What are the current rules for overstaying a visa in Thailand when flying out within 24 hours?

Thailand visa rules Overstay fines Visa expiration Immigration advice Travel tips Thai visa regulations

Jan 23, 2024

10 months ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi all! I just realized I made the visa faux pas of booking my flight out of Thailand for 1 day after my visa expires. I found superb post on overstaying in this group by Tod Daniels (THANK YOU, TOD!) that says I should be fine since I'm flying out and will overstay for less than 24 hour. BUT that post was written in 2019. Is the guidance still the same (copied below)?

From Tod in 2019: As a rule people on a single days overstay who are flying out will have the 500 baht fine waived and only get a small stamp next to their departure stamp saying "overstay under 24 hours fine waived", however exiting by a land crossing on any overstay always gets the fine.

At this time having an overstay stamp in your passport is NOT a negative thing as far as re-entering the country or getting a visa to thailand at any thai consulate OTHER than Penang which will not issue a tourist visa to people with an overstay stamp in their passport. 

Thank you in advance!! 🙏

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion revolves around concerns about overstaying a visa in Thailand when the user has booked a flight one day after their visa expires. Participants confirm that, based on current information, if you fly out after overstaying for less than 24 hours, typically the fine may be waived, provided you inform the immigration officers at the airport. This aligns with previous guidance suggesting small leniency for short overstays when exiting by air, but it contrasts with stricter rules at land borders where fines are applied regardless of the duration. The consensus is that as long as the user departs before 11:59 PM the following day, they should not incur a fine.

James ********

AND I believe that the OP has the answers needed for her question.

Thanks for your helpful replies.

Comments Closed

10 months ago

Tod *********

okay, people I think we beat this to death, 😕

There is NO FINE for an overstay UNDER 24 hours when you fly out

that means if your stamp expires TODAY the 23 you have until 11:59 on the 24th to stamp out at passport control at the airport and not get fined.

ONE MINUTE past that and you pull a 1000baht two day overstay fine.

That's how it works at the airports when you FLY out

Land borders ALWAYS charge for overstay 😮 There is no "under" anything rule, you stamp out after your stamp expires it's 500 baht a day fine

10 months ago

Jason ********

If you have the 500 baht to pay the fine, I wouldn't worry too much about it. Just ask where the overstay counter is before you stamp out , or wait in line and immediately inform the officer that you are on overstay and you would like to pay the fine. I know because I have a few, big ones small ones, but now I do try to avoid them , as officers may try to hassle you more than in the past. You should be golden though. Good luck. Sad to see you go :(

10 months ago

Tod *********

@Jason *******

I have never seen a 500 baht fine from the airport when someone flys out , you either get fined 1000 baht <- because you're OVER 24 hours overstay and that means you're on the SECOND day overstay, or you get the stamp I posted and they don't fine you..

10 months ago

Reply to

Tod *********

Stuart *********

You may get taken away from the passport booth to a senior immigration officer to get that stamp and signature. Don't panic! This is normal.

Doesn't affect entry next time you go to Thailand

10 months ago

Coryanne *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Sounds like I better plan to get to the airport early, then. Thank you for preparing me! I definitely would have panicked otherwise 😅

10 months ago

Stuart *********

@Coryanne ******

My pleasure. Freaked me out when I was in line and they took my partner away!

10 months ago

Reply to

Stuart *********

Tod *********