Answered4 years ago
Should I pay a fine for overstaying my visa in Thailand or extend it instead?
Hi everyone, I’m on a 45 day visa but I’m here for 47 days, I’ve been to the visa extension places and both recommend that I just pay the fine at the airport for 2 days over stay, what are your thoughts on this? Thankyou in advance
Answer summary
A user currently on a 45-day visa has overstayed by 2 days and is considering paying the fine at the airport. Community responses highlight the importance of avoiding an overstay stamp in the passport, discussing potential risks such as future visa issues and possible bans. Several commenters recommended extending the visa instead of risking an overstay, emphasizing that it's a safer and more responsible choice.
48 repliesnewest first
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Jo **********
why is the 2 days so important. why not stay 45 days?
Graham ******
@Jo *********
because that's when his departure flight is maybe?Jo **********
@Graham *****
then change it
Glyn **********
Two day over shouldn't be a big deal. I've done it myself and it's had no affect on my getting visas or entering Thailand. Just don't get picked up while on an overstay.
Graham ******
@Glyn *********
Times are changing ;)Glyn **********
@Graham *****
I argued with a smile that I had a 60 day visa and Thai immigration only gave me 57 days. They seemed very ok both times.Glyn **********
@Graham *****
I never received an overstay stamp either time...
Julian *******
@Glyn *********
I have two overstay stamps both for 2 days never been a problemGlyn **********
@Julian ******
I wouldn't push my luck with them...
Kyong ****
It is always entertainingly strange to hear from these rebels without a cause. Getting the extension was the wise choice to make.
Safe journey to you always.
Safe journey to you always.
David *********
I'd be reluctant to just pay the overstay , although that's cheapest , you get a black mark as an overstay , I'd get the extension .
Graham ******
@David ********
The real danger is getting caught before immigration when leaving the country and getting deported and blacklisted for 5 years which we will soon see more of as they track down those on overstay, it has started.David *********
@Graham *****
that's more or less what I was referring to Graham ..risky practice .
Dave *******
OPThankyou everyone for your comments, I’ve decided to extend my visa, as seems to be the best way
Joris **********
@Dave ******
it ain't called a visa but a "visa exemption." You don't have a visa if you didn't bought one in a Thai consulate before you came here. Extend your 45 visa free days, even if you only wanna stay 1 day longer. Avoid overstay and don't listen to all the crap peoples telling you. Enjoy your holidays.Dave *******
OP@Joris *********
I’ve decided to extend, thanks
Martin *********
Visa extension place ?
Anyway just pay the fine imo .. over the years I’ve overstayed ‘ by a couple of days ‘ many times .. I think they’re quite happy for the income to the business actually..
Anyway just pay the fine imo .. over the years I’ve overstayed ‘ by a couple of days ‘ many times .. I think they’re quite happy for the income to the business actually..
Todd *********
@Martin ********
yup, nice little bonus for many countries. Hey - i loved my stay here and decided to stay a bit. Where do I pay? 🙂 ❤️
Lisa ********************
@Todd ********
can pay fine at exit from Thailand at the airport 500bt a dayTodd *********
@Lisa *******************
haha, yes - i'm super familiar with it. Thank youMartin *********
@Lisa *******************
yeah I think he knows 😉😂Jim ***********
Extend 30 days. 1900 baht. No overstay stamp I'm passport
Tom *********
@Jim **********
- wss it easy to do the 30 day extension and where did you do it Jim ?Jim ***********
@Tom ********
easy. Fill in form que up get number. Take 1 passport photo with you 1900 baht job done. I've done extension Jomtien phuket and Hua Hin.Todd *********
@Jim **********
or pay fine 1000 baht, save 900 baht and enjoy your day.Jim ***********
@Todd ********
I've been grilled by immigration at Subvarnabhumi before...prefer just going by rules now saves hassle and questions. Up to youJim ***********
@Todd ********
And get overstay stamp. For saving 900 baht???? Enjoy ur dayTodd *********
@Jim **********
this is true. They absolutely can. But why would they? You have paid fully for the ‘crime’. And the evidence strongly suggests they don’t.Jim ***********
@Todd ********
awkward immigration guy can always say No at swampy. Yes I've done all of above even went with few' cashiers 'Todd *********
@Jim **********
definitely not easier. In fact sometimes annoyingly complicated lol. If i wanted nanny state rules i would have stayed somewhere in the Commonwealth. I also don't wear a motorcycle helmet often. And i once drank beer past closing time. All part of being a fun guestJim ***********
@Todd ********
not easier just living by rules ? You are a guest int the Kingdom after allTodd *********
@Jim **********
oh - you got 'grilled'.... sounds very stressful for you. I have about a dozen overstay stamps from various countries in my passport. Have yet to hear a single word about them. But let's not let reality get in our way of what seems to be an emotional response from you. Either way, makes no difference. People overstay. Ever seen the lineups at the overstay office in BKK?
Michael ********
@Jim **********
i got loads of overstay stamps makes no difference if only couple of daysSophie *********
If you never intend to return to Thailand then that's ok. Otherwise I would do all I could to avoid having an overstay stamp in your pp. I have one and it wasn't even my fault!
John *******
Some of comments I received an overstay stamp but it wasn't my fault really 🤣🤣🤣 you can't teach stupid
Todd *********
@John ******
no worries. degrees can never fix stupid.Sophie *********
@John ******
Your comments are moronic. Even they said the error was theirs. And, yes, I’m the stupid one - a teacher with two degrees. Jog on.
Brandon ************
@Sophie ********
It's your responsibility to check your passport after any interaction with immigration. If they failed to do something, and you didn't notice, it's still your fault.Sophie *********
@Brandon ***********
That's not what immigration said. But you seem to have all the answers so...
Marc ********
@Sophie ********
But you still have an overstay stamp regardless what immigration said.
Arnold *****
@Sophie ********
In Vietnam they said it was my fault even though they didn't stamp it, i think the takeaway is to just check after immigration. I sure learned so.Todd *********
@Sophie ********
agree, overstay stamps are never our fault!Sophie *********
@Todd ********
Well, in my case it wasn't, clever guy. The CM immigration officer neglected to stamp the additional 9 days I'd paid 1900 baht for. I even had the receipt at BKK airport. I then went to immigration in CM where their attitude was the same as yours. Initially, at least. They then soon changed their tune when they realised it was, in fact, their error.
Kerry ***********
@Sophie ********
more like it's always a guy who's full of itSophie *********
@Kerry **********
It’s always a guy telling us what’s what though, isn’t it? Tired of it.Kyong ****
@Sophie ********
did they clean up your passport?Kerry ***********
@Sophie ********
clever guy 🤣Brandon ************
I'm not sure what you mean by "visa extension place" but you get your extension at the immigration office.
You should never go on overstay, especially now as they are doing a crackdown on overstayers.
If you are stopped by the police for any reason, even a random checkpoint on the way to the airport, you can be arrested and banned for 5 years from Thailand.
Also having an overstay stamp in your passport can cause problems in the future both trying to purchase a visa or enter a country, not just Thailand. Countries don't like seeing that you illegally overstayed anywhere.
You should never go on overstay, especially now as they are doing a crackdown on overstayers.
If you are stopped by the police for any reason, even a random checkpoint on the way to the airport, you can be arrested and banned for 5 years from Thailand.
Also having an overstay stamp in your passport can cause problems in the future both trying to purchase a visa or enter a country, not just Thailand. Countries don't like seeing that you illegally overstayed anywhere.
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