Answered6 years ago

Can I book a return flight to Thailand for after my 45-day visa exemption period?

Visa Exemption Thailand Tourist Visa Return Flight Requirements Certificate of Entry (COE)Visa Extension

Jodyce *****

asked Jan 6, 2021

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Hello everyone,

I have a US passport and planning on going to Thailand on an exemption tourist visa (45days) this month. I applied for my COE online and waiting for approval. Can my return flight date be later than 45 days? I would like to stay there until May. Will that prevent me from entering the country? Do they thoroughly check the return flight to make sure that it is within 45 days of arrival?

Thanks and stay safe.

Answer summary

The original poster is seeking clarification on whether they can book a return flight for a date later than the 45-day duration of their tourist visa exemption when traveling to Thailand. The community responds with various experiences and advice, indicating that while it is essential to have a flight booked to obtain their Certificate of Entry (COE), it doesn't need to be a return flight. Travelers have shared that approval for COE is often contingent on booking a flight within 45 days, but alternatives, such as travel tickets to other destinations, might also be acceptable. Several comments highlight differing experiences regarding entry checks and extended stays.

13 repliesnewest first

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Dimitri ********

2 years ago I went to Thailand, got a VE at the airport, but my ticket back was 2 months later. It was no problem. But they didn't check. I got a 1 month extension in Bangkok.

6 years ago

Canice ******

I think you can change return ticket date. Check with the Arline you plan to take.

6 years ago

Tomnoi *********

Get a return then change it when in Thailand

6 years ago

Albert *****

U still can extend 2 time from ur original stay

6 years ago

Bobby ********

Albert Tam. You can extend only once, so maximum is 75 days including the quarantine

6 years ago

Stuart *********

It doesn’t have to be a return flight. Any flight out of Thailand will suffice. A cheap throw away ticket to Timbuktu counts.

6 years ago

Jim **********

They won’t give approval for more than 45 days

I had to book return flight to obtain COE

6 years ago

Stephen **********

Use one way fly to book a return ticket from the time of booking it is genuine valid for 2 weeks.

6 years ago

Jim **********

London embassy refused my COE until I booked a return flight, would only allow me to book 45 days

6 years ago

Kool *******

Just a simple question. How are you planning on staying in Thailand legally until May when you get 45 days on the visa exempt stamp, and then can only extend it once for another 30 days? That is a few months short of making it until May.

6 years ago

Lee ****

I was told you can arrive on exemption then switch to 12 month volunteer visa

6 years ago

Kool *******

@Lee ***

that is technically not legal, unless you actually go to work for a registered nonprofit as a volunteer. Using an agent that will sell you one, for three months, runs about bt24,000-bt50,000. It is not cheap. You would be better off getting the 90 day STV visa, that can be extended twice, for a total of 270 days, and stay legal, and much cheaper.

6 years ago