Pros and Cons of Getting Re-entry Permit in Airport and Immigration Office

[PerkinsCuthbert]

4 hours ago, buick said:

i'm not sure i understand your response here.  the reentry office is before passport control but it is not located in the premium lane(business class)/immigration hall.  that is the point i was/am making. i fly business class mostly (long haul) and can't obtain one in that hall.  you have to go to another hall to get it and supposedly you can get an escort to do so but i've never heard/read a first person account of this.  although it sounds reasonable, i'm not willing to roll the dice until i'm 100% sure of it as leaving w/o one would void my extension. 

 

i fully understand why the vast majority of people would do it at the airport rather than go to CW, especially if they are flying economy class and will pass the permit desk after they clear security and before the line up for immigration control.  i did obtain two at BKK when i was doing short haul econ trips as i described in my original post.

 

i don't have a busy schedule in bangkok and a trip to CW for a re-entry permit (multiple) is nothing like going to apply for an extension of your stay - visa exempt, tourist visa, or non imm O.  the reentry permit process is pleasurable in comparison to the extension process !!!

 

edit:  maybe i should add that i'm not going to skip using the premium lane, 5-10 minutes to clear security/immigration, to use the economy immigration hall with the reentry desk where the time to clear can be anywhere from 30 min to a full hour (plus the time for getting the permit).

If the premium lane is in the right hand immigration hall (as you face airside) at Swampy, then I can tell you I have gone through immigration channels in that hall by mistake, then been directed once airside to the re-entry office, which is located on the far left side of the left-hand immigration hall. Apart from checking directions once or twice it was not difficult nor time consuming to find, There is a narrow walkway outside the re-entry office which gives access both from airside and from pre-stamp-out side, so once processed and armed with your re-entry permit, you simply retrace your steps to airside (having already stamped out of Thailand in the left hall) and proceed to departure gate. All very simple and quick.

[Number 6]

Since forever I'd got mine at the airport. There's never any wait at dmk. Suvarnabhumi who knows what disaster looks.

 

Usually I just need one a year so whichever airport, I just deal with it.

 

This year, two exits out of Swampy. I can't be bothered to leave the house for hours early and sprang for the ME

 

Getting a reentry at CW is a total hassle. Still, exiting Suvarnabhumi I want to go to the lounge and have a scotch not hassle with cops.

 

1 exit Aiport

1+ exit bureaucracy wore me down. CW after getting 1 year extension stamp.

 

Please don't moan about the price difference. I know, I paid it.

 

I've never waited long at Swampy to get processed. I just don't want to worry about the insane lines and whatever.

 

The whole thing is so stupid anyway. Just charge me 3500 for an ME. Thailand literally tries to fabricate complication and confusion. An army of busy bees all working in AC, decent money, full benefits and just another vote for the military. What's not to love.

Edited March 25, 2019 by Number 6

[Searat7]

What about the One Stop centers in the city. Can’t you get a Re entry permit there ? The last time I got one at CW it took at least 1.5 hours because the agents kept jumping the queue. 

[owenm]

Why not just get your re-entry permit when you're doing your first 90 day report at your local immigration office.. You're there anyway, so kill two birds with one stone.. It certainly beats a second visit to IO or getting side tracked at the airport flying out.. 

[thinkingman]

Is it possible to get a reentry permit on a 60 day tourist visa?  Tried to search for it, no luck.

 

then when you return, assuming before the "enter before" date, you would get 60 days?

[Sydebolle]

I rebooked an outbound flight once as the counter was not manned at midnight .....

 

[onera1961]

1 hour ago, thinkingman said:

Is it possible to get a reentry permit on a 60 day tourist visa?  Tried to search for it, no luck.

Yes, done it a dozen times

[onera1961]

1 hour ago, thinkingman said:

then when you return, assuming before the "enter before" date, you would get 60 days?

No re-entry permit does not extend your Admitted until date. 

[onekoolguy]

Just got my re entry permit at DM. I had form filled out. No line and took about 5 minutes! It is midnight and office is staffed

Far better than wasting a half day at CW.

Thanks for good info here on Thai visa!

[soi3eddie]

1 hour ago, onekoolguy said:

Just got my re entry permit at DM. I had form filled out. No line and took about 5 minutes! It is midnight and office is staffed

Far better than wasting a half day at CW.

Thanks for good info here on Thai visa!

I, like you, wasn't sure about getting reentry at airport. Glad to hear that it also worked out for you (especislly late night at DM) . I'll do wherever most convenient in future (or get multi) at time of another visit to CW. Thanks for sharing. 

[boriga]

16 hours ago, buick said:

who do you ask ?  an immigration officer (bypassing those standing in line) ?

When you finish scanning at security, ask the security people and the open the door. You queue at the re entry desk, of course, then when finished go back and join a queue for passport control on fast track. Very straightforward, no queue jumping other than the fast track itself.

[ThaiBunny]

20 minutes ago, boriga said:

When you finish scanning at security, ask the security people and the open the door. You queue at the re entry desk, of course, then when finished go back and join a queue for passport control on fast track. Very straightforward, no queue jumping other than the fast track itself.

When you say "fast track" is that the queue for seniors (70+) etc?

[KittenKong]

I like to have my documents prepared before I need them, and I hate doing things at the last minute, so I always get my RE permit at Jomtien months in advance of my trip. It costs me exactly 1000B with no extra fee and usually takes around 15 minutes. The photos I have done in bulk and the form is already completed on my PC, ready for printing, dating and signing.

 

Then at the airport I can walk peacefully straight from passport control to the airline lounge, without any extra hassle or queueing. This is also handy if ever I were to arrive with little time to spare before my flight.

[buick]

16 hours ago, PerkinsCuthbert said:

If the premium lane is in the right hand immigration hall (as you face airside) at Swampy, then I can tell you I have gone through immigration channels in that hall by mistake, then been directed once airside to the re-entry office, which is located on the far left side of the left-hand immigration hall. Apart from checking directions once or twice it was not difficult nor time consuming to find, There is a narrow walkway outside the re-entry office which gives access both from airside and from pre-stamp-out side, so once processed and armed with your re-entry permit, you simply retrace your steps to airside (having already stamped out of Thailand in the left hall) and proceed to departure gate. All very simple and quick.

if i understand this correctly, you needed a re-entry permit but were mistakenly in the hall w/o the desk.  so you got stamped out of the country in that hall.  then asked the immigration folks to take you to the re-entry permit desk.  you got the permit, took a few steps, and were airside - through all the 'procedures'.

 

another member responded to me in #41, and it seems they have obtained the permit prior to the stamp out of the country and returned to the queue for the stamp out process.

 

so it sounds like either way works (from the premium lane, maybe named priority lane now).  i'd heard it was possible but never saw a report/discussion.  thanks for the input.

[Bluetongue]

Yeah I'm in the get it beforehand usually when I'm doing a 90 day but if not, doesn't matter, 5 minutes at Chantaburi, I guess smaller office has some advantage. Every time I look at the people getting the reentry permit at Suvarnabhumi they look stressed as if its a last minute thing and there always seems to be a bit of a queue for it, who needs it. By comparison CW does sound horrible so I can understand the other view.

[Somrak]

I do not understand @buick problem.

Just get get out in january with a business flight and saw no problem to make my reentry visa.

 

[donim]

 

20 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

20 hours ago, Our Man in the Tropics said:

Can u get MULTIPLE Re-Entry Permit at Suvarnabhumi Airport ?

Yes

How much does that cost? And for the single re-entry ?

Years ago at SUV it was sometimes a little bit more (+200thb) than at CW which I believe ask 1000thb.

I got a single re-entry once at DM, no cost.

 

[donim]

How long is the re-entry (especially the multi) valid?

Does it cover each future extension of the current visa?

 

Example: 

Come to Thailand on NON-O visa, valdid for 90 days.

After one month, travel to one of the neighbouring countries,

obtaining a Multi Re-entry stamp at the airport.

Come back from travel, fine, the stamp let you in on the same visa.

After 2 months, you go to the immigration for extension of your visa,

come back one month later for the stamp.

A week after that, go travel abroad again.

 

The multi-re-entry stamp still in action? (untill the visa get their maximum extension count, three times)

 

Rgds,

[ubonjoe]

10 minutes ago, donim said:

 

How much does that cost? And for the single re-entry ?

Years ago at SUV it was sometimes a little bit more (+200thb) than at CW which I believe ask 1000thb.

I got a single re-entry once at DM, no cost.

 

It is 3800 baht for a multiple entry re-entry permit or 1000 baht for single. If you do not have a TM8 form, photos and etc there is a service charge of 200 baht for them to do them.

DM is now charging 200 baht as well if you don't have the above.

[Letseng]

On 3/25/2019 at 12:40 PM, buick said:

i'm not sure i understand your response here.  the reentry office is before passport control but it is not located in the premium lane(business class)/immigration hall.  that is the point i was/am making. i fly business class mostly (long haul) and can't obtain one in that hall.  you have to go to another hall to get it and supposedly you can get an escort to do so but i've never heard/read a first person account of this.  although it sounds reasonable, i'm not willing to roll the dice until i'm 100% sure of it as leaving w/o one would void my extension. 

 

i fully understand why the vast majority of people would do it at the airport rather than go to CW, especially if they are flying economy class and will pass the permit desk after they clear security and before the line up for immigration control.  i did obtain two at BKK when i was doing short haul econ trips as i described in my original post.

 

i don't have a busy schedule in bangkok and a trip to CW for a re-entry permit (multiple) is nothing like going to apply for an extension of your stay - visa exempt, tourist visa, or non imm O.  the reentry permit process is pleasurable in comparison to the extension process !!!

 

edit:  maybe i should add that i'm not going to skip using the premium lane, 5-10 minutes to clear security/immigration, to use the economy immigration hall with the reentry desk where the time to clear can be anywhere from 30 min to a full hour (plus the time for getting the permit).

We fly business, yes there was an immi desk for re-entry.

[donim]

3 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

It is 3800 baht for a multiple entry re-entry permit or 1000 baht for single. If you do not have a TM8 form, photos and etc there is a service charge of 200 baht for them to do them.

DM is now charging 200 baht as well if you don't have the above.

So definitely better than trying to get a multi entry visa at the embassy, just single and ask the multi re-entry stamp on the first depart in the visa term.

The price is around the same.

Just still wondering the validity of the stamp in conjunction the added extensions on the visa, already asked in this thread.

 

Edited March 26, 2019 by donim

[ubonjoe]

13 minutes ago, donim said:

So definitely better than trying to get a multi entry visa at the embassy, just single and ask the multi re-entry stamp on the first depart in the visa term.

The price is around the same.

Just still wondering the validity of the stamp in conjunction the added extensions on the visa, already asked in this thread.

A re-entry permit is only valid until the permit to stay it issued for ends. For example if you have a 90 day entry it would end on the date that 90 days ends. A re-entry permit adds no days to your current stay.

[donim]

7 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

A re-entry permit is only valid until the permit to stay it issued for ends. For example if you have a 90 day entry it would end on the date that 90 days ends. A re-entry permit adds no days to your current stay.

What if that permit to stay, which is 90 days to start with is extended with 90 days and consequently having 4x90 = 360 days before it can't be extended, thus needing to leave the Kingdom and obtain a new visa.

Is the re-entry stamp covering this whole 360 days or only in one of these 90 days.

[arithai12]

On 3/24/2019 at 4:50 PM, onera1961 said:

At airport

Pros: No pic, no visit to immigration, no standing in queue, every thing is handled nicely at airport (from my experience).

Cons: Must arrive at the airport well in advance, must not forget when in a hurry (disaster)

I don't see any pros, at least for me: I always do my re-entry at the same time as my extension. I am already at immigration, I have pictures anyway, the queue is perhaps 10 minutes and there are seats no need to stand, handled nicely... don't know how nicely you want someone to stamp a passport.

No risk of forgetting or being stressed when I fly out.

 

The only scenario in which I would consider doing it at the airport is for those who do not anticipate leaving Thailand during a whole year, and then must go for unforeseen reasons.

[ubonjoe]

7 hours ago, donim said:

Is the re-entry stamp covering this whole 360 days or only in one of these 90 days.

Only the 90 days it was issued for. That is the date it will expire and they are not extended or changed.

[mtls2005]

You can actually book an appointment for a re-entry permit at CW. With an appointment you're out in a few minutes, 15 minutes is the published goal.

 

Yesterday, at CW the wait for re-entry permit with an ~ 11:45 queue entry, was ~ 90 minutes, excluding the one-hour lunch closure.

 

https://extranet.immigration.go.th/qrepsonline/online/queue/REPSAction.do?cmd=term

 

 The immigration is now open service for booking an appointment to apply for Re-Entry Permit into the Kingdom. This is an alternative way of service besides normal submission through our website. (www.immigration.go.th , bangkok.immigration.go.th) The applicant has to complete the Form TM.8 through our website and then will obtain the Transaction Reference Number (TRN code). On the booking date and time, the applicant has to take his/her passport and the TRN code to the competent officer and pay the fee at the immigration office. The applicants can save their time for queue waiting at the immigration offices by making advance queue booking online. This service for the booked online queue will be available on working days. The result of booking is subject to availability of quota of each Immigration office. The booking online will be completed when obtaining your TRN code. Furthermore, the applicant can also cancel at least 2 days before the appointment day or enquire about the appointment you have made through our website. (www.immigration.go.th , bangkok.immigration.go.th) If the information provided for making an appointment is incorrect, the appointment will be automatically rejected from the system without further notice. The applicant must get a Re-Entry Permit if you plan to depart and return to Thailand during your extension period – this will keep your extension valid, otherwise it will be canceled when you depart. 
Notice / Reminder: 
1) Online booking of queue is only for the convenience of person. But it does not mean you got Extension of Visa. 
2) All the documents are required to present on counter for Re-Entry Permit. Even if queue is booked online. 
 
  This below will tell you what you should know before using the online service  
• Procedures of book an appointment for apply Re-entry Permit into the Kingdom 
          1. Login at Immigration website www.immigration.go.th , bangkok.immigration.go.th Press at banner book an appointment for apply Re-entry Permit into the Kingdom. 
          2. Fill data and complete for the form TM.8 
          3. Choose a date and time for your appointment 
          4. Confirm your information by accepting the Terms and Conditions 
          5. Receive Transaction Reference Number (TRN code) 
          6. Contact at Immigration Office you have made on appointment date and time. 
• In view of the limited appointment quotas, please book an appointment to apply for Re-Entry Permit at least 2 working days before the appointment day. In addition, please cancel your appointment at least 2 working day before the appointment day if you are not able to attend on the booking time and date. 
• This application online is offered based on the information you provided. If incorrect information was provided and application online transaction reference number (TRN code) may not be issued to you. 
• After an appointment is made, the applicant can enquire about the appointment you have made through our website. (www.immigration.go.th , bangkok.immigration.go.th) 
• Please arrive at the immigration office on time (base on booking date and time). 
 
  Required Documents on the booking date and time  
• Printout of the appointment confirmation with Transaction Reference Number (TRN code). • Passport 
• Photocopy of passport with the following pages 
          - Front page showing your name/ surname/ Passport No./ Date of Issue/ Date of expire etc 
          - Your current visa - Last extension of your visa (if any) 
          - Last entry stamp of immigration (if any) 
• Your departure card (TM.6) 
• Photocopy of your departure card (TM.6) 
• Completely filled in and signed notification form TM.8 
• 1 photo ( 4 X 6 cm. size ) 
 
  Offices accepting queue booking online :  
• Immigration offices throughout the country, particularly the provincial Immigration Office responsible for the area of your residence. 
• For foreigners who residing in Bangkok contact at Immigration Division1 Office, Chalermprakiat Government Complex, Chaengwattana Rd., Laksi, Bangkok 
• For foreigners carrying out duties relating to the Specific One Stop Service (Special Services, Special laws): Immigration Act , Proleum Act / Board of Investment Act / Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand Act. Contact at sub-division 3 Visa extension units, Chamchuree Square Building, Floor 18, Phatumwan, and Bangkok. (More information: Qualification of Applicant at One Stop Service Center.pdf) 
• For special Labor of 3 National Legalized Labors (Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar) residing in Bangkok contact at Immigration Division1 at 2 offices
(1) Major Hollywood Suksawat - 1st Floor , Suksawat Road, Ratburana, Bangkok 
(2) Imperial World Ladprao - 5 Floor , Ladprao Road, Wang Tong Lang, Bangkok 
 
  Failure to complete book an appointment to apply for Re-Entry Permit  
          Failure to complete the booking online form properly and failure to submit the required information may affect your chances of apply for Re-Entry Permit. The applicant must come to the nearest Immigration office or Branch Office in your residence area. The applicant will need to bring the following required 
documents: 
• Passport 
• Photocopy of passport with the following pages 
          - Front page showing your name/ surname/ Passport No./ Date of Issue/ Date of expire etc 
          - Your current visa 
          - Last extension of your visa (if any) 
          - Last entry stamp of immigration (if any) 
• Your departure card (TM.6) 
• Photocopy of your departure card (TM.6) 
• Completely filled in and signed notification form TM.8 
• 1 photo ( 4 X 6 cm. size ) 
 
  Assistance and Further Information  
           If you need assistance in using the online service, you can call the Immigration Services Hotline at 1178 or 1111 for 24 hours 
 
 *I have read and fully understand the above terms and agree to accept them  
 

[ubonjoe]

30 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

You can actually book an appointment for a re-entry permit at CW. With an appointment you're out in a few minutes, 15 minutes is the published goal.

That has been possible for years but I have not seen a recent report of anybody successfully doing one online.

Have you tried it?

[mtls2005]

10 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Have you tried it?

 

No, not through to completion. I made it to the "next available appointment day/date" which was outside my availability window.

 

I did observe at least one person using the designated appointment desk yesterday so think it might work?

 

 

[ubonjoe]

12 minutes ago, mtls2005 said:

I did observe at least one person using the designated appointment desk yesterday so think it might work?

Thanks

That is good to know. Now I can start suggesting people give it a try.

[mtls2005]

I think a lot of people get their re-entry permit (1 yr/ME) on the same day or have to go back the next day, as they get their extension of stay. 

 

However, it is challenging to align an appointment time based on the variabilities associated with getting the Ext. first. So this may be one reason why so few people use this service?

 

For just a re-entry permit, and a weeks' notice, it may be worth trying the appointment system?