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Are onward flight tickets now required for DTV holders re-entering Thailand?

DTV Visa Visa Rules Immigration Process Thailand Immigration Onward Travel Requirements Travel Experiences in Thailand

Justin *************

Justin *************

OP

asked Jul 27, 2026

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So there is definitely some increased level of scrutiny over DTV holders & this is not scare mongering.

My friend and I are holders of the DTV for over a year and have had multiple exits & entrances since. However, taking a short trip away to Malaysia this time the re-entry wasn’t as smooth at HKT.

Now this might have been triggered by our exit from HKT which was through the new digital exit gates which of course do not stamp your passport with an exit stamp.

As soon as we both arrived at HKT and got in line for immigration, because there was no exit stamp the officer queried us both. We were taken aside and politely asked details of our reasons for being in Thailand. We both have legitimate work online. - which we were able to prove.

But, and this a big NEW but - they explained that we needed an onward flight out of Thailand. They stipulated that this was a new rule for DTV holders.

Can anyone corroborate this?

Anyhow, we bought outward tickets, showed the IO and then were allowed to enter.

Just a heads up!

Sawadee Krub!

Answer summary

The conversation revolves around the experience of DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) holders facing increased scrutiny upon re-entering Thailand, particularly at Phuket Airport. After a recent trip to Malaysia, two DTV holders were questioned by immigration due to their lack of an exit stamp and were informed of a new requirement for an onward flight ticket. Other users shared varying experiences, with some confirming that they were asked for an onward ticket at different airports, while others reported no issues. This conversation indicates a growing trend of stricter enforcement of existing rules regarding proof of onward travel for DTV holders.

76 repliesnewest first

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Ian **********

Ian **********

If the onward ticket was a rule for DTV holders, then IATA would be instructing airlines to ask for it when checking in. You can buy a live ticket for US$14 that is valid for 48 hours at onwardticket.com

0

Ian **********

Ian **********

These problems are exclusive to Phuket. The head immigration guy took the clampdown campaign far too seriously.

0

Anonymous ******************

Anonymous ******************

Flew in a couple days ago via BKK, 3rd entry, first time entering without an outbound flight booked months ahead. Entry went very smoothly, stamped in seconds, no questions asked. Besides, a few airlines offer fully refundable tickets when the cancellation is within 24 hours of booking. So you can always have such a ticket prepared and buy it on the spot in case your exact travel dates are still undecided because it is too far out, yet the IO requests an outbound flight.

1

Stefan ********

Stefan ********

Came back yesterday via BKK. I had exit without stamp too, no onward ticket booked and no onward flight information provided in TDAC. My 4th re-entry on DTV. No questions, very smoothly.

3

Phuket ************

Phuket ************

Yes we can corroborate that an onward flight is being made a requirement. At least in Phuket. We had a similar experience with one of our long time Muay Thai students and DTV holders who had never been questioned before. You can read our blog post here about it. Yes many are still entering without any questions but more are being asked for certain details. Here the blog post

*********************************

This is a blog post and meant to be a form of advertising but it includes helpful information as well. Hopefully it helps someone who is unsure what may be asked when re-entering.

0

Tyler ********

Tyler ********

A buddy of mine had no issue the other day taking land trip from pattaya to Laos. No questions or trouble… might be worth the extra bus trip to Pattaya then here to Laos.

1

Tommy ********

Tommy ********

This makes sense. They look at the DTV as a tourist visa and don’t expect you to live in Thailand, they expect you to travel around and go to other countries too.

It also falls in line with Thailands notoriously strict policies for legitimate work visas. In reality, international arrivals are money in bank for them, quick easy low hanging fruit. It’s unlikely they see the DTV as someone living in Thailand hence the limitations the DTV

1

Wannikea *********

Wannikea *********

HKT has had a stick up their butt for a long long time, best to avoid it. Fly into somewhere else in Thailand and then do a domestic flight to Phuket.

1

Sweetway *******

Sweetway *******

Proof of onward flight has always been a rule when entering on tourist visas (DTV included), only now it’s being enforced more.

2

Anonymous ******************

Anonymous ******************

lol having an exit ticket for 6 months seems a little crazy with the political climate nobody knows what’s going to happen next

0

Brian ****

Brian ****

Weird you need an onward ticket, meanwhile visa exempt entries usually don't ask for that.

0

Guy ******************

Guy ******************

Did You get a refund, for Your dummy flight ?

0

WEF-w******

WEF-w******

makes sense, Thailand makes money on every flight (arrival and departure tax)

1

Unforgettabl*************

Unforgettabl*************

WEF-waf-WEF The amount of money they’d make off of DTV holders booking flights 6 months out is inconsequential. Not to mention that in most cases even if the flight isn’t refundable you can at least get the taxes refunded if you never left.

0

choose*******

choose*******

IO has full and final authority on your entry visa or no visa. If IO suspects you are a high risk or abusing your visa, they cannot denied you simply based on their suspicions but they can use other rules to deny you eg 20k baht and/or onward ticket.

2

Guy ******

Guy ******

Yes this happened to me. The lack of exit gets you flagged so best write down an exit date on the TDAC and book a minibus then In theory no red flag. 🚩

3

Stefan ******

Stefan ******

Same stuff as always. Some people get randomly flagged/questioned and whatnot, others are not, there are no clear rules, it's the wild west (east). HKT and to a lesser extent CNX seem to be worse than others tho. Just an observation.

0

Marcus ***************

Marcus ***************

My wife and I came through BKK last Friday. We were coming in from Cambodia and no issues through and no request or requirement for an onward ticket.

5

Jim **********

Jim **********

Making things more and more inconvenient.

0

Paul ********

Paul ********

It's the daily IO whackamole, depends on a) what remitt they were given in their morning briefing and b) their mood.

1

Chris *****

Chris *****

Not necessarily a DTV thing. HKT is generally stricter than the other airports.

My fiancée and I arrived in Phuket back in March and she had a hard time getting through simply because her passport has a Cambodian work visa in it. She was held aside for close to an hour trying to prove the legitimacy of her job. After sharing proofs of her legitimate job, she was eventually allowed to enter.

We’re in Phuket again, as we speak. But this time to save the hassle of being questioned and risking being refused entry since things can vary greatly with different officers (and given that we’re visiting again after not so long time wise - we’re here to source for diving equipment), we decided to enter via BKK and fly domestically to Phuket. No question asked at BKK, entered in a matter of minutes.

0

Welsh******

Welsh******

Multiple exits. Prob a red flag. 🚩

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Andy **********

Andy **********

Welsh_Mo666 but they won't extend in country so what are you supposed to do ?

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Welsh******

Welsh******

@Andy *********

eh ? It says. Only been in country over a year but done multiple exits.

0

Magenta********

Magenta********

@Andy *********

maybe not be in Thailand all the time... Which kind of seems contradictory to the visa... It is the visa which is "too good to be true", at least it seemed so initially...

The yearly cost in hassle of the retirement visa creeps up to at least 5,900 with a multiple entry permit and all the paperwork. But it's a small figure in the bigger picture.

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Mo ******

Mo ******

MagentaYuzu5267 I exited thailand 6 months ago, and now I am sometimes imagining they can blame me for that when I come back like “you don’t really need that DTV finally. Do you?”

So you can imagine all if you start with the fabulation

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Renske ************

Renske ************

I had the exact same issue, they made me buy an onward ticket on the spot. I guess the rules are getting tighter.

1

Justin **********

Justin **********

If you need to show proof of travel out of the country just go on One2Go Asia and buy a bus or train ticket from Nong Khai to Vientiane in Laos. Costs less than 200 baht.

Much easier than wasting money on a flight if you can't cancel it or change the dates.

Did this when I entered from Malaysia by land (i.e opposite side of the country) a few months ago.

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Annie ****

Annie ****

The only thing to point out is that exit through auto gates definitely has nothing to do with your entry experience. They have all info about one’s stay in a database so it’s not even worth to mention it

7

Danielle ********

Danielle ********

I don't think it's a *new* rule... Probably just more enforced lately... But yes, I got pulled aside and had to purchase an onward ticket when I arrived in Phuket, coming back from Malaysia (Penang) 2 weeks ago as well.

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Pascal ***********

Pascal ***********

@Danielle *******

are you also living full-time in Thailand ?

I have the impression it’s the DTV holders that live all the time in Thailand, that may be taken aside for an interrogation.

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Anonymous ******************

Anonymous ******************

Would a train ticket to Malaysia be acceptable as onward travel?

0

Unforgettabl*************

Unforgettabl*************

Anonymous participant 282 IO dependant. Some will only accept flights out while others will accept a train or bus ticket.

0

Anonymous ******************

Anonymous ******************

UnforgettableRambutan8343 that's wild to me. So depending on the kind of day the IO is having, you might not be allowed into the country...that isn't right.

0

Guy ******

Guy ******

Anonymous participant 282 if you get pulled aside it has to be a plane. But I reckon adding an exit to your TDAC is best so you don’t get flagged in the first place. I’m sure that could be a mini bus or train.

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Anonymous ******************

Anonymous ******************

ok, does it say somewhere that it has to be a plane?

0

Guy ******

Guy ******

Anonymous participant 282 remember this is Thailand. It’s what the brown shirt told me, I obviously asked.

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Chris *****

Chris *****

Anonymous participant 282 had a similar experience last year. I entered BKK airport and had plan to take a train to Hatyai from Bangkok and return to Malaysia via train through the Padang Besar exit. When I entered, I was asked for an onward arrangement.

I showed the IO my KTM ticket from Padang Besar to KL Sentral, he was confused at first but eventually stamped me in. So be prepared for the confused gaze.

3

Anonymous ******************

Anonymous ******************

thank you for sharing your experience. Maybe they just aren't used to seeing people use the train for border runs? That is what we are looking at for our family.

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Danielle ********

Danielle ********

Anonymous participant 282 I posted a similar story a couple weeks ago and some people said yes, others said no. I think it depends on IO 🫤

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GrayPa*******

GrayPa*******

I also just flew in to Koh Samui and no questions asked, had a very kind female officer. I’ve had my DTV for 9 months

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Danielle ********

Danielle ********

GrayPanda6549 my friend did her visa run in Bali in June and came back via Koh Samui and also reported no questions asked. I, however, came back 2 weeks ago via Phuket and had to purchase an onward ticket like OP. I think Phuket is a bit stricter and Koh Samui doesn't GAF lol

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GrayPa*******

GrayPa*******

@Danielle *******

agreed!

0

Robert **********

Robert **********

Totally false as any other post. I entered 3 days ago, no questions asked, was even welcomed back to Thailand

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WittyChe*********

WittyChe*********

@Robert *********

your comment right here is totally false. 5555+ attempting to tell someone they're lying for posting a different experience than you have? Take a deep breath bro.

3

Magenta********

Magenta********

@Robert *********

for once the person posed with his actual name and we should be happy about having a real person posting their experiences...

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James ********

James ********

@Robert *********

I disagree with you.

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Danielle ********

Danielle ********

@Robert *********

lol so because you had no questions asked that means every single other person that says they had a different experience is lying? 🤦‍♀️ I also had to purchase an onward ticket when I entered HKT from Penang 2 weeks ago. But I suppose I'm also lying? 🙄

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Brian ********

Brian ********

@Robert *********

same entry point?

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Ho ******

Ho ******

I think this is key. I think there are now multiple reports of this happening in Phuket, so it certainly sounds like a possibility when entering through there. I thank the OP for the report (and not being anonymous!) and people can take it or leave it!

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America********

America********

BKK never gives any issues nor does border runs into Laos even if it’s for a day or two

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Anonymous ******************

Anonymous ******************

I always prepare an onward ticket no matter which country or visa. Free to cancel, takes 1 minute to book, 1 minute to cancel.

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जगद्गुरु *****************

जगद्गुरु *****************

Anonymous participant 656 Free to cancel, perhaps, but NO refund is issued. Correct?

0

Motivated**********

Motivated**********

Anonymous participant 656 what site do you use please?

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ข้าว ********

ข้าว ********

MotivatedJaguar8694 yea i want to know as well.

0

Tasha *****

Tasha *****

MotivatedJaguar8694 I use expedia

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Oliver *****

Oliver *****

but expedia won’t let you cancel a flight. That’s up to the airline’s policy.

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Adnan ***********

Adnan ***********

Participant anonyme 656 good idea

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Nin *****

Nin *****

That’s Phuket mate, similar thing happened to me last time. Next time I flew through bkk - no issues.

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Greg ******

Greg ******

You’re a visa holder and were randomly selected (or flagged for reasons you may never be aware of) for a legitimacy check. It’s rare but not unusual. Good you had what was required.

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Justin *************

Justin *************

OP

to some extent, yes. But it would be better to know for sure if the rules have changed: ie: is it now a prerequisite to have an onward flight out within the maximum 6 month period. It’s not always easy to know what the next trip out might be.

Anyhow: they were pleasant enough & it is their right ofc

2

Greg ******

Greg ******

@Justin ************

I agree with the idea. Unfortunately Thailand will remain Thailand.

1

Graeme ********

Graeme ********

@Justin ************

Yes seems oddly unnecessary as a pre-req to have an onwards ticket to 'somewhere' within a 180 day period and likely to cancel and book when actually needed.

2

Alex *******

Alex *******

2nd report of onward flight out of Thailand at Phuket airport that I read. Maybe don't use that airport anymore or next time buy a cancelable ticket.

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Oliver *****

Oliver *****

any recommendations for airlines that allow you to cancel tickets with full refund?

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CleverOc*********

CleverOc*********

This still just sounds like you got unlucky and were questioned vs systemic changes in how the DTV is being treated. The fact that you proved remote work and got in is indicative of this. If they questioned you on why you are spending so much time in Thailand and telling you to stop coming so often that would be a different conversation - but this has not happened to anyone. Some have been asked for onward ticket but most do not get asked. Seems more like an io confusion thing than anything else.

12

Anonymous ******************

Anonymous ******************

CleverOctopus8827 they asked me about the flight too at the first entry.

0

CleverOc*********

CleverOc*********

Anonymous participant 311 this has been known to happen, but it’s not some new stringent change is what I’m saying. I personally always have an onward ticket ready just in case, but have never been asked.

0

Gianluca ******

Gianluca ******

CleverOctopus8827 I think so

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Christopher ***********

Christopher ***********

CleverOctopus8827 Agree. IO didn't take account of the fact that with a DTV you are stamped in for 180 days (extendable to 360).

1

Danielle ********

Danielle ********

@Christopher **********

it's not IO confusion. It's IO following strict policy or not. Happened to me 2 weeks ago in Phuket and when they asked if I had an onward ticket I told them no because the DTV is good for 6 months and they said they knew but I still had to have an onward ticket 🤷‍♀️

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Christopher ***********

Christopher ***********

@Danielle *******

Unfortunately, this gives our resident troll ammunition to diss the DTV. Unless DTV holders are being asked for sight of return/onward tickets within 180 days at all international airports, this is neither the discretionary enforcement of existing requirements nor introduction of new relating to DTV. I believe this must be caused by misinterpretation by IO(s) or an overzealous supervisor at Phuket.

0

Danielle ********

Danielle ********

@Christopher **********

I have heard rumors that Phuket I'd particularly strict/ask more questions.

1

Christopher ***********

Christopher ***********

@Danielle *******

Thanks for that. Appears it’s peculiar to Phuket. Otherwise, we would be reading verifiable reports regarding other airports.

1

Justin *************

Justin *************

OP

CleverOctopus8827 quite possibly. Time will tell if they are beginning to crackdown on the DTV

1

Gianluca ******

Gianluca ******

@Justin ************

Thailand government is improving DTV visa after cut 60 days visa free. Dont worry

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