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Can I book a return ticket for 60 days when entering Thailand under the visa exemption rule?
Visa ExemptionThailand ImmigrationOnward TicketVisa ExtensionThai Visa RulesTravel PlanningReturn Ticket Concerns
Aug 31, 2017
9 years ago
Thomas **********
ORIGINAL POSTERHello,
I'm allowed to go to Thailand for 30 days on the visa exemption rule, I'm planning on doing the 30 day extension. Am I allowed to book a plane ticket to leave in 60 days or do I have to book for the 30 days and change the ticket date of return? Are we allowed to enter with a one way ticket?
I'm allowed to go to Thailand for 30 days on the visa exemption rule, I'm planning on doing the 30 day extension. Am I allowed to book a plane ticket to leave in 60 days or do I have to book for the 30 days and change the ticket date of return? Are we allowed to enter with a one way ticket?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster is interested in traveling to Thailand on a visa exemption for 30 days and extending it for another 30 days. They are uncertain about the requirements for booking a return ticket, particularly if it could be for 60 days. Community responses indicate that while it's technically possible to book a return ticket for 60 days, many airlines may still require an onward ticket or return flight for the initial 30 days of stay. Multiple suggestions were given, including renting an onward ticket or buying a low-cost bus ticket to a neighboring country as a workaround. Overall, there is a consensus that the main issue lies with airline policies, and having a return ticket for 30 days is often safer to avoid complications during check-in.
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Walter *********
You can "rent" an onward ticket here for ten bucks.
*************************
Vinny ********
Book a bus ticket to Cambodia out of the country. It doesn't need to be a flight out. Even if you don't use the ticket it's only $20. Or book a cheap Air Asia or other budget airline flight out of the country, there are cheap flights to many place.
The other option is to book a flight into the country that is flexible and you are able to change dates. So for example book to leave just before the 30 days and then change it to the date you are actually going to leave once you arrive.
The other option is to book a flight into the country that is flexible and you are able to change dates. So for example book to leave just before the 30 days and then change it to the date you are actually going to leave once you arrive.
James **************
I was asked the last 3 times at Heathrow for exit flight.... Just get a cheap Air Asia (or similar) to Siem Riep....before the 30 days....
Robert *******
@John *******
, the cost of Single Entry Tourist Visa is 1000 Thb and give you directly 60 days and no hassle with the airline. Using Visa Exempt Entry is for 30 days and the Extension is 1.900 Thb plus the time spent at Immigration Office. Save the money and time, buy a Tourist Visa. This tip is free of charge.Naomi **************
@Robert ******
obviously the visa was from embassy the airline has an issue no return flight. !!!!James **************
Good tip for free
Robert *******
Normally people get a visa from Consulate or Embassy not from airlines.
Naomi **************
I had issues with a tourist visa from airline.
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Naomi **************
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Ray *********
JDI. Can't see any problem with Thai immigration, you may need to explain your plans at check in - depends on the airline.
Thomas **********
ORIGINAL POSTERI don't want to enter using a one way ticket, I was just curious. Sorry for the confusion. I want to book an apartment for 60 days and have a return ticket booked before I get there to leave on the 60th day. I want to go under the visa exemption rule that gives me 30 days and then do an extension for 30 days extra while I'm there. I just want to know if I can do this without problems or if I absolutely have to apply for a SETV so I get 60 days from the beginning. I hope it's crystal clear now 😊 Tod Daniels, I think you understood this already.
Michael ********
From Australia, Yep. Be a crappy way to start your holiday if they made an issue of it. But then I have flown from many other places into Thailand and never been asked. Just book a cheap onward or 'rent' as someone suggested in the comments.
Thomas **********
ORIGINAL POSTERCan't say I feel comfortable with that kind of gamble. I will probably be using thai airways or Aeroflot and you said that you've been asked many times by thai airways to show an onward or return ticket 😕
Michael ********
But that is IF they check ;)
Michael ********
Yes but the return ticket is supposed to be for 30 days and not 60 days. The airlines don't take into account the ability to extend for another 30 days. They want to see a flight out before the end of 30 days or 60 with a tourist visa.
Reply to
Michael ********
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Keith **********
I have had issues more than once flying, not to Thailand, but to Philippines. Once with a one way ticket and the second time with a return to UK from Philippines. (I have a visa with indefinite duration and multi-entry) What makes this relevant to this threat, is that the issues were at check-in. The relevant airlines were Singapore airlines and Turkish airlines. Once I got over it with a £14 cheapo ticket from manila to hong kong the other time I just spent the time explaining to, first the counter clerk, then to the check-in supervisor about my visa. The airlines carry the can so it is at check-in that any problems might arise
Robert ******
They dont like one way tickets... I come all the time on 30 and leave on 60, its no worries. To avoid problems at immigration try not to look like a loser and you will have less problems. Also throw some cash into your pockets and show a decent bank balance and its all good...
Ted *******
I was asked before in the UK before I could check in. I just went to a cafe, got wifi and bought a 20 pound flight out of the country to Malaysia through air asia. That was Etihad
Ray *********
@Michael *******
Agree with that.Michael ********
Be a crappy way to start a holiday though. Most times people get away with it at entry into Thailand once they get past the airline check in. Most likely to have problem with airline and not in Thailand.
Ray *********
Indeed.... my point is, that is pointless should someone is denied entry i.e. it serves no practical purpose.
Michael ********
Doesn't matter if the ticket out is with another airline or destination as long as it is a ticket out. The airline can check you have a ticket out before boarding and so can immigration at the airport on arrival. A return ticket is not necessarily required, onwards ticket is fine.
Ted *******
@Ray ********
it's a weird rule as just because you have a flight doesn't necessarily mean you will actually get on itRay *********
@Michael *******
doesn't help if he is declined entry as the ticket out is to a different destination on a different date with a different airline.Ray *********
@Ted ******
... yes, I understand. Just questioning the point of it all really as it makes no tangible difference .... other than ticking a bo for a check in clerk.Michael ********
The refused entry won't matter if he can't get on the plane though would it...so not so pointless.
Ted *******
I just gave my 2 cents
Ray *********
Understand that Ted, but that doesn't deal with Tod's scenario of the possibility of being refused entry. Seems a pointless exercise?
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Ray *********
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Tod *********
I know that most airlines have a waiver you can sign stating IF fly on a one way ticket (without a valid visa for thailand in your passport) and you're denied entry the airline isn't obligated to lug you back to where you came from.
Michael ********
Never been offerred a waver. Just told that must show onward ticket at 30 days. This was in Perth Oz.
Naomi **************
Wish I could have done that but wasn't given option.
Reply to
Naomi **************
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Naomi **************
I had an issue. Had to buy a flight to Singapore
Michael ********
I have been asked many times flying Thai airways for a onward or return ticket.
Naomi **************
@David ***********
because I was moving here and would have my o visa before I would need to fly out so it would have been pointless to buy a return.Naomi **************
@Tod ********
it was at airline in Australia I have a tourist visa.David ************
Why even take a chance.
Tod *********
@Na***
, did you have a problem when you checked in at the airlines comin' to thailand without onward travel? or
did you have a problem once you arrived here and were trying to stamp in?
Thomas **********
ORIGINAL POSTERCan you elaborate please? Did you fly in under visa exemption rule and had a ticket to leave after 60 days, or?
Sean ********
Where did you have an issue? Which airline were you trying to fly into Thailand on?
Reply to
Sean ********
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Sean ********
I've always entered on a one way ticket. However allegedly some airlines won't let you fly. I've never had an issue.
Thomas **********
ORIGINAL POSTERWhich airlines are problematic? I'm thinking I'll probably end up using Aeroflot or Thai airways.
Tod *********
@Jo**
, nope, you won't have any problem with onward travel in 60 days when you arrive here. The people that stamp you in know you can extend for 30 days for 1900baht at the immigration office.Thomas **********
ORIGINAL POSTEROk, I want to book an apartment for those 60 days before I get there. And I will have a return ticket, I just wanted to make sure they won't hassle me when I get there about the extra 30 days on the ticket return date. Like I said I'm planning on doing the extension.
Tod *********
any of the airlines can make you show onward travel or a return ticket if you're comin' here without a valid visa in your passport.
Reply to
Tod *********
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Tod *********
Showing up on a 30 day visa exempt entry isn't the problem here, it's the airline you're flying in on. Many times people are given grief at check in because you don't have a flight out in the 30 days.
I don't think you're gonna have the slightest problem stamping into thailand once you get on the plane with an onward ticket dated 60 days out.
I don't think you're gonna have the slightest problem stamping into thailand once you get on the plane with an onward ticket dated 60 days out.
Reply to
Tod *********
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