Re-entry Permit
The foreigner, after receiving permission for a temporary stay in the Kingdom, leaves the country the temporary stay permit automatically expires. However, if (a) prior to leaving, a foreigner obtains permission from the Immigration Bureau to return, (b) that foreigner is not excluded from entry under Section 12 of the Act, and (c) the period of stay previously authorized has not expired, that foreigner will be permitted to return to Thailand for the remainder of the authorized time. Applying for re-entry is essential if you want to ensure that your stay permit does not become invalid when leaving the country.
If you have an extension of stay and would like to travel outside of Thailand for a short period then an re-entry permit will be needed. If you have an extension of stay and would like to travel outside of Thailand for a short period then an re-entry permit will be needed. A re-entry permit must be obtained at the immigration office designated for your area. While it states that in an emergency it can be obtained at the airport no member has yet reported whether or not it is possible. Re-entry permits can be applied for in person or by an agent at Thai Immigration.
Take, for example, a foreigner who receives permission early in the year to stay in Thailand until 31 December, but needs to travel overseas. The answer is to apply for a multiple re-entry permit, which will mean that each time that person returns to Thailand, he/she will be permitted to stay until 31 December. It should also be noted that when the re-entry permit is approved, the immigration officer concerned will also attach a small piece of paper somewhere in the applicant's passport. The note, which is headed "REMINDER", reads:
"Once a new extension stamp is made into your passport a new re-entry permit application is needed as a previous re-entry permit is automatically invalid."
After traveling, that person re-enters Thailand on 1 November and receives permission to stay up to 31 December, as previously granted. Then, for example, that person applies on 16 November for permanent residence in Thailand. He/she will have a six-month extension of stay stamped in his/her passport up to 15 May of the following year while waiting for the result of the application for resident status. Subsequently, that person then needs to again travel overseas two or three times before 31 December. Under the law, he/she still has the right to use the previously issued re-entry permit since the fee has already been paid. If the passport holder leaves Thailand during December and returns before 31 December, the immigration officer at the port of entry will only grant a period of stay until 31 December in accordance with the previous re-entry permit.
However, if the "REMINDER" (above) is to be believed, the passport holder is actually required to apply for a new re-entry permit for any travel after 31 December. The new re-entry permit will be valid for the same period covered by the extension of stay, i.e., until 15 May.
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