Thailand overstay rules and what to do
Overstaying permission to stay in Thailand can mean fines, detention, removal and re-entry bans. Deal with it promptly and use official advice.
You are in overstay when you remain in Thailand after the permitted-until date. The expiry printed on an old visa does not rescue an expired permission to stay.
Deal with an overstay promptly. A short mistake and an arrest are not treated like a routine extension, and a serious case needs direct Immigration or qualified legal help.
Rules checked: 3 September 2026. Immigration's current public guidance states a fine of 500 baht per day up to 20,000 baht and publishes re-entry bans for longer overstays. Enforcement and legal consequences depend on how the case is encountered and resolved.
Published re-entry bans
Immigration publishes the following framework for adult overstayers:
| How the case is resolved | Overstay | Published ban |
|---|---|---|
| Surrender | More than 90 days | 1 year |
| Surrender | More than 1 year | 3 years |
| Surrender | More than 3 years | 5 years |
| Surrender | More than 5 years | 10 years |
| Arrested and prosecuted | Less than 1 year | 5 years |
| Arrested and prosecuted | More than 1 year | 10 years |
Do not use that table to self-diagnose a complicated case. Criminal proceedings, detention, removal, age, an existing warrant or another immigration issue can change what happens.
If you think you are already overstaying
- Check the actual permitted-until stamp or record.
- Do not work, travel internally or attempt a clever border solution based on social-media advice.
- Contact Immigration promptly.
- For anything beyond an obvious short administrative mistake, speak to a qualified Thai immigration lawyer.
- Keep money and documents available for the official process, but do not pay an unofficial intermediary promising to erase the record.
If you are stopped before surrendering, the consequences can be much more serious.
A pending plan is not permission
Booking a flight, preparing an extension or waiting for an agent does not itself extend lawful stay. Follow any written under-consideration stamp or official receipt rather than assuming an application is pending somewhere.
Preventing overstay
- Check every entry stamp before leaving the checkpoint.
- Put the permitted-until date in two calendars.
- Apply for an extension early.
- Track 90-day reports separately from stay expiry.
- Ask what happens to the stay before employment or study ends.
- Obtain a re-entry permit when required before travel.
Official sources
- Immigration Bureau
- Immigration public handbook containing the overstay and ban guidance
- Immigration Act B.E. 2522
This page is general information, not personal legal advice. An active overstay is a reason to contact the responsible authority now.