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Can I enter Thailand without a return ticket?
ThailandVisa RequirementsImmigrationTravelReturn TicketOnward TicketExpatsRetirement TravelAirline Policies
Feb 11, 2024
2 years ago
Goolam ********
ORIGINAL POSTERHello everyone. My wife and I are about to start our retirement travel. The first destination is Thailand and then on to other countries. Question: can we enter the country without a return ticket back to Australia?
TLDR : Answer Summary
When traveling to Thailand, a return ticket is not strictly required for entry; however, airlines may insist on seeing proof of onward travel before allowing check-in, typically within 30 days. Travelers have reported that while Thai immigration does not always check for an onward ticket upon arrival, it's advisable to be prepared. Several comments suggest purchasing a low-cost onward ticket as a precaution, especially when coming from Australia, as some airlines have more stringent requirements. In general, older travelers or those with significant luggage may find fewer issues regarding onward travel documentation.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Sophia ******
For most countries these days and onward ticket to anywhere is required within the 30 days or however long the visa is. It's not always immigration but the airlines because I have been asked in the past year going into Thailand and I am a retiree from US.
Rent one from
for 10 to $15usd and you'll receive it within an hour and just choose a popular city so they'll be lots of choices to reserve you a temporary flight and then they will cancel it within the day or so after it's date. Saves you the hassle and waiting for a refund.
Whatever company you use, be sure they say it has an actual PRN number which is your booking number so that if anyone in the rare event checked, it would show as legitimate. This company does and so do some others. But do print ticket separately so no one sees the email that it comes from or download it on your phone as a separate document.
Avoid burning season in Northern Thailand and other parts of Asia:
March through May?
Rent one from
********************
for 10 to $15usd and you'll receive it within an hour and just choose a popular city so they'll be lots of choices to reserve you a temporary flight and then they will cancel it within the day or so after it's date. Saves you the hassle and waiting for a refund.
Whatever company you use, be sure they say it has an actual PRN number which is your booking number so that if anyone in the rare event checked, it would show as legitimate. This company does and so do some others. But do print ticket separately so no one sees the email that it comes from or download it on your phone as a separate document.
Avoid burning season in Northern Thailand and other parts of Asia:
March through May?
Pat *******
Yes
Frances ********
Yes. As long as you have a ticket out to anywhere.
James ***********
For what it’s worth, the airlines ask for the onward ticket to protect themselves from the cost of having to return you to your starting point if the destination country rejects you. In most cases, if the airline asks to see an onward ticket, you can offer to sign an indemnity against the costs of taking you back. That has always worked for me, though it never came up re Thailand.
Robert **********
Airlines out of Australia are asking for a onward ticket out of the country you are travelling to. It is not difficult to manufacture one using a PDF editor.
James ***********
I have a US passport, am over age 60 and travel with a suitcase rather than a backpack. I’ve never been asked for an onward ticket in any of my dozens of trips to Thailand regardless of the airline and regardless of the country I’m departing from.
Lindsay ***********************
Use an onward ticket if you are staying more than 30 days. They are cheap last year$15 and it saves so much worry. But if you plan on leaving Thailand to go to another country within 30 days that ticket is fine.
Ritchie *****
We are from Australia and have never been asked
Been to Thailand ( and currently are now) 4 times since Covid
Been to Thailand ( and currently are now) 4 times since Covid
Kathalyn *******
Yes
Christian ********
you need a further on ticket to another country inbetween 30 days
Bart **************
You 'can' enter without an onward ticket, but only if your airline's check-in crew decides not you check you. It would however be more prudent to anticipate that they do.
John *******
I travelled from Heathrow, my return ticket was dated 90 days stay , they told me 60 day was OK but not 90 they made me purchase a flight to Vietnam after the 60 day, Qatar Airlines
John *******
Go to Thailand last, otherwise you will not want to leave
Kool *******
The older you are the less problem you have with needing a return ticket, and that you travel with a suitcase and not a backpack. That is a stereotype if you are under the retirement visa age.
Lloyd *********
@Kool ******
you don't have a suitcase when you front up at immigration, you collect that afterWayne *********
@Lloyd ********
kool breeze is talking about checking in to board the plane to Thailand, Immigration rarely if at all check tickets on arrival.The complete discussion was if the airlines would let you board not if immigration would let you in.
Reply to
Wayne *********
Reply
Diane **********
@Kool ******
👍thank you for that info...Reply to
Diane **********
Reply
Christopher *************
I either have a return ticket or a full fare onward ticket that is fully refundable.
Goolam ********
ORIGINAL POSTERThanks Christopher. This might be a good backup plan. Have you been asked to show the onward ticket on arrival?
Christopher *************
The airlines I use always check the dates and my visa. Never get asked when I have a re-entry permit. Thai Immigration have never asked to see a return or onward ticket..
Reply to
Christopher *************
Reply
Andrea ******************
Yes 🌺🇹🇭🌺
Goolam ********
ORIGINAL POSTERThank you Andrea
Reply to
Goolam ********
Reply
Todd *********
Maybe… ask your airline for 100% assurance
Brandon ************
A return ticket is not required.
Your airline might not let you check-in to your flight to Thailand unless you can show a ticket leaving the country within 30 days though. You'll need to check what their policy is.
Your airline might not let you check-in to your flight to Thailand unless you can show a ticket leaving the country within 30 days though. You'll need to check what their policy is.
Diane **********
@Brandon ***********
would a one way ticket work if they have a hotel booking in Malaysia to prove that they will leave within the required time?Brandon ************
@Diane *********
hotel booking is not proof of leaving. If asked you need proof of international travel out of ThailandReply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Bart **************
@Brandon ***********
airlines are supposed to check this. It's not a matter of policy.John ********
@Bart *************
actually depends on the individual agent when checking in.Bart **************
@John *******
indeed, some airlines may not check everyone (some others do). But if you ask some backoffice whether you need proof of onward travel, all they can say is yes.John ********
@Bart *************
I am in total agreement.Reply to
John ********
Reply
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