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Answered5 years ago

Will I be charged an overstay fine if I go to the immigration office on January 4th after my tourist extension expires on January 1st?

Linda **********
asked Dec 12, 2021
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Hi everyone. My tourist extension will expire january 1. I would like to apply for a covid extension. But the Emmigration office will start working at january 4. Can i go then? Or would i pay overstay fine?
Answer summary
The user is seeking advice on whether they will incur an overstay fine if they visit the immigration office on January 4th to apply for a COVID-19 extension of their tourist visa, despite their current visa expiring on January 1st. The community suggests that due to the immigration office's closure for holidays, they are likely to be exempt from fines, but it is still important to apply for the extension as soon as possible and be prepared for potential requirements like showing a flight out of Thailand.
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Herman ********
Herman ********
Immigration wiill be closed on jan 3 th
Benjamin ******
Benjamin ******
The next holiday in Thailand is December 31st (source:
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4/) .

If your current "admitted to" stamp expires on the 1st of January, 2022, I highly recommend applying for a 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19 on December 29th. December 30th will be busy at the immigration office, and if you are verbally rejected for the 60 day extension of stay, it will be easier for you to acquire the documents (flight out of Thailand? Letter from the embassy? Whatever else they want) to meet the requirements, or to give you time to depart Thailand on the 4th without paying any overstay fines.

Remember too each immigration office has slightly different polices about getting the extension of stay, and advice about Kanchanburi Immigration Office may not apply to Nonthanburi Immigration Office (for example).
Linda **********
Linda **********
OP
@Benjamin *****
Thank you for the detailed info.
Martin ********
Martin ********
Mine finishes1st January also, I will visit in Pattaya about the 28th December
Linda **********
Linda **********
OP
@Martin *******
won't they be closed due to holidays? That's why i didn't want to go the 24th. Too early.
Martin ********
Martin ********
@Linda *********
they only close 31st December and 1st Jan apparently
Martin ********
Martin ********
@Linda *********
no will be open
Linda **********
Linda **********
OP
@Martin *******
you are right. Just checked the dates. They will be closed only 31 and 1.
Benjamin ******
Benjamin ******
What immigration office are you using?

Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Buriram, Phuket, Chiang Rai and a couple of others all allow people to apply for extensions when they have 45 days or less left on their current stamp. The other immigration offices are 30 days. However, ask your local immigration office for specific details.

Remember too, a 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19 is optional and does not need to be granted. See my featured post at

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For more information.
Linda **********
Linda **********
OP
But my question is if i go the january 4th when they first open will i be charged with overstay? I think not since they were closed due to holiday. What do you know about this?
John **********
John **********
@Linda *********
sounds like you are relying very heavily on them granting you a Covid extension. What will you do if they refuse to give you one and you're already on overstay? Immigration are not obligated to give you one.
John **********
John **********
Linda **********
Linda **********
OP
@John *********
improvise i guess...or go to cambodia.
Benjamin ******
Benjamin ******
@Linda *********
You will not be fined, however you will get an overstay stamp with "fine waived due to office closure".

HOWEVER, I would not go to the immigration office assuming you'd be granted a 60 day extension of stay based on unable to travel due to COVID-19. You may need to show a flight out of Thailand, and you may be stamped in until your flight departure date.
Linda **********
Linda **********
OP
chiang mai
Phil ********
Phil ********
You can apply now you don't need to wait until 1st
Linda **********
Linda **********
OP
@Phil *******
actually they are telling people to come the last day of their visa to apply. So my question is if i go the 4th of january when they open will i be charged for overstay?
Benjamin ******
Benjamin ******
@Linda *********
Who are they? The immigration office? When did they tell you that?
Linda **********
Linda **********
OP
@Benjamin *****
you are right. I will go there earlier
Benjamin ******
Benjamin ******
@Linda *********
Never trust what people tell you, always go straight to the source
Linda **********
Linda **********
OP
@Benjamin *****
i met people who went to do their covid visa early and they told me that they asked them to go back the last day of their visa

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