Overstaying in Thailand means staying past the "permitted until" date in your passport. At the time of writing the fine is 500 THB per day, capped at 20,000 THB. An entry ban depends on how long you overstayed and whether you report yourself or are caught first. Acting early is cheaper and safer.
An overstay starts the day after the date in your passport, not when your visa document expires. It is easy to miss, and the cost rises quickly.
Figures in this guide were checked at the time of writing and can change. Always confirm with the official source or in your free pre-check.
Which date counts for an overstay?
Your permitted stay ends on the "permitted to stay until" date stamped or printed in your passport at entry or at your last extension. That date, not the validity printed on your visa, is the legal deadline. If your stay was extended, look at the latest stamp, and check it again whenever you re-enter.
How much is the overstay fine in Thailand?
At the time of writing an overstay is fined at 500 THB for each day, weekends and holidays included, up to a maximum of 20,000 THB. The cap is reached after 40 days. The Immigration Act also allows prosecution, with imprisonment of up to two years, a fine of up to 20,000 THB, or both. In practice most people who report themselves pay the daily fine.
Compare that with an extension. A tourist extension costs 1,900 THB at the time of writing, so after four days of overstay the fine is already higher. See visa extension in Phuket.
When does an overstay lead to an entry ban?
The 90-day line is the point most sources agree on. The exact ban periods are set by immigration and described differently by different sources, so we do not quote a number here. Ask the immigration office or an adviser before you decide how to leave.
| Situation | What usually applies |
|---|---|
| Short overstay, you report yourself (under 90 days) | The daily fine, and commonly no entry ban |
| Overstay of more than 90 days, you report yourself | An entry ban usually applies; the period grows with the length of the overstay |
| You are caught before you report yourself | Harsher treatment: possible detention and deportation, and longer bans |
How long is the entry ban after an overstay?
A Thai government portal describing the fine process states the following for people who report themselves at an immigration checkpoint before leaving. Other guides describe further tiers differently, so ask the office about longer overstays.
| Length of overstay | Reported ban from the day you leave |
|---|---|
| Up to 90 days | The daily fine; no ban reported |
| More than 90 days | 1 year |
| More than 1 year | 3 years |
| If you are caught first (90 days or more) | Reported as a serious offence: fine, deportation and a ban matching the overstay |
Bans reportedly do not apply to people under 18 at departure.
What the daily fine adds up to
The fine is 500 THB per day up to 20,000 THB. These figures follow from that rule and show why early action pays.
| Days overstayed | Fine |
|---|---|
| 1 day | 500 THB |
| 4 days | 2,000 THB, already more than a 1,900 THB tourist extension |
| 10 days | 5,000 THB |
| 40 days or more | 20,000 THB, the cap |
Report yourself or wait?
Waiting does not make the problem smaller. The fine keeps running until it reaches its cap, and the risk of being caught first rises. People who come forward before they are stopped are generally treated better than people who are caught. If you have already overstayed, get advice the same day, because the right route depends on the number of days and your visa type.
Can an extension still fix it?
An extension has to be filed before your permitted date ends, never after. If you are close to your date, filing early is the cheapest way to avoid an overstay, and any missing paper becomes an overstay if you wait for the last day. Our guide on extending a tourist visa in Phuket explains what is normally needed.
How we can help
Send us your passport copy and the date on your latest stamp. We check your case and tell you honestly whether an extension still works or what to ask the immigration office. On a long overstay we do not promise a result.
How do you report an overstay yourself?
According to the same portal, you present yourself at an immigration checkpoint before you leave and pay the fine there. Do not simply arrive at the airport on the day without checking how your case is handled. If you are unsure, ask us or the office first.
We check your case first and handle the paperwork, so you avoid wasted trips and fees.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the overstay fine in Thailand?
At the time of writing it is 500 THB for each day, up to a maximum of 20,000 THB, which is reached after 40 days.
Which date do I count from?
From the day after the "permitted to stay until" date in your passport, not from the validity date printed on your visa.
Will I be banned from coming back?
It depends mainly on how long you overstayed and whether you reported yourself. Short overstays that you report are commonly handled with a fine only, while overstays of more than 90 days can lead to a ban. Confirm the rule for your case.
Is one day of overstay a problem?
It is still an overstay and is fined. Officers have some discretion on very short cases, but do not count on it.
How long is the ban after an overstay of more than 90 days?
The official portal lists one year for more than 90 days and three years for more than one year, counted from departure, for people who report themselves. Other sources describe longer tiers differently.
Where do I pay the overstay fine?
Reported: at an immigration checkpoint before you leave. Confirm the procedure for your case.
Official sources
Last reviewed on . Thai immigration rules and fees change. We confirm the current requirements for your case in your free pre-check.