Overstay begins the day after your passport permitted-to-stay date expires. It is counted in full calendar days regardless of flight time, embassy advice, or "just one extra day." Consequences range from cash fines at departure to detention, re-entry bans, and future visa refusals.
How overstay is calculated
Immigration reads the entry stamp (or extension stamp) in your passport. Compare that date to today — not your flight booking, not your visa sticker expiry if extension superseded it.
Tool
Overstay Fine Calculator
Estimate the immigration overstay penalty based on days overstayed and visa type.
Immigration penalties depend on individual circumstances, voluntary surrender, and current Thai law. This calculator uses the commonly cited 500 THB/day fine with a 20,000 THB cap. Overstays may also result in detention, deportation, or re-entry bans not reflected here.
Tool
Visa Expiry Calculator
Enter your entry date and permitted stay to see your visa expiry date and days remaining.
Stamp dates, visa conditions, and extension approvals vary. Always check your passport stamp, 90-day reporting obligations, and official immigration records.
Related: Tourist visa guide — reading stamps.
Fine guidelines
The commonly cited model:
- 500 THB per day overstay
- 20,000 THB cap per incident at voluntary departure counters
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Daily fine | 500THB/day | Widely cited guideline |
| Maximum fine (voluntary) | 20,000THB | Per incident cap at airport/border payment |
| 90-day report late fine | 2,000THB | Separate from overstay — TM.47 |
Warning
Long overstays (historically beyond 90 days) trigger re-entry bans measured in years. Do not assume cap-only treatment for extended periods.
Re-entry bans
Published ban schedules link overstay length to years barred from re-entering. Short accidental overstays paid at departure differ from months-long violations or repeat offenders.
| Overstay length (historical guideline tiers) | Re-entry ban |
|---|---|
| Short (paid at departure) | Often none if under thresholds |
| 90+ days | Multi-year bans published in notices |
| Very long / repeat | Extended bans; possible prosecution |
Verify current Immigration tables — bans are enforced at future entry.
Voluntary departure vs arrest
Voluntary surrender at airport immigration or border — pay fine, receive overstay stamp, may face ban per length.
Arrest — overstayers caught inside Thailand (checks, roadblocks, denunciation) face detention, court, deportation, and ban. Do not wait to be found.
If you discover overstay before departure, go to Immigration before your flight — some provinces allow payment and resolution in advance.
Common causes of accidental overstay
- Counting from visa sticker instead of stamp
- Assuming extension was approved without checking passport return
- Confusing TM.47 90-day deadline with visa expiry
- Holiday closure at Immigration office on expiry day
- TDAC or airline confusion — none extend legal stay
Prevention: Extend tourist stay before expiry · 90-day reporting.
Overstay vs illegal work
Overstay is immigration time violation. Working without permit is separate offence — combined violations increase penalties.
Frequently asked questions
Can I extend instead of overstaying?
Apply before expiry on eligible stamps. Overstay starts after permitted date even if queue failed.
Will fine payment clear my record?
Overstay is stamped in passport history. Future visas and entries may scrutinise it.
Child overstay — same rules?
Minors still generate overstay days; parents responsible for fines.
Can agent remove overstay stamp?
No legitimate agent removes official overstay records. Fix status through Immigration.
See exemption entry limits and visa eligibility.