Non-Immigrant Ed Single-Entry -> Reentry Permission?

[Kathi1986]

Hey everybody,

this forum is really great! I read through some topics and now I know a lot more about visa issues in Thailand, but unfortunately I couldn't find the answer for my problem.

I am student from Germany and from September 2010 to February 2011 I will study at Chula university in Bangkok. With my admission letter from the university I also got a letter asking the consulate in Germany to issue a single-entry non-immigrant ED visa. As I want to do research in other Sotuh-East-Asian countries as well as travel around, a single-entry visa is not really perfect for me... I asked the guy from the consulate to issues me a multiple-entry visa but he refused to do so, since in the letter it is only asked for a single-entry... Thus, I first only applied for a single-entry visa.

Now my question: How does it work with a single-entry visa, when I want to go to another country for some days? I know, there is the possibility to get a reentry-permit, but do I have to apply for that every time I want to go somewhere outside Thailand? And are there any restrictions or is it more or less easy to get such a reentry-permit? and how much does it cost?

Now I am still able to ask the lady from the International Relations office of Chula university to write a letter of admission in which she asks to issue me a multiple-entry visa. The money for the single-entry visa (50€) would be away though. And with the costs for the multiple-entry (120€) it would be at all 170€. Would it be cheaper to apply every time for the reentry-permits? How much do they cost?

The worst thing I could imagine would be, that I want to go for a weekend let's say to Laos and would not be able to do so. Thus, I really want to be sure, that everything is ok with the visa and the possibility to go abroad as well as come back to Thailand...

I hope, my problem is clear and I didn't confuse you too much with all the questions.

Thanks a lot in advance for helping me, I really appreciate that!

Greetings from Frankfurt,

Kathi

[meithai]

Hi,

Go to immigration & ask for a Re-Entry form, I think you have to pay 1,000bt for it, but it could be more, not sure..... this will keep your ED visa live.

I think you have to do this each time you exit TH, but again not 100% sure, I would also like confirmation on this issue.

[TerryLH]

A single re-entry permit is 1k.

A multiple re-entry permit is 3800 baht and is good for as many times as you want to use it during your current permission to stay.

[lopburi3]

If you are a full time student after arrival you should be able to obtain a one year extension of stay for your initial 90 day entry visa. That will cost 1,900 baht. Then you can obtain a multi re-entry permit for 3,800 baht to cover all trips during that one year of stay.

The single entry visa you obtain from Consulate will only allow one 90 day stay. The multi entry visa you tried for would allow up to 90 day days for one year but you would be required to exit every 90 days or less.

[Kathi1986]

Thanks a lot for all your answers!

Ok, so if understood it right, with my entry-visa I will get an extension of stay for one year and not only for 90 days? And if I buy a multiple reentry-permit, then I can use this also the whole year, and not only 90 days?

But are there any restrictions for the multiple reentry-permit? Would be bad, if the refuse me to give that...

And for the multiple-entry non-immigrant visa there would not be any additional costs in Thailand, like the 1,900 Baht for the extension with the single-entry?

Thus, there would be no difference with having single-entry+extension+multiple reentry-permit or multiple-entry non-imm. visa, besides the visa-run every 90 days with the latter one???

--> Single-Entry: 2,000 + 1,900 +3,800 Baht = 7,700 Baht

--> Mutliple-Entry: 2,000 ('cause I won't get this back...) + 4,800 Baht = 6,800 Baht

But, if I look at the costs, then multiple-entry would be still better. Ah!!! I don't know what to do!

[lopburi3]

Single entry visa is one time only and allows a stay of only 90 days.

Multi entry visa is unlimited entry for one year period and allow a stay of only 90 days.

One year extension of stay from Immigration should be available for full study at a university and that would cost 1,900 baht per year - it would not allow travel and would require university paperwork.

A re-entry permit keeps such a permitted to stay alive and costs 1,000 baht single entry or 3,800 baht multi entry.

The main difference between multi entry visa (besides the fact most please do not want to issue) is you must exit the country every 90 days or less using a visa. An extension of stay allows you to remain without any exit being required.

[Kathi1986]

Ok, I understood that. But is it difficult to get that multiple reentry-permit?

And do I have any additional costs with the multiple-entry non-immigrant visa (besides the issuing costs), e.g. sth like the 1,900 Baht for the extension of stay?

Because if it is difficult to get the multiple reentry-permission, it would be better to get a multiple-entry visa here in Germany.

And if there would be additional costs arising for the multiple-entry visa, then it would be perhaps cheaper not to get a multiple-entry visa (given that it is easy to get the multiple reentry permit in Thailand)...

Thus, what is better (costs and problems)? To take the single-entry I already have and get a multiple reentry permit (w/o problems?!) or to apply for a multiple-entry visa (though I already paid for the single)?

Single entry visa is one time only and allows a stay of only 90 days.

Multi entry visa is unlimited entry for one year period and allow a stay of only 90 days.

One year extension of stay from Immigration should be available for full study at a university and that would cost 1,900 baht per year - it would not allow travel and would require university paperwork.

A re-entry permit keeps such a permitted to stay alive and costs 1,000 baht single entry or 3,800 baht multi entry.

The main difference between multi entry visa (besides the fact most please do not want to issue) is you must exit the country every 90 days or less using a visa. An extension of stay allows you to remain without any exit being required.

[Lite Beer]

A Multi Re Entry Permit is routine and costs 3,800 Baht.