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Why do I need to pay for a re-entry permit when I have a retirement visa in Thailand?

Retirement VisaRe-entry PermitThailand ImmigrationVisa RegulationsExpats in ThailandVisa Types
Feb 15, 2023
2 years ago
Decco ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello can anyone tell me why I have to pay to leave Thailand while I have my retirement visa please. I am going to Malaysia and I’ve been informed I have to go to immigration and pay for a re -entry.

Any advice is much appreciated please.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
When you hold a retirement visa in Thailand and plan to leave the country, you're not paying to leave, but rather for the privilege of re-entering Thailand on the same visa. If you do not secure a re-entry permit before exiting, your visa will become invalid upon departure. The re-entry permit can cost 1,000 THB for a single entry or 3,800 THB for multiple entries. Some travelers may mistakenly assume they only need to pay to leave, but the requirement is to maintain the validity of their visa upon return.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
  • Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
  • For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
  • Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
  • Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Alan ******
Next time pay for a multiple entry retirement visa, so many make a mistake getting a retirement Visa without the multiple entry stamp,
2 years ago
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Alan ******
Todd McGowan its + 4000. With my agent
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Alan *****
 cost for multiple entry is then 1900 + 3800?
2 years ago
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Todd *********
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Kevin *********
You leave free of charge.

You pay for the PRIVILEGE of re-entry with your residence rights intact.

It's the rule.

What's your problem?
2 years ago
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Alessandro **********
AKA TM8. Pay 1000 baht for single re-entry or 3800 for multi (be informed that some immigration offices would also require TM30). If you don't apply for a TM8 then your visa and extension will be void as soon as you cross the border
2 years ago
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VaiAna **********
When we applied for our retirement visa , I paid for multiple entry so I can go in and out Thailand without worrying about it . We could have done it at the airport but I figure what if we forgot ....:::
2 years ago
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Gary **********
It's always been that way ..if you don't get the stamp you will lose your visa ..
2 years ago
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John *******
2 years ago
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David **********
Because every time you come back to the kingdom they want to put their hand in your pocket
2 years ago
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Nick *******
Oh dear, are there any northerners from uk that have a brain cell over here?
2 years ago
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Bobby ********
You don't pay to leave, you buy a re-entry permit for 1000 baht to make sure you get back in on the extension of stay you're presently on
2 years ago
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Frank-Steven ***********
So, many people told you what it is. And it is what it is. Agreed though, that it is another BS requirement to buy a re-entry permit.
2 years ago
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Mark ******
While we're here, are reentry permits still available at all hours at Swampy departures for 1000 THB?
2 years ago
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Jeff *********
@Mark *****
 yes
2 years ago
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Hans *************
@Mark *****
 yes i made that in December 22, open 24 hours.
2 years ago
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Hans *************
i made single. but i not see a reason why multiple not should be available. anyway, if multiple not would be available you just make single...
2 years ago
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Mark ******
@Hans ************
 are multiple reentries available there too or just a single?
2 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Mark *****
 Yes they are. 3800 baht for frequent returners
2 years ago
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Bobby ********
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Brandon ************
@Mark *****
 yes. You might need to ask someone at security if it's at an odd hour so they can contact an immigration officer to go to the desk.
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
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Terry ******
Don’t have to pay for re-entry until June 2023. Thailand has approved a 300 THB for all travelers entering Thailand in June 2023
2 years ago
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Bobby ********
@Terry *****
 That's nothing to do with a re-entry permit. The 300 baht tax is simply Thai government having a laugh watching the Cheap Charlies go into meltdown 🤣
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Bobby *******
 terry might be a few Changs into the day!
2 years ago
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Terry ******
@Bobby *******
 haha
2 years ago
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Terry ******
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Mma *******
@Terry *****
 Not what he's asking pal.
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Terry *****
 what??? This is entirely wrong
2 years ago
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Frank **********
@Terry *****
 completely different thing.
2 years ago
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Kathalyn *******
@Frank *********
 Ditto
2 years ago
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Kathalyn *******
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Todd *********
You don’t have to pay to leave. You have to pay to re-enter. This is all very well known.

If you leave without a re-entry pass, your retirement extension will be cancelled as soon as you exit the country.
2 years ago
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Christopher *************
@Todd ********
 unless multi entry
2 years ago
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Christopher *************
Yep
2 years ago
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Todd *********
@Christopher ************
 lol. Well yes, if you already paid 3800 for multi entry, ur good to go. But clearly he hasn’t
2 years ago
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Todd *********
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Steve *******
You're not paying to leave Thailand, you're paying to re-enter on the same extention/visa. The clue's in the name!
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
You don't HAVE to pay for a re-entry permit, but if you don't then your visa or extension will be invalid the moment you stamp out of Thailand.

Are you still on the original visa you got or are you on a 1 year extension of stay you applied for at immigration? If you're still on the visa then which visa is it? It's possible you could be on a multiple entry visa that doesn't require you to purchase a re-entry permit.
2 years ago
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Christopher *************
@Brandon ***********
 not if your visa is multi entry there is no charge or requirement
2 years ago
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Christopher *************
Yes I did , but people on here seem to want many people to say the same thing before they believe it lol
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
@Christopher ************
 did you even read my post? I said that
2 years ago
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Brandon ************
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Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
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