Thailand is a popular destination for tourists, expats, and digital nomads—but even the most well-meaning travelers can sometimes miscalculate visa dates. If you’ve overstayed your visa in Thailand, whether by a day or several months, it’s important to understand the consequences and your next steps.

An overstay occurs when you remain in Thailand beyond the validity of your visa or entry stamp. This can happen for various reasons—missing a flight, forgetting the expiry date, or even visa confusion.

Whatever the reason, overstaying is a violation of Thai immigration law and comes with penalties that increase the longer you stay beyond your permitted time.

✅ If You Voluntarily Surrender

If you turn yourself in—typically at the airport when leaving—you’ll face a daily fine:

• 500 THB per day, up to a maximum of 20,000 THB

• You’ll usually be allowed to pay the fine and leave the country without further issue—if the overstay is under 90 days.

However, overstays longer than 90 days come with serious consequences:

These bans apply only if you surrender voluntarily. Getting caught can be a different story.

❌ If You Are Caught Overstaying

Being caught by immigration authorities or the police while overstaying is far more serious. Penalties may include:

• Immediate detention at the Immigration Detention Center

• Deportation at your own expense

• A potential blacklist even for short overstays

• In some cases, a court case or immigration investigation

Many people on long-term visas (like Non-B, Non-O, or Non-ED) leave Thailand without a re-entry permit, not realizing that their visa will be automatically canceled when they exit the country.

When they return, they are stamped in under a visa exemption (15 or 30 days), not their original visa. This causes confusion—and can unintentionally lead to overstays when they assume their original visa is still valid.

✅ How to Avoid This:

• If you plan to leave Thailand and return, always get a single or multiple re-entry permit before departure.

• You can apply at your local immigration office or at the airport (before immigration) for a fee.

• Re-entry permits preserve the validity of your existing visa.

If your overstay is just a few days:

• Go to the airport early, pay the fine at the immigration desk, and leave the country.

If your overstay is longer or you’re unsure of your visa status:

• Contact a visa expert or legal consultant before taking action.

• In some cases, it may be possible to correct the situation or prepare for a smoother exit