The Cost of Overstaying Your Thai Visa
How can I clear my Visa overstay case
Overstaying is technically illegal, but it is not a major criminal offence in Thailand. Although in some cases it can be far more serious than you would like to think.
In most minor cases you pay your fine at the airport or the point of exit from Thailand.
The penalty is prison if you are caught by an immigration officer and in some cases even jailed fined & deported from Thailand.
However, in most cases the Immigration office in Thailand allows those who have a visa overstay to pay the fine.
After that, you can go back to your normal life and stay in the country as long as you have the correct visa.
How much will I pay for overstaying?
That depends on the number of days you overstayed in Thailand. Because the minimum fine is 500 baht per day and the maximum is 20,000 baht if you overstayed for 40 or more days.
Visitors should always contact immigration for advice on the best course of action.
Thailand’s Overstay Rules
These rules apply to the Alien giving himself up at immigration and are as follows :
- Overstay more than 90 Days – 1-year ban from Thailand
- Present for more than 1 Year – 3-year ban from Thailand
- Overstay more than 3 Years – 5-year ban from Thailand
- Living without Visa more than 5 Years – 10-year ban from Thailand
Arrested & Found To Be On Overstay – Apprehended
- Expired Visa less than 1 Year – 5-year ban from Thailand
- Overstay more than 1 Year – 10-year ban from Thailand
I Have Overstayed My Visa In Thailand
Respect the Immigration rules in Thailand & you will have no issues at all – expect further announcements.
From 2016 stiffer penalties for anybody caught with an overstay in Thailand are to be introduced as announced in the Bangkok Post.
Because new and tougher penalties for visa overstays have been approved by the Interior Ministry. They will now be considered by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Under the rules announced these include offenders who turn themselves in will be banned for 1 year if the illegal stay is over 90 days.
The ban is extended to 3 years if the overstay is over 1 year, for those who can’t pay the fine they will be imprisoned this is equal to 200 baht per day.
Anybody arrested will be banned for 5 years if the visa overstay in Thailand is under 1 year, anything over this amount is a 10-year ban from the kingdom.
Avoidance is a Better Option
The best solution is to avoid getting yourself in that situation. When you enter Thailand, check the stamps on your passport before leaving the airport.
Doing so will keep you away from headaches and costs in the future.
In many cases you exit the country & pay the fine, in some cases, this can be more severe.
Never overstay your visa and in ALL cases it is avoidable.
It is better to respect the visas & immigration laws of the Kingdom Of Thailand.
Disclaimer – this page is for information purposes only & we have absolutely no influence with any immigration matter, we are not affiliated to Thai immigration.
