Overstay x 43 days, where to go for the fastest resolution?

[gb33]

Hi,

I own a legit export company in BKK have a WP and Non resident B visa. My family have Non resident O visas. I made a mistake, spent a few days in Laos in late December and failed to remember to apply for a re-entry permit. Because I didn't pay proper attention to my travel & visa status to I am now in an overstay situation of 43 days.

The details:

1. We will organize all the Non Res B and O paperwork for myself, wife and 3 year old.

2. I will pay the 20K fine for me as well as my wife (ouch).

3. We will be nice, flattering and well dressed when we meet immigration at swampy.

4. I am American and my wife is English. We are both in our 30's.

5. We've been living and working in Thailand offically / properly / under visas for about 8 years.

6. My origional visa (as well as my famlies) would have expired on in mid April. My little trip to Laos messed that all up.

Assuming immigration doesn't toss us in the clink, does anyone have a recommendation for the most "local" Embassy for my family and I to fly to for new visa applications? I have to shut down my office while we're gone so a fast turn around is key.

I am thinking Laos or Cambodia will be the least problematic but Id like to read someone elses opinion. Finally, Keeping in mind that I am 43 days deep into an overstay, does anyone know if the Thai immigration fine collectors work on Sunday mornings? In a prefect situation, Id like to fly somewhere local mid day Sunday, drop off my passports on Monday AM, pick them up the next day and return to BKK on Tuesday night. Or am I dreaming?

KL, Singapore and beyond are the worst situation for me primarily because I will have to close my office and want the fastest turn around time.

Unless I end up in the slammer, Ill post my experience after its all wrapped up. I will keep my head down and avoid the BIB between now and then.

Thank you all in advance.

gb33

[Mario2008]

It simply is paying the fine and leave the country. They are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Laos will be fine, so will Penang in Malaysia be. Cambodia is normally longer turn around, unless you pay an agent.

Penang is open on Sunday, as it is in a muslim area and instead is closed on Friday.

Edited March 11, 2014 by Mario2008
incorrect info

[ubonjoe]

Is your work permit still valid. You will need that to get your B visa.

Your overstay fine will be 20,000 baht each. No worry about being locked up unless you are caught before leaving,

Vientiane would be the best location for the visa. Cambodia can take up to 4 days to get them.

You can pay overstay fins 24 hours a day at the airports in Bangkok. Others would be open anytime departure immigration is open.

For Vientiane you could fly to Udon Thani and take a van to the bridge in Nong Kai and pay the fine there. Nok Air has fly/ride service to Vientiane via Udon.

For direct flights to Vientiane check Lao Southern they have the lowest fares.

Info for Vientiane here: http://vientiane.thaiembassy.org/vientiane/en/consular/consular_check/

Penang is another good location.

At the moment I can't recommend KL because they have been turning down many visa applications. In my opinion Singapore is the same.

[ubonjoe]

It simply is paying the fine and leave the country. They are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Laos will be fine, so will Penang in Malaysia be. Cambodia is normally longer turn around, unless you pay an agent.

Penang is open on Sunday, as it is in a muslim area and instead is closed on Friday.

Penang is open Monday to Friday. It's Kota Bharu that is open Sunday to Thursday.

[Mario2008]

It simply is paying the fine and leave the country. They are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Laos will be fine, so will Penang in Malaysia be. Cambodia is normally longer turn around, unless you pay an agent.

Penang is open on Sunday, as it is in a muslim area and instead is closed on Friday.

Penang is open Monday to Friday. It's Kota Bharu that is open Sunday to Thursday.

I always seem to forget it is Khota Baru.

[gb33]

Thanks for the advice Mario2008 & ubonjoe! I will let you know how it all works out.

gb33

[KKr]

in my opinion, the simplest would be to talk to a local visa agent and let them negotiate for you with immigration.

After all, if it is obviously an oversight, why should they not be able to help. In case you are near Pattaya, send me a private message and I will share the name of an agent that, in my humble experience, if she takes the assignment can deliver what she promises.

[gb33]

KKr,

Thanks for the reply. I am living in BKK so your Pattaya connection wont be useful to me. Rest assured that I will carefully and kindly plead my case to the agent at the airport.

Regards,

gb33

[Charlie Cheap]

KKr,

Thanks for the reply. I am living in BKK so your Pattaya connection wont be useful to me. Rest assured that I will carefully and kindly plead my case to the agent at the airport.

Regards,

gb33

You will not have to plead a case at the airport. Just have the 20,000 Baht in your hand and get on the airplane, it's that simple.

Advertising on this page may get you unnecessary and unwanted attention, but other than that you're going to be fine.

[falkan]

in my opinion, the simplest would be to talk to a local visa agent and let them negotiate for you with immigration.

After all, if it is obviously an oversight, why should they not be able to help. In case you are near Pattaya, send me a private message and I will share the name of an agent that, in my humble experience, if she takes the assignment can deliver what she promises.

what a joke advice! just pay your fine and you are ok to go! don't need to involve more money-hungry-people..

[KKr]

20 K, for some, is worth looking at b4 throwing it out of the window :-P

[Songlaw]

It has been my experience, that there is no way around the B20K maximum overstay fine. Just pay it and get on with your life. It hurts, but is unavoidable. Any agent you might invoke is only going to go up in price from there. Good luck.

[nithisa78]

When it was me. Checked in at JAL, Suvarnubhumi. Was taken to the over stay people. To the ATM, paid. Have nice day. Was back in few months to get married. Man told me if I had the medical documents to show him, that were in my checked baggage he would have waived over stay money. duh

[ubonjoe]

I have removed a reply giving outdated and incorrect information.

[ubonjoe]

20 K, for some, is worth looking at b4 throwing it out of the window :-P

There is no way to get around the max fine of 20k baht unless you allow yourself to be locked up and make a court appearance. Immigration has no legal authority to reduce it. Chances are if you hire somebody to help you will end up paying the 20k or more anyway.

[4evermaat]

The non imm o or b visa recommendation in this thread. I wanted to confirm it was for a single entry, not a multiple entry.

"You dont need to learn to love yourself; you just need to UNLEARN all the reasons you reject yourself..." -sent from TV app (Note 2).

[ubonjoe]

They would be single entry visas. There is no need for multiple entry visas because the would be able to apply for extensions again.

[gb33]

As promised, here is how my 43 day overstay mistake was resolved:

On Thursday night last week, I purchased return tickes to and from Laos for my entire family. On Sunday we headed to the airport and checked into our flights. From there, we strolled over to immigration to receive our scolding and pay the fines. The offical passed my family, then escorted me over to the overstay area. I was given a moment to explain, they smiled, gave me an invoice, I paid 20K they smiled again and we were good to go. No big deal.

Lesson: Dont overstay your visa. If you do, be prepard to pay right then and there.

gb