Many visitors enjoy Thailand so much they want to stay longer — we understand! But immigration rules are strict. This guide explains legal extensions, what happens if you overstay, and obligations for long-term stays.

Start with our visa guide to know how long you were granted on entry (often 60 days visa exemption for eligible nationalities).

Tourist stay extension — 30 days at immigration

If you entered on visa exemption or a tourist visa (TR), you may apply for a 30-day extension at a Thai immigration office before your current stamp expires.

• Where: Immigration Bureau (Chaeng Watthana, Bangkok) or provincial immigration offices (Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya, etc.).
• When: Apply before expiry — do not wait until the last day if offices are busy.
• Fee: Typically 1,900 THB (confirm current amount).
• Documents (typical): Passport, TM.30 (from hotel/landlord), application form, photo, copy of passport pages, proof of address, and sometimes onward ticket or statement of funds.
• Extension is discretionary — not guaranteed every time; officers may ask about your plans.

Visa on arrival (15 days) generally cannot be extended except in special cases (e.g. medical inability to travel — hospital documentation required).

One extension per entry is the common rule for tourist exemption; repeated “border runs” or visa shopping are scrutinised — plan a proper visa if you need months in Thailand.

Overstay penalties

Staying past your permitted date is an overstay. Penalties under the Immigration Act include:

• Fine of 500 THB per day, maximum 20,000 THB, for overstays voluntarily reported when leaving (up to 90 days overstay in many cases).
• Overstay more than 90 days may result in ban from re-entry (1 year, 3 years, 5 years, or 10 years depending on length — confirm current schedule).
• Arrest, detention, and court proceedings are possible if caught inside Thailand before departure.
• Overstay stamps in your passport can affect future visa applications worldwide.

If you realise you will overstay, go to immigration immediately — do not wait until the airport. Voluntary payment before departure is better than being caught.

90-day reporting (long-stay holders)

If you hold a long-term visa (retirement, marriage, business, ED, etc.) and stay continuously, you must report your address every 90 days to immigration — even if you did not leave the country.

• Report in person, by mail, or online (where eligible) within 15 days before or 7 days after each 90-day period.
• Failure to report incurs fines (typically 2,000 THB, higher if repeated).
• Short tourist visits under visa exemption do not require 90-day reporting.

Working without a permit — serious offence

Tourist entry and tourist extensions do not allow you to work in Thailand — including:

• Paid employment, freelancing for Thai clients, or running a business
• Volunteering that replaces paid local labour (some orphanage/volunteer schemes are illegal)
• Online work while physically in Thailand without a valid work permit and visa — grey area legally treated as work if discovered

Penalties include fines, deportation, and re-entry bans. If you want to work or retire here, apply for the correct visa and work permit through an employer or qualified agent.

Border runs and visa runs — use caution

Leaving Thailand and re-entering for another exemption stamp is sometimes called a “visa run.” Immigration officers may deny entry if they believe you are living in Thailand without a proper visa. Land/sea entries under the tourist exemption are limited to two per calendar year for most nationalities (exceptions for Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore). See our visa exemption section.

Where to get help

• Immigration Bureau of Thailand
• Immigration hotline: 1178 (English often available)
• Your embassy for consular advice (they cannot fix immigration status but can list lawyers)