Overstayed extension 3 days. Options?

[candels]

I (35 male Canadian) just overstayed my tourist visa extension (entered by plane -- 1 month visa, then 1 month extension) 3 days, and when I went to Mae Sai (I'm in CR) thinking Id pay the daily fine and cross over and back, was told I couldn't re enter (she said this rule was 2 years old). So I didn't exit Thailand. I have to fly out and back, but only from CM or Bangkok, she said.

A bit disappointing, although in the end my fault of course.

I plan to stay at least another month if I am able, but possibly 3 months or so if I am still welcome.

This is also a bit complicated because when I went to Chiang Rai immigration and extended my visa last month, they didn't give me a new departure card after taking mine. I asked if I needed a new one, and he said no, but the lady at the Mae Sai border seemed like it should be there, and gave me a new departure card (unstamped).

Do I have any options to flying out / leaving Thailand?

Experience? Warnings?

[KhunBENQ]

As far as I remember border runs at Mae Sai are indeed denied since 2014 or so?

What is your future plan?

Return to Thailand and stay how long?

Flight prices on short notice are bloody expensive.

Just checked Bangkok - Kuala Lumpur

[candels]

As far as I remember border runs at Mae Sai are indeed denied since 2014 or so?

What is your future plan?

Return to Thailand and stay how long?

Flight prices on short notice are bloody expensive.

Just checked Bangkok - Kuala Lumpur

I plan to stay at least another month if I am able, but possibly 3 months or so if I am still welcome.

Yes, the flight prices. Also the travel, bussing to CM, the airport, flying out, flying in, busses again. Possibly not being allowed back in if I go to out. I have an apartment full of stuff.

[ubonjoe]

The best option would be to get a single entry tourist visa in Vientiane. The visa would allow a 60 day entry that can be extended for 30 days.

You can fly from Chiang Mai to Udon Thani and then take a van from the airport to the bridge in Nong Khai and then cross over to Vientiane.

You will have to a pay a fine of 500 baht for each day of overstay when you leave the country.

[elviajero]

• Your overstay was not the issue at Mae Sai. They do not let anyone exit and immediately re-enter (without a visa) using visa exempt entry.

You would probably be ok flying out/in using visa exempt entry but expect to be questioned about your extended tourism on re-entry.

If you are planning to stay for another 1 to 3 months then you could exit at Nong Khai and get a single entry tourist visa from Vientiane, Laos. That would give you 60 days, that could be extended by 30 days, and give you nearly 3 months if required.

[KhunBENQ]

The best option would be to get a single entry tourist visa in Vientiane. The visa would allow a 60 day entry that can be extended for 30 days.

You can fly from Chiang Mai to Udon Thani and then take a van from the airport to the bridge in Nong Khai and then cross over to Vientiane.

You will have to a pay a fine of 500 baht for each day of overstay when you leave the country.

Flight from Chiang Mai to Udon depart 16:10h arrive 17:10h.

Return flight from Udon depart 18:10h

Could it work out to fly tomorrow afternoon, apply on Wednesday, receive visa on Thursday afternoon and return in the evening?

I don't know the timing in Vientiane.

Round trip flight would cost about 4000 Baht this week.

[candels]

I also understand there are education visas, but not sure if I can still get one because I am overstayed.

[ubonjoe]

I also understand there are education visas, but not sure if I can still get one because I am overstayed.

Your overstay will not effect getting a ED visa or for that matter any visa.

[ubonjoe]

The best option would be to get a single entry tourist visa in Vientiane. The visa would allow a 60 day entry that can be extended for 30 days.

You can fly from Chiang Mai to Udon Thani and then take a van from the airport to the bridge in Nong Khai and then cross over to Vientiane.

You will have to a pay a fine of 500 baht for each day of overstay when you leave the country.

Flight from Chiang Mai to Udon depart 16:10h arrive 17:10h.

Return flight from Udon depart 18:10h

Could it work out to fly tomorrow afternoon, apply on Wednesday, receive visa on Thursday afternoon and return in the evening?

I don't know the timing in Vientiane.

Round trip flight would cost about 4000 Baht this week.

Yes that would work.

Plenty of time to get to the air port in Udon after picking up the visa at 2 pm.

[candels]

The best option would be to get a single entry tourist visa in Vientiane. The visa would allow a 60 day entry that can be extended for 30 days.

You can fly from Chiang Mai to Udon Thani and then take a van from the airport to the bridge in Nong Khai and then cross over to Vientiane.

You will have to a pay a fine of 500 baht for each day of overstay when you leave the country.

Flight from Chiang Mai to Udon depart 16:10h arrive 17:10h.

Return flight from Udon depart 18:10h

Could it work out to fly tomorrow afternoon, apply on Wednesday, receive visa on Thursday afternoon and return in the evening?

I don't know the timing in Vientiane.

Round trip flight would cost about 4000 Baht this week.

Yes that would work.

Plenty of time to get to the air port in Udon after picking up the visa at 2 pm.

I don't really understand the timing here, although this looks like what I will have to do.

Do mean to apply for a visa before arriving? (I've always just gotten a visa on arrival).

[candels]

Oh I understand better what you're saying: Udon Thani, Thailand, and just use the overland border crossing there.

That's a good idea. Actually, if it's Udon Thani I will probably take the bus, which takes 6-8 hours from CR (according to the internet) -- EDIT Google maps says 11 hours, 17 hours to Vientiane) EDIT#2 overnight bus, leaving CR at around 5pm and arriving in Vientiane at 6am).

I don't understand what you mean about "applying for a visa" though. All I know about visas is basically visa on arrival. Is there a better way?

[ubonjoe]

Oh I understand better what you're saying: Udon Thani, Thailand, and just use the overland border crossing there.

That's a good idea. Actually, if it's Udon Thani I will probably take the bus, which takes 6-8 hours from CR (according to the internet) -- EDIT Google maps says 11 hours, 17 hours to Vientiane) EDIT#2 overnight bus, leaving CR at around 5pm and arriving in Vientiane at 6am).

I don't understand what you mean about "applying for a visa" though. All I know about visas is basically visa on arrival. Is there a better way?

You apply for the visa at the consular section of the Thai embassy in Vientiane. The fee is 1000 baht.

You apply by 11:30 the morning of the first day and pick it up at 14:00 the next afternoon.

When you enter Thailand you will be stamped in for 60 days.

[elviajero]

Oh I understand better what you're saying: Udon Thani, Thailand, and just use the overland border crossing there.

That's a good idea. Actually, if it's Udon Thani I will probably take the bus, which takes 6-8 hours from CR (according to the internet) -- EDIT Google maps says 11 hours, 17 hours to Vientiane) EDIT#2 overnight bus, leaving CR at around 5pm and arriving in Vientiane at 6am).

I don't understand what you mean about "applying for a visa" though. All I know about visas is basically visa on arrival. Is there a better way?

You might have a problem exiting and immediately re-entering, by land, using visa exempt entry (it's not visa on arrival) because of your overstay. There is the possibility that you would be denied entry unless you have a valid visa. It is therefore better for you to get a tourist visa before re-entering.

And the SETV will give you a possible 90 days (with a 30 day extension) which covers your possible extra 3 month stay.

[KhunBENQ]

Oh I understand better what you're saying: Udon Thani, Thailand, and just use the overland border crossing there.

That's a good idea. Actually, if it's Udon Thani I will probably take the bus, which takes 6-8 hours from CR (according to the internet) -- EDIT Google maps says 11 hours, 17 hours to Vientiane) EDIT#2 overnight bus, leaving CR at around 5pm and arriving in Vientiane at 6am).

I don't understand what you mean about "applying for a visa" though. All I know about visas is basically visa on arrival. Is there a better way?

You have misunderstood quite a bit.

As was suggested you should apply for a new tourist visa at the Thai consulate in Vientiane.

With your plans this is a better idea than trying another border run for a 30 day visa exempt entry to Thailand.

The discussion is NOT about the visa on arrival for Laos which you indeed get at the border.

Of course you can use other transport options.

Just consider the timing at the Vientiane consulate.

And you should complete until Friday.

Next week has important Thai holidays and the consulate will be closed on July 19 and 20 (Tue, Wed).

And remember that every day costs you another 500 Baht and the risk to be caught on the way and get into trouble.

[NancyL]

I haven't traveled by bus very often in Thailand, but every time I have, there have been roadblocks where the bus is boarded and some people are asked to show their passports. Interestingly, they've never asked to look at the passports for me and my husband -- we look like a retired western couple traveling together, but they have asked for the passports of young western men traveling alone or with Thai women.

The OP may want to think about this is weighing whether to fly vs. taking the bus to Udon Thani. There should be no problem in boarding a plane with a short overstay for a domestic flight.

[candels]

I haven't traveled by bus very often in Thailand, but every time I have, there have been roadblocks where the bus is boarded and some people are asked to show their passports. Interestingly, they've never asked to look at the passports for me and my husband -- we look like a retired western couple traveling together, but they have asked for the passports of young western men traveling alone or with Thai women.

The OP may want to think about this is weighing whether to fly vs. taking the bus to Udon Thani. There should be no problem in boarding a plane with a short overstay for a domestic flight.

In this case, there's probably a bus either way, since OP (myself) has to travel from CR to CM in order to fly. There may be an option of flying from CR to CM then to Udon Thani, but not sure yet about that.

[candels]

OP: Went to Chiang Rai immigration. Paid 1900 baht for a 1-week extension to my visa (effective the day my old one expired, not from the time you pay). Plus 500 baht per day. I must leave by that date, but then I can return and get a new visa if I return by air, according to the immigration staff.

[JackThompson]

Good. That was a smart move. You now do not have to worry about being arrested on overstay, as long as you are out before the new permitted-date. 1900 baht is a small price to pay for peace of mind.

I would still recommend getting a Tourist Visa. Odds are fair that you are ok at the airport with a Visa-Exempt entry (which is not a visa), but read up on what happens if they decide to make an example of you - a forced immediate ticket-purchase and trip home.

But if you have a valid Tourist Visa, plus 20,000 Baht in cash or travelers checks on your person upon entry, you should be fine. If asked on entry, you "only plan to stay a short time and then go home," and you "have 20,000 Baht as required."

[candels]

Good. That was a smart move. You now do not have to worry about being arrested on overstay, as long as you are out before the new permitted-date. 1900 baht is a small price to pay for peace of mind.

I would still recommend getting a Tourist Visa. Odds are fair that you are ok at the airport with a Visa-Exempt entry (which is not a visa), but read up on what happens if they decide to make an example of you - a forced immediate ticket-purchase and trip home.

But if you have a valid Tourist Visa, plus 20,000 Baht in cash or travelers checks on your person upon entry, you should be fine. If asked on entry, you "only plan to stay a short time and then go home," and you "have 20,000 Baht as required."

A tourist visa would be better in all ways, you're right, and I'm going to look into it. As I understand it, you can do it at some building in Vientiane Thailand uses as an embassy or something, and it only takes around 1 day to process (so long as not a holiday, as mentioned).

Since I'll most likely fly in and out of Vientiene from Chiang Rai (through Bangkok of course), I guess I can look into that when I arrive in Vientiane. It makes a bit of difference if I'm there just a few hours (return same day) or a few days, but either is doable.

[JackThompson]

Different building than the Embassy - but plenty of threads on "Tourist Visa" "Vientiene" with the details, places to stay, etc.

[ubonjoe]

Check some of the reports here for Vientiane. Latest Reports Of Getting A Visa In The Region

[Gilles7733]

Hello and Thank you for your post which is useful to many people in Thailand.

I am in the same situation, overstay.

I had a 1 year non B visa with a work permit. I sold my company on Mayay 2 and my work permit was cancelled beginning of June.

I didn't know I was overstay and now I would like to go out (I know I have to pay a 20000 baths fine) and make a 2 month touristic visa extendable 1 month until I get a new business.

What is the best place by road or flight?

Thank you

[ubonjoe]

Hello and Thank you for your post which is useful to many people in Thailand.

I am in the same situation, overstay.

I had a 1 year non B visa with a work permit. I sold my company on Mayay 2 and my work permit was cancelled beginning of June.

I didn't know I was overstay and now I would like to go out (I know I have to pay a 20000 baths fine) and make a 2 month touristic visa extendable 1 month until I get a new business.

What is the best place by road or flight?

Thank you

Unless you went to immigration and canceled your extension at immigration would probably not know about you selling your business and your extension is still valid. Just have the 20k baht with you when you leave incase they learned about it someway.

Flying out is always best. The next best option is to fly to Udon Thani, take a van from the airport there to the bridge in Nong Khai and then crossover to Vientiane Laos You could get a single entry tourist visa at the consular section of the embassy there that would allow a 60 day entry that can be extended for 30 days.