Regional News
Thailand Visa Overstayers to be Put on a Blacklist and Barred from the Country
BANGKOK – Foreigners in Thailand who have overstayed their visas will be put on a blacklist and barred from the country for a period after they leave. Thaivisa.com reported that it had seen the proposal detailing the tough new measures for foreigners who overstay in Thailand.
The Phuket News reported that they received confirmation today from a source in Immigration Headquarters, who asked not to be named, that a proposal along these lines has been made to the Ministry of Interior, which is expected to approve it “soon”.
ThaiVisa reported that the proposed measures, which will see foreigners that overstay their visa of more than 90 days blacklisted, are as follows:
In the case that alien surrenders themselves:
- Overstay more than 90 days >Forbidden from re-entering the kingdom for 1 year.
- Overstay more than 1 year >Forbidden from re-entering the kingdom for 3 years.
- Overstay more than 3 years > Forbidden from re-entering the kingdom for 5 years.
- Overstay more than 5 years >Forbidden from re-entering the kingdom for 10 years.
- Overstay more than 10 years >Forbidden from re-entering the kingdom for life.
In the case that the alien is being apprehended:
- Overstay for less than 1 year >Forbidden from re-entering the kingdom for 5 years.
- Overstay for more than 1 year >Forbidden from re-entering the kingdom for 10 years.
If foreigners “surrender” (usually by presenting themselves at Immigration when leaving the country), they will be barred from returning depending on how long they have overstayed. Those who overstay are fined B500 daily, up to a maximum of B20,000. Some foreigners arrested, detained, or deported are also blacklisted, but this is done case by case.
Immigration has recently taken several measures to stop foreign nationals from abusing the tourist visa system by doing regular ‘Out/In border runs’ to stay in Thailand long-term.
It is thought that many of these work in the country illegally.
News broke about the crackdown on border runners in Thailand in May, with further confirmation that the crackdown would be effective from August 12, 2014. – See the Original Story Here