Answered9 years ago

Can I enter Thailand with a 30-day visa waiver if I plan to leave for Cambodia and return?

30-day visa exemption Thailand immigration Tourist visa proof of onward travel visa extension return entry visa

Adam *******

asked Dec 10, 2017

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Apologies in advance if this has been asked many times before but I need advice re: 30 day waiver entry with a return ticket beyond that date. I'm trying to book a last minute trip to Thailand so have no time to get a Tourist visa for my intended 42 day stay. I plan to visit Cambodia for 1-2 weeks in that time and prior to the 30 days passing. Can I arrive at BKK with no visa and receive a 30 day waiver that I can extend or have reissued on re-entry from Cambodia or must I have proof of travel to Cambodia to show intention to leave in time? Both my relevant Thai Embassies (UK & Canadian) websites are suggesting that I must but ThaiVisaService kinda suggests otherwise - [members only] 

Thank you for your patience!

Answer summary

The user inquires about entering Thailand on a 30-day visa waiver without a prior tourist visa, intending to travel to Cambodia and return within that timeframe. Comments suggest that while getting into Thailand on a 30-day visa-exempt entry is typically possible, the user's airline may require proof of onward travel to avoid issues. Extensions for the 30-day waiver can be managed through local immigration or by re-entering after leaving for Cambodia.

9 repliesnewest first

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Adam *******

If it's of any help to anyone else re: this subject, this is the most useful document I have been pointed to:

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9 years ago

Barry ******

Immigration wont ask unless you have a long history of staying on visa exempt entries. Usually 3 in a row with extensions, then they start asking you about why you're there (and generally its to make sure you are not working illegally)

9 years ago

Adam *******

Thanks Tod - so, if Immigration are relaxed about it (though I'm confused as to why they would allow immediate extension of 30 day waivers when they require Tourist Visas for longer stays) how can I avoid a problem with my carrier, China Eastern. Basically is there any way of avoiding going to the expense of booking an extra flight?

9 years ago

Adam *******

So China Eastern at YVR asked and were happy when I said I was planning on leaving to Cambodia within 30 days.. but also, re: waivers in case of refusal of entry, said they ‘can’t refuse if a passenger insists on flying’!!.. a different story every time..

9 years ago

Adam *******

OK thank you very much fella. I'll see if I can get CE to tell me if they're going to have a problem and go from there. I guess I could just show up at check-in and if they have a problem there I could just buy a flight online and show that to them.

9 years ago

Tod *********

@Ad**

, IF you board your airline comin' here you aren't going to have a problem with passport control stamping into thailand.

Like I said, it's getting on the airplane without a visa to thailand that requires proof of onward travel most of the time.

Now granted the passport control people here can ask you to show proof of funds, proof of onward travel, proof of hotel booking,

BUT

if you don't have an extensive history of living here on visa exempt or tourist visa entries, they aren't gonna say anything to do you when you stamp in.

9 years ago

Adam *******

I was referring to Immigration being relaxed about allowing entry without a POOT within 30 days as I understood you were suggesting. So I should try to get an policy statement from CE and if unsuccessful just buy a ticket out within time I guess.

If denied entry do you know if you are given the option to buy a flight there and then and then be granted entry, or would you be required to leave immediately?

9 years ago

Tod *********

There is no relaxed or not relaxed about a 30 day extension on a 30 day visa exempt stamp. Since Aug 29th, 2014 people have been able to get a 30 day extension on a 30 day visa exempt stamp.

Now as far as onward travel with your airline, that's gonna be up to them. Some airlines will let you sign a waiver stating if you're denied entry you agree to buy your own ticket out of the country, but some don't and require proof of onward travel when entering thailand without a visa.

9 years ago

Tod *********

You should have no problem getting into thailand on a 30 day visa exempt entry. The problem is with the airline you use when you fly in on a visa exempt entry with no proof of onward travel.

You should also have no problem either extending your visa exempt entry by 30 days at the immigration office or exiting re-entering the country to get another 30 day visa exempt entry

9 years ago