Answered4 years ago
Do Canadian passport holders need onward tickets when entering Thailand on a 45-day visa exemption?
Canadian passport holders...arriving 1Dec with 45 days on arrival. Do we need return air tickets? Not sure how long we will be here and will probably go down to KL after 45 days in Thailand. I heard about the rent a return ticket. Do they work and what would be the best time to purchase them...before arriving?
Answer summary
Canadian passport holders arriving in Thailand with a 45-day visa exemption may not be asked for an onward ticket by Thai immigration; however, airlines might require proof of onward travel before allowing you to board. It's advised to either book a flexible onward flight (e.g., to Kuala Lumpur) or consider 'renting' a ticket for around $10. The necessity and enforcement of onward ticket requirements vary by airline and can depend heavily on your departure point and recent changes in immigration policies.
51 repliesnewest first
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Bob **********
To be honest if your airline allows you aboard I’ve
never been asked or heard of anyone being asked although I guess they could but if that happened get on your phone and book a ticket with free cancellation
never been asked or heard of anyone being asked although I guess they could but if that happened get on your phone and book a ticket with free cancellation
Bobby ********
@Bob *********
From Australia, travelling with Singapore Airlines I'm asked every time, even with a non-immigrant visa, and I have to explain I don't need, and they always get on the phone and check
Jx ******
@Bobby *******
same here, qantas and singa ask every time and are very strict on it.James ************
@Bob *********
that's the one Bob,Bobby ********
It's a misconception that a return ticket is needed. Your airline might ask for evidence of an ONWARD journey within the 45 days. A cheap refundable ticket to a neighbouring country is one option. Another is to "rent" a ticket for about $10 from a website such as onwardticket
Steve ******
@Bobby *******
excuse my ignorance, but how does rent a ticket work.Bobby ********
@Steve *****
************************
Jake ********
@Bobby *******
i used this in a pinch, and it's enough to fool the airline agentsJx ******
You can just buy a 10$ buss ticket out of Thailand on 44th day and use for your airline.
I did this last week to board my flight to Thailand the airline requested onward confirmation.
I did this last week to board my flight to Thailand the airline requested onward confirmation.
Ken ********
Doesn't have to be a return ticket just book that flight to KL stay there for a few hours or a few weeks then come back get another 45 days it won't be immagration that worry about this it will be the airline some check some don't care
James ************
Cash is king after covid they will let you in
Dianne *****
@James ***********
they turned back a whole plane load of visa runners/boarder bouncers recentlyJames ************
@Dianne ****
hi sorry I was going to fly to Vietnam for a week can I do that dianneJames ************
I have onward flight but its 5 months later and I'm getting tourist visa on arrival
Bobby ********
@James ***********
It's a misconception that immigration have relaxed since covid. In many cases they have become much stricter. Even Elite Visa will no longer accept applications from anyone with an ED or volunteer visa in their historyJx ******
@James ***********
you think a major airline cares about some of your petty cash? There fine for letting you board without onward confirmation starts at $5,000 usd per person if Thailand chose to secure.
Antonio ***********
@James ***********
not sure they made many problems with me
Graham ******
@James ***********
After Covid they are even stricterJames ************
@Graham *****
you didn't even need any kind of covid test anymore ,just plenty of money of money for weed
Jo **********
@Graham *****
no. they have not asked me any questions and i fly in every monthTodd *********
@Graham *****
James has no idea
Jennifer ****
Not sure about for visa exempt… but we just flew from Canada and our visas were asked for and carefully inspected in both Halifax and Montreal when checking in. We all hold long term 5 yr or 90 day visas w extensions and Air Canada needed to see and check all visa details before giving boarding passes. I assume if no visa they would want to see evidence of leaving in a certain time frame.
Just buy a airasia flight to any country flexible to change after you extend.
Just buy a airasia flight to any country flexible to change after you extend.
Todd *********
@Jennifer ***
LTR, Elite, O-X, retirement extensions etc don’t need any onward ticketing. The assumption being that you are living hereDianne *****
@Todd ********
my son arrived visa exempt two weeks ago, His plane which had transited in Kuala Lumpur was met with about 10 uniformed immigration police. He tells me they examined everyone's passport thoroughly. While he has multiple Thailand entry stamps, they are not back to back. He was allowed to proceed with his journey but they expressed surprise that he had no visaJennifer ****
@Todd ********
yes I’m aware. But with the way they checked out visas I’m just assuming if flying with no visa they would want to see an onward flight. They really checked and double checked ours thoroughlyJennifer ****
@Todd ********
same. First time in 15 years our visas were checked like this. Definitely getting stricterTodd *********
@Jennifer ***
for sure. definitely depends on both your departure country and airline also. I flew last month on Qatar Airlines from LAX. They did ask me as I was entering on tourist exempt 30 day only. I told them pleasantly that I would not be providing one and they finally asked me to sign a waiver in order to board 🤷♂️. First time on 7 entries to Thailand that I have been asked
Randy ********
As a Canadian myself, I’ve been asked every single time about an onward ticket. The only time I wasn’t asked was when I had a visa purchased before I left Canada. I have always bought a cheap ticket to Vietnam. Sometimes I’ve used it, other times I didn’t. It’s not worth the hassle at check in.
Todd *********
@Randy *******
that likely depends on whether you are boarding in Canada or other. I’ve never been asked. Also canadian passportRandy ********
@Todd ********
I would assume they are talking about leaving Canada to come to Thailand. Good for you. You’re one of the very few.Todd *********
@Randy *******
it’s not an unfair assumption. However, as over 4 million Canadians have left the country to live as expats and many other Canadians make Thailand a part of a much larger trip, it would help ‘assume’ live up to its well earned reputation.Todd *********
You never need a return ticket. You MAY need an onward ticket… buy a one way ticket to KL with flexible dates if needed. You can always extend by 30 days here also
James ************
I phoned Emirates yesterday and explained my return ticket is 5 months later , they said they couldn't care less ,
Iris ***********
OPSo is it when you check in at the airport from your home country that they ask for onward travel or at the Thai immigration?
Ryan ***********
Sheen ************
@James ***********
my experience of staff at Heathrow was opposite. They read everythingSteve *******
@James ***********
Good luck when you go to check in. Emirates are one of the hottest on return/onward travel, at least they are when flying from the UK.James ************
I leave on 20th October anf back March 28th 2023 return ticket booked ,but its not within the 45 days do ya think I should change my return before I go ,they probably want you to do this as its around 100 pound to change flight everytime I'm flying from Birmingham thanks
James ************
@Dimitri *******
freaking me out ,Ryan ***********
@Dimitri *******
it happened to me I had to show my ticket turning 6 months later however I never left ended up getting a long term visa
Dana *******
@James ***********
No need to change. Just buy a 10 USD onward ticket. It works well.James ************
I know there nervous wrecks
Steve ******
@Dimitri *******
It happened to me, flying from Milan, i had to buy an out ticket, in milan airport.Steve *******
@Dimitri *******
Haha! It happens ALL the time, try doing some research or reading peoples posts/experiences about having to book onward travel after being refused boarding. Airlines wont allow you to travel without the correct documentation!
Dimitri ********
@Steve ******
I think this happens only in your fantasy. I never saw it happen. Never.Steve *******
@Dimitri *******
You've been very lucky if that's the case. Everyone else is refused boarding.Dimitri ********
@Steve ******
That is why I told you. In the 5+ years that I am flying back and forth 3 4 5 times a year the airline OR did not ask OR telling then that I would get an extension was ALWAYS enough.Steve *******
@Dimitri *******
The extention of stay is not a given and has to be applied for and, whilst rarely refused, it's only issued at the discression of the IO. The onus is on the airline to check their passengers have the correct documentation to enter the Country of destination. I dont make the rules!Dimitri ********
@Steve ******
I had flights many times (all my flights) with a return ticket for a later date. Just telling them that you will get a visa extension in Thailand always solved the problem. You are making him worry too much.Steve *******
@James ***********
You dont have to change it, you just need to show onward travel within 45 days if you're entering Thailand visa exempt.
Brandon ************
Basically 0 chance that immigration will ask you for an onward ticket. It's your airline you have to worry about. They may require you to show proof you will be leaving Thailand within 45 days or they won't let you board your flight. Onward travel tickets are fine, you probably just want to make sure it's not from the same airline you are flying on.
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