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Can I extend my tourist visa and avoid a fine for overstaying in Thailand if I go to immigration after the holiday?

Apr 12, 2024
2 years ago
Abbey **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello, I am currently in Thailand from the UK and arrived on the 15th of March, I was given a 30 day tourist visa on arrival and I was planning on extending my visa here, I plan to fly home on 23rd April. I have made a big mistake and left it last minute and realised because of the holidays most immigration offices will be shut. My visa will end on the 13th of April. I have looked at flights out of the country but they are all quite expensive so I’m wondering would I be able to go to the immigration office as soon as it opens up again and apply for an extension and pay the fine for the amount of days I have overstayed? And will it cause me problems in the future when visiting other countries? Any advice will be appreciated, thank you.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is currently in Thailand on a 30-day visa exempt entry, which expires on April 13. They are concerned about overstaying due to immigration office closures on holidays. Comments advise that if they visit the immigration office on April 17, after the holidays, they can apply for a 30-day extension without being fined for the overstay, as the office was closed during the expiration period.
Stuart *********
As stated go on the 17th. You’ll get an overstay stamp but not a fine as the office was closed. However be aware that depending on the office you are going to use that many will be absolutely manic due to the 5 day closure. Go super early in the morning and join the rush.
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James ********
I believe that the OP has the answers needed for her question.

Be sure to go to your local Thai Immigration office on Wednesday April 17th...

Comments Closed
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Ellie *******
A bit of a side note.

Your stamp should be until April 13, not April 14 if you entered on March 15 on visa exempt. Check your stamp carefully and immediately again when you apply and get your extension in your passport.
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James ********
THESE are the common found requirements for the 30 days extension of stay at your local Thai Immigration office.

As most offices require a TM30 address registration on file...be sure you have it filed
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James ********
Go to your local Thai Immigration office on Wednesday April 17th

Apply for the 30 days extension of stay.

As the Thai Immigration offices were closed on the days before April 17th, your extension of stay will be approved.

Fine will be WAIVED as the office was closed the Sunday due and on Monday and Tuesday as Holidays.
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Tod *********
Okay, you got no visa to begin with 😮 you showed up here without having bought a visa before you came and were stamped in FREE for 30 days on what's called a 30 day visa exempt entry. 🙂

Be that as it may you did wait too long to try to go get an extension 🙁

The good news IS

If your stamp expires on a day the immigration office is closed (weekends or holidays) and you go the very next day they're open you will NOT be fined the 500 baht a day for overstay (you will get the overstay stamp in your passport though) and you can get your extension like normal for 1900baht
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Abbey **********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
thank you, for the overstay stamp will that affect me for future travel as that’s my main concern at the moment?
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Tod *********
@Abbey *********
nope not at all
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Ellie *******
@Abbey *********
, You may not be able to apply for an Elite visa inside Thailand or a tourist visa at some of the Thai Embassies/consulates in SEA, especially in Malaysia.

(there could be an issue when you travel to other countries that check your overstay history in any countries... not a Thai visa related though)
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Ellie *******
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