What should I do in an emergency visa situation with overstay in Thailand?

Question

**EMERGENCY **situation

Hi everyone. I have a big problem with my visa. The immigration office called me yesterday evening (at 8 p.m.) and told me that I need to come to them today morning. They told me there is something wrong with my visa.

I had my work permit and my visa till the last day of March.

I left the country in September (last year) for 20 days holidays. I had my check-in 90 days in October and before I left Thailand I went to the Immigration Office in Ayutthaya and I asked them if I can go for a holiday. They told me that I can because I have a work permit and visa till April.

They told me I need to pay for re-entry at the airport. I asked the people at the airport and they said you'll pay WHEN you back to Thailand. I arrived in October and they gave me a stamp for 30 days. I went to the immigration office in next and I paid for the re-entry. I had my check-in in December and in March. I went to my embassy (one week ago) and they gave me a letter so I can stay in Thailand a little bit longer. The Immigration Office gave me a stamp for 20 days and they told me to come on 20th of April to check-in and I will have 10 days more.

The captain told me that I overstayed in Thailand for almost 6 months and I need to leave the country as soon is possible. In this situation all the people were wrong (Immigration and the people at the airport and again Immigration). I have all my stamps, signatures, letters. He told me he will help me to find a flight outside of Thailand where I need to make a temporary passport. When I have the passport I can back and make a normal one in Thailand. I told him the borders are closed because I was trying to go to Laos 10 days before. He said there are still some flight and I can go.

My question is where I can go to make my passport at the moment and what is more important is it possible to back to Thailand?  He said that is possible because Japanese people are allowed to enter the country. I asked him about the COVID insurance for 100.000$ and he said I need to have it. Even if I have my temporary passport and the insurance I'm 99% sure that I'm not allowed to back to Thailand for the next few weeks or more. Do the people need to stay in quarantine for 14 days alone?

**Do you know any people who were able to back to Thailand since February / March?**

What should I do in this situation?

Thank you

Why the moderator turned off commenting for this post?

Ask Thailand · Answer

The user is facing an emergency regarding their visa situation in Thailand, claiming they have overstayed for almost 6 months. They were informed by the immigration office that they must leave the country immediately and are unsure where to obtain a temporary passport and if they can return to Thailand afterward. Commenters suggest that the user will likely face fines and possibly a ban from re-entry, advising them to return to their home country. Concerns about the validity of the information received from immigration authorities are also raised.

Benjamin ****** · Answer

*NORMALLY* you're on a 6 month overstay. If you turn yourself in, it will be a 20K THB fine, and you'll get banned from re-entering Thailand for a year. The stamp you have in your passport is your responsibility, and it is your responsibility to make sure the stamp is correct.

You are saying the captain has the power to waive the fines and the ban. I will be surprised if he does, but if he really does, consider yourself lucky.

My advice is to work with the captain to catch the next flight back to the country on your passport. If you are banned from Thailand for one year, to return a year later, OR if you are not, then to re-enter when the COVID-19 passes.

I see nothing more that can come from keeping this thread open. If one of the other mods disagrees, they can re-open the thread.

Lloyd ******** · Answer

and be careful - if you are caught in a road block etc, the overstay penalty will be a 5 year ban from thailand

Stuart ********** · Answer

It doesn't sound correct that you paid for a reentry permit after you got back. This means that you didn't actually have a reentry permit when you left and this is why you were given only a 30 day stamp when you returned. If you did go to immigration after you got back and pay for a reentry permit you will probably find it unused stamped in your passport. Plus how did you do a check in in December and March if you had a 30 day stamp?

James ******** · Answer

You should have noticed when you got stamped back in that you were in fact stamped in as 30 days visa exempt because you had no reentry permit, always check when you enter. Go home. Easiest solution.

Lloyd ******** · Answer

as you rightly state, even if you could get out 1. you wont get back in and 2. you will be banned from entry for a year too

Martin ********* · Answer

As you did not apply for a re-entry permit, you are now 6 months overstay . You should try to really get back to your home country till the entry back into Thailand is more relaxed.

Lloyd ******** · Answer

you are probably looking at a 20k fine and a years ban from thailand too

Benjamin ****** · Answer

I'm sorry, but a lot of people did mess up :( But I'm glad the immigration captain is willing to help you.

Right now all incoming flights to Thailand have stopped until April 18th (source: [url redacted]

Generally the only country you can go to is the country listed on your passport.

You will probably be fined 20K THB for your overstay though, and a one year ban from returning to Thailand.

What should I do in an emergency visa situation with overstay in Thailand?

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