Thailand: visa overstay and deportation guide
Updated 2 June 2023
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If you overstay your visa you may be fined, detained, deported and banned from returning to Thailand. You can find detailed advice below on this process and how the British embassy can help you.
If you have been arrested for overstaying your visa, or know someone who has, call the British embassy on +66 (0)2 305 8333 (24 hours).
1. Overview
Overstaying your visa in Thailand is illegal and can lead to you being fined, arrested, imprisoned and deported. You may also be banned from returning to Thailand depending on how long you have overstayed your visa.
If you are arrested, you will be held at a police station. You are likely to attend court, face a fine and be held in an Immigration Detention Centre (IDC) awaiting deportation to the UK. Whilst there are IDCs across Thailand, most people are transferred and held in Bangkok.
The duration of time spent in an IDC varies between 2 weeks and 3 months and will be dependent on your personal circumstances.
You will need to pay for your flight, although a friend or family member can arrange this on your behalf. The Immigration Bureau will charge you additional fees for transportation to the airport.
If you entered Thailand on a British passport, you will be deported to the UK.
2. Stage 1: arrest and support from the British embassy
When you are arrested, you will be taken to the nearest police station who will arrange for you to attend court within 48 hours of your arrest.
The arresting police station will notify the British embassy of your arrest. Embassy staff will aim to contact you within 48 hours by either visiting you in person, or contacting you by telephone or video call. Contact is dependent on your location and any restrictions at the facility where you are being held.
When you attend court, you are likely to face a fine.
If you are unable to pay the court fine, a judge may sentence you up to 20 days in a prison or detention facility. After your sentence, you will return to a police station and be transferred to an Immigration Detention Centre.
If you pay the court fine, most people are then transferred and held in an Immigration Detention Centre.
Read more information on how the British embassy can assist you whilst you are detained.
3. Stage 2: arrival at an Immigration Detention Centre
Whilst there are Immigration Detention Centres (IDC) across Thailand, most people are transferred and held in Bangkok.
If you are arrested outside of Bangkok, you will remain detained at the arresting police station until arrangements are made to transfer you to Bangkok by bus. Depending on your location, and as detainees are transported in groups, you may have to wait many weeks.
Once you arrive at IDC, you will be assessed by a doctor. It is important to make them aware of any health conditions you have and any medication you may need during your detention. Upon your arrival, the embassy will be notified by Immigration staff and will aim to contact you within your first week of detention.
All new detainees are required to have their fingerprints taken and sent to the Royal Thai Police (RTP) for a criminal record check. This is to enable RTP to verify you have no outstanding legal concerns, before approving your departure from Thailand.
If you do not have a valid UK passport the embassy will assist you in applying for an Emergency Travel Document. If you require financial assistance to help pay the costs of your deportation, for example flights, transport or travel documents, we can contact your family or friends on your behalf to ask for assistance. The embassy cannot cover deportation costs.
3.1 IDC conditions
Most IDCs are overcrowded and detainees often remain in their cells for up 22 hours a day. During your time in IDC, you will not have access to your personal belongings including your mobile and other electronic devices. However, in some IDCs there is a public phone available for detainees when spending time outside of their cell.
4. Stage 3: deportation
Thai immigration will approve your deportation after the completion of checks made by the Royal Thai Police. The process can take between 2 weeks and 3 months. The British embassy will keep in contact with you throughout the process.
Once your deportation has been approved, your flight ticket will be booked by Immigration officers or by your family or friends. As some airlines do not accept deportees, check with the IDC or the embassy before you book a flight. If you have access to funds, it is often possible to make your flight reservation from within the IDC.
There are additional IDC fees for services such as transportation to the airport. These will be explained to you at the time of making your flight booking.
You will be escorted along with your belongings to the airport by Immigration staff. They will remain with you throughout the airport check-in and security process. You may be taken to a designated holding room until your flight is ready for boarding.
5. Returning to the UK (deportation)
No matter where you usually reside, if you entered Thailand on a British passport, you will be deported to the UK. The embassy cannot intervene and request you return to a third country.
If you have nowhere to stay in the UK or have medical needs you should discuss these with embassy staff before you leave Thailand. They can help you explore your options. If you have been out of the UK for more than 3 months, you may not be eligible or able to access certain government support, such as universal credit and social housing.