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Answered8 years ago

Do I need a return air ticket to enter Thailand with a 1-year Non-Immigrant visa?

Mookie ****
asked Jul 13, 2018
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Hi. I will be traveling to Thailand from US on a 1 yr. non immigration visa. Do I have to buy a return air ticket or will a one way ticket work for me? Appreciate any input. Thanks.
Answer summary
With a valid 1-year Non-Immigrant visa, you do not need to purchase a return air ticket. Airlines typically do not require proof of onward travel for passengers flying on a Non-Immigrant visa. Upon arrival, passport control will not ask for an onward ticket either. However, this visa allows for a stay of 90 days in Thailand, after which you would need to exit the country and re-enter to obtain a new 90-day period.
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Tod *********
Tod *********
As a rule IF you are flying here on a Non-Immigrant type visa (even a 90 day, single entry one) the airlines do NOT require proof of onward travel.

Once you check in you're not going to be asked anything by passport control when you stamp into the country.

Although it would still be good to know WHAT type of Non-Immigrant visa you're really getting.
Tod *********
Tod *********
What type of Non-Immigrant visa did you apply for
@Mookie ***
? Is it the one that required the police background check and the medical certificate?
Mookie ****
Mookie ****
OP
Tod *********
Tod *********
@Mookie ***
then you won't need an onward flight at all. Your airline won't ask for it and you won't be asked when you stamp into the country either.

One tip, when you do get stamped in make sure they stamp you in for a whole year from the date you arrive. many people on that visa get stamped in wrong and then have to go get the stamp corrected :/

Good Luck (y)
Mookie ****
Mookie ****
OP
Yes. It is the 1 yr. Visa that requires police background check and medical certificate.
Robert *******
Robert *******
With a valid 1 year Non Immigrant Visa you don't need a return ticket. This visa will give you a stay of 90 days inside Thailand, than you have to leave and come back into Thailand to get a new 90 day period.
Alan *******
Alan *******
@Robert ******
ok cheers
Alan *******
Alan *******
Tod *********
Tod *********
@Alan ******
you cannot renew a VISA (from a thai consulate) OR an extension of stay. they both run out when they run out and you either buy a new visa or you apply for a new extension of stay.

I would say you WERE on a Non-O visa at one point in time BUT if you have been going to the immigration office you're not renewing the visa you're getting a yearly extension of stay. Look at the stamp in your passport it will clearly say "extension of stay permitted until xxx date" That is NOT a visa.
@Robert ******
, already covered the types of Non-Immigrant visas that allow someone to stay for more than a 90 days at a time (the ones with the suffix of an A or an X).

This shows the difference between a visa and an extension of stay. They are NOT the same at all. :)
Robert *******
Robert *******
Alan Simon She come to Thailand on a Non Immigrant visa, based on what? Almost every Non Immigrant Visa allows you to stay maximum 90 days inside the country. Only the Non Immigrant O-A and O-X visa gives you longer stays. I just answered about the most common Non Immigrant Visa and asked later, if she applied for the Non Immigrant Visa O-A. The difference is in the extra letters behind the Non Immigrant Visa.
Robert *******
Robert *******
I understand you get confused. You've been to Thailand on a Non Immigrant Visa, but based on what reason. There are multiple reasons to get this visa and all have different requirements and regulations, examples marriage to Thai National, working, being over 50 years of age, volunteer, press, Education, dependency etc. Next to that you never renewed a Visa, you applied every year for a NEW 1 year Extension of Stay at Immigration Office, if approved you did the 90 days report of being inside Thailand for 90 or more days. You did not had a retirement visa because such thing does not exist in Thailand. There is is huge different in a Non Immigrant O visa based on being over 50 years of age (called retirement by many), Non Immigrant O-A (long stay) visa based on being over 50 years of age (called retirement by many) and an Extension of Stay you get from Immigration Office and also called by many retirement visa. It is all in the name, call everything a visa and every one gets confused.
Alan *******
Alan *******
Robert Lagas I'm confused by what you're saying. I've been in Thailand on non-immigrant visas renewed each year for the last 7 years and I never have to leave the country, only report to local immigration office every 90 days. Mine was a retirement visa but I thought the same 90-day reporting rules applied to all types of 12-month non-Immigration visas
Robert *******
Robert *******
Did you apply for the Non Immigrant O-A visa (long Stay)? That is a visa that gives you the 1 year of stay.
Mookie ****
Mookie ****
OP
The Thai consulate in US ecplained that I can stay in Thailand for 1 yr, and then renew for another year on re entry.

That is why I am not interested in a return ticket if I can avoid it.

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