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Do airlines in the USA require an onward or return ticket for travelers with a DTV visa in Thailand?
Dec 12, 2025
5 months ago
Joe **********
ORIGINAL POSTERI have a question. I'm already on DTV and I'm in Thailand. But may plan a trip to USA to see family and then return. Do the airlines in USA know what DTV is? Because will they require me to have an ongoing or return ticket? Or do they know it's not required for DTV? Because I honestly don't know which country I will fly to 6 months later. It's too far in advance.
TLDR : Answer Summary
Travelers holding a DTV visa for Thailand generally do not need to show an onward or return ticket when boarding flights in the USA. Most airlines rely on a database that outlines entry requirements based on the passenger’s nationality and visa type. While some airlines might ask for a return ticket, it seems that this is usually not enforced for travelers with valid Thai visas such as the DTV. Several users confirmed that they were able to board flights without needing to provide additional proof of onward travel.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV 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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Josep *********
Qatar Airlines, i showed my DTV when required and no problems, from Barcelona
Jesada ***************
If you worry just buy the cheapest ticket out from Thailand within 6 months for $50.- just for ease of mind
Shin ******
I just arrived from the US today, when you book, it will ask if you have visa, under the passport area. That's the only time, you will provide that information until you arive in Thailand. This is my second trip from the US amd no forwarded flight info needed, just skip when your booking your trip.
Anonymous ******************
Airline in the states asked to see my return ticket before boarding... I showed them my dtv and was on my way.
Bob **********
Doubt your the first person that flew out of the US with a DTV
Anonymous ******************
People ask some stupid questions on this group, questions I wouldn't even bother to type. Does it really matter? You would tell the airline you have a DTV.
Johnny *************
You don’t have to worry
Gianni ********
Airlines, all of them, access a database that contains all the entry requirements… and they read what they need to check for each traveler nationality and if it applies for each visa type…. In general for Thailand a return tag is checked only for visa exempt passengers. If you have a visa you are not supposed to have an onward flight
Luit *****************
@Gianni *******
what is different with what I said?Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Anonymous ******************
There’s a not zero chance the airline asks for an onward flight but it’ll almost certainly depend on the airline and whatever system they use to check people in.
Generally those with valid visas aren’t asked but obviously the DTV isn’t considered a long stay visa.
Generally those with valid visas aren’t asked but obviously the DTV isn’t considered a long stay visa.
Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer 309 The chance is higher than zero only because not every airline employee does a perfect job. DTV is a visa, and indeed not a long stay visa, but that is irrelevant here. The check for onward travel is only for people not having a visa.
Reply to
Luit *****************
Reply
Luit *****************
Airlines only should check for onward travel when you do not have any visa at all, the checks for people with visa are already done by embassy in case necessary for the type of visa.
So there is no need for the airlines to know what DTV is, and what requirements are, they only have to know it is a valid visa.
So there is no need for the airlines to know what DTV is, and what requirements are, they only have to know it is a valid visa.
Anonymous ******************
DTV only matters when coming back into Thailand…why would America ask you for a return flight?
Klint ******
Anonymous participant 958 it wouldn’t be “America” asking, it would be the airline. They check that travellers meet the entry requirements for the destination country because they’re liable to return passengers who do not meet them. It’s a good question. Might be worth printing out official DTV entry requirements for Thailand? Or you could just buy a flight on Expedia and make sure to cancel it for free within 24 hours.
Toni *******
@Klint *****
theres a sign at laos border bridge 4 tho, a notice for dtv holders which lists some paperwork people should have with them, one of them is onward ticket which is weird. I did 5minute border run there 2 days ago, and wasnt asked any questions tho, ive been here since 31.8.24 and done 3 landborder runs always about 5min and backAnonymous ******************
Klint Rock If he is going back to America and doesn’t know when he is returning to Thailand it doesn’t matter lol airline doesn’t need to know about the DTV visa they check for onward travel when you do not have any visa
Joe **********
ORIGINAL POSTERAnonymous participant 958 no the question is going from America to thailand, but doesn't know when I'll leave Thailand again.
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Joe **********
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