Clearing Overstay: Cleared

[Farlang 2012]

Hi guys,

I'm the same person who wrote the last forum " clearing overstay" on the 26/7/2012

I've cleared my situation and i'm back in Thailand on a 30 day arrival visa and preparing documents to apply for a non-o visa then a marriage visa!

I thought i'd let everyone know how it all went. Starting from reading everyones comments and advice on my last forum i was scared but it had to be done for both my future and my sons. I weighed it out and decided to contact "sunbelt".The only reason that stopped me from going with the the British Embassy was "DIC" which the British Embassy admitted to me that i will have to stay there untill my check-in time for my flight and that i would have a policeman in uniform with me till i board the plane, and i would have a stamp saying "DEPORTED" in my passport which could cause a few problems on entry back in to Thailand. I know it was my fault of such a long overstay but i couldn't put myself or my son in that position so sunbelt it was. I emailed with my situation and asked for their help. My passport was then scanned to them for them to check my background and to see if i was on the blacklist for anything (blacklist means from" fighting, car accidents, drugs or anything bad which had been reported by the police) i was clear :-D

So i went ahead with their word of being able to help me and booked an appointment day.

In the back of my head was always " If sunbelt are unable to help, then i will have no choice but to go to the Embassy but 2 options is always better that 1 right?" haha

So the day come and i met sunbelt at their office which two of their employees took me in a taxi to the Thai immigration building. Which i was told by them if anyone with overstay or something wrong requiring a Thai visa, should never walk in the building alone and without a Thai lawyer cuz they will lock you down! Short and strict but i will never forget them words.

We got there and 1 of sunbelts employees waited outside with me whilst the other went inside the building and talked to a couple of her conncetions. I was waiting outside for about 10-15 mins and then got in a taxi straight back to the sunbelt office which on the way was chatting and talking to their employees like i'd known them for years. They were both very nice, polite and caring and told me not to worry i will be cleared with no problem at all. We arrived back at sunbelt office and we talked over what was gonna happen at the airport on the next morning. We made an appointment again to meet up at check-in at the airport to clear and pay for overstay. That night i couldn't sleep at all, all that was going thru my head was "what is gonna happen to me?" " Is everything really gonna be that smooth?" So up early i was and waiting at the airport check-in gates an hour before our appointment time lol When the lady from sunbelt arrived she walked us straight for check-in and told the woman we was leaving on an overstay and was ready to clear it. The check-in woman looked confused but was very helpful and said to go straight in to immigration check-point. The sunbelt woman then called her connections which was working behind the immigrations counter which came out, had a look at our passports and said "follow me" she then checked us in at her counter and walked me to the overstay desk, had a few words with the staff and then told me to have a seat. The staff counted the days not the years which made it look and sound even worse! "almost 3,000 days is a long time" she said smiling. Got me to sign some forms, stamped my passport, fined me 20,000 Baht and said " Hope you return to Thailand again" I then was allowed to walk through the door through to the duty-free area and that was it. I gave the sunbelt lady a big hug and said thankyou with tears strolling down my face, i was finally free and legal..!!

We had a 5 day holiday in London and started to travel back to Thailand. It was a good job i decided to arrive at heathrow early because I was asked to prove a ticket out of Thailand within the 30 days by my airline that i was flying with so i had to go to the arrivals floor and use the airports computers to book a ticket to then show them. (1 pound/ 10 minutes) But everything went smooth. I arrived in Thailand, once again scared of being rufused entry to Thailand but i filled my entry card in went to the Thai immigration section with my Thai boyfriend, they scanned my passport and i was in with a 30 day visa stamp!!!

My advice is NEVER OVERSTAY YOUR EELCOME IN ANY COUNTRY. Because it is too scary to risk. But anyone currently on overstay i advise to contact sunbelt. This forum is not meaning overstay your welcome and clearence is easy, i mean get it clear whilst it's easy before the law get more strict.

Thankyou all once again for your comments and advice on my last forum. It helped me become brave and get through that situation

((original thread))

Edited October 4, 2012 by lopburi3
link to original thread

[Danielsiam]

Very great, you do the smart way to clear it. That you can avoid IDC, blacklist, Court, etc.. !

How much did you pay for them services ?

Edited October 3, 2012 by Danielsiam

[skills32]

All you really had to do was go to the immigration counter to get an exit stamp amd they would have noticed the over stay , asked you for the 20,000 and you would have gone on to your next destination just as if you were 2 days over.

[Huayrat]

I had a 1 year overstay and went to the cambodian border paid the fine and entered 15 mins later.. why pay for other services when there is no need.. Everyone here say just leave the country by airport and its fine.. All that worry for nothing when you could have just jumped on a plane... They are happy with your 20k fine and thats all they want.. money money moneyyyyyyy

[attrayant]

A car accident can get you blacklisted?

[Farlang 2012]

DanielSiam: their services cost 3,500 baht including travel fees. It was well worth the money in my eyes!

Skill32: Yeah, like alot of people didt ell me that but i read alot about it not being that easy too, so i just wanted to be sure.

Huayrat: Money does seem to be the main thing here ah lol

Attrayant:From what i was told, If you in the drivers seat and was in the wrong in the car accident the yes the report will show on your blacklist. Good job i can't drive ah lol

[lopburi3]

Although likely not required this allowed full check prior to departure so no last second hold up or return to immigration for background check (which can happen at airport - they seem to have crackdown periods when more likely) or immediate detention if doing it alone - just having someone with you is always a good idea if trying to get clearance prior to airport. The fee appears very reasonable so, although not being a lawyer fan, do believe it was a good investment.

Believe blacklist in this case means 'watch list' to prevent departure rather than forbidding entry (which is the normal meaning in this forum).

[Upnotover]

Glad it worked out for you. But just wondering why you didn't get a visa for your return while you were in the UK, would've been easy enough to do, you'd have more time now, and you'd have avoided the airline check-in hassle.

[Soutpeel]

From what i was told, If you in the drivers seat and was in the wrong in the car accident the yes the report will show on your blacklist. Good job i can't drive ah lol

This is simply not true and at a bit of a loss as regards you comment regarding the BE, they can do nothing for you, other than tell you to get a lawyer or depart the country and pay the fine.

In this instance you chose to get a legal firm involved which is your perogative, but they havent really anything for you which differs from the normal process at the airport, even with retaining a legal firm, if you had been caught by the police before you arrived at the airport, chances are you would have been spending time at the IDC before leaving the country.

[noob7]

Good job i can't drive ah lol

Neither can many of the Thais.

So the question here: Was it luck, you didn't have a accident, or didn't you drive at all?

Welcome back. Are you going to do again 3000 days on your visa, now?

Edited October 4, 2012 by noob7

[disagree]

The whole process except the 'drive somewhere in BKK and not meet anyone while the lawyers act as if they're working' thing - is what would happen if you went on your own. Had 380+ days overstay. Just booked a flight, went through immigration, went to the desk ( remember? the desk is for the SOLE purpose of overstay passengers. The reason it's there is because so many people do it... ), paid the fine, didn't even discuss one word with them, and was in the flyer 10 minutes later.

For re-entry I got a 60 day ( +30 days possible from Thailand ) Visa from the Consulate. Just in case, and just to not overstay again - as I was not overstaying on purpose the first time, it... simply escalated

[peterdarby]

Although most likely not necessary, 3,500 Baht for the peace of mind seems to be worthwhile.

[asiawatcher]

If you are at all nervous about an overstay - alway good for peace of mind, and the fee not bad. It also helps to have someone there with you if for no other reason than moral support.

[Jonathan Fairfield]

No way! I can't believe you overstayed for 8 years and got away with it (more or less)! I would've thought that an overstay of that length would have meant a prison sentence or at least a more severe punishment than a 20k Baht fine! Clearly not!

Anyway, congratulations, you must be mightily relieved!

Good luck for the future

[noob7]

If you are at all nervous about an overstay - alway good for peace of mind, and the fee not bad. It also helps to have someone there with you if for no other reason than moral support.

I think, the OP was a bit worried about the 3000 days!

And I think, that can make the difference, at the overstay desk.

Maybe not with the money, but with the stamps.

A day, a week, a year or over 8 years. The lady wanted to come back for sure.

3500 baht is a good investment, to verify this aim!

Me think!

[Colabamumbai]

DanielSiam: their services cost 3,500 baht including travel fees. It was well worth the money in my eyes!

Skill32: Yeah, like alot of people didt ell me that but i read alot about it not being that easy too, so i just wanted to be sure.

Huayrat: Money does seem to be the main thing here ah lol

Attrayant:From what i was told, If you in the drivers seat and was in the wrong in the car accident the yes the report will show on your blacklist. Good job i can't drive ah lol

Travel fees how much please????

[lopburi3]

Including means included in the 3,500 baht in my reading.

[phuturatica]

Wow... 8 years overstay! No wonder you were nervous! I'm glad it all went ok though!

[Sunbelt Asia]

Thank you for using our services Farlang 2012, we are glad we could be of service to you.

It should be pointed out that this was not a simple or easy case of overstay of someone who could leave on the same passport they entered on. First of all our client had a new passport with no entry stamp. In order to clear immigration you must show the entry stamp transferred into the new passport. This is the step that gets most people in detention, offering cash under the table is not a good idea to get around this.

You need to go to Immigration to get the new stamps and the main office is much stricter than the airport. However, our advisors had her wait outside while they talked to the Immigration officers and they were warned if they brought her inside the office at immigration she would be arrested. That's why they could not transfer the stamp. They had to convince the officer to call the airport to allow her to show the old passport with the entry stamp there. The odds are very high, that Farlang 2012 would have been hassled and possibly arrested because of the almost 3,000 day overstay if our advisors had not gone as well.

The process went as smoothly as if you had just a 40 day overstay with a valid passport and entry stamp as we had cleared the process beforehand and the officer was waiting for you. Otherwise, they would not let you on the plane but would have sent you back to Immigration. If you are to be deported, this is where it happens.

[sunbelt][/sunbelt]

Edited October 4, 2012 by Sunbelt Asia

[laislica]

DanielSiam: their services cost 3,500 baht including travel fees. It was well worth the money in my eyes!

Skill32: Yeah, like alot of people didt ell me that but i read alot about it not being that easy too, so i just wanted to be sure.

Huayrat: Money does seem to be the main thing here ah lol

Attrayant:From what i was told, If you in the drivers seat and was in the wrong in the car accident the yes the report will show on your blacklist. Good job i can't drive ah lol

I totally agree with you. The cost is not so high for the peace of mind it bought you.

The situation was stressful enough as it was and to try to resolve everything alone adds to the stress.

Well done, a great informative piece of writing and thanks for the follow up.

Good luck in the years to come.

[Lite Beer]

A post giving illegal advise has been removed.

[lazygourmet]

To the OP: I am very glad to read that your case is solved...

To Sunbelt: years ago, you did wonders regarding my "case"

Thank you for using our services Farlang 2012, we are glad we could be of service to you.

It should be pointed out that this was not a simple or easy case of overstay of someone who could leave on the same passport they entered on. First of all our client had a new passport with no entry stamp. In order to clear immigration you must show the entry stamp transferred into the new passport. This is the step that gets most people in detention, offering cash under the table is not a good idea to get around this.

You need to go to Immigration to get the new stamps and the main office is much stricter than the airport. However, our advisors had her wait outside while they talked to the Immigration officers and they were warned if they brought her inside the office at immigration she would be arrested. That's why they could not transfer the stamp. They had to convince the officer to call the airport to allow her to show the old passport with the entry stamp there. The odds are very high, that Farlang 2012 would have been hassled and possibly arrested because of the almost 3,000 day overstay if our advisors had not gone as well.

The process went as smoothly as if you had just a 40 day overstay with a valid passport and entry stamp as we had cleared the process beforehand and the officer was waiting for you. Otherwise, they would not let you on the plane but would have sent you back to Immigration. If you are to be deported, this is where it happens.

[sunbelt][/sunbelt]

Years ago, you did wonders regarding my "case" and I will be always grateful to your wonderful staff who saved me spending 2/3 weeks at IDC, while immigration was searching -on microfiche!- for my last entrance at Dong Muang.

Trying to clear an overstay with an emergency passport and no TM card was unrealistic to do it on my own; especially regarding the immi officers who got bored looking for a trace and always suggested me to give up, go court -as illegal entrant-, pay cheaper fine... but got deported.

But your were always there, present before me at all Suan Phu meetings.

For a case who was supposed to take 48hrs, you spent nearly one month on it, and this without increasing your fees.

[Colabamumbai]

Including means included in the 3,500 baht in my reading.

Yes misread thanks.

[Farlang 2012]

Thankyou to every comment both negative and positive comments too Like i always say not everyone agrees or thinks the same because if people did so there would never be war!

To be confirmed, i am never thinking of overstaying my visa again. I am currently sorting documents out for my NON-O application then on to my marriage visa. If the documnets cannot be sorted with in 15 days (That's the immigration law, you have to have atleast 15 days valid visa left to apply for a NON-O visa) the ticket i purchased of proof of leaving Thailand from Heathrow airport will come in handy because i will need to fly out of Thailand to get another 30 day visa. So i'm on the case, i am never ever gonna risk overstaying again. Will keep people updated as my case goes on untill i've recieved my marraige visa.

[Mario2008]

Based on your Thai wife you could get a 60 day extension, giving you extra time to get the paperwork in order. No need for finacials for that, only the 1,900 baht and limited paperwork (and the misses to come with you).

[lopburi3]

As said you can get the 60 days down to the last day so no panic. Also have seen reports of immigration accepting down to about 11 days (believe for 15 days border crossing visa exempt however). Have not seen any report of 15 day law. There used to be a 21 day policy but that seems to have ended when border crossings became 15 days. You should be fine now and able to relax a bit.

[Sophon]

Based on your Thai wife you could get a 60 day extension, giving you extra time to get the paperwork in order. No need for finacials for that, only the 1,900 baht and limited paperwork (and the misses to come with you).

From the OP:

went to the Thai immigration section with my Thai boyfriend

Maybe based on her having a Thai child, but it appears not based on marriage.

Sophon

[Mario2008]

Yes, but she also stated:

I am currently sorting documents out for my NON-O application then on to my marriage visa.

[NancyL]

Thank you OP for the update. It's great to know the entire story, especially with the clarification from Sunbelt about just how the case was so complex.

While normally I suggest people sort out their own visa issues -- there are times when hiring a visa agent makes a lot of sense. Given the length of the overstay, the issue with a new passport and the problems arrest would have caused for a young family -- the 3500 baht fee seems very reasonable and a good investment.

[saengsureeya]

All you really had to do was go to the immigration counter to get an exit stamp amd they would have noticed the over stay , asked you for the 20,000 and you would have gone on to your next destination just as if you were 2 days over.

Indeed, it was therefore that the lady at Immigration looked puzzled......."Why all that fuzz?"