Answered3 years ago
Do I need a departure flight if I have a Non-O visa and plan to extend my stay in Thailand?
I have applied for a o visa in the USA. I only have a incoming flight because I don’t know how long I will be able to stay since I don’t have my visa as of today. If I get my o visa I was hoping to extend my stay when I get to Thailand. Do I need to have a departure flight now or can I get one later? Do I need one before I fly to Thailand? If my intent is to stay longer do I still need a outgoing flight? If I am awarded a o visa for 90 days do I need to purchase a flight before arriving in Thailand departing before the 90 days are up? Thank you.
Answer summary
The necessity of an onward flight when entering Thailand on a Non-O visa primarily lies with the airline's policies rather than Thailand's immigration regulations. Most airlines require proof of onward travel before allowing boarding, and if you travel without a visa, they might insist on showing your intent to leave the country within a specified period. While you can potentially buy a cheap, cancellable ticket to a nearby country as a solution, confirmation from your specific airline is essential. If granted a Non-O visa valid for 90 days, it’s typically advisable to have an onward ticket, but options like buy-before-you-fly services could alleviate this concern.
28 repliesnewest first
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Paul *******
NO. Only for visa exempt and tourist visas is this required.
Ronnie *******
OP@Paul ******
I hope my o visa arrives soon. Thank you.
Bob **********
I don’t think you’ll have any problem coming in without an onward flight on a non-o
Ronnie *******
OP@Bob *********
hi bob. Thank you so much for contacting me. I just hope I get the o visa soon. I know there is no room for mistakes. I came last time on a round trip ticket so I didn’t have to deal with the return. Now I don’t know what my visa status is so I don’t know what ticket to purchase. Someone said you can purchase a cheap cancellable ticket. I know that’s hard to find in the USA.Ronnie *******
OPThanks
Brandon ************
@Ronnie ******
google "onward travel ticket" these are travel agencies who will book you a ticket to anywhere for about $10-15 and then cancel it in the future based on what options you choose during the purchase.Ronnie *******
OP@Brandon ***********
bestonwardtravelticket.com?
Sean *********
Get a cheap one to Cambodia etc, some allow you to cancel the flight if you book on line
Ronnie *******
OP@Sean ********
thanks Sean. What airline do you suggest. Should I wait to see if I get my visa before buying a ticket? I saw an air Asia ticket to Viet nam for $50 one way. It would be nice to use it. If I don’t get my o do I need to have the outward flight within 30 days. Thank you so much.
Paul *******
@Ronnie ******
,if you buy a cheap ticket out, probably better to buy a ticket to Cambodia than Vnam.Cambodia has visa on arrival, while Vnam does not. Airlines may ask to see a visa before you get on the plane to Vnam.
Air Asia to Cambodia is the cheapest airline.
Sean *********
@Ronnie ******
just Google where your thinking of going and from what part of Thailand your leaving from, as different airlines fly from different regions.Ronnie *******
OPI was told to buy a ticket and not use it.
Henrik *****
You always need an onward ticket according to you current visa / visa Excempt period.
Whatever changes you may make later cannot be proved.
Whatever changes you may make later cannot be proved.
Paul *******
@Henrik ****
No you don't. That's nonsense. Only visa exempt and tourist visa holders need oneRonnie *******
OP@Henrik ****
hi henrik. So I need to call my airline and ask? Since I have not received my o visa should I go ahead and get a exit ticket. Does it matter what day you plan to exit? If I get a o visa I can stay 90 days. I want to extend my visa for another year. What do you recommend I do besides calling the airline? How quickly do I need to show I’m leaving Thailand? A year? 90 days? So Thai immigration doesn’t require a outgoing flight?Ronnie *******
OPSo should I wait to see if I get my o visa before purchasing an outbound ticket?
Henrik *****
Yes, since it can be done in the last days before departure.
At some Thai Embassy’s, they proces visa applikations by departure date and not by the date it is applyed at.
At some Thai Embassy’s, they proces visa applikations by departure date and not by the date it is applyed at.
Henrik *****
The only thing the airline has to do with it, is they might refuse you by check-in, if not having a onward ticket according to the visa / visa excempt you will use when arriving in Thailand.
Henrik *****
@Ronnie ******
With in the visa period you at arriving with.F.ex. visa excempt: 30 days
60 day Touristvisa: 60 days
Ronnie *******
OP@Henrik ****
since I have not received my o visa how quickly do I have to show I’m leavingRoberto *********
It will be your airline who refuses boarding if you don't have an onward ticket, so check with your airline to see what their policy is.
Paul *******
@Roberto ********
Only check in agents who don't know the rules make such claims. Only for visa exemptions and tourist visas are onward tickets required. Residents don't need to show proof of outbound travel.Paul *******
@Ronnie ******
Yes I'm sure.Roberto *********
@Ronnie ******
It's your choice. You can extend for a further 12 months at immigration if you meet the criteriaRoberto *********
@Paul ******
Legally yes, but it's the airline's prerogative.Paul *******
@Roberto ********
No need for an onward ticket as he has an O visa.Ronnie *******
OP@Paul ******
I am waiting for my o visa. It may not arrive until the end of august if they don’t deny it. You are saying that with the 90 day o visa I don’t need to fly out of Thailand in 90 days? Are you sure?Brandon ************
Your airline is the one you need to check with. If anyone is going to ask for proof of travel out of Thailand it will be your airline.
If you travel without a visa they may ask you to show proof that you'll be leaving Thailand within 30 days before they'll let you board your flight.
If you travel without a visa they may ask you to show proof that you'll be leaving Thailand within 30 days before they'll let you board your flight.
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