Overstay · legal assistance
Overstayed in Thailand? We help you act within the law
We explain your rights and obligations under the Immigration Act, count your days and the fine, assess the risk of a re-entry ban and prepare the documents for a lawful departure.
- The fine is 500 THB a day, up to 20,000 THB. We calculate it exactly from your stamps
- Under 90 days of overstay and leaving with the fine paid means no re-entry ban — unless you are arrested
- If you are detained: we explain your rights and the procedure, and contact your family and embassy
- We speak Thai with immigration — and only through official procedures
20+ years in ThailandEnglish · Русский · ไทย
A Sabai Legal lawyer will reply — in English, Russian or Thai
Urgent? Message us — we reply within 15 minutes
Describe your situation in a messenger — a specialist will reply and explain the lawful next steps. We observe professional secrecy and protect your personal data under the PDPA.
Legal consequences of an overstay
- 01
A fine for every day.
500 THB a day, capped at 20,000 THB — the cap is reached on day 40. You pay when you leave.
Source: Royal Thai Embassy in Bucharest
- 02
Over 90 days means a re-entry ban.
Even if you leave on your own: from 1 to 10 years, depending on how long you overstayed.
- 03
An arrest means up to 10 years.
If you are arrested in Thailand, the ban is 5 years for an overstay under a year and 10 years for anything longer. Plus deportation.
- 04
Visa-free is now 30 days.
Since 15 September 2026 the visa-free stay for citizens of Russia and many other countries has been cut from 60 to 30 days. It is easier to miss the date.
What the law says
The rules under the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 (1979) and Ministry of Interior Order No. 1/2558, in force since 20 March 2016. Checked on 17 October 2026. Decisions on fines, detention, deportation and re-entry bans are made under the law by the Immigration Bureau and, in certain cases, by a court or the Minister of Interior. We do not influence these decisions and offer no workarounds: we explain the law, prepare the documents, accompany you and protect your lawful interests.
Requirements change. We check them against official sources before every application.
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The fine is 500 THB a day, up to 20,000 THB
The cap is reached on day 40 of the overstay. You pay the fine to immigration when you leave, usually at the airport. If you do not have the money, you may be held until it is found.
Source: Royal Thai Embassy in Bucharest
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Under 90 days — no re-entry ban
If you overstayed less than 90 days and paid the fine before leaving, you are not banned from your next entry. This applies only if you leave on your own, not after an arrest.
Source: Royal Thai Embassy in Canberra
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Left on your own after 90 days — a ban of 1 to 10 years
Over 90 days — a 1-year ban; over 1 year — 3 years; over 3 years — 5 years; over 5 years — 10 years. The ban runs from your departure date.
Source: Royal Thai Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City (Ministry of Interior Order No. 1/2558)
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Arrested — a ban of 5 or 10 years
If you are arrested and prosecuted, the ban is 5 years for an overstay under a year and 10 years for an overstay over a year. It also runs from your departure date.
Source: Royal Thai Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City (Ministry of Interior Order No. 1/2558)
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Overstay is an offence
Section 81 of the Immigration Act: up to 2 years in prison, a fine of up to 20,000 THB, or both. In practice a daily fine is usually imposed, but after an arrest you may be prosecuted.
Source: Immigration Act 1979, s. 81 (Office of the Council of State translation); Tilleke & Gibbins, 2026
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Detention before deportation
While deportation is being arranged, immigration may detain a foreigner for as long as necessary. The foreigner pays the cost of detention. Or the officer may let them stay at a set address on bond, or bond with security, and report on the date and at the place set.
Source: Immigration Act 1979, s. 54
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New deportation regulation since 28 August 2026
Once a foreigner has served a final sentence for illegal entry or stay, the Minister of Interior may order their deportation and set a re-entry ban period. The same applies to illegal work and forged official documents.
Source: Thai PBS: Prime Minister’s Office Regulation on Deportation, 2026
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Children under 18
The overstay re-entry ban does not apply to anyone who left Thailand before the age of 18.
Source: Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), 15 February 2016
Legal assistance at every stage
- 01
Your stay ends in a few days: extend in time
We prepare the extension documents and go to immigration with you before your stay expires.
Learn more - 02
Voluntary departure within the law
You have already overstayed: we explain the consequences, calculate the fine and the re-entry ban risk, and prepare the documents for departure.
Choose - 03
Legal support in detention
You or someone close has been detained: we explain the rights and the procedure, contact the family and the embassy, and approach immigration through official channels.
Choose - 04
An existing re-entry ban: terms and lawful options
We check the grounds and the term of the ban and explain when and on which visa you can lawfully return.
Choose
What to send us for a legal assessment
For the legal assessment — photos via messenger
- Passport page with your personal details
- Your last entry stamp and all extension stamps
- Your visa page, if you entered on a visa
- Immigration receipts: extension, 90-day report, re-entry permit — if you have them
- Documents showing why you overstayed, if any: a hospital certificate, an airline letter about a cancelled flight
For departure
- Your original, valid passport
- Your flight ticket
- The fine in Thai baht: 500 THB × number of days, up to 20,000 THB
- If your passport was lost or stolen — first a new document from your country’s embassy
If someone has been detained
- Full name, date of birth, nationality and a copy of the passport
- When and where they were detained, and where they were taken: police, immigration or a detention centre
- Contacts of relatives in Thailand and at home
- Money for the flight ticket and detention costs: by law the foreigner pays the cost of their own detention
Based on the Immigration Act of 1979 and the guidance of Thai embassies. Immigration may ask for other documents. Send us photos of your stamps — we count the days and the fine and explain the lawful next steps. We observe professional secrecy and process your data under Thailand’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA).
Send documents for a check
Legal assistance prices
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Legal assessment
- Our fee
- On request
- Counting your overstay days from the stamps
- Explaining the legal consequences: the fine and any possible re-entry ban
- A written plan of lawful steps via messenger
Timeline: same day
Get a quote - Most popular
Departure within the law
- Our fee
- On request
- Government fee (paid separately)
- Fine of 500 THB a day, up to 20,000 THB — paid to immigration when you leave
- Everything in the Legal assessment
- Checking your passport and ticket before you leave
- The procedure for departure day: where and how to pay the fine to immigration
- A specialist on call on departure day
- A plan to return: when the ban ends and which visa to get
Timeline: 1–3 days
Get a quote -
Legal support in detention
- Our fee
- On request
- A specialist goes to immigration or the police station and explains your rights and the procedure
- Contact with the family and the embassy
- Documents for release on bond or with a guarantor, where immigration allows it under the law
- Help with the ticket and documents for departure
Our fee for visas and work permits depends on your situation and documents — we will quote it after a consultation, before any work starts. Government fees are set by law.
Pay in stages
30% at the start, 70% after the result. Longer projects are paid by contract stages.
Guarantee
If an application is refused because of our mistake, we refund our fee in full. We guarantee the process, not the authority’s decision.
Trust you can verify
- 20+ years in Thailand
- 500 THB fine per day of overstay
- 20,000 THB maximum fine
We support filings with
- Immigration Bureau
- Department of Business Development (DBD)
- Revenue Department
- Ministry of Labour
- Banks
How we work
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Step 1
Message us
WhatsApp, Telegram or LINE. Photos of your stamps are enough to start.
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Step 2
Legal assessment
We count the overstay, the fine and any possible re-entry ban, and explain what the law provides.
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Step 3
Plan and price
A written plan of lawful steps. Our fee and the fine are shown as separate lines.
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Step 4
Getting ready to leave
We check your passport and ticket and explain the procedure for departure day.
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Step 5
Departure
You pay the fine to immigration and fly out. We stay in touch.
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Step 6
Coming back
We remind you when the ban expires and help you apply for a visa lawfully.
How we differ from a typical agent
| Criterion | Sabai Legal | Typical agent |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Agreed before work starts, no hidden extras | The total may grow along the way |
| Government fees | Shown as a separate line | Hidden in the total |
| Payment | In stages | 100% upfront |
| Company structure | Legal, no nominees | Nominee shareholders |
| Response | 15 minutes, 7 days a week | “On business days” |
| Case status | In a Telegram bot | Only by phone |
| Language with authorities | Thai, in person | Through an interpreter |
Frequently asked questions
What is the fine for an overstay?
500 THB for each day of overstay, but no more than 20,000 THB. The cap is reached on day 40. You pay the fine to immigration when you leave. Bring the amount in Thai baht and keep the receipt.
If I overstayed less than 90 days, will I get a re-entry ban?
Not if you leave on your own and pay the fine before departure. If you are arrested and prosecuted in Thailand, you are banned even for a short overstay: for 5 years. So it is better not to delay a lawful departure.
How do I leave through the airport if I have overstayed?
Arrive early. The fine is paid to airport immigration when you depart. The Royal Thai Embassy in Bucharest advises explaining your situation to the officer and having the amount with you. Send us photos of your stamps the day before — we double-check the calculation.
What happens if I am arrested?
Overstay is an offence under Section 81 of the Immigration Act: up to 2 years in prison or a fine of up to 20,000 THB. Then come deportation and a re-entry ban of 5 or 10 years. Before deportation, immigration may detain you at your own expense or release you on bond. If someone close to you has been detained, message us as early as possible: we will explain the detained person’s rights and the procedure.
When does the re-entry ban (the so-called “blacklist”) start?
On the date you leave Thailand, not the date your visa expired. How long it lasts depends on the length of the overstay and on whether you left on your own or after an arrest. Send us photos of your stamps and we will work it out.
Can you influence the immigration decision?
No. Decisions on fines, detention, deportation and re-entry bans are made under the law by the Immigration Bureau and, in certain cases, by a court or the Minister of Interior. We do not influence these decisions and do not offer workarounds. Our role is to explain the law and your rights and obligations, prepare the documents, accompany you through official procedures and protect your lawful interests at every stage.
Is there a lawful way to return before the ban ends?
There are no guarantees here. For deported persons, the law allows an exemption only by a decision of the Minister, case by case (Section 12(11) of the Immigration Act). We check the grounds of your ban, explain what the law allows in your situation and tell you honestly whether a petition makes sense.
An agent promises to “settle it” with immigration or “fix” my overstay with a stamp. Does that work?
No, and it is dangerous. If immigration did not grant an extension, your overstay runs from the real end date of your permitted stay, whatever the agent promised. Under the 2026 regulation, forging official documents or using forged ones is a ground for deportation once the sentence has been served. Any “unofficial” arrangement with officials is unlawful and can make your situation much worse. We do not offer such services and work only through official procedures. Send us photos of your passport — we will show you what is really in it and explain the lawful steps.
Does the re-entry ban apply to children?
No, if the child leaves Thailand before the age of 18 — this is set by Ministry of Interior Order No. 1/2558. The child’s permitted stay still has to be respected.
What changed in 2026?
Since 15 September, visa-free entry for citizens of Russia and many other countries is 30 days instead of 60, so the date is easy to miss. Since 28 August, a deportation regulation is in force: once a sentence for illegal stay has been served, the Minister of Interior may order a foreigner deported and set a re-entry ban.
Send us photos of your stamps — we’ll assess your situation under the law
A visa specialist will reply via messenger within 15 minutes: how many days you overstayed, the fine and the lawful steps open to you.
Every day, 9:00–21:00 (Bangkok time)
A Sabai Legal lawyer will reply — in English, Russian or Thai