Can I enter Thailand on a 60-day visa exempt and show a 90-day exit ticket if asked by immigration?

Oct 3, 2024
3 months ago
David ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello. Uk passport. If i enter on visa exempt ie 60 days will immigration (if asked) accept an exit ticket 90 days later or must it be no more than 60 days. I appreciate you can extend by 30 days but will they accept a ticket out at 90 days when entering. Thanks all.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
When entering Thailand on a visa-exempt entry (for UK passport holders, typically 60 days), it is generally expected that your exit ticket should reflect your exit within that same time frame. While extensions up to 30 days are possible, if asked about onward travel, it is safer to provide a ticket showing departure within the initial 60 days. However, many travelers report differing experiences; some have never been asked about their exit tickets, while airlines often do request evidence of onward travel before boarding. As policies can vary, especially between immigration and airlines, having a flexible exit option—like a refundable or cheap ticket—is advisable.
David ********
Never once been asked for a return ticket
Joe ********
For years I've been getting a 60 day visa and extending it by 30 days and never had a problem with immigration or airline's as they can see I have a departure date in 90 days time, the 60 day visa exempt plus 30 day extension will be the same.
Mitchell *******
Not too often you are asked by Thai immigration these days, but not unheard of. If they DO ask, it would be beneficial to you if you had a departing ticket (not necessarily a return ticket home). They rely on the airlines to be checking for those things. THAT happens fairly frequently now.
Dennis **********
Yes I do the 60 day twice a year then Thai embassy IN THE PROVINCE of where your staying for another 30 days.
Deano *************
Hi can I grab some advice while it kind of runs in the same question! Currently packing up my life in the uk ( after messy divorce ) I’m starting of in Thailand from the 15th of next month! For 60days and the apply for the extension. Then I’ll be leaving to go to Bali for a week will I be able to re enter and do the same thing. Will be wanting to hopefully stay until June with going out to Cambodia etc.. then will be in Ibiza for 3 months from June. Then ideally would like to go back to Thailand.. is there a rule on how many times you can enter or has that been scrapped! Cheers in advance
Bart **************
@Deano ************
that sounds a little too steep. I'd look into other visa types. How about the DTV?
Deano *************
@Bart *************
I’ll have a look into it but I’ll be in Cambodia for while too
John ********
@Deano ************
Crikey reading your itinerary I think I'll get divorced 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Deano *************
@John *******
so do you have a answer to my question btw😂
John ********
@Deano ************
DTV visa the way to go. Lasts five years and multiple entries. Some caveats for getting it, but nothing unsurmountable.
Deano *************
@John *******
ok thanks I’ll have a look
Deano *************
😂😂 don’t it isn’t fun ( not unless you happy that is ) hence why I’m getting the Hell out of the uk for as long as I possibly can.
John ********
Never been asked in twenty five years.
David ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
all without a visa ?
John ********
David ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
youre probably the only one !.
John ********
John ********
@David **********
and only on two occasions did I have return tickets, which I purchased in Udon Thani for Bkk-UK. The rest of the flights, which came to tens of dozens over the years, were one-way out of Thailand to different destinations and on return all flights one-way into Bkk. Apart from the two times I purchased tickets or myself from private trips, all the other flights, out & back into Thailand were provided by companies.
David ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
thanks. So whats the point youre making ?
John ********
@David **********
What is the point your making about my point 😂😂😂
Pornpatcharanan *************
@John *******
you lucky many ask if you come Thailand manytime go in a lot that case maybe break in Thailand for 2month 🙏or go get visa more longer from Thai embassy back to Thailand this all have case befor 🙏
Pornpatcharanan *************
It's good to have a return plane ticket when entering Thailand, and Immigration ensures that you will definitely travel home. Do not stay longer than specified Must answer the officer that "Confirm to stay another 30 days" - that's why you bought a return plane ticket in 90 days.
Lindsay ***********************
Onward travel will save the day. We were asked by the airline.
Billy ******
Buy a cheap ticket for a 60 day stay don’t use it, and go to immigration For your 30 day extension, I bought a cheap ticket for 1100 THB Bangkok to KL.
David ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Billy *****
might have to do that
Charlie *************
I did the same too
Bart **************
That's up to them. You would hope they realize the absurdity of requiring a ticket within 60 days, if at the same time you can extend to 90. Makes no sense. Yet, that appears to be the most common interpretation.

I write "appears to be" and "most common" because it is very unlikely immigrations will ask you in the first place. So we don't really know how they interpret their own rule. If anyone would ask, it's your airline. So it's their interpretation that matters. And as it is not their own rule they need to enforce, if a rule can be interpreted in two ways, it makes a bit of sense to go with the stricter version. So they'd refuse boarding if your ticket is within 90 and not within 60 days, despite this being absurd. But that is why it appears that that is the most common interpretation.
Ralph *******
@Bart *************
No, not absurd, because you can’t extend ‘at the same time’, and you apply for the extension but it is not guaranteed.
Bart **************
@Ralph ******
so because an extension is not guaranteed, people are required to buy flights out of Thailand at a time they don't plan to fly? Despite that it is also just required to leave Thailand before your visa stamp expires, regardless of whether flights were pre-purchased or not, and this policy is enforced? And despite that having a flight within 60 days guarantees by no means that people will actually fly out? Also, if many flights can be postponed or cancelled? No sir, this is absurdity at its finest. The whole rule is absurd because it achieves nothing and it only a nuisance for many and causes sunk cost that Thailand doesn't even benefit from, but the fact that extendability is not accounted for makes it even more absurd. FYI, other countries such as Indonesia (where having onward ticket is enforced much more strictly upon entering and they require it even for 6 month visas) and The Philippines DO account for extendability.

There aren't many countries that don't have this absurd policy, but there's a notable example: Australia. Despite that they're strict with many things, at some point they appear to have realized how pointless requiring proof of onward travel really is, and they just stopped it. They only require it now for transit visas.
Ralph *******
@Bart *************
Then take that up with the Thai government.

It’s absurd in every country you visit as they all have the right to deny you entry, regardless of agreements or visas. But, you still buy that return ticket.

Thailand is no different. They aren’t obliged to give you the 60 day visa exemption, they aren’t obliged to allow entry. So, it’s the same every time you travel.
Bart **************
@Ralph ******
I don't see how that relates to the discussion, but okay. It's not absurd imo that countries can refuse entry on any ground despite visas. It would be absurd if they did refuse everyone coming. But to the best of my knowledge, there aren't any countries doing that.
SJ *******
They don't ask to see your exit ticket.
Ralph *******
@SJ ******
Airlines often do. I’ve been asked in my last two trips.
SJ *******
@Ralph ******
probably because of your anti semitic views.
Ralph *******
@SJ ******
What?!!!
SJ *******
@Ralph ******
maybe make your profile private if you want to hide that Nazi crap.
Ralph *******
@SJ ******
WTF are you talking about? Where in this thread have I said anything antisemitic?
SJ *******
@Ralph ******
in your profile first post
Michael *********
@SJ ******
stalker
Nick ********
Anyone reccomend the cheapest route bus ticket to buy? And from what website?
Sylvia ********
@Nick *******
Buy a 'good' more expensive real ticket and then ask for refund
Trevor ***********
@Nick *******
buy a ticket on onward flight for $15 show that if anyone asks on your phone
Brandon ************
@Nick *******
better to Google "onward travel ticket" and get proof of a plane ticket. Bus tickets aren't always accepted
Nick ********
Arild **********
Order a cheap bus ticket online
David ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Arild *********
indeed but for 60 days or 90 days after ?
Kim *********
@David **********
the whole point of buying a ticket is to show proof of onward travel before or at the end of the allowed period of staying so of course it is 60 days
David ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kim ********
but the allowed period is shown as 60 days plus 30 days extension hence the question
Kim *********
@David **********
the allowed period with extension is always irrelevant to the airlines. It's the length of the initial permission to stay that counts.
David ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kim ********
sure but in the past the thai embassies have not specifically stated on the visa exempt requirements page that you can extend for 30 days. Its always been stated elsewhere. Now its specifically referred to in the exempt conditions since it went to 60 days
Kim *********
@David **********
interesting. However embassies and immigration are two completely different authorities
Robbie ******
@David **********
bus ticket to where? I am in this exact situation and only reading this post has made me realise! So I fly on 23rd this month but return flight is 23rd Jan which will be my 90 days! So is this going to be an issue for me too?
Kim *********
@Robbie *****
impossible to say if this is an issue for you since it is the airline that can - and do sometimes - deny boarding. Some airlines are strict and some are not.
Dave **********
@Robbie *****
cheap bus or plane ticket to laos or cambodia
Robbie ******
Obviously I have booked my return flight on the basis of the 30 day extension
David ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robbie *****
i think 90 days will be ok. However, if you go 23rd oct to 23rd jan is 93 days !
Robbie ******
@David **********
same situation as your explaining tho no? I’m entering on visa exempt but return flight is 90 days later! So get 60 days on arrival then extend by 30
Robbie ******
@David **********
my bad return flight is Monday 20th 👍🏽
David ***********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Robbie *****
my gut is youll be ok. Might be worth searching fof a cheap flight to Kuala Lumpar so you can book it instantly if they want it with 60 days. Despite what some will say, none of the rules are set in stone. Depends on the officer at the time
Robbie ******
@David **********
yes for sure I understand that, hopefully it’ll be all good. If not I’ll find a flight/bus there and then just what ever needs to be done. Thanks enjoy your trip
Arild **********
Michael ********
Immigration no problem. Airline maybe
Steve *******
@Michael *******
If Immigration ask to see a ticket out it will be a problem.
Michael ********
@Steve ******
immigration know you can do a 30 day extension airline employees in another country probably dont
Steve *******
@Michael *******
Incorrect! You have to apply for a 30 days extention, it's NOT a given. It's very rare but people do get refused extentions of stay.
Brandon ************
If you are asked for proof of onward travel, it must be within the number of days you will receive at the time of entry. Extensions are not included.
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