Thai Immigration Bureau to blacklist all overstayers of more than 90 days

[Jonathan Fairfield]

OVERSTAY AND BE BLACKLISTED

Thai Immigration Bureau to blacklist all overstayers of more than 90 days

BANGKOK: -- [thaivisa.com] Over the past two weeks, social media websites such as Twitter and Facebook have been flooded with information on an apparent crackdown by Immigration on foreigners that overstay their visa in Thailand.

Today, Thaivisa.com has been given access to a new Police order proposal that is due to be signed and released imminently, detailing tough new measures for foreigners who overstay in Thailand.

The new measures, which will see overstayers of more than 90 days blacklisted, are as follows:

In the case that alien surrenders themselves:

Overstay more than 90 days > Forbidden from re-entering the kingdom for 1 year.

Overstay more than 1 year > Forbidden from re-entering the kingdom for 3 years.

Overstay more than 3 years > Forbidden from re-entering the kingdom for 5 years.

Overstay more than 5 years > Forbidden from re-entering the kingdom for 10 years.

Overstay more than 10 years > Forbidden from re-entering the kingdom for life.

In the case that the alien is being apprehended:

Overstay for less than 1 year > Forbidden from re-entering the kingdom for 5 years.

Overstay for more than 1 year > Forbidden from re-entering the kingdom for 10 years

The current rules regarding overstay is a fine of 500 Baht/day up to a maximum of 20,000 Baht. With regards to arrest, detention, deportation or blacklisting, each individual is reviewed by the Immigration Bureau on a case by case basis.

However, Thaivisa.com must stress that we are still awaiting official confirmation from the Immigration Bureau on this matter.

Immigration has recently taken a number of measures to stop foreign nationals abusing the system which is in place to assist bonafide tourists only and has looked to prevent those who complete regular ‘Out/In border runs’ from being able to stay in Thailand long term.

News first broke of this crackdown on border runners in Thailand in May, with further confirmation the crackdown would be effective from August 12, 2014.

Thaivisa.com would always recommend to never overstay your visa under any circumstances and always adhere to the rules and regulations when staying in Thailand as detailed by the Immigration Bureau.

If you have any questions or are worried about visa overstay, there is lots of information on all things related to visas in Thailand in our Visa Forum.

For more information on the rules regarding overstay, click here.

The team at Thaivisa will bring you more information on this story as and when we get it.

-- 2014-07-07

[David48]

Bugger ... that's going to stuff up a lot of the plans of the overstayers.

I hope there are the usual exemptions such as 'Medical' etc.

[JetsetBkk]

Bugger ... that's going to stuff up a lot of the plans of the overstayers.

I hope there are the usual exemptions such as 'Medical' etc.

I don't think people actually plan to overstay. It's just that circumstances tend to overtake them and they get in a mess.

Best of luck to all people in that situation.

[eeworldwide]

Im not sure why someone would bother trying to overstay anyway. In ANY country in the world it's illegal and courting disaster. I actually hope that all these recent shakedowns will help rid the country of some of the scurvy bilge that is found clinging to the vestiges of their sorry lives in this beautiful land.

[pinkpanther99]

I bet there are loads of older guys living in upcountry Nakon Nowhere on overstay. Like those guys who have no ties to their home country, probably haven't left Thailand for a decade or more. They'll at least be hoping they don't get caught now, that's if they even care at all.

Risky business staying here on overstay, lord only knows why you'd do it.

It does seem Immigration are really tightening things up. First visa runners, now people on overstay.

Will it be Ed-Visas next?

[eeworldwide]

I bet there are loads of older guys living in upcountry Nakon Nowhere on overstay. Like those guys who have no ties to their home country, probably haven't left Thailand for a decade or more. They'll at least be hoping they don't get caught now, that's if they even care at all.

Risky business staying here on overstay, lord only knows why you'd do it.

It does seem Immigration are really tightening things up. First visa runners, now people on overstay.

Will it be Ed-Visas next?

Let's certainly hope so!

[samran]

Good.

[jimn]

Sorry no sympathy for any over stayers for any duration unless its for medical reasons

[epicstuff]

Im not sure why someone would bother trying to overstay anyway. In ANY country in the world it's illegal and courting disaster. I actually hope that all these recent shakedowns will help rid the country of some of the scurvy bilge that is found clinging to the vestiges of their sorry lives in this beautiful land.

its illegal bla bla bla,,, perhaps if countries around the world stopped being so anal about foreign visitors of independent means , there might be less friction and a greater spread of culture, understanding of social and work ethics. Why should anyone be shackled to any one country just because they were born there...

stop bleating on about the law and stand up against it for the good of change.

[Soutpeel]

This has been coming a long time, people for a long time have disregarded/abused Thailand's visa rules, simply because it was a case of pay the fine of Thb 20k and do the same thing again, now there is as real consequence, it even 90 days is being over generous in cases of overstay

[makescents]

Pretty lenient I think.

If you overstay in the EU/US then chances are you aren't ever going to be allowed back in.

[Soutpeel]

Sorry no sympathy for any over stayers for any duration unless its for medical reasons

Even then medical reasons are not an excuse, there are provisions in the immigration law in case of medical cases

[Jingthing]

The part of 5 year ban for being apprehended for an overstay of under one year, that could be ONE DAY, is in my opinion unreasonably HARSH. No I have never overstayed for even one day and don't intend to, but I can imagine unfortunate scenarios where that might unintentionally happen to me, to anyone.

If I'm reading this correctly, an under 90 day overstay where you make it to the airport and pay the fine WITHOUT apprehension, you're OK to come back. That's good.

Suppose you're in a traffic accident on the way to the airport and your passport is checked ...

Like I said ... that 5 year ban is scary.

Foreigners who applaud unreasonably harsh rules like this, I can't relate to that at all. It's bizarre actually. It could be YOU who is hit, whether you admit your human fallibility or not ... IT COULD.

On the other hand, I'm sure hard core Thai nationalists might go for even more severe penalties ... but I'm talking about fellow foreigners here. Why would you identify with hard core and possibly xenophobic Thai nationalists unless you're actually one yourself?

[lovetotravel]

Im not sure why someone would bother trying to overstay anyway. In ANY country in the world it's illegal and courting disaster. I actually hope that all these recent shakedowns will help rid the country of some of the scurvy bilge that is found clinging to the vestiges of their sorry lives in this beautiful land.

Several nearby countries have visas for expats that don't require reporting like this. I think Singapore is a very long time. And the right one in Malaysia is pretty long also.

[samran]

Im not sure why someone would bother trying to overstay anyway. In ANY country in the world it's illegal and courting disaster. I actually hope that all these recent shakedowns will help rid the country of some of the scurvy bilge that is found clinging to the vestiges of their sorry lives in this beautiful land.

its illegal bla bla bla,,, perhaps if countries around the world stopped being so anal about foreign visitors of independent means , there might be less friction and a greater spread of culture, understanding of social and work ethics. Why should anyone be shackled to any one country just because they were born there...

stop bleating on about the law and stand up against it for the good of change.

The Thailand elite card not enough cow towing to those of 'independent means'? Or are you one of these blokes for whom bringing in anything over the Thai minimum wage means that the country suddenly owes you something?

[Soutpeel]

Im not sure why someone would bother trying to overstay anyway. In ANY country in the world it's illegal and courting disaster. I actually hope that all these recent shakedowns will help rid the country of some of the scurvy bilge that is found clinging to the vestiges of their sorry lives in this beautiful land.

its illegal bla bla bla,,, perhaps if countries around the world stopped being so anal about foreign visitors of independent means , there might be less friction and a greater spread of culture, understanding of social and work ethics. Why should anyone be shackled to any one country just because they were born there...

stop bleating on about the law and stand up against it for the good of change.

With reference to Thailand specifically, if the foreigner's of independent means, truely had independent means they claim they have , they would have no cause to overstay, there are options for long term visas for those with "true" independent means

[johnnynmonic]

I wonder about those who let their children's visa lapse, since they had expected no fine for them on exit. Irresponsible on the parents part, no doubt. But wonder if minors under 15 will be blacklisted (effectively blacklisting the parents as well).

[PoorSucker]

I hope there are the usual exemptions such as 'Medical' etc.

Sorry no sympathy for any over stayers for any duration unless its for medical reasons

No problem to get extension of stay from immigrations if unable to travel.

[wilcopops]

Yet another measure to tighten up the borders and keep an eye on foreigners.

[Soutpeel]

The part of 5 year ban for being apprehended for an overstay of under one year, that could be ONE DAY, is in my opinion unreasonably HARSH. No I have never overstayed for even one day and don't intend to, but I can imagine unfortunate scenarios where that might unintentionally happen to me, to anyone.

If I'm reading this correctly, an under 90 day overstay where you make it to the airport and pay the fine WITHOUT apprehension, you're OK to come back. That's good.

Suppose you're in a traffic accident on the way to the airport and your passport is checked ...

Like I said ... that 5 year ban is scary.

Foreigners who applaud unreasonably harsh rules like this, I can't relate to that at all. It's bizarre actually. It could be YOU who is hit, whether you admit your human fallibility or not ... IT COULD.

On the other hand, I'm sure hard core Thai nationalists might go for even more severe penalties ... but I'm talking about fellow foreigners here. Why would you identify with hard core and possibly xenophobic Thai nationalists unless you're actually one yourself?

Jing these measures are by no means harsh, they are pretty fair, overstay in the US and you will find yourself possibly on the end of a 5 year ban from entering the US.

[wilcopops]

Sorry no sympathy for any over stayers for any duration unless its for medical reasons

To me that would indicate a lack of imagination on your part.

[TerryLH]

"Thaivisa.com would always recommend to never overstay your visa under any circumstances and always adhere to the rules and regulations when staying in Thailand as detaield by the Immigration Bureau."

That would be nice.

[Jingthing]

I disagree. They are harsh. Just because another country may ALSO have harsh laws does not mean THESE laws are not harsh. That is NOT logical. Again ... think for a second, a potential 5 year ban for a ONE DAY overstay. That's harsh no matter how you spin it.

[ozymandious]

I wonder about those who let their children's visa lapse, since they had expected no fine for them on exit. Irresponsible on the parents part, no doubt. But wonder if minors under 15 will be blacklisted (effectively blacklisting the parents as well).

What if your children were born here and have never had a visa?

My kids were born here but are not Thai Citizens.

They have overstayed a bunch but there is no fine until your kids turn 12.

Are they to be black listed?

[Patje]

I hope the immigration will provide te ticket back home for the over-stayers

[Soutpeel]

I disagree. They are harsh. Just because another country may ALSO have harsh laws does not mean THESE laws are not harsh. That is NOT logical. Again ... think for a second, a potential 5 year ban for a ONE DAY overstay. That's harsh no matter how you spin it.

Its not for a 1 day overstay jing read the OP

[Jingthing]

I disagree. They are harsh. Just because another country may ALSO have harsh laws does not mean THESE laws are not harsh. That is NOT logical. Again ... think for a second, a potential 5 year ban for a ONE DAY overstay. That's harsh no matter how you spin it.

Its not for a 1 day overstay jing read the OP

Under one year if apprehended.

5 minutes is under one year, mate.

How do you read that?

If I'm mistaken in my reading, glad to be proven wrong.

From the OP:

In the case that the alien is being apprehended:

Overstay for less than 1 year > Forbidden from re-entering the kingdom for 5 years.

[theoldgit]

I hope the immigration will provide te ticket back home for the over-stayers

Probably not, but they may well offer free board and lodgings until you can arrange your own ticket.

[OJAS]

Overstay by more than 10 years and then turn yourself in = a lifetime ban

Overstay by more than 10 years and then keep your head down until caught = a 10-year ban.

TIT logic at its finest, I think!

[Zumteufel]

I don't blame them. Abusing the system like some do would have even more serious consequences in other countries.