Child Overstay

[digitalchromakey]

A friend of mine has two children now aged 6 & 4 who were born and are continuously resident in Thailand, but both are of non Thai nationality (European/Asian).

The children are at school, have passports but have no current visa/permission to stay and are thus technically on an overstay.

My friend currently has a one year Extension of Permission to Stay on the basis of employment and his wife has an extension based on being his dependant.

It used to be the case that overstays were not enforced until children reached a certain age, but recent reports have indicated that this age has now been reduced to 7.

Obviously the children can get an extension on the same basis as the wife i.e. as dependants; providing they first obtain a non-immigrant visa.

My question is as to what information does anyone have on Thai Immigration's current enforcement policy regarding child overstays?

[Lite Beer]

As far as I know the age is 14. They will not be fined or deported but technically it is still overstay.

Probably a good idea to get the extensions as dependants or for education.

[digitalchromakey]

As far as I know the age is 14. They will not be fined or deported but technically it is still overstay.

Probably a good idea to get the extensions as dependants or for education.

Thanks LB - understood. Sure getting an extension is the correct thing to do.

Howver my friend does not want to incur the cost/hassle unless it's absolutely necessary, as they never normally leave Thailand.

Do you have any recent links/documents re the enforcement age currently being 14?

[Mario2008]

There is no link/document that I know of. But till 15 has been mentioned many times on the forum as heard from immigration and is probably true.

[lopburi3]

I believe people have seen signs posted at airports from time to time and what I have seen reported is 14 and under.