The process of imposing a fine for foreign nationals who have overstayed the permitted period
When entering Thailand through a land border checkpoint, officials will stamp the duration of stay that is allowed according to the visa type. However, if a foreign national stays beyond this permitted period, he or she will be subject to the payment of a fine.
The process of imposing a fine for foreign nationals who have overstayed is as follows:
1. Officials at the passport control counter will identify those foreign nationals who have overstayed their permitted period and will send them to officers in order to impose a fine;
2. The officer in charge of fine payments will inform the traveller of the overstayed period and the amount of the fine;
- If the traveller agrees to pay the fine, the officer will proceed with imposing the fine, issuing a receipt for the fine payment, recording the information in the system, stamping the passport, and then returning the passport and the receipt to the traveller;
- If the traveller does not agree to pay the fine, the officer will continue by conducting further investigations and taking further action.
The penalty for overstaying the allowed period of stay is as follows:
1. If one overstays the allowed period of stay, he or she can surrender himself or herself at the immigration checkpoint before leaving Thailand and can pay a fine of 500 baht per day, with a maximum fine of 20,000 baht (if overstaying for more than 40 days);
2. If one overstays the allowed period of stay and does not leave Thailand (for 90 days or more), this action is considered to be a serious offense. Such individuals will be subject to legal punishment, including a fine of 20,000 baht and deportation from Thailand. He or she will also be prohibited from entering Thailand for a period of time that is equivalent to the duration of their overstay.
In the case of a foreign national who has surrendered himself or herself due to overstaying his or her permitted period of stay, the procedures are as follows:
1. In the case of a foreigner who has overstayed his or her permitted duration of stay for more than 90 days, he or she will be prohibited from re-entering the country for a period of 1 year from the date of his or her departure from Thailand;
2. In the case of a foreigner who has overstayed his or her permitted duration of stay for more than 1 year, he or she will be prohibited from re-entering the country for a period of 3 years from the date of his or her departure from Thailand;
3. In the case of a foreigner who has overstayed his or her permitted duration of stay for more than 3 years, he or she will be prohibited from re-entering the country for a period of 5 years from the date of his or her departure from Thailand;
4. In the case of a foreigner who has overstayed his or her permitted duration of stay for more than 5 years, he or she will be prohibited from re-entering the country for a period of 10 years from the date of his or her departure from Thailand.
In the case of a foreigner who has been arrested and prosecuted due to overstaying his or her permitted period of stay:
1. If he or she stays beyond the authorized period of less than 1 year, he or she will be prohibited from returning for 5 years from the date of his or her departure from Thailand;
2. If he or she stays beyond the authorized period of more than 1 year, he or she will be prohibited from returning for 10 years from the date of his or her departure from Thailand.
Source: Immigration Checkpoint of Phang Nga Province, 37 Moo 3, Tambon Tham Nam Phud, Mueang District, Phang Nga Province.
Tel. +66 7546 0512.
For more information