If you live in Pattaya on a one-year extension of stay, or you entered Thailand on a single-entry visa and plan a short trip abroad, leaving the country normally ends your permission to stay. A re-entry permit (form TM.8) keeps that permission alive so you can come back and carry on. This article explains what the permit does, how to choose between a single and a multiple re-entry permit, where to apply (Jomtien Immigration or Suvarnabhumi Airport), the documents you need, and what happens if you leave without one.
What this article covers
- Who needs a re-entry permit and what it does
- Single (1,000 THB) vs multiple (3,800 THB): the difference and how to choose
- Where to apply: Jomtien Immigration or the airport
- Documents and the application steps
- What happens if you leave Thailand without one
What is a re-entry permit (TM8)?
A re-entry permit lets you leave Thailand while keeping the permission to stay you already hold, and return on that same permission. It takes its other name, TM.8, from the application form.
The basic rule in Thailand is that your permission to stay ends the moment you leave the country. If you obtain a re-entry permit before departure, you can return within the original permitted period and continue your stay from where you left off.
The people who typically need one are:
- Residents of Pattaya on a retirement extension (the one-year extension of stay from a Non-O visa)
- People staying on a marriage, education or business extension of stay
- People who entered on a single-entry visa and plan to leave Thailand temporarily during their stay
The reason for leaving does not matter: a trip home, a holiday in a neighbouring country or a medical appointment abroad all count, and so does a trip of only a few days.
Single vs multiple re-entry permit
Single
- Official fee
- 1,000 THB
- How many times you can use it
- Once, before your permission to stay expires
- Suits
- People leaving once before their next extension
Multiple
- Official fee
- 3,800 THB
- How many times you can use it
- As many times as you like before your permission to stay expires
- Suits
- People leaving several times before their next extension
On fee alone, four single permits (4,000 THB) cost more than one multiple permit (3,800 THB). If you expect to leave two or three times, buying a single permit each time is cheaper, but you have to go to the immigration office before every trip. If your plans are uncertain, or you want fewer visits to the office, a multiple permit is one option.
- Neither type can be used beyond the expiry date of your current permission to stay
- When you renew a one-year extension, the existing re-entry permit is said not to carry over to the new permission. If you plan to travel after renewing, apply for a new permit
Where to apply for a re-entry permit
Jomtien Immigration (apply in advance)
If you live in Pattaya, you apply at Jomtien Immigration, the Pattaya office of Chonburi Immigration. Both single and multiple permits are handled there. Once your travel dates are fixed, apply on a weekday with time to spare so there is no rush on the day you fly.
Suvarnabhumi Airport (apply on the day you leave)
According to the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) One Stop Service and several expat websites, Suvarnabhumi Airport has a counter where you can apply for a re-entry permit as you depart. The usual guidance is that the airport issues single permits only.
Documents and the application steps
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Application form (TM.8) | Available at the counter; filling it in beforehand saves time |
| Passport, original and copies | Photo page, visa, latest permission stamp, entry stamp and so on |
| Photo | 4 x 6 cm, taken within the last 6 months |
| Fee | Single 1,000 THB / multiple 3,800 THB, in cash |
The process in outline:
- Check that both your departure and return dates fall within your current permission to stay
- Fill in the TM.8 and prepare the photo and copies
- Apply at Immigration and pay the fee
- Before you leave the counter, check the type of permit (single or multiple) and the expiry date written in your passport
- At departure immigration control, simply present your passport
What happens if you leave without a re-entry permit
| With a permit | Without a permit | |
|---|---|---|
| Your stay when you return | Continues until the original expiry date | Treated as a new entry |
| One-year extension (retirement and others) | Continues | Ends when you leave |
| What you re-enter on | Your original permission | Whatever visa is valid at that time, or the visa exemption |
- There is no published procedure for obtaining a re-entry permit retrospectively after you have left
- If you return visa-exempt, you receive a tourist stay (30 days for Japanese passport holders, for example)
- If you want to continue a retirement extension, in most cases you have to start again from obtaining a Non-O visa, and meet conditions such as the bank deposit seasoning period afresh
Things to check before you travel
- A re-entry permit does not extend your stay. If you return after your permission has expired, the permit is no longer usable
- If your one-year extension expires while you are abroad, check the renewal timing before you leave
- After you re-enter, the 90-day report count restarts from the new entry date
How our team can help
Through our visa support service, SIAM BAY PATTAYA helps with filling in the TM.8 application and accompanies customers to Jomtien Immigration with interpreting (in Japanese; ask us about support in other languages). We can also hold your luggage while you are out of the country through our luggage storage service.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a re-entry permit for a trip of only a few days?
Yes. The length of the trip makes no difference: if you leave without a permit, your existing permission to stay ends.
Can I get a multiple re-entry permit at the airport?
The usual guidance is that the airport issues single permits only. If you want a multiple permit, apply at Jomtien Immigration before you travel.
I renewed my extension. Can I still use the re-entry permit I got before?
When a one-year extension is renewed, the earlier re-entry permit is said not to carry over to the new permission. If you plan to leave Thailand after renewing, apply for a new one.
Can I get a re-entry permit after I have already left Thailand?
No procedure for obtaining one retrospectively has been published. Without a permit, you come back as a new entry on a valid visa or the visa exemption.
Last checked
Information checked by our Pattaya team as of 2026-09-25. Fees and procedures change; confirm the current practice with the immigration office before you go.
About this article
Niracha Boonpok
Written by the SIAM BAY PATTAYA local team and reviewed by our founder, Niracha. Based in Pattaya, we accompany clients through visa, licence and transfer procedures every day, and update articles when the rules change.
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