Thailand is still waiving overstay fines and offering 30-day visa extensions for tourists stranded by the Middle East airspace closures that began on 28 February 2026.
As of 15 April 2026, the US–Iran two-week ceasefire announced on 7–8 April has enabled a partial reopening of Middle East airspace, and Gulf carriers are gradually restoring flights to Thailand. Capacity is still well below normal, so many travellers remain stranded.
If you’re one of them, here’s exactly what you need to do to stay legally, avoid penalties, and get home.
Thailand Announced Visa Extensions for Stranded Tourists
The Thai Immigration Bureau announced temporary relief measures in early March 2026 for foreign nationals unable to depart due to Middle East airspace closures.
The measures remain in effect as of 15 April 2026, with no fixed end date — they will stay active until the situation returns to normal or an official order revokes them.
The measures apply to anyone whose permission to stay expired on or after 28 February 2026.
There are two tracks depending on your situation:
- If you’re ready to leave: Overstay fines are waived for affected travellers. You can depart Thailand with no penalty payment at the airport, even if your visa or entry stamp has expired.
- If you can’t get a flight yet: You can apply for a temporary stay extension of up to 30 days at any Thai immigration office. This keeps you legally in the country while you wait for flights to resume.
Immigration officers may ask for evidence that your overstay is tied to the crisis — typically a cancelled-flight email, an updated itinerary from the airline, or similar airline correspondence. Keep this documentation handy.
The Thai government has also activated a financial support fund providing 2,000 baht per day (up to 20,000 baht maximum) per tourist for affected travellers in cases of force majeure.
This compensation is channelled through tourism operators and hotels hosting stranded visitors, helping cover accommodation and meal costs.
The Thai Hotels Association has coordinated discounted room rates for stranded guests at properties across the country.
How to Extend Your Visa at a Thai Immigration Office
Whether you entered Thailand visa-free or on a tourist visa, the extension process is the same at any immigration office nationwide.
Here’s what you need to bring:
- Completed TM.7 form — available at the immigration office or downloadable from the Bangkok Immigration Bureau website
- Your original passport (valid for at least 6 months) with the entry stamp or visa you’re extending
- One 4×6 cm passport-sized photo, signed
- Photocopies of your passport’s personal information page, visa page (if applicable), and entry stamp page
- Proof of accommodation — your hotel booking confirmation, TM.30 receipt, or address where you’re staying
- Evidence your departure is affected by the crisis (cancelled-flight email or airline correspondence)
The extension fee is 1,900 Thai baht (cash only). Processing is usually completed the same day, often within a few hours.
If you can’t obtain a letter from your embassy due to the crisis, immigration officers can record a formal “statement of necessity” instead, allowing the extension to proceed without embassy documentation.
Key Immigration Offices and Where to Go
Arrive early, by 8:00 am at the latest. Immigration offices across Thailand are busier than usual due to the crisis.
- Bangkok (Chaeng Watthana): Chalermprakiat Government Complex, Building B, 120 Moo 3, Chaeng Watthana Road (Soi 7), Thung Song Hong, Lak Si, Bangkok 10210.
- Phone: +66 2 141 9889.
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 08:30–12:00 and 13:00–16:30 (queue ticket service until 15:30).
- Chiang Mai: 71 Moo 3, Sanambin Road (Airport Road), Suthep, Muang Chiang Mai 50200 (near Chiang Mai International Airport).
- Phone: +66 53 201 755.
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 08:30–16:30.
- Phuket: 482 Phuket Road, Talat Yai Subdistrict, Mueang District, Phuket 83000.
- Phone: +66 76 221 905.
- Hours: Monday–Friday, 08:30–16:30 (closed 12:00–13:00 for lunch).
Every province in Thailand has at least one immigration office. Check the Thai Immigration Bureau website for the full directory of locations.
All offices are closed on Thai public holidays.
What Happens If You Overstay Without the Waiver
The overstay fine waiver only applies to travellers affected by the Middle East airspace closures whose permission to stay expired on or after 28 February 2026.
If your overstay is unrelated to the crisis, standard penalties apply. Thailand’s normal overstay fine is 500 baht per day, capped at a maximum of 20,000 baht (reached after 40 days).
Longer overstays carry serious consequences. Entry bans apply on departure:
- More than 90 days: 1-year entry ban
- More than 1 year: 3-year entry ban
- More than 3 years: 5-year entry ban
- More than 5 years: 10-year entry ban
To avoid any risk, visit an immigration office before your permission to stay expires and apply for the 30-day extension. Even with the fine waiver in place, extending legally is always the safer option.
Getting Home: Flight Options From Thailand
Since the 7–8 April 2026 ceasefire, most Gulf carriers have resumed partial operations on Thailand routes, though capacity remains well below pre-crisis levels and flight times are typically 2–3 hours longer due to rerouting.
As of 15 April 2026, this is the broad picture:
- Qatar Airways — gradually rebuilding its schedule; Doha–Bangkok is among the routes operating, at roughly 40% of pre-28 February capacity.
- Emirates and Etihad Airways — running reduced services to Bangkok and other Thai airports via longer reroutings.
- Gulf Air — Bahrain airspace has reopened following the ceasefire; Gulf Air is restoring Bangkok services on a phased basis.
Airlines operating Thailand routes without relying on Gulf airspace include:
- Thai Airways — has added extra capacity on the London–Bangkok route, routing around Middle East airspace.
- British Airways — operating relief flights on the London–Bangkok route.
- Singapore Airlines — routing via Singapore, unaffected by Gulf closures.
- Air India — routing via Mumbai, operating on normal schedules.
Search for available flights from Bangkok on Wego to compare options across operating airlines.
You can also check real-time flight status on the Wego flight tracker.
If your original airline has cancelled your flight, contact them directly about rebooking or refunds. Most Gulf carriers are offering waived rebooking fees and flexible date-change policies for affected passengers through mid-2026.
Emergency Contacts and Helplines
Keep these numbers saved on your phone:
- TAT Tourism Information Call Centre: 1672 (08:00–20:00 daily, multilingual tourism information)
- Tourist Police Hotline: 1155 (24/7, English-speaking, for emergencies and assistance)
- Immigration Bureau Call Centre: 1178 (Monday–Friday, 08:30–16:30)
Contact your country’s embassy or consulate in Bangkok for repatriation assistance. Many embassies have set up dedicated crisis lines for nationals stranded by the airspace closures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to prove my flight was cancelled to get the overstay waiver?
Usually, yes. The waiver applies to anyone whose permission to stay expired on or after 28 February 2026 due to the Middle East crisis, and officers typically ask for evidence such as a cancelled-flight email or updated airline itinerary. If you cannot provide documentation, officers can record a statement of necessity instead.
Can I extend more than once if the crisis continues?
Each extension is granted for up to 30 days. If the airspace closures persist beyond your extension period, you can apply for another extension at the immigration office.
Under standard rules (in effect since November 2025), visa-exempt travellers can extend twice per calendar year — 30 days for the first extension and 7 days for the second — but the crisis relief measures may override these limits for affected travellers.
Is Thailand still safe to visit right now?
Thailand itself is unaffected by the conflict. All Thai airports are operating normally. The disruption is limited to airlines and routes that pass through previously closed Middle East airspace; if your flight doesn’t transit through the Gulf region, your travel plans are largely unaffected.
What if my travel insurance has expired while I’m stranded?
Contact your insurer immediately. Many travel insurance providers are extending coverage for policyholders stranded by the airspace closures. If your policy has lapsed, consider purchasing short-term coverage locally — several insurers in Thailand offer policies to visitors.
Sources
- TAT Newsroom — Thai Immigration Bureau Temporary Relief Measures for Middle East Airspace Closures
- Thai Government Public Relations Department — Overstay Fine Waiver for Foreigners Affected by Airspace Closures
- Khaosod English — Tourism Ministry Plans 2,000-Baht Daily Aid for Stranded Foreign Tourists
- Nation Thailand — Stranded Tourists Granted Visa Amnesty as Middle East Airspace Closure Paralyses Flights
- Bangkok Immigration Division 1 — Chaeng Watthana Office Contact Details
- Chiang Mai Immigration Office — Address and Contact Information
- Phuket Immigration Office — Contact and Address
- Royal Thai Embassy Washington DC — Advice on Thailand Visa Overstay Regulations
- Tourism Authority of Thailand — Tourist Police 1155 Hotline
- TTR Weekly — Qatar Airways Rebuilds Flight Schedules After Ceasefire
- ch-aviation — Middle East Airspaces Reopen After US–Iran Ceasefire
- Thai Examiner — Visa Waivers, Discounted Hotel Stays and 2,000 Baht Per Day for Stranded Tourists
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
