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

[manonthemon]

Hope it doesn't affect children under 12 or whatever the age is that they let it slip....

[a99az]

There goes a big earner. I got to say Thailand is becoming less and less attractive as Time goes by and if my wife and kids where not Thai I don't think I would visit it again in a rush.

[terryp]

won't do a thing for the long overstayers .....they know what they are doing and take the risk everyday .....go home (if they can) when caught , make legal change of first name ...

get new passport and come back start again

[abrahamzvi]

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?

If ED-Visas are being abused, yes, they should be next, as all abuses. This country, like any other, the UK, Germany, US, Australia and most others have laws and regulations to be abided by and not to be abused!

[bapak]

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?

I am aware of a number people in same situation as you. Actually, I thought the age was 14 years.

[LivinLOS]

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

The problem is immigration often ignore the medical extension refusing to give it and tell people to simply go pay their overstay at the border.

If your in a decent private hospital they usually have liason staff, but in the case of doctors notes and the rest immigration very often waive it off with a 'too hard' attitude. Seen it myself where someone came into immigration after a head injury and hospitalization.. They didnt care in the slightest he was obviously in bandages, and had only just been released and had a hospital / doctors note saying he was unfit for travel. Just told him to go pay his fines at the border.

In the above list, if he was apprehended before getting to the border he would face a 1 year blacklist. Hardly fair.

So yes, fully support the crackdown, as long as the correct systems are put in place to handle the real issues, which immigration just sweep under the 'pay your fine' rug.

[jacky54]

About time too, ban them for life would be better.

[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.

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?

I dont think the country owes me anything, why be so judgemental, are you an elitist? and think because you never had to worry about anything safe and cozy in your villa that everyone else in a not so fortunate position should be shipped off somewhere or made to kiss your ass?

everyone has different circumstance and different wealth , Personally I'm comfortable financially, I could be richer could be poorer doesn't mean I have to agree with a state policy. I like to think as a travelled man, I am un biased and would like to see everybody with an equal right to pick their own home. i not say a state should support anyone but if they can support themselves why make a problem out of it. it the same in the west. such complicated immigration laws all because immigrants want to take advantage of our state welfare . but if that was taken away people who come to take advantage of a state would not come and over all things would balance out . Anyone that lives her ends up contributing to the country either by paying taxes and supporting local businesses or by bringing in knowledge from another place.

the undesirables that the law pretends to expel would be less common here if corrupt official didn't turn a blind eye because it suits their pockets...

[Pralaad]

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

I am certain medical reasons with doctors certificate would be excused, i am also pretty sure all major private hospitals offer the service of visa extension or something along the lines.

I remember having the surgery in Bangkok Hospital and at the time of registering was asked if i needed my visa extended or immigration notified.

[FritsSikkink]

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?

You get a visa and don't leave on the last day but a couple of days early and get an other visa if you want to stay longer. Can't understand people who find out their passport is full a day before the need a full page visa too.

[Chivas]

Excellent news indeed and long overdue.........

Hopefully this will see the end of the pay 20,000 Baht Posts and walk away.........

[GeorgeO]

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.

I agree; if the outcome is that those of us who stay here within the confines of the law end up with less hoops to jump through, then I'll raise my glass (from afar) to those who made it so through their deportation...!!

[mrtoad]

Totally in agreement with this. Frankly thete is no excuse. What it will mean is that in time scratchers wont consider overstsying as an option. I think ED visas will be the next target

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Opl]

Now I understand the immigration officer's attitude while he examined my passport last saturday.

I was at the airport leaving Samui for Kuala Lumpur on July 5th in the afternoon, after a 30 days / 29 nights stay in Thailand...he said to me : " hummmm...today.. the last day.." ( as if he wanted to warn me I was about to trespass regulation) , then " when will you come back?" I politely replied " next year" ( I stay for one month each year- he could check last year's stamps on my passport), and refrained from adding " so what?".

I never had any conversation with any officer on duty, whenever entering or leaving the Kingdom before that day.. !

Edited July 7, 2014 by Opl

[Pralaad]

Lets be honest, who overstays? not counting medical reasons and i am sure medical does not run over a year or even 3 months

So

1. People who have no money to do visa runs

2. People who are too lazy to do visa runs

3. People who can not afford proper visa

4. People who do not qualify for visa.

Not exactly the most desirable or productive people, though on the flip side Thailand should expect shortage of English teachers

[manonthemon]

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

The problem is immigration often ignore the medical extension refusing to give it and tell people to simply go pay their overstay at the border.

If your in a decent private hospital they usually have liason staff, but in the case of doctors notes and the rest immigration very often waive it off with a 'too hard' attitude. Seen it myself where someone came into immigration after a head injury and hospitalization.. They didnt care in the slightest he was obviously in bandages, and had only just been released and had a hospital / doctors note saying he was unfit for travel. Just told him to go pay his fines at the border.

In the above list, if he was apprehended before getting to the border he would face a 1 year blacklist. Hardly fair.

So yes, fully support the crackdown, as long as the correct systems are put in place to handle the real issues, which immigration just sweep under the 'pay your fine' rug.

I second that. My 8 months pregnant wife, pregnancy with serious complications, documents from Hospital declaring her unfit to travel was refused medical extension and told by the doctor in the immigration office to "Take a train to Cambodia" (which by the way made no sense as her nationality is no applicable for the visa on arrival scheme).

It's always the honest, hardworking people who get victimized when strict rules are applied to fish out the occasional rotten apple.

[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).

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?

If they were born here and have not yet left the country for the first time, it's not technically an overstay. In that case, they process the kids on the way out. Pretty routine.

[MrWorldwide]

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.

Yeah - I think roughly one day into my overstay I'd be making plans to get out of the country, but that's just me. Some of the overstay periods on this document are nothing short of hilarious - 10 years of staying illegally in someone else's country is pure Ronnie Biggs IMO. That's 10 years where you had no legal right to stay in the country much less work, yet somehow managed to feed, clothe and shelter yourself. Let's start putting two and two together and stop making excuses for people. There will always be exceptions but that's for Thai Immigration to decide, not the members of Thaivisa.

[Pralaad]

Totally in agreement with this. Frankly thete is no excuse. What it will mean is that in time scratchers wont consider overstsying as an option. I think ED visas will be the next target

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Which would only be fair, though i do hope ministry of education also cracks down on schools and Thai teachers they employ.

One wanting to really study Thai should expect qualified teacher with appropriate education,instead of anyone who walks of the street.

Despite what many like to believe, there are many people who genuinely want to learn, only schools genuinely not interested in teaching.

[FritsSikkink]

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

The problem is immigration often ignore the medical extension refusing to give it and tell people to simply go pay their overstay at the border.

If your in a decent private hospital they usually have liason staff, but in the case of doctors notes and the rest immigration very often waive it off with a 'too hard' attitude. Seen it myself where someone came into immigration after a head injury and hospitalization.. They didnt care in the slightest he was obviously in bandages, and had only just been released and had a hospital / doctors note saying he was unfit for travel. Just told him to go pay his fines at the border.

In the above list, if he was apprehended before getting to the border he would face a 1 year blacklist. Hardly fair.

So yes, fully support the crackdown, as long as the correct systems are put in place to handle the real issues, which immigration just sweep under the 'pay your fine' rug.

No, he would have gotten an extension on medical grounds.

[simon43]

^{Lets be honest, who overstays?...}

^So

^{1. People who have no money to do visa runs}

^{2. People who are too lazy to do visa runs}

^{3. People who can not afford proper visa}

^{4. People who do not qualify for visa.}

and

5 - People with bad eyesight who misread the visa expiry date (that was me....)

[FritsSikkink]

How many silly examples will we get now. There can always happen something and then there is a court who can rectify things.

Just follow the rules, plan ahead a bit and you won't have a problem.

[Spellforce]

Can't blame them !

Following all that good & logical reforms, can they not make it easier for all the non-immigrant visa owners staying more than 5 or 10 years in Thailand?

I stay in Thailand more than 10 years, never had a problem, I'm married and tired to renew each year my non-immigrant visa, 90 days notification... so boring and such a waste of time (for me and for the immigration office as well !).

[Soutpeel]

^{Lets be honest, who overstays?...}

^So

^{1. People who have no money to do visa runs}

^{2. People who are too lazy to do visa runs}

^{3. People who can not afford proper visa}

^{4. People who do not qualify for visa.}

and

5 - People with bad eyesight who misread the visa expiry date (that was me....)

So you have medical excuse them Simon, need new glasses

[LivinLOS]

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.

Thats factually not the case tho.. They fall back to the 'go away and pay a fine' rather than process them all too often.

[Cam Khao]

I don't disagree with this change at all.

I do have a single question though... Will there be a grandfather clause in there? Meaning people who for whatever reason, rightly or wrongly, have overstayed in the past, will not be slapped with a retroactive ban.

This is a rather large change, with much harsher repercussions for overstayers. In my opinion, those that have previously paid a fine, should not be blacklisted retroactively, they have been punished under the old (and yes very lax and easy) overstay rules already.

Without this clause, I know at least a dozen people who won't be coming back to Thailand for quite some time the next time they have to leave the country, or even do a 90 day run, due to the fact they have overstayed in the past, despite being clean now.

[MrWorldwide]

Now I understand the immigration officer's attitude while he examined my passport last saturday.

I was at the airport leaving Samui for Kuala Lumpur on July 5th in the afternoon, after a 30 days / 29 nights stay in Thailand...he said to me : " hummmm...today.. the last day.." ( as if he wanted to warn me I was about to trespass regulation) , then " when will you come back?" I politely replied " next year" ( I stay for one month each year- he could check last year's stamps on my passport) refraining to add " so what?".

I never had any conversation with any officer on duty, whenever entering or leaving the Kingdom before that day.. !

Since we are in the business of predictions, speculation and vague prognostications here on Thaivisa, allow me to suggest that there will be a lot more 'conversations' with people entering - and in some cases leaving - Thailand before the end of 2014 and they won't all end as happily as yours did. Read some of the other threads about people being bounced at the border and your restraint might just have saved you some grief. Be happy.

[yankee99]

Pretty lenient I think.

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

Maybe the eu but anyone can sneak in and stay in the usa! They'll even give you a ride to a distant relatives house for free.

[Soutpeel]

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.

Thats factually not the case tho.. They fall back to the 'go away and pay a fine' rather than process them all too often.

Actually it is in some cases, the private hospitals actually have staff who organise this for you, so suspect your making a sweeping statement, which is not 100% true, could we say in some cases immigration tell people to go and pay the fine ?

[Jiu-Jitsu]

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.

It is you who is 'spinning' it. The fact is that no one will be banned for five years for a one day overstay, unless there are unusual circumstances attached.