Do I need a confirmed return flight ticket to enter Thailand on a tourist e-visa?

@Andreas ********

It is actually worse. What is more likely? The plane has an empty "economy class" seat, or an empty "first class seat"? I never heard that the airline is fined. It is technically definitely not the airlines responsibility to make sure you have a ticket. BUT: it is their responsibility yo fly you home. Anyway. The worse part above is: you budgeted a one way flight for peanuts, you get denied entry and get flown against your will back where you came from with a one way first class ticket. A one way first class ticket from BKK to GDG or FRA is about $5000 - $10,000. And the passenger has to pay that later ... the airline will confiscate your car, house or first born to get the money back :P

@Angelo **********

I am very surprised at the response in this group . . . . .

ACTUALLY, it is ALWAYS the AIRLINE who can refuse boarding the flight, if you do not have a flight out of Thailand within the admitted period you will get stamped in upon entry into Thailand.

Thai Immigration DOES NOT CARE ABOUT the flight itinerary!

It is the AIRLINE that must apply an IATA rule: If the visa does not reflect the needed itinerary, they have to assume that Thai Immigration might refuse entry because you visa does not fit the intended stay, and they will have to fly you back to the origin airport at their own expenses, and pay a fine between 5000.- USD and 10.000.- USD.

So ACTUALLY it is the Airline which checks your ticket and NOT Thai Immigration. Thai Immigration is aware that you can extend most stay permits inside the country, so they do not check or care much. Thai Immigration only starts to act, if your travel history to Thailand indicates that you might be misusing the visa and visa exempt rules

I am surprised at the amount of false info here. It is that most airlines will need proof of onward- or return flight out of Thailand within the period you get stamped in at entry. Thai Immigration are the least people who care about your flight itinerary. It is the airlines that will refuse boarding, because they will have to transport you back to the origin at their own expenses if you get refused entry into Thailand. And since January 2023, the fine imposed to an airline which ignored this rule, has risen from formerly 5000.- USD to 10.000.- USD.

Keep in mind, Thai Airways CAN ask for proof or they WON'T ask for proof. Both options are possible. Never trust the advice given by an airline employee over the phone! Only trust an emailed reply and print it, so you can show it upon check-in in case nobody at the check-in has any idea of what they are doing.

I have witnessed countless times when passengers were refused boarding because their itinerary didn't fit their visa. And don't worry about Thai Immigration - they are the last ones who would even care. Thai Immigration CAN (but rarely does) ask you for THREE proofs: itinerary, booked accommodation, and 20,000.-THB or in any other currency in CASH (credit cards not accepted)

@Angelo **********

you seemingly have zero idea how the IATA rule regarding the airline's responsibility works. You should stop posting nonsense

@Andreas ********

I do not need to know the IATA rules. If you know them, why not post an excerpt? Fact is: if Thai Airways is flying you back from where ever you came from: they put you into a first class seat and charge you for it. Or did you answer to the wrong person and mixed something up?

@Angelo **********

is this ENOUGH info for you, or will you ask for more? Because I will leave this stupid discussion right here

@Angelo **********

Fines have become very expensive for airlines, as many countries have drastically increased them on January 1st of this year (the article still mentions the old fine amounts). Most Schengen countries, like the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and others, have now increased the fine to USD 10,000 per rejection case, and Thailand has also increased the fine from USD 1,300 to USD 5,000. You can read the English-language article from the IATA magazine here:

/13/document-verification-travel-trouble

The IATA introduced the TIMATIC database years ago to protect airlines. Swiping (or more modernly scanning) your passport at check-in not only book your flight, but also checks your passport for nationality and the travel details for transit and entry stored in the booking, with reference to the required documents and validity periods. It also checks the verification number verified in the passport and, when scanned, for other signs of forgery. The "simple" visa information from the TIMATIC database for travel is also publicly available to everyone on the Internet.

Conclusion: The airlines know how to protect themselves and are increasingly relentlessly combating the fakes of dishonest passengers. It is therefore not worth taking the risk of being refused boarding and the total loss or even the consequences of being refused entry and possibly even criminal proceedings.

@Angelo **********

Proof of onward travel means that airlines and governments want to make sure you are not illegally immigrating to their country, so they need to see proof of a return ticket home. What is this? Basically, some countries want to make sure you aren't attempting to move there on a tourist visa and never leave

They are trying to prevent illegal immigration.

Government officials need to see proof that you plan on flying out, respecting the rules of their tourist visa.

They want to see proof of onward travel back to your home or at least to another destination.

So while you can technically travel on a one-way ticket, they also need some kind of official return ticket confirmation showing that you are leaving the country eventually.

They won’t necessarily care where that ticket goes, just as long as it’s out of their country.

Airline Flying Requirements

Many countries actually pass this responsibility on to airlines, meaning that it’s the airline check-in desk who will ask to see proof of your onward travel before they let you board the flight.

Because if they don’t check, and allow you on the flight with a one-way ticket, but immigration officials refuse to let you in, the airline will be responsible for the costs of flying (deporting?) you back to your home country, along with possible fines.

Some airlines are very strict about the proof of onward travel rule.

If you can’t provide proof, you won’t be allowed to board your flight. Or they’ll ask you to buy a return ticket from them right then and there — which can often cost hundreds of dollars more than you want to spend.

Onward Travel Rules & Digital Nomads

If you’re a digital nomad too, I feel your pain. Why can’t they just make it easy and allow me to travel on a one-way ticket, trusting me when I tell them I plan to leave in two months?

Some of us prefer to travel spontaneously, without plans!

Most backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads are on a tight budget, trying to make their money last as long as possible. Or they aren’t exactly sure which country they want to visit next. Or they want to travel overland by bus.

Buying round trip tickets just isn’t in the cards for everyone.

Don’t take it personally though. These are their rules for onward travel, and we have to respect them. We have similar laws for foreigners attempting to visit our own countries.

Luckily there are a few easy (and legal) ways to get around this proof-of-onward-travel requirement, so you can travel on a one-way ticket, and not be forced to plan your entire trip down to the last detail.

How To Get Proof Of Onward Travel

If you think you may need proof of onward travel during your travel adventure, there are a few legal ways to get around the rules without having to buy round trip tickets everywhere you go.

1: Buy A Refundable Ticket

If you don’t mind waiting a while (sometimes months) to receive a refund, buying a fully refundable second one-way return ticket is definitely possible.

To make it work, you’ll need to buy that second ticket before you leave for your destination.

Once you’ve entered the country, cancel your exit ticket, and wait for the refund.

Just make sure to read the fine print — because some airlines charge cancellation fees, or only refund tickets using flight vouchers instead of cash.

2: Rent A Ticket Confirmation

The safest/cheapest option is to “rent” an airline ticket confirmation from a real-life travel agency. This is what I usually do.

OneWayFly.com is a service that books a real return ticket in your name, then cancels it for you later.

It only costs $19, and you’ll get your official ticket confirmation within hours. It’s cheaper than buying your own ticket and safer than trying to forge one (don’t do that!).

3: Book With Your Airline Miles

If you are a travel-hacking whiz and have accumulated a ton of points or miles on your travel rewards credit cards, you can use those points to book a one-way return flight and then cancel it later.

Most of the time you’ll find that your points or miles are refunded right away, making it a no-brainer.

4: Buy A Cheap Ticket On A Budget Airline

Extreme budget airlines around the world can have some amazing flight deals. While the airline itself might not be the best — if you don’t plan on actually using the ticket, who cares!

Find the cheapest one-way ticket to a major city in the country next door, and eat the cost. Maybe $50 or $100.

This works best in cheaper areas of the world, like Asia or Latin America. Some examples of budget airlines include EasyJet, AirAsia, Volaris, etc.

5: Buy A Bus Or Train Ticket Out

Some airlines might be placated if they can see you have a bus or train ticket that leaves the country. This is obviously much cheaper to buy than a plane ticket ($50?), and you don’t even have to use it.

In my experience, sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn’t. I think it depends on the mood of the check-in agent. It’s a risky option.

What About Forging One?

I do not recommend forging your ticket confirmation. If you get caught, it could end up badly.

Especially if you try to show a fake piece of paper to actual immigration officials rather than airline employees.

Lying to immigration officials is illegal, and could land you in jail.

Some people do this, but it’s extremely risky, and can get you in a lot of trouble!

Which Countries Require Proof?

Many countries technically require proof of onward travel, however, they don’t always enforce the rule.

To reduce your chances of them asking, it’s wise to avoid dressing like a bum/hippie/vagabond with no money.

Business casual always works best at airports if you want to avoid questions.

A few countries definitely require documented proof of onward travel. They include New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, Brazil, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Peru, and the Philippines.

However, depending on the airline you use, you might also get asked for proof before visiting countries like Thailand, Mexico, and Panama. Do some research on your destination country to be sure.

Or, just rent a ticket confirmation in advance, to cover your bases. It’s super cheap.

Don’t Get Caught Off Guard!

Even though this rule might seem ridiculous, if you are a backpacker or digital nomad who prefers to travel on one-way tickets, you will eventually get asked for proof of onward travel.

I’ve probably been asked at least 10 times over the past few years.

Luckily there are legal loopholes around it. You just need to remember to get everything sorted in advance before you find yourself stuck arguing with the airline check-in agent, about to miss your flight!

@Gary ********

It is required by law, and you are an idiot.

@Todd ********

Who are you speaking for if not yourself, if not why are you making yourself a spokesperson for someone else

@Aake *********

I'm speaking for me. And why tf are you questioning his visa as being not 'real' loll? Educate yourself. Thx!

@Todd ********

it was a justified question, because a "visa exempt entry" is NOT a "real visa". It's no visa at all

@Andreas ********

we all know. And no visa is all that is required… no ‘real’ visa is needed

@Todd ********

😅🤣😂