Do I Need a Re-Entry Permit?
Yes, if you hold a single-entry Thai visa or a one-year extension tied to single entry, you need a re-entry permit (Form TM8) before leaving Thailand, otherwise your visa extension can be cancelled when you exit, even for a short holiday.
If you hold a valid multiple-entry visa, you generally do not need TM8 while that visa remains valid, each return uses a fresh entry stamp. At Thai Visa Centre in Bangkok, we process re-entry permits daily for retirees and marriage visa holders who learned this rule at the airport, too late.
Re-entry permit protects single-entry extensions when you travel abroad.
One exit and return before extension expires.
Unlimited exits until extension expiry.
Valid multiple-entry visas usually do not need TM8 while active.
What a re-entry permit does
A re-entry permit tells immigration you intend to return and keep your current extension. Without it, leaving Thailand can void your one-year retirement or marriage extension, even if months of validity remain.
| Your status | Leave Thailand without TM8 |
|---|---|
| Single-entry visa | Visa consumed, gone |
| One-year extension on single-entry basis | Extension void, must reapply from scratch |
| Multiple-entry visa still valid | Usually OK, re-enter on remaining entries |
| Tourist visa / exemption | Normal consumption. TM8 not applicable |
Guides: Re-entry permits and multiple entry · Re-entry permit guide
Short answer: Yes, single-entry extensions require Form TM8 before any departure. Multiple-entry visas generally do not while the visa remains valid.
TM8 types and fees
Apply at immigration before departure. Chaeng Watthana, provincial offices, or major airports with service counters. Confirm hours before you travel.
| Type | Validity | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|
| Single re-entry | One exit and return | 1,000 THB |
| Multiple re-entry | Unlimited exits until extension expires | 3,800 THB |
Officers stamp the permit in your passport. Keep the receipt. On return, immigration acknowledges TM8 and preserves your extension. Complete TDAC on every re-entry: tdac.immigration.go.th
Who needs TM8 most often
| Profile | Typical need |
|---|---|
| Retiree on single-entry O-A/O | Yes, before any trip abroad |
| Marriage visa single-entry | Yes |
| One-year extension after 90-day entry | Yes if underlying visa was single-entry |
| DTV multiple-entry | No while visa valid |
| Thailand Elite | No. privilege visa re-stamps on arrival |
| Tourist | No. not extending long-term |
Long-stay overview: Thailand long-stay guide
Where to obtain TM8 before departure
Airport-only strategy is risky. If the counter is closed or staff reject incomplete files, you may miss your flight or exit without TM8. We recommend Chaeng Watthana or provincial immigration 1–3 days before travel.
| Location | Notes |
|---|---|
| Immigration Bureau, Chaeng Watthana (Bangkok) | Full service, allow half a day for queues |
| Provincial immigration offices | Available in Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, etc., call ahead |
| Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) | Re-entry counters on departure floor, arrive 3+ hours before flight |
| Don Mueang (DMK) | Limited counter hours, verify same day |
| Phuket, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai airports | Some terminals issue TM8, not guaranteed 24/7 |
Bring: passport, extension stamp, 4×6 cm photo, TM8 form, cash for fee, copy of passport bio page and latest extension.
Re-entry permit vs 90-day reporting
These are separate obligations:
- TM8, protects your visa extension when you leave
- TM47 90-day report, required while physically in Thailand more than 90 consecutive days
Leaving Thailand pauses 90-day counting until you return. But leaving without TM8 can still destroy your extension. Related FAQ: Do I need to report 90 days if I leave Thailand?
British and other passport holders, common confusion
A British passport does not need a visa to enter the UK, but that is irrelevant in Thailand. Your Thai extension still requires TM8 if it is single-entry based. You are protecting Thai immigration status, not your home-country entry rights.
Emergency departure without TM8, what then?
If you already left Thailand without a re-entry permit while holding a single-entry extension, there is no retroactive TM8. A border run on tourist visa does not restore your previous one-year retirement or marriage extension.
| Situation | Likely outcome |
|---|---|
| Extension still valid | Extension is void, you cannot return on it |
| Need to return quickly | Apply for new visa at Thai embassy abroad |
| Extension had months left | No refund, you must rebuild the extension from a fresh entry |
| Overstay before exit | Overstay record may affect future visa applications |
Related FAQ: Difference between single and multiple entry visa
Common mistakes
- Assuming one-year extension automatically allows unlimited travel
- Buying single re-entry then taking two trips, second trip voids status
- Applying at the airport minutes before boarding when counters are closed
- Forgetting TDAC on return after TM8 re-entry
- Confusing multiple re-entry permit (3,800 THB) with multiple-entry visa
Related questions
Q:Can I apply for TM8 after leaving?
No. Must be issued before exit. If you left without it, expect to reapply for visa abroad.
Q:Does TM8 extend my visa validity?
No. it preserves existing extension when you return before it expires.
Q:Airport vs Chaeng Watthana for TM8?
Both issue TM8 when counters open, allow time before international flights.
Q:Elite or Smart Visa holders?
Elite generally re-stamps on arrival. Smart Visa is multiple-entry, so TM8 is usually unnecessary while visa valid. Guide: Thailand Smart Visa
Q:How long before my flight should I get TM8?
Apply 1–3 days before travel at immigration, not at the boarding gate. Airport counters have limited hours and may reject incomplete files.
Q:Does TM8 work if my extension expires while abroad?
No. you must return before extension expiry. TM8 preserves status on return; it does not extend the underlying validity date.
Official references
Official sources verified June 2026.