Re Entry Permit Question

[pokerkid]

I will be leaving thailand in the next 4-6 weeks and i would like to get a re entry permit this week. I do not know the exact departure and arrival (back in thailand) dates. Is this a problem because i see on the application form that i have to write down the exact days i am travelling.

[brewsterbudgen]

I believe it makes no difference what dates you put as long as they are within your extension of stay.

[lopburi3]

As said the dates do not matter and believe most offices will not even require them - but you can put anything reasonable if the do.

[pokerkid]

ok, thanks for the info

[merijn]

As the re-entry permit has the expire date as the visa ( extension ) it does not matter which dates you are using.

Some immigration offices don't require dates at all and you can leave the field empty on the application form.

[paddypower]

I guess Phuket immigration marches to its own drummer.

I am flying out on Monday, August 13, 2012. My 'O' Visa does not expire until March 2013.

I visited Phuket Office last week, July 26, thinking I could get organized with my reentry visa early. The answer was, come in the day before you fly out. When I pointed out that I would be catching the 8.00am flight to Bangkok. the officer said, come in the previous Friday. I asked him if there was no way around this 'ruling' and he was emphatic. NO. On another forum at Thai visa, the advice is - no problem, you can get a reentry visa at Bangkok airport. Now, the problem is, August 13, Immigration is closed. 15 years since I arrived, Thailand still amazes... So, do let us know how you make out, Tia.

PS on the same matter - the list of paperwork you need, according to that other ThaiVisa forum- is incomplete, . This officer at Phuket said I need to show my air ticket. 'bye.

Edited August 1, 2012 by paddypower

[merijn]

I guess Phuket immigration marches to its own drummer.

I am flying out on Monday, August 13, 2012. My 'O' Visa does not expire until March 2013.

I visited Phuket Office last week, July 26, thinking I could get organized with my reentry visa early. The answer was, come in the day before you fly out. When I pointed out that I would be catching the 8.00am flight to Bangkok. the officer said, come in the previous Friday. I asked him if there was no way around this 'ruling' and he was emphatic. NO. On another forum at Thai visa, the advice is - no problem, you can get a reentry visa at Bangkok airport. Now, the problem is, August 13, Immigration is closed. 15 years since I arrived, Thailand still amazes... So, do let us know how you make out, Tia.

PS on the same matter - the list of paperwork you need, according to that other ThaiVisa forum- is incomplete, . This officer at Phuket said I need to show my air ticket. 'bye.

Are you on an visa extension ? and if so where was this extension issued.

The Phuket immigration office will issue only a re-entry permit if the extension is also issued in Phuket.

If you are on an visa extension issued from Phuket immmigration or an O visa from abroad you should not have any problems unless something else was going on.

[lopburi3]

Airport immigration will not be closed.

[merijn]

Airport immigration will not be closed.

But i believe it is closed from 18:00 till 06:00 next morning.

Please correct me if this is wrong.

[paddypower]

Airport immigration will not be closed.

Posted Today, 11:06

Immigration makes the following anouncement:

Immigration Division 1 will be closed on 2nd - 5th August, 2012 and 11st - 13rd August,2012.

Re-entry Permit service at Suanplu Branch will be closed on Saturday 4th Aug,2012 and 11st Aug,2012.

Foreigners who residing in Bangkok can do Re-entry Permit, Extension stay permit and Notify of staying longer than 90 days in advance before long weekend on office hour. For more details call 1111

Immigration division 1 is Bangkok, but this goes for all immigration offices. (my u/line) Pat.

[paddypower]

I guess Phuket immigration marches to its own drummer.

I am flying out on Monday, August 13, 2012. My 'O' Visa does not expire until March 2013.

I visited Phuket Office last week, July 26, thinking I could get organized with my reentry visa early. The answer was, come in the day before you fly out. When I pointed out that I would be catching the 8.00am flight to Bangkok. the officer said, come in the previous Friday. I asked him if there was no way around this 'ruling' and he was emphatic. NO. On another forum at Thai visa, the advice is - no problem, you can get a reentry visa at Bangkok airport. Now, the problem is, August 13, Immigration is closed. 15 years since I arrived, Thailand still amazes... So, do let us know how you make out, Tia.

PS on the same matter - the list of paperwork you need, according to that other ThaiVisa forum- is incomplete, . This officer at Phuket said I need to show my air ticket. 'bye.

Are you on an visa extension ? and if so where was this extension issued.

The Phuket immigration office will issue only a re-entry permit if the extension is also issued in Phuket.

If you are on an visa extension issued from Phuket immmigration or an O visa from abroad you should not have any problems unless something else was going on.

I have a Retirement type 'O' visa. what I understand to be the 'regular' 12 month one - which I have been renewing yearly since 1998.

Issued at Nakohn si Tammarat...so yes, there is a problem in that the rules require me to apply for my reentry permit at the same office issuing me my visa. When I went to Phuket (for medical) I did not know that. All I am trying to determine now, for my self and for the general expat public, are 2 questions"

1. what are the 'rules' about the max. number of days in advance one can apply for a re-entry permit; and

2. does one need to show your air ticket or not? If you do have to show your air ticket, together with your Application, you cannot play 'loosey-goosey' with the dates you put on the form, as has been suggested by 3 contributers here. Much as free contributions and advice is valued - it is not all as clear cut as some of you make it out to be.

Poker Kid, I suggest you not take what you read here as gospel. Pat.

[NancyL]

I keep a re-entry permit in my passport at all times. I apply for it right after I obtain the 12-month retirement visa extension and put "unknown" in the travel dates. I've never heard of anyone being told to hold off and apply for their re-entry permit just before the flight here in Chiang Mai.

It's just a good insurance policy for your visa extension to have a valid, unused re-entry permit. You never know when you may have to leave the country suddenly in a situation when you can't get a re-entry permit -- like during a long holiday weekend.

[paddypower]

I keep a re-entry permit in my passport at all times. I apply for it right after I obtain the 12-month retirement visa extension and put "unknown" in the travel dates. I've never heard of anyone being told to hold off and apply for their re-entry permit just before the flight here in Chiang Mai.

It's just a good insurance policy for your visa extension to have a valid, unused re-entry permit. You never know when you may have to leave the country suddenly in a situation when you can't get a re-entry permit -- like during a long holiday weekend.

Nancy L:that is a great idea - smiilar to what a lady friend described to me. It all sounds rather vague. I guess I got the wrong guy on the wrong day - not a first. My friend said she puts some extra juice in the passport. Some things never change. I will report back on what I experience at the Nakohn Si Tammarat office. Pat.

[lopburi3]

Airport immigration will not be closed.

But i believe it is closed from 18:00 till 06:00 next morning.

Please correct me if this is wrong.

Operation is 0600-2400

[lopburi3]

There is no restriction on when you can obtain a re-entry permit or need to show tickets. But this needs to be done at office issuing extension of stay. If done elsewhere, such as airport, it can not be done early. Suspect that is why Phuket has told you to return before flight with ticket. They seem to be doing you a favor rather than saying no; you did not extend here.

[Mario2008]

Airport immigration will not be closed.

Posted Today, 11:06

Immigration makes the following anouncement:

Immigration Division 1 will be closed on 2nd - 5th August, 2012 and 11st - 13rd August,2012.

Re-entry Permit service at Suanplu Branch will be closed on Saturday 4th Aug,2012 and 11st Aug,2012.

Foreigners who residing in Bangkok can do Re-entry Permit, Extension stay permit and Notify of staying longer than 90 days in advance before long weekend on office hour. For more details call 1111

Immigration division 1 is Bangkok, but this goes for all immigration offices. (my u/line) Pat.

I said immigration offices, not borders such as at the airport. There is a difference.

[merijn]

I keep a re-entry permit in my passport at all times. I apply for it right after I obtain the 12-month retirement visa extension and put "unknown" in the travel dates. I've never heard of anyone being told to hold off and apply for their re-entry permit just before the flight here in Chiang Mai.

It's just a good insurance policy for your visa extension to have a valid, unused re-entry permit. You never know when you may have to leave the country suddenly in a situation when you can't get a re-entry permit -- like during a long holiday weekend.

This is always advised to the people who are organizing the new one year extension at Phuket immigration.

Get the (single ) re-entry permit the same time as the new extension so you don't have to worry in case you have to leave the country.

This is specially the case when you have older (parents ) back home in which case you always can get a phone call to return home in a hurry due some problems etc.

I encountered many people with problems as they left the country in a hurry without getting the re-entry permit first.

[merijn]

I guess Phuket immigration marches to its own drummer.

I am flying out on Monday, August 13, 2012. My 'O' Visa does not expire until March 2013.

I visited Phuket Office last week, July 26, thinking I could get organized with my reentry visa early. The answer was, come in the day before you fly out. When I pointed out that I would be catching the 8.00am flight to Bangkok. the officer said, come in the previous Friday. I asked him if there was no way around this 'ruling' and he was emphatic. NO. On another forum at Thai visa, the advice is - no problem, you can get a reentry visa at Bangkok airport. Now, the problem is, August 13, Immigration is closed. 15 years since I arrived, Thailand still amazes... So, do let us know how you make out, Tia.

PS on the same matter - the list of paperwork you need, according to that other ThaiVisa forum- is incomplete, . This officer at Phuket said I need to show my air ticket. 'bye.

Are you on an visa extension ? and if so where was this extension issued.

The Phuket immigration office will issue only a re-entry permit if the extension is also issued in Phuket.

If you are on an visa extension issued from Phuket immmigration or an O visa from abroad you should not have any problems unless something else was going on.

I have a Retirement type 'O' visa. what I understand to be the 'regular' 12 month one - which I have been renewing yearly since 1998.

Issued at Nakohn si Tammarat...so yes, there is a problem in that the rules require me to apply for my reentry permit at the same office issuing me my visa. When I went to Phuket (for medical) I did not know that. All I am trying to determine now, for my self and for the general expat public, are 2 questions"

1. what are the 'rules' about the max. number of days in advance one can apply for a re-entry permit; and

2. does one need to show your air ticket or not? If you do have to show your air ticket, together with your Application, you cannot play 'loosey-goosey' with the dates you put on the form, as has been suggested by 3 contributers here. Much as free contributions and advice is valued - it is not all as clear cut as some of you make it out to be.

Poker Kid, I suggest you not take what you read here as gospel. Pat.

When you apply for the re-entry permit at the immigration office where the extension is issued you don't have any restrictions for applying the re-entry permit.

Also in this case no airline ticket is required.

The only reason they asked you for an airline ticket is the fact that your extension was not issued at Phuket immigration and they were willing to help you but this can only be done one day before departure date otherwise you should be able to go to the original immigration office where the extension was issued.

[paddypower]

I guess Phuket immigration marches to its own drummer.

I am flying out on Monday, August 13, 2012. My 'O' Visa does not expire until March 2013.

I visited Phuket Office last week, July 26, thinking I could get organized with my reentry visa early. The answer was, come in the day before you fly out. When I pointed out that I would be catching the 8.00am flight to Bangkok. the officer said, come in the previous Friday. I asked him if there was no way around this 'ruling' and he was emphatic. NO. On another forum at Thai visa, the advice is - no problem, you can get a reentry visa at Bangkok airport. Now, the problem is, August 13, Immigration is closed. 15 years since I arrived, Thailand still amazes... So, do let us know how you make out, Tia.

PS on the same matter - the list of paperwork you need, according to that other ThaiVisa forum- is incomplete, . This officer at Phuket said I need to show my air ticket. 'bye.

Are you on an visa extension ? and if so where was this extension issued.

The Phuket immigration office will issue only a re-entry permit if the extension is also issued in Phuket.

If you are on an visa extension issued from Phuket immmigration or an O visa from abroad you should not have any problems unless something else was going on.

I have a Retirement type 'O' visa. what I understand to be the 'regular' 12 month one - which I have been renewing yearly since 1998.

Issued at Nakohn si Tammarat...so yes, there is a problem in that the rules require me to apply for my reentry permit at the same office issuing me my visa. When I went to Phuket (for medical) I did not know that. All I am trying to determine now, for my self and for the general expat public, are 2 questions"

1. what are the 'rules' about the max. number of days in advance one can apply for a re-entry permit; and

2. does one need to show your air ticket or not? If you do have to show your air ticket, together with your Application, you cannot play 'loosey-goosey' with the dates you put on the form, as has been suggested by 3 contributers here. Much as free contributions and advice is valued - it is not all as clear cut as some of you make it out to be.

Poker Kid, I suggest you not take what you read here as gospel. Pat.

When you apply for the re-entry permit at the immigration office where the extension is issued you don't have any restrictions for applying the re-entry permit.

Also in this case no airline ticket is required.

The only reason they asked you for an airline ticket is the fact that your extension was not issued at Phuket immigration and they were willing to help you but this can only be done one day before departure date otherwise you should be able to go to the original immigration office where the extension was issued.

Thanks to all who have responded...especially about the point that the Immigration desk at BKK airport is not an office and will be available to me when I fly out. This saves me a trip the Immigration office at Nakohn Si Tammarat.

[Mario2008]

When you apply for the re-entry permit at the immigration office where the extension is issued you don't have any restrictions for applying the re-entry permit.

Also in this case no airline ticket is required.

The only reason they asked you for an airline ticket is the fact that your extension was not issued at Phuket immigration and they were willing to help you but this can only be done one day before departure date otherwise you should be able to go to the original immigration office where the extension was issued.

Airport immirgation only issues a re-entry permit when you already have a boarding pass. You cannot go to the airport and get a re-entry prmit in advance.

[paddypower]

When you apply for the re-entry permit at the immigration office where the extension is issued you don't have any restrictions for applying the re-entry permit.

Also in this case no airline ticket is required.

The only reason they asked you for an airline ticket is the fact that your extension was not issued at Phuket immigration and they were willing to help you but this can only be done one day before departure date otherwise you should be able to go to the original immigration office where the extension was issued.

Airport immirgation only issues a re-entry permit when you already have a boarding pass. You cannot go to the airport and get a re-entry prmit in advance.

Excuse me for not making it more clear than I did. I am not going to go to Bangkok airport now. That would be a bit more expensive than driving 100 km down the highway, here in Nakohn Si Tammarat. I will fly to Bangkok airport the same day I fly out of Thailand. Then, with boarding pass in hand, I will apply for a reentry permit. Will this work?

[merijn]

When you apply for the re-entry permit at the immigration office where the extension is issued you don't have any restrictions for applying the re-entry permit.

Also in this case no airline ticket is required.

The only reason they asked you for an airline ticket is the fact that your extension was not issued at Phuket immigration and they were willing to help you but this can only be done one day before departure date otherwise you should be able to go to the original immigration office where the extension was issued.

Airport immirgation only issues a re-entry permit when you already have a boarding pass. You cannot go to the airport and get a re-entry prmit in advance.

Excuse me for not making it more clear than I did. I am not going to go to Bangkok airport now. That would be a bit more expensive than driving 100 km down the highway, here in Nakohn Si Tammarat. I will fly to Bangkok airport the same day I fly out of Thailand. Then, with boarding pass in hand, I will apply for a reentry permit. Will this work?

Yep, should not be a problem as long it is not between 24:00 and 06:00 and you do get the boarding pass and do immigration in Bangkok.

Edited August 2, 2012 by merijn

[ubonjoe]

Yes

But allow a little extra time to get the re-entry permit. Having form, photo and etc. would save a little time. They charge about 1200 baht for the re-entry permit.

Edited August 2, 2012 by ubonjoe

[davejonesbkk]

Can someone please confirm if the desk for getting a re-entry permit at the airport is open tomorrow Friday 3rd? Immigration offices are closed but how about the desk?

[ubonjoe]

Re-entry permit office is open 365 days a year.

[lopburi3]

It should be open as is not an immigration office but a point of entry operation.

[OxfordWill]

Double question... thanks guys

Edited August 2, 2012 by OxfordWill

[snooky]

I guess Phuket immigration marches to its own drummer.

I am flying out on Monday, August 13, 2012. My 'O' Visa does not expire until March 2013.

I visited Phuket Office last week, July 26, thinking I could get organized with my reentry visa early. The answer was, come in the day before you fly out. When I pointed out that I would be catching the 8.00am flight to Bangkok. the officer said, come in the previous Friday. I asked him if there was no way around this 'ruling' and he was emphatic. NO. On another forum at Thai visa, the advice is - no problem, you can get a reentry visa at Bangkok airport. Now, the problem is, August 13, Immigration is closed. 15 years since I arrived, Thailand still amazes... So, do let us know how you make out, Tia.

PS on the same matter - the list of paperwork you need, according to that other ThaiVisa forum- is incomplete, . This officer at Phuket said I need to show my air ticket. 'bye.

Ahh Me Add to the list of other, more important, reasons not to go to Phuket! Another straw to break the camel;s back, so to speak.

[lopburi3]

I suspect you did not read post #11? It is normal policy that re-entry permits are obtained where you obtain your extension of stay. This poster did not obtain his extension of stay at the office he tried to use.

[hedonist44]

I keep a re-entry permit in my passport at all times. I apply for it right after I obtain the 12-month retirement visa extension and put "unknown" in the travel dates. I've never heard of anyone being told to hold off and apply for their re-entry permit just before the flight here in Chiang Mai.

It's just a good insurance policy for your visa extension to have a valid, unused re-entry permit. You never know when you may have to leave the country suddenly in a situation when you can't get a re-entry permit -- like during a long holiday weekend.

+1