Skip to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

Thailand News and Discussion Forum | ASEANNOW

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

Seoul Urges Undocumented Thais to Return Home Without Fines

Featured Replies

 

image.jpeg

Picture courtesy of Komchadluek 

 

Thailand’s Embassy in Seoul has announced that South Korea’s Immigration Service is allowing undocumented foreign nationals to voluntarily report themselves and return home without paying penalties. The temporary measure, effective from 1 December 2025 to 28 February 2026, is designed to help overstayers regularise their status while avoiding fines and future legal consequences. The embassy is calling on Thai nationals residing illegally in South Korea to take advantage of this opportunity before the deadline.

 

According to the announcement, those who voluntarily report and depart within the authorised period will be exempt from overstay fines that normally apply under South Korean immigration law. The embassy emphasised that this is a significant chance for Thai citizens to return home smoothly, without facing long-term restrictions on re-entry or other legal complications that could arise if they remain unlawfully. Large numbers of Thais are believed to be working without valid permits in South Korea, often referred to informally as “phi noi” or “little ghosts.”

 

The embassy also confirmed that full assistance is available for individuals who lack travel documents or require newly issued papers. Officials can prepare temporary travel documents, known as “white passports,” to facilitate return travel for those who have lost their passports or whose passports have expired. The assistance aims to remove administrative barriers that might otherwise deter undocumented workers from turning themselves in.

 

Komchadluek reported that the embassy expressed hope that Thai nationals will cooperate with the scheme and use the grace period to regularise their situation. Authorities stressed that taking action within the designated timeframe is the safest way to avoid fines and prevent more severe legal consequences, including long-term bans from re-entering South Korea. The embassy said it remains committed to helping Thai citizens return home safely and without complications.

 

Key Takeaways

 

• South Korea is waiving overstay fines for undocumented foreigners who report and depart between 1 December 2025 and 28 February 2026.

• The Thai Embassy in Seoul urges undocumented Thai nationals to use this opportunity to avoid long-term legal consequences.

• The embassy will issue temporary travel documents for those without valid passports.

 

 

image.png Adapted by Asean Now from Komchadluek 2025-12-06


image.png
 

image.png

  • Popular Post

Great idea. Good guys in bad guys out. Around 150 000 thai are living illegally in Korea.

 

Take the hint khun thai.

 

 

The hookers will be disappointed.....

4 hours ago, ChrisY1 said:

The hookers will be disappointed.....

Send them all home, it will reduce the prices on the home market - supply and demand will kick in 😉

  • Popular Post

Maybe give same offer to foreigners staying in thailand ??

Create an account or sign in to comment

Recently Browsing 0

  • No registered users viewing this page.

Account

Navigation

Search

Search

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.