's the logic about getting a re-entry permit?

The visa (extension, whatever) is already there, just give me another 'admitted until' damn stamp!

Thai Immigration and agents alike refer to everything as a visa which many just take to be the case without reading the forms you complete for a 1 year extension.

Visas typically allow either a single or multiple entries. A single entry visa is 'USED' on entry, whilst a multiple entry visa becomes invalid on the 'enter before date'.

You cannot extend the validity of a visa!

 

A Non O single entry visa typically allows a stay of 90 days, and when you apply for an extension it is to extend this period of stay for a further 12 months.
Extensions of stay are permits, not visas. They allow you to stay, not leave and re-enter.
If you leave Thailand during a period of stay, then that ends the period of stay already granted.
A re-entry permit basically keeps any permission of stay already granted 'alive' if you intend to depart and re-enter.

 

I had an experience just earlier this week when I went to collect my extension stamp based on Thai spouse after being approved.

On stamping my passport and handing it back, the IO stated, "Don't forget to get a new visa if you leave and return"
That threw me, has there been changes I'm not aware of?
"A new visa, or a re-entry permit", I inquired.
"New visa" he replied.
"Sorry, I don't understand" I said.
Eyes rolling as if I was some kind of moron, he grabbed a piece of scrap paper and stamped it, "new visa" he repeated.
It was an example of a re-entry permit he stamped.
"OK, a re-entry permit, not a visa" I commented.

Now he was the one that didn't understand me.

Clearly states 'Re-entry permit' on the stamp.
I really don't know whether using the term 'visa' rolls of the Thai tongue easier than 'permit', or whether they simply don't know any difference.
 

[sammieuk1]

For me the logic is it saves me a visit to a Thai consulate in the UK with all it's associated costs to prove my assets all over again 🤔

[GanDoonToonPet]

1 hour ago, josephbloggs said:

A short term visitor visa to the UK is £115 / 5,000 baht!

 

...and allows for a 6 month stay without the need for extensions and to leave the country halfway through.

 

Also, isn't it ironic that the bribe you have to pay to corrupt immigration officials if you want to stay an extra 3 months as a tourist in Thailand is the same as the total cost of a 6 month UK visitor visa. 🤔 

[StayinThailand2much]

2 hours ago, Will B Good said:

Not disputing what you say....but don't see how it works?

 

They know you have left, they scan your passport........they know when you come back....... passport plus TM6.

 

Well, I had ETAs for Oz and NZ before; went to Oz, then NZ, back to Oz... Australian one good for a year (and not just once), able to enter any time I wanted as long as it wasn't longer than 90 days. The NZ one was valid for two years. No 're-entry permits' needed...

[10000Baht]

1 hour ago, josephbloggs said:

Thailand one year extension= 1,900 baht. Add a single re-entry and it comes to 3,700.

A single Re-Entry is only 1.000.- THB, so it comes with the 1 year extension only to 2.900.- THB!

[Furioso]

Didn't Thailand use to charge a fee to all tourists when they flew out of Suvarnabhumi? 

[richard_smith237]

13 hours ago, lamyai3 said:

Unless it's a multiple entry visa (like the first year of a Non O-A) the visa is used up the first time you're stamped in. So the re-entry permit allows you to leave and come back during the period you were stamped in for. 

 

The Op understands the permissions - but is questioning the logic of it...  

 

There is no reason for needing a 're-entry permit' - the extension of stay could simply include re-entry - I see no sensible reason for it not to.

 

 

The same can be said of the Visa's themselves - IF a retiree or person married to a Thai qualifies for a Non-Imm Type O, there is no sensible reason not to simply offer a longer option (such as 10 years) - it would cut down the burden on both Immigration paperwork, congestion and add a layer of convenience. 

 

But, as already pointed out - Thailand has its policies and attempting to reason logic is somewhat pointless and that can be said of many countries.

 

 

 

[DrJack54]

5 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

There is no reason for needing a 're-entry permit' - the extension of stay could simply include re-entry - I see no sensible reason for it not to.

And how would you "kill off" Your permission of stay if for example you wanted to change from annual extensions to eg DTV 

 

[richard_smith237]

1 minute ago, DrJack54 said:

8 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

There is no reason for needing a 're-entry permit' - the extension of stay could simply include re-entry - I see no sensible reason for it not to.

And how would you "kill off" Your permission of stay if for example you wanted to change from annual extensions to eg DTV 

 

 

The same way you would in 'any other country'...   

 

But, if you are changing from annual extensions to a DTV (eg) you would't be 'killing off' your permission of stay, you'd simply be changing the reason.

 

IMO - There is still no logical reason for a re-entry permit - its rather non-sensical.