Answered4 years ago

Is it true that having an overstay counts as a lifetime limit for getting a Thailand Elite visa?

Thailand Elite Visa Visa Overstay TM.30 Form Immigration Rules Visa Extension Expat Advice

Justin ********

asked Sep 7, 2022

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I went to the Bangkok division 1 for an extension of two days. They told me it would be better to overstay and pay a small fine. I felt extremely anxious because the website doesn't say a TM.30 is needed so I didn't bring it, but the signs there mentioned it. So I agreed to just leave and follow their instructions. Now I'm having regret pangs, as, this will count and be my one and only overstay allowed in a lifetime right? {To ever be able to get an Elite visa)

Answer summary

The user experienced anxiety after being advised by Bangkok immigration officers that it would be better to pay a fine for a small overstay rather than apply for an extension which would be more expensive. Uncertain about the implications of the overstay, the user is concerned that it counts as their only allowed overstay for obtaining a Thailand Elite visa. Community comments clarify that while overstays occur frequently without consequences, having any overstay may disqualify someone from eligibility for an Elite visa, but experiences vary widely.

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Ellie *******

Thank you, everyone. We are not going into Thailand Elite more detail.

4 years ago

Ellie *******

@Justin *******

, contact Thailand Elite about qualification detail. They are usually responsive.

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4 years ago

Bobby ********

One and only in a lifetime? You've been listening to pub gossip.

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Bobby *******

he stated that is what he read you can have to still be able to buy an Elite visa.

I thought it was no overstays and that if you had one in your passport you couldn't buy an elite visa

4 years ago

Bobby ********

@Tod ********

I don't think that's quite right but don't like to disagree as I know you know your stuff. I do know one guy during covid who got an Elite Visa, and was concerned about a three day overstay he'd had about five years before, but it never came up. They may of course, have just missed it in the misty haze of all the money he was pushing their way! 😆

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Bobby *******

yep, I don't know it well enough to be certain, I just recall it

BUT then again who really knows. You'd have to call Elite and ask them

4 years ago

Tod *********

It's an overstay that's for sure..

The immigration officers were correct, it's cheaper to pay the 1000baht overstay than the 1900baht "application for extension not approve" 7 day stamp to get out of thailand in a week.

You can have as many overstays in your lifetime as you want, I know people with 10 or 15 overstay stamps in their passport and they come in and out just fine.

The thing is you can't have ANY overstays to get an elite visa (from what I have been told)

4 years ago

Justin ********

@Tod ********

I read the max was one on their website like yesterday.... or have bad reading comprehension and misread heh

4 years ago

Jody *********

@Justin *******

but then it also says this.

IF I'M OVERSTAYING IN THAILAND, CAN I APPLY FOR THAILAND ELITE MEMBERSHIP SO I DO NOT HAVE TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY?

You can apply for Thailand Elite Membership even if you are overstaying, as the application process does not concern with current overstay situation. However, if you have any overstay record during your current visit, you will be unable to obtain Thailand Elite Visa within the country. Application process may be successful, but you will be required to leave the country and get your Thailand Elite Visa affixed and validated upon your next visit.

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Jody ********

That is the strangest worded answer I've seen about it 😛

SO it appears to say you can RUN on overstay and be IN thailand and still get the Elite visa issued?

BUT

If you had a previous overstay (which you cleared already) you couldn't get one?

4 years ago

Jody *********

@Justin *******

“Thai Elite Visa Qualifications

Being allowed to stay in Thailand in accordance with the immigration laws, which means the applicant has no overstay record in Thailand.”

4 years ago

Bobby ********

@Justin *******

Which website exactly? There are websites out there giving the illusion they are official and they're far from it

4 years ago

Justin ********

@Bobby *******

I tried finding it again and alas cannot :/!

4 years ago