Retirement Visa/Multiple Entry Versus Single Entry

[louisn]

Hi,

-I am in the process of applying for a Retirement Visa however am confused at the rules of leaving and entering Thailand, and how that effects the 90 Day reporting dates during the visa year. - i have heard from various sources one's visa can be caancelled out.

-I would also like to know the difference between Multiple Entry and Single Entry Permit?

More questions -

If I plan to go away several times during the year -

. Do I have to apply for a permit to leave and enter Thailand each time on both single and Multiple entries? And pay 1000THB every time?

. If I plan a trip during the 90 Day reporting, and return a few days, a week or two after the report date, would it affect dates of the 90 days/every 3 months reporting? Or do I report 3 months after my return to Thailand?

What is the best, easiest and more affordable way to go with this also having some freedom to choose my dates to go away in mind?

I thank you in advance and would appreciate clear answers as I continue to receive quick and abrupt answers which do not really inform or clarify the rules. This is why I have turned to this forum to understand the details and impact upon this type of visa when leaving the country.

Thank you so much

[ubonjoe]

A single re-entry permit only allows one entry for the length of its validity. A multiple re-entry permit allows unlimited entries for the length of its validity that is the same as the length of your extension. You do not need to get a new re-entry permit every time you leave the country if you have a multiple re-entry permit.

You do not have to do reports of staying longer than 90 days in the country unless you stay that long. As long as you leave the country on or before the 90th day you do not need to do a report.

The 90 days start again on the date you enter the country including that day in the count.

[Eclipse]

Not quite sure what you are asking but:-

If you are asking about a 12 Month Extension for Retirement obtained from Immigration.

You can apply for a Multi Entry Re Entry Permit at the same time. 3,800 Bht fee.

This enables you to come and go as many times as you want during the 12 months.

As for 90 day reports, If you are not in the country for 90 continuous days you do not report.

[louisn]

Thanks Global Moderators, your answer perfectly clarified and answered my questions. Much appreciated.

[BritTim]

We are guessing a bit as to what you are currently applying for. You may mean:

• A visa applied for outside Thailand. The best (legitimately called a "retirement visa" though a more precise term is preferable) is a Non Imm O-A visa. This allows unlimited entries into Thailand for 12 months from the date of issue. There are also single and multiple entry Non Imm O visas.that allow single 90-day entry or multiple 90-day entries.
• (My guess) a 12-month extension of an existing stay within Thailand. When you do not have a visa, to keep your current permission to stay (including any extension) valid, you must purchase a e-entry permit. A single re-entry permit (allowing a single exit and re-entry into Thailand) costs 1,000 baht. A multiple re-entry permit costs 3,800 baht.

[louisn]

Not quite sure what you are asking but:-

If you are asking about a 12 Month Extension for Retirement obtained from Immigration.

You can apply for a Multi Entry Re Entry Permit at the same time. 3,800 Bht fee.

This enables you to come and go as many times as you want during the 12 months.

As for 90 day reports, If you are not in the country for 90 continuous days you do not report.

Thank you , not quite what I was asking but great added informationfor if I decide to extend. Just applying for one at the moment.

[Wiceman]

Hope I explain this right. I am just about to renew my one year multiple entry visa for the first time. I retired here planing to go back to Canada for a few months each year. We also did some regional travel last year (korea and Burma) so multiple entry visa was bought . What I noticed is that when I came back a few weeks before my year was up I was stamped for another year. So my 3,800 Baht multiple entry one year visa became a 23 month visa with the caveat that the last 12 months of that 23 month period I had to stay in country. I plan to do the same thing when I renew it and do all of our international travel in the first 11 and half months and then enter back and stay put for the following 12. Hope this helps.

[sunnyjim5]

You presumably have an O/A visa from which, used as you describe, can provide a 2 year stay.

If you wish to undertake any further travel you must obtain a re entry permit to protect your current permission to stay date.

The visa can only be obtained in Canada.

[louisn]

A single re-entry permit only allows one entry for the length of its validity. A multiple re-entry permit allows unlimited entries for the length of its validity that is the same as the length of your extension. You do not need to get a new re-entry permit every time you leave the country if you have a multiple re-entry permit.

You do not have to do reports of staying longer than 90 days in the country unless you stay that long. As long as you leave the country on or before the 90th day you do not need to do a report.

The 90 days start again on the date you enter the country including that day in the count.

Thanks so much your answer helped clarify my confusion, much appreciated Global Moderators.

[louisn]

Hope I explain this right. I am just about to renew my one year multiple entry visa for the first time. I retired here planing to go back to Canada for a few months each year. We also did some regional travel last year (korea and Burma) so multiple entry visa was bought . What I noticed is that when I came back a few weeks before my year was up I was stamped for another year. So my 3,800 Baht multiple entry one year visa became a 23 month visa with the caveat that the last 12 months of that 23 month period I had to stay in country. I plan to do the same thing when I renew it and do all of our international travel in the first 11 and half months and then enter back and stay put for the following 12. Hope this helps.

[louisn]

Hope I explain this right. I am just about to renew my one year multiple entry visa for the first time. I retired here planing to go back to Canada for a few months each year. We also did some regional travel last year (korea and Burma) so multiple entry visa was bought . What I noticed is that when I came back a few weeks before my year was up I was stamped for another year. So my 3,800 Baht multiple entry one year visa became a 23 month visa with the caveat that the last 12 months of that 23 month period I had to stay in country. I plan to do the same thing when I renew it and do all of our international travel in the first 11 and half months and then enter back and stay put for the following 12. Hope this helps.

That's very interesting Wiseman, wow another year. It's a good plan although I've been travelling so much that staying put for 12 months seems a little overwhelming. I wonder if there is a way to avoid the caveat of sitting still for 12 months? I am kind of joking but detecting a slight fear at the thought of it)! It does clarify though. Thanks.

[louisn]

You presumably have an O/A visa from which, used as you describe, can provide a 2 year stay.

If you wish to undertake any further travel you must obtain a re entry permit to protect your current permission to stay date.

The visa can only be obtained in Canada.

Hi, Thank you, I am applying for a retirement visa within Thailand, I am unsure whether it is the same as O/A or not?

Edited February 18, 2016 by louisn

[sunnyjim5]

You cannot obtain a "Retirement Visa" in Thailand .

If you want an O/A long stay visa(retirement) it must be applied for in your country of origin.

[ubonjoe]

Hope I explain this right. I am just about to renew my one year multiple entry visa for the first time. I retired here planing to go back to Canada for a few months each year. We also did some regional travel last year (korea and Burma) so multiple entry visa was bought . What I noticed is that when I came back a few weeks before my year was up I was stamped for another year. So my 3,800 Baht multiple entry one year visa became a 23 month visa with the caveat that the last 12 months of that 23 month period I had to stay in country. I plan to do the same thing when I renew it and do all of our international travel in the first 11 and half months and then enter back and stay put for the following 12. Hope this helps.

Not sure why you thought you had to stay in the country for those 12 months.

You got a multiple re-entry permit after you got your last one entry prior your visa expiring to keep it valid I presume. That permit would allow you to leave and re-enter the country as many times as you want up to the date it expires.

[Wiceman]

Hope I explain this right. I am just about to renew my one year multiple entry visa for the first time. I retired here planing to go back to Canada for a few months each year. We also did some regional travel last year (korea and Burma) so multiple entry visa was bought . What I noticed is that when I came back a few weeks before my year was up I was stamped for another year. So my 3,800 Baht multiple entry one year visa became a 23 month visa with the caveat that the last 12 months of that 23 month period I had to stay in country. I plan to do the same thing when I renew it and do all of our international travel in the first 11 and half months and then enter back and stay put for the following 12. Hope this helps.

Not sure why you thought you had to stay in the country for those 12 months.

You got a multiple re-entry permit after you got your last one entry prior your visa expiring to keep it valid I presume. That permit would allow you to leave and re-enter the country as many times as you want up to the date it expires.

My fist multiple entry visa was obtained in Canada and was issued on the 09 of September 2014 and valid until the 08 of September 2015.

I arrived in Thailand in October of 2014 and traveled to Burma and Korea during the next six months. I went back to Canada in May of 2015 and came back to Thailand in August 2015. I was expecting to renew my visa a few weeks after coming back(before the visa expiry of Sept 08 2015). Thing is when I got home to Kanchanaburi I looked at the stamp they gave me and it says arrival 19 Aug 2015 valid until 18 Aug 2016. I deduced from this that if I left again I would have an expired visa but if I stayed my one year status would have restarted from my last arrival (Aug 19 2015). Thus the over 12 month validation. A friend here says I can get one time exit visa from the immigration office if I had a burning desire to see a concert in Singapore for example. Not sure as it's all new to me. Sure is comfortable here though.

[sunnyjim5]

Hope I explain this right. I am just about to renew my one year multiple entry visa for the first time. I retired here planing to go back to Canada for a few months each year. We also did some regional travel last year (korea and Burma) so multiple entry visa was bought . What I noticed is that when I came back a few weeks before my year was up I was stamped for another year. So my 3,800 Baht multiple entry one year visa became a 23 month visa with the caveat that the last 12 months of that 23 month period I had to stay in country. I plan to do the same thing when I renew it and do all of our international travel in the first 11 and half months and then enter back and stay put for the following 12. Hope this helps.

Not sure why you thought you had to stay in the country for those 12 months.

You got a multiple re-entry permit after you got your last one entry prior your visa expiring to keep it valid I presume. That permit would allow you to leave and re-enter the country as many times as you want up to the date it expires.

My fist multiple entry visa was obtained in Canada and was issued on the 09 of September 2014 and valid until the 08 of September 2015.

I arrived in Thailand in October of 2014 and traveled to Burma and Korea during the next six months. I went back to Canada in May of 2015 and came back to Thailand in August 2015. I was expecting to renew my visa a few weeks after coming back(before the visa expiry of Sept 08 2015). Thing is when I got home to Kanchanaburi I looked at the stamp they gave me and it says arrival 19 Aug 2015 valid until 18 Aug 2016. I deduced from this that if I left again I would have an expired visa but if I stayed my one year status would have restarted from my last arrival (Aug 19 2015). Thus the over 12 month validation. A friend here says I can get one time exit visa from the immigration office if I had a burning desire to see a concert in Singapore for example. Not sure as it's all new to me. Sure is comfortable here though.

Single re-entry permit 1000 Bht, multiple 3800 Bht from your local immigration office or the two airports in Bangkok on departure.

[ubonjoe]

Hope I explain this right. I am just about to renew my one year multiple entry visa for the first time. I retired here planing to go back to Canada for a few months each year. We also did some regional travel last year (korea and Burma) so multiple entry visa was bought . What I noticed is that when I came back a few weeks before my year was up I was stamped for another year. So my 3,800 Baht multiple entry one year visa became a 23 month visa with the caveat that the last 12 months of that 23 month period I had to stay in country. I plan to do the same thing when I renew it and do all of our international travel in the first 11 and half months and then enter back and stay put for the following 12. Hope this helps.

Not sure why you thought you had to stay in the country for those 12 months.

You got a multiple re-entry permit after you got your last one entry prior your visa expiring to keep it valid I presume. That permit would allow you to leave and re-enter the country as many times as you want up to the date it expires.

My fist multiple entry visa was obtained in Canada and was issued on the 09 of September 2014 and valid until the 08 of September 2015.

I arrived in Thailand in October of 2014 and traveled to Burma and Korea during the next six months. I went back to Canada in May of 2015 and came back to Thailand in August 2015. I was expecting to renew my visa a few weeks after coming back(before the visa expiry of Sept 08 2015). Thing is when I got home to Kanchanaburi I looked at the stamp they gave me and it says arrival 19 Aug 2015 valid until 18 Aug 2016. I deduced from this that if I left again I would have an expired visa but if I stayed my one year status would have restarted from my last arrival (Aug 19 2015). Thus the over 12 month validation. A friend here says I can get one time exit visa from the immigration office if I had a burning desire to see a concert in Singapore for example. Not sure as it's all new to me. Sure is comfortable here though.

You could of gotten a multiple re-entry permit for the entry you got in August that would be valid until August of this year and traveled as much as you wanted to. You could still get one now and travel as much as you want until August. Or you could a single entry re-entry permit that costs 1000 baht to make a trip out and back again.

[louisn]

We are guessing a bit as to what you are currently applying for. You may mean:

• A visa applied for outside Thailand. The best (legitimately called a "retirement visa" though a more precise term is preferable) is a Non Imm O-A visa. This allows unlimited entries into Thailand for 12 months from the date of issue. There are also single and multiple entry Non Imm O visas.that allow single 90-day entry or multiple 90-day entries.
• (My guess) a 12-month extension of an existing stay within Thailand. When you do not have a visa, to keep your current permission to stay (including any extension) valid, you must purchase a e-entry permit. A single re-entry permit (allowing a single exit and re-entry into Thailand) costs 1,000 baht. A multiple re-entry permit costs 3,800 baht.

At the time of writing I was in the middle of applying for a 'retirement' or Non Imm-O visa - (and thanks for clearing up the term), which I can apply for while in Thailand, as I am planning to stay for one year at least.

After this informative forum at which I thank all of you, I am collecting more information to weigh up my options.

My concerns and considerations for what I choose are based on rules and regulations, some freedom, ( which is why I asked about Single and Multiple Entry) and financial considerations. The Multiple Entry One year however, as I understand must be obtained in my own country, which is a bit of a pain.

And yes for the first time I have entered Thailand visa excempt! To clarify your last point does it mean people can just go to the airport and buy a Multiple Re -Entry Permit - surely not, I think I must have misunderstood?

I hope this clarifies.

Thanks BritTim

[louisn]

Hope I explain this right. I am just about to renew my one year multiple entry visa for the first time. I retired here planing to go back to Canada for a few months each year. We also did some regional travel last year (korea and Burma) so multiple entry visa was bought . What I noticed is that when I came back a few weeks before my year was up I was stamped for another year. So my 3,800 Baht multiple entry one year visa became a 23 month visa with the caveat that the last 12 months of that 23 month period I had to stay in country. I plan to do the same thing when I renew it and do all of our international travel in the first 11 and half months and then enter back and stay put for the following 12. Hope this helps.

Not sure why you thought you had to stay in the country for those 12 months.

You got a multiple re-entry permit after you got your last one entry prior your visa expiring to keep it valid I presume. That permit would allow you to leave and re-enter the country as many times as you want up to the date it expires.

My fist multiple entry visa was obtained in Canada and was issued on the 09 of September 2014 and valid until the 08 of September 2015.

I arrived in Thailand in October of 2014 and traveled to Burma and Korea during the next six months. I went back to Canada in May of 2015 and came back to Thailand in August 2015. I was expecting to renew my visa a few weeks after coming back(before the visa expiry of Sept 08 2015). Thing is when I got home to Kanchanaburi I looked at the stamp they gave me and it says arrival 19 Aug 2015 valid until 18 Aug 2016. I deduced from this that if I left again I would have an expired visa but if I stayed my one year status would have restarted from my last arrival (Aug 19 2015). Thus the over 12 month validation. A friend here says I can get one time exit visa from the immigration office if I had a burning desire to see a concert in Singapore for example. Not sure as it's all new to me. Sure is comfortable here though.

Single re-entry permit 1000 Bht, multiple 3800 Bht from your local immigration office or the two airports in Bangkok on departure.

Only in Bangkok or can you get Re- Entry permits at Chiang Mai Airport?

[ubonjoe]

You can get re-entry permit at the airport in Chiang Mai but only on departure and the desk is only open for a period of time while international flights are being cleared through immigration.

[BritTim]

We are guessing a bit as to what you are currently applying for. You may mean:

• A visa applied for outside Thailand. The best (legitimately called a "retirement visa" though a more precise term is preferable) is a Non Imm O-A visa. This allows unlimited entries into Thailand for 12 months from the date of issue. There are also single and multiple entry Non Imm O visas.that allow single 90-day entry or multiple 90-day entries.
• (My guess) a 12-month extension of an existing stay within Thailand. When you do not have a visa, to keep your current permission to stay (including any extension) valid, you must purchase a e-entry permit. A single re-entry permit (allowing a single exit and re-entry into Thailand) costs 1,000 baht. A multiple re-entry permit costs 3,800 baht.

At the time of writing I was in the middle of applying for a 'retirement' or Non Imm-O visa - (and thanks for clearing up the term), which I can apply for while in Thailand, as I am planning to stay for one year at least.

After this informative forum at which I thank all of you, I am collecting more information to weigh up my options.

My concerns and considerations for what I choose are based on rules and regulations, some freedom, ( which is why I asked about Single and Multiple Entry) and financial considerations. The Multiple Entry One year however, as I understand must be obtained in my own country, which is a bit of a pain.

And yes for the first time I have entered Thailand visa excempt! To clarify your last point does it mean people can just go to the airport and buy a Multiple Re -Entry Permit - surely not, I think I must have misunderstood?

I hope this clarifies.

Thanks BritTim

If leaving from the Bangkok airports, you can indeed buy a multiple re-entry permit. However, recognize that this only keeps the existing permission to stay valid. Thus, it is only ever likely to make sense if your existing permission to stay extends quite a few months into the future.

For freedom and flexibility, the O-A visa is unbeatable (technically, there is a very expensive Thailand elite visa that provides even better flexibility) and a one-yer extension combined with multiple re-entry permit is also excellent. Both the O-A visa and the one year extension have requirements that must be carefully satisfied before being granted. The O-A visa can only be applied for in your home country.

[RogerW7799]

Please tell me if I am understanding correctly --

The Non-Immigrant O-A is called a "multiple entry" visa, which means you are allowed to leave and re-enter the country multiple times during the 1-year visa period.

However, if you decide to leave and return when taking a trip outside Thailand, you still need to obtain a Re-Entry Permit. The Re-Entry Permit can be either a Single Re-Entry Permit, or a Multiple Re-Entry Permit.

Have I got this right?

[ubonjoe]

Please tell me if I am understanding correctly --

The Non-Immigrant O-A is called a "multiple entry" visa, which means you are allowed to leave and re-enter the country multiple times during the 1-year visa period.

However, if you decide to leave and return when taking a trip outside Thailand, you still need to obtain a Re-Entry Permit. The Re-Entry Permit can be either a Single Re-Entry Permit, or a Multiple Re-Entry Permit.

Have I got this right?

For the year the visa is valid you can enter, leave and re-enter the country as many times as you want and get a new one year entry. You can do an entry up to the enter before date on the visa and get a new one year entry. After the visa expires you will need a re-entry permit to keep the last entry you did valid.

You can get a single re-entry permit for a fee of 1000 baht or a multiple for 3800 baht.

[RogerW7799]

Please tell me if I am understanding correctly --

The Non-Immigrant O-A is called a "multiple entry" visa, which means you are allowed to leave and re-enter the country multiple times during the 1-year visa period.

However, if you decide to leave and return when taking a trip outside Thailand, you still need to obtain a Re-Entry Permit. The Re-Entry Permit can be either a Single Re-Entry Permit, or a Multiple Re-Entry Permit.

Have I got this right?

For the year the visa is valid you can enter, leave and re-enter the country as many times as you want and get a new one year entry. You can do an entry up to the enter before date on the visa and get a new one year entry. After the visa expires you will need a re-entry permit to keep the last entry you did valid.

You can get a single re-entry permit for a fee of 1000 baht or a multiple for 3800 baht.

ubonjoe, thank you for responding to my inquiry.

I don't quite understand this sentence you wrote, "After the visa expires you will need a re-entry permit to keep the last entry you did valid."

So, if I have a Non-Imm O visa, and I get a Re-Entry permit, then leave Thailand on a trip anytime during the one-year extension period, then return to Thailand anytime before the 1-year Extension period is finished (the expiration date), this resets the time-limit and gives me a whole extra year extension that begins on the day I return to Thailand from my trip.

You say the original visa "expires", but I am staying in the country for another year. I guess what confuses me is that this sounds like I'm staying in the country for another year WITHOUT a visa, since the visa has expired. Is that really the case?

Thanks!

[sunnyjim5]

Please tell me if I am understanding correctly --

The Non-Immigrant O-A is called a "multiple entry" visa, which means you are allowed to leave and re-enter the country multiple times during the 1-year visa period.

However, if you decide to leave and return when taking a trip outside Thailand, you still need to obtain a Re-Entry Permit. The Re-Entry Permit can be either a Single Re-Entry Permit, or a Multiple Re-Entry Permit.

Have I got this right?

For the year the visa is valid you can enter, leave and re-enter the country as many times as you want and get a new one year entry. You can do an entry up to the enter before date on the visa and get a new one year entry. After the visa expires you will need a re-entry permit to keep the last entry you did valid.

You can get a single re-entry permit for a fee of 1000 baht or a multiple for 3800 baht.

ubonjoe, thank you for responding to my inquiry.

I don't quite understand this sentence you wrote, "After the visa expires you will need a re-entry permit to keep the last entry you did valid."

So, if I have a Non-Imm O visa, and I get a Re-Entry permit, then leave Thailand on a trip anytime during the one-year extension period, then return to Thailand anytime before the 1-year Extension period is finished (the expiration date), this resets the time-limit and gives me a whole extra year extension that begins on the day I return to Thailand from my trip.

You say the original visa "expires", but I am staying in the country for another year. I guess what confuses me is that this sounds like I'm staying in the country for another year WITHOUT a visa, since the visa has expired. Is that really the case?

Thanks!

A visa allows entry to the country. If valid when entering , in the case of an O/A visa, permission to stay will be granted for one year.

The fact that the visa expires during that year is irrelevant. Once the visa has expired a re-entry permit is required to protect any remaining "permission to stay" if travel outside the country is desired.

Think of the re-entry permit as being a proxy visa !

Edited February 25, 2016 by sunnyjim5

[ubonjoe]

Please tell me if I am understanding correctly --

The Non-Immigrant O-A is called a "multiple entry" visa, which means you are allowed to leave and re-enter the country multiple times during the 1-year visa period.

However, if you decide to leave and return when taking a trip outside Thailand, you still need to obtain a Re-Entry Permit. The Re-Entry Permit can be either a Single Re-Entry Permit, or a Multiple Re-Entry Permit.

Have I got this right?

For the year the visa is valid you can enter, leave and re-enter the country as many times as you want and get a new one year entry. You can do an entry up to the enter before date on the visa and get a new one year entry. After the visa expires you will need a re-entry permit to keep the last entry you did valid.

You can get a single re-entry permit for a fee of 1000 baht or a multiple for 3800 baht.

ubonjoe, thank you for responding to my inquiry.

I don't quite understand this sentence you wrote, "After the visa expires you will need a re-entry permit to keep the last entry you did valid."

So, if I have a Non-Imm O visa, and I get a Re-Entry permit, then leave Thailand on a trip anytime during the one-year extension period, then return to Thailand anytime before the 1-year Extension period is finished (the expiration date), this resets the time-limit and gives me a whole extra year extension that begins on the day I return to Thailand from my trip.

You say the original visa "expires", but I am staying in the country for another year. I guess what confuses me is that this sounds like I'm staying in the country for another year WITHOUT a visa, since the visa has expired. Is that really the case?

Thanks!

I replied to your question about a multiple entry OA visa which is issued by a embassy. The visas expiration date (enter before date on the visa) does not limit the amount of time you can be in the country it is just the last day you can use the visa to get a new one year permit to stay on entry. After you enter the country you are on a permit to stay not a visa.

If you have a non-o visa and apply for a one year extension of the 90 entry from it that is not a OA visa. You then have to get a re-entry permit to keep the extension valid. Then apply for a new extension prior the extension ends and a apply for a new re-entry permit.

[RogerW7799]

ubonjoe, thanks for your patience in helping to relieve my confusion.

I now understand that there is both a "multiple entry visa" AND a "multiple entry permit".

Also, that there is a "Non-Immigrant - O" visa, and a "Non-Immigrant - O-A" visa.

One last mystery remains for me . . . .

The Re-Entry Permit form TM.8 has a question, "I intend to go . . . ", and then you are expected to fill in the destination country, departure date and return date. However, the Re-Entry stamp that gets put in the passport doesn't show the destination country, or departure and return dates.

So I'm assuming that if your departure or return dates change, and are not what you wrote on the TM.8 form, that's not a problem . . . as long as you return before your extension expires. I'm also thinking that you could even cancel your original trip, go a month later to a different country, and that wouldn't be a problem.

Am I correct in my assumptions?

[ubonjoe]

ubonjoe, thanks for your patience in helping to relieve my confusion.

I now understand that there is both a "multiple entry visa" AND a "multiple entry permit".

Also, that there is a "Non-Immigrant - O" visa, and a "Non-Immigrant - O-A" visa.

One last mystery remains for me . . . .

The Re-Entry Permit form TM.8 has a question, "I intend to go . . . ", and then you are expected to fill in the destination country, departure date and return date. However, the Re-Entry stamp that gets put in the passport doesn't show the destination country, or departure and return dates.

So I'm assuming that if your departure or return dates change, and are not what you wrote on the TM.8 form, that's not a problem . . . as long as you return before your extension expires. I'm also thinking that you could even cancel your original trip, go a month later to a different country, and that wouldn't be a problem.

Am I correct in my assumptions?

The dates and destination you put on the TM8 form mean nothing as long as the return date is before the date the re-entry permit will expire. Some offices may even allow you to leave them blank.