Retirement Visa Single / Multiple Re-entry

[englishman]

I renewed my retirement visa April of this year while in Thailand and with it a single re-entry. I did return to Canada after my renewal and have been here all summer with a planned return to Thailand early in the new year...am I correct that the single re-entry is sufficient ? no need for multiple ...talking to a "friend" he's telling me I need multiple ? which i don't understand. 

Have I got it right ?  thanks all 

[Geordie59]

The clue is in the title. A single re-entry gives you just that. If you leave the country twice and return you’ll need a multi re-entry to get bay back in the second time. Otherwise you’ll just get the standard visa waver and 60 days depending on what country you come from.

The alternative is to get a new single re-entry before you leave the second time. This can be done at immigration or the airport. 

[davidge]

1 hour ago, englishman said:

I renewed my retirement visa April of this year while in Thailand and with it a single re-entry. I did return to Canada after my renewal and have been here all summer with a planned return to Thailand early in the new year...am I correct that the single re-entry is sufficient ? no need for multiple ...talking to a "friend" he's telling me I need multiple ? which i don't understand. 

Have I got it right ?  thanks all 

You have already used the single re-entry permit you got when you renewed so you need another if you leave the country again.

You can just get another single this time. 2 singles actually work out cheaper than one multiple but, obviously, means dealing with the immigration office an extra time.

[forcebwithu]

^^^ Exactly that. I get a single re-entry permit each time I take a trip out of country. The only time I got a multiple re-entry permit is if I thought there was a possibility I would travel 3 times or more out of Thailand in a year.

Even though 3 singles are cheaper than a multiple re-entry, the time and effort to get 3 singles was out weighed by the convenience of having a multiple for a slight additional cost.

[englishman]

2 hours ago, Geordie59 said:

The clue is in the title. A single re-entry gives you just that. If you leave the country twice and return you’ll need a multi re-entry to get bay back in the second time. Otherwise you’ll just get the standard visa waver and 60 days depending on what country you come from.

The alternative is to get a new single re-entry before you leave the second time. This can be done at immigration or the airport. 

So I can leave Thailand and re enter one time on a single, additional times require another re-entry permit or a multiple yes I get that, but what davidge is saying is different Yes ? 

 

2 hours ago, davidge said:

You have already used the single re-entry permit you got when you renewed so you need another if you leave the country again.

You can just get another single this time. 2 singles actually work out cheaper than one multiple but, obviously, means dealing with the immigration office an extra time.

 I think you're saying different to Geordie59 ? you're saying I've already used my single re-entry when I renewed ?  I renewed in Thailand then left and I will return in January ...how is that 2 re-entries ?   

sorry guys just trying to get my head around this 

[penboy]

16 minutes ago, englishman said:

So I can leave Thailand and re enter one time on a single, additional times require another re-entry permit or a multiple yes I get that, but what davidge is saying is different Yes ? 

 

 I think you're saying different to Geordie59 ? you're saying I've already used my single re-entry when I renewed ?  I renewed in Thailand then left and I will return in January ...how is that 2 re-entries ?   

sorry guys just trying to get my head around this 

Every time you leave Thailand and re-enter, you need a single re-entry permit. Your original post says that you left and re-entered twice, so you should have got two re-entry permits.

[forcebwithu]

28 minutes ago, penboy said:

Every time you leave Thailand and re-enter, you need a single re-entry permit. Your original post says that you left and re-entered twice, so you should have got two re-entry permits.

I just reread the OP and I understand now he's still in Canada with a planned return in the NY, so the single, unused re-entry permit he got before he left will be used on his return. He'll only need another re-entry permit for his current extension to stay if he leaves and returns before it expires in April.

[davidge]

48 minutes ago, englishman said:

So I can leave Thailand and re enter one time on a single, additional times require another re-entry permit or a multiple yes I get that, but what davidge is saying is different Yes ? 

 

 I think you're saying different to Geordie59 ? you're saying I've already used my single re-entry when I renewed ?  I renewed in Thailand then left and I will return in January ...how is that 2 re-entries ?   

sorry guys just trying to get my head around this 

We’re saying the same thing but maybe I misunderstood what you said in your first post.

1. you got your new Extension of Stay in April and got a Single re-entry permit at the same time.

2. you left Thailand.

3. did you then return and leave again or not? If you haven’t been back to Thailand since then you can re-enter in January using the permit you got and you’re fine.

4. If you leave Thailand again before April you’ll need another permit. If you’re staying in Thailand until April then just get another permit when you get your new Extension of stay.

5. Just make sure that every time you leave Thailand you have an unused Re-entry permit so you can come back without losing your Extension.

 

[forcebwithu]

10 minutes ago, davidge said:

We’re saying the same thing but maybe I misunderstood what you said in your first post.

1. you got your new Extension of Stay in April and got a Single re-entry permit at the same time.

2. you left Thailand.

3. did you then return and leave again or not? If you haven’t been back to Thailand since then you can re-enter in January using the permit you got and you’re fine.

4. If you leave Thailand again before April you’ll need another permit. If you’re staying in Thailand until April then just get another permit when you get your new Extension of stay.

5. Just make sure that every time you leave Thailand you have an unused Re-entry permit so you can come back without losing your Extension.

Further to point 5, make sure you return to Thailand before the re-entry permit expires, which is the date your extension to stay expires.

[thainet]

27 minutes ago, forcebwithu said:

I just reread the OP and I understand now he's still in Canada with a planned return in the NY, so the single, unused re-entry permit he got before he left will be used on his return. He'll only need another re-entry permit for his current extension to stay if he leaves and returns before it expires in April.

Finally someone gets it right...well done that man

[englishman]

12 hours ago, davidge said:

We’re saying the same thing but maybe I misunderstood what you said in your first post.

1. you got your new Extension of Stay in April and got a Single re-entry permit at the same time.

2. you left Thailand.

3. did you then return and leave again or not? If you haven’t been back to Thailand since then you can re-enter in January using the permit you got and you’re fine.

4. If you leave Thailand again before April you’ll need another permit. If you’re staying in Thailand until April then just get another permit when you get your new Extension of stay.

5. Just make sure that every time you leave Thailand you have an unused Re-entry permit so you can come back without losing your Extension.

 

1. Yes correct 

2. again correct 

3. after I left Thailand I did not and have not yet returned...I will return in January..

thanks :) 

[englishman]

12 hours ago, forcebwithu said:

Further to point 5, make sure you return to Thailand before the re-entry permit expires, which is the date your extension to stay expires.

Yes I get that ..thanks for the help

[englishman]

13 hours ago, penboy said:

Every time you leave Thailand and re-enter, you need a single re-entry permit. Your original post says that you left and re-entered twice, so you should have got two re-entry permits.

Not sure where you're getting that I left and re-entered twice ?? 

[englishman]

thanks for all the help all ...yeah I guess  really it's simple enough but just wanted it clear in my head I was ok, wasn't cheap getting the retirement visa so I don't want to lose it and have to start all over again ... Over thinking things a bit I guess .. 

[Geordie59]

15 minutes ago, englishman said:

thanks for all the help all ...yeah I guess  really it's simple enough but just wanted it clear in my head I was ok, wasn't cheap getting the retirement visa so I don't want to lose it and have to start all over again ... Over thinking things a bit I guess .. 

it seems like any confusion has been cleared up.

And you are correct, if you leave without a valid re-entry permit already in your passport your visa (or extension) will be cancelled when you come back in. And as you know, getting a new one is usually quite expensive. A lot more than extending the one you have  

A single re-entry permit costs 1k baht. The multi re-entry costs 3.8k baht. I usually only leave twice during the year but always get the multi re-entry so I can forget about it until the visa needs extending again. 

[englishman]

6 hours ago, Geordie59 said:

it seems like any confusion has been cleared up.

And you are correct, if you leave without a valid re-entry permit already in your passport your visa (or extension) will be cancelled when you come back in. And as you know, getting a new one is usually quite expensive. A lot more than extending the one you have  

A single re-entry permit costs 1k baht. The multi re-entry costs 3.8k baht. I usually only leave twice during the year but always get the multi re-entry so I can forget about it until the visa needs extending again. 

This was the first time that I Renewed my retirement visa, when I first got the visa  I did get a multiple because I knew i would leave return and leave return again. this time I knew I'd be only doing the one trip home and back ..trying to save a little cash but then started questioning that I had done right .... all is good ... appreciated all the help and comments...  

Edited November 16, 2025 by englishman

[Wilhelm II]

How many times per year can you enter Thailand under visa‑free entry, stay for 60 days, and then return to your home country? Has anyone had experience doing this more than twice a year? Has anyone ever been denied re‑entry for doing that?

[shagwell]

58 minutes ago, Wilhelm II said:

How many times per year can you enter Thailand under visa‑free entry, stay for 60 days, and then return to your home country? Has anyone had experience doing this more than twice a year? Has anyone ever been denied re‑entry for doing that?

I know a couple of people who work abroad or on ships month on/month off rotation, every month they are off work they come to Thailand on visa free entry - so 6 times a year, and they have been doing this for years with no issues. 

Not sure how the new RULES will effect this as they don't effect me so not paying to much attention to them, but my guess is they will still be able to continue doing what they are doing since they don't usually require an extension, don't do border runs, and have genuine reasons for coming back every other month.

[jimboh]

Is it possible to download retirement visa application and list of requirements? Went immigration today, way too busy

[momo5]

6 hours ago, jimboh said:

Is it possible to download retirement visa application and list of requirements? Went immigration today, way too busy

I’d start with the immigration website … just be sure it’s the official site and not a commercial one.