I obtained a non imm O multiple entry visa and came to live in HH on 1/2/12. I then obtained a further permission to stay for 1 year until 29/1/14 using the 'retirement' visa status.
I am currently traveling around the North East and have decided on the spur of the moment to maybe visit Laos. I understand that I will get 30 days without the need for a Laos visa (I will only stay a few days anyway).
My question is regarding a re entry permit as I haven't left Thailand since obtaining my visa based on retirement. What exactly is a re entry permit ? Do I need to obtain one before traveling to Laos ? If so can I obtain it from immigration in Udon or Nong Khai or should I have obtained it from HH before I left ?
Thanks.
'If you didn't have a wasted youth you wasted your youth'
A re-entry permit allows you to re-enter the country on your existing visa.
If you don't get one before you leave Thailand, your visa will cease to be valid and you enter the country as a visa-less tourist and start the procedure all over again.
You should have got the re-entry visa in HH first, as all such matters must be dealt with by your local immigration office according to the rules.
Having said that, I have been in your position twice before and have obtained a re-entry permit from Nong Khai immigration office on each occasion without any real difficulty by explaining that my plans had changed.
Pagey wrote:I obtained a non imm O multiple entry visa and came to live in HH on 1/2/12. I then obtained a further permission to stay for 1 year until 29/1/14 using the 'retirement' visa status.
I am currently traveling around the North East and have decided on the spur of the moment to maybe visit Laos. I understand that I will get 30 days without the need for a Laos visa (I will only stay a few days anyway).
My question is regarding a re entry permit as I haven't left Thailand since obtaining my visa based on retirement. What exactly is a re entry permit ? Do I need to obtain one before traveling to Laos ? If so can I obtain it from immigration in Udon or Nong Khai or should I have obtained it from HH before I left ?
Thanks.
I would normal y leave this for Lomu to answer, but as you may be waiting:
A re-entry permit maintains your "permitted to stay" date. Your original visa is now expired, and of no further use if you leave the country. Yes, you should have got one in Hua Hin. Do not know about border crossings, only Swampy airport where you can now get a permit. If you leave without a permit you will have to start the process all over again from scratch.
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil know`s you`re dead!
As barrys has said, you must get the re-entry permit before you exit or you'll lose your permitted to stay date until 29th Jan 2014 and will have to start the retirement extension process all over again, including getting a Non O visa.
Hopefully you'll be OK getting the permit in Nong Khai - costs 1,000 THB for a single re-entry. Take a passport photo along with you. The process is easy.
If, for whatever reason, Nong Khai refuse to issue you the permit, I'd think long and hard about whether the few days in Laos is worth all the future hassle.
When you get your annual extension next January, get a re-entry permit at the same time. Even if you never use it, you'll only be down 1,000 THB and it'll give you flexibility in just these situations.
Pagey wrote:
If I cannot obtain it in Nong Khai ......
Hi Pagey,
Just in case you don't know, you won't be able to get the re-entry permit at the border crossing in NK.
You'll have to go to the main Nong Khai immigration office during business hours.
If you're coming away from the border crossing, turn right at the main road and the immigration office is a couple of km along there on the left-hand side. I've always found them very friendly and obliging there, so I don't think you'll have any problem getting your re-entry permit.
I'm going to nip over to Immigration later today to get my re-entry permit for when I travel to Vietnam. This being my first exit since obtaining my Retirement Extension, can somebody please advise what I need to take with me?
^Good question BB, maybe if you get a comprehensive answer make it a sticky. I may actually leave Thailand this year and need the same info.
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
Mrs BB wanted breakfast, so we went on an early(ish) mission. When we got there, they wanted:
* My Passport
* The Blue Book
* 1 Passport photo
Form was completed and photocopies taken by the efficient staff outside. In and out in under 10 minutes. However, when we moved inside it was standing room only. Took a number, and there was only one person in front of us, despite me counting 29 people on the customer side of the office
I guess if no blue book, a rental agreement would be in order (same as for visa extension)???
My brain is like an Internet browser; 12 tabs are open and 5 of them are not responding, there's a GIF playing in an endless loop,... and where is that annoying music coming from?
Passport, photo, completed form and dosh. Nowt else is required. Nothing simpler.
RICHARD OF LOXLEY
It’s none of my business what people say and think of me. I am what I am and do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. It makes life so much easier.
