Thailand is open to international travelers without any restrictions or requirements, such as the formerly mandatory Thailand Pass or proof of vaccines. With that said, visas can be complicated and confusing for many people visiting the Land of Smiles.
If you came to Thailand between October 1, 2022, and March 31, 2023, you're allowed to stay an additional 15 days (from 30 days to 45 days). Similarly, 'Visa on Arrival' has been increased from 15 days to 30 days. A list of countries is provided in this article.
With that said, there are people who overstay their visas in Thailand. Those who do it intentionally are often unaware of how strictly the Thai government treats overstaying, while others might make mistakes and unintentionally follow rules that are intended for people from a different country.
In this article, our friends from Pacific Prime explore the issues related to overstaying your visa in Thailand.
Note: If you're coming to Thailand after April 2023, there is no news about renewing the extension. It's currently back to 30 and 15 days, respectively.
How Long Can I Stay in Thailand?
The approved length of stay in Thailand will depend on the passport you hold, but let us give you an example for better understanding.
If you're a passport holder of one of 64 countries that are eligible for 45 days extension, and you arrive in Thailand on January 1, 2023, you have until February 15, 2023, to leave before you get in trouble.
This applies to the 'Visa on Arrival' countries too, but instead of 45 days in Thailand, it's 30 days.
Overstaying in Thailand - What to Expect
The penalty for overstaying in Thailand is based on how many days you are allowed to stay. You will need to pay this fine at the airport immigration when you leave the country.
Overstay Period | Fee (in THB) | Penalty |
Less than 90 Days | ฿ 500/per day | Just the fee |
More than 90 Days | ฿ 20,000 | 1 year ban from entering Thailand |
+1 Year | ฿ 20,000 | 3 year ban from entering Thailand
|
+3 Years | ฿ 20,000 | 5 year ban from entering Thailand
|
+5 Years | ฿ 20,000 | 10 year ban from entering Thailand
|
If you're overstaying for less than 90 days, the minimum fee is THB ฿500 per day. For example, if you overstay for a week, you must pay THB ฿3,500. The maximum fee will be THB ฿20,000.
It can get complicated if you overstay for more than 90 days in Thailand. Not only will you be banned from entering Thailand for a year, but you'll also be fined THB ฿20,000.
The most severe punishment is for overstaying for more than 5 years, which carries a 10-year ban from Thailand and a THB ฿20,000 fine. It is crucial to adhere to Thailand's immigration rules to avoid facing these penalties.
The Thai immigration authorities are aware that occasionally people make mistakes, such as booking flights on the wrong date or unexpected changes to travel plans (e.g. flight cancellations and delays).
In short overstay situations like these, the THB ฿500 fine is generally scrapped. However, if you are overstaying for more than 90 days, it's best to get legal help.
What If You Get Caught Overstaying?
There are two ways you can get caught overstaying in Thailand. If you know you're overstaying, we recommend leaving the country and paying the fine before you face any serious trouble.
The first way you can get caught overstaying is when you depart from Thailand. In this case, all you have to do is pay the fine.
You can also get caught for overstaying while in the country. This can happen in different ways, and the outcome is not as good as leaving Thailand on your own terms. For example, you might get caught when you check in at a hotel, experience a random police check, or visit the hospital.
If this happens, you'll face a fine and have to stay in a detention center before being deported from Thailand.
List of Countries Allowed for 45 Days in Thailand
It's important to know the visa requirements for Thailand based on your home country. If your country is listed below, you're allowed to stay in the Land of Smiles for up to 45 days without a visa.
Andora, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein. Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, Sweden, UAE, UK, Vietnam, and USA.
Visa on Arrival - List of Countries Allowed for 30 Days
Similar to what we have mentioned above, it's important to know the visa requirements for Thailand based on where you're from. If your country is listed below, you can get a Visa on Arrival extension from 15 days to 30 days.
Bhutan, Bulgaria, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, Hungary, India, Kazakhstan, Liechtenstein, Malta, Mexico, Nauru, Oman, New Guinea, Poland, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Taiwan, and Uzbekistan.
Are you planning on coming to Thailand? It's recommended to be insured before your travels. For more information on your health insurance optionsor travel insurance, please reach out to Pacific Prime Thailand. As a global health insurance brokerage, they've got 20+ years of experience helping expats and travelers navigate and simplify the world of health insurance. Contact them today!
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