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Do I need a round-trip ticket to obtain a Thai tourist visa?

Tourist VisaThai ImmigrationProof of Onward TravelVisa RequirementsTraveling with ChildrenThai ConsulateUS Thai Consulate
Aug 5, 2019
5 years ago
Alice ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Okay, I am getting ready to move to Thailand to teach. I guess I will be going there on a tourist visa first for 90 days?

My question is this:

Do I really have to buy a round trip ticket? Is there anyway around it?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster is preparing to move to Thailand for teaching and is inquiring if it's mandatory to buy a round-trip ticket when applying for a tourist visa. The responses highlight that most Thai consulates require proof of onward travel, often interpreted as having a ticket out of Thailand, especially if it's the applicant's first time. Some suggest buying a cheap ticket to a nearby country for safety. Additionally, there's a discussion about variations in tourist visas and the importance of checking the specific requirements of the consulate being applied to.
Tod *********
and I think until
@Alice ********
 gets the answer from the consulate there is no more useful advice to be given to her.

Good Luck, once you hear back from the consulate IF you want to continue this thread, message a moderator or admin and we will open it back up
5 years ago
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Tod *********
@Alice ********
 Good Luck, I sincerely hope it works out. (y)
5 years ago
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Alice ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 thanks
5 years ago
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Alice ********
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Tod *********
@Al***
 I honestly don't know what you want as far as answers from the group.

You asked about proof of onward travel, I told you to check the website and see what they require. You said you're applying in Washington DC and they clearly spell out that you DO need proof of onward travel to get a tourist visa from them

Now as far as what documentation the consulate will accept to give a visa to your child you need to be talking to the thai consulate you're applying for the visa at. :/ No one else is gonna be able to give you the answers.

I'm sorry if it seems like we're not helpful but it's the consulate you need to be talking to.
5 years ago
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Alice ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 y’all did good. Onward travel I did not understand. I have already contacted the consulate by email. Y’all gave me good info. Thank you.
5 years ago
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Alice ********
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Tod *********
@Al***
 it spells out the documentation you need to get a tourist visa on their website pretty clearly

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5 years ago
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Tod *********
@Al***
 CONTACT them by email or talk to them. You want the consular section

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5 years ago
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Alice ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 I know! GeeZ. I was just wondering how I was going to get stuff that’s impossible.
5 years ago
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Alice ********
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Tod *********
What thai consulate are you using for the tourist visas?
5 years ago
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Alice ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 Washington DC
5 years ago
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Tod *********
@Alice ********
 there are close to thai 15 consulates in the USA, you're going to have to do better than that :/
5 years ago
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Alice ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 USA
5 years ago
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Alice ********
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Alice ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
And my child’s father left when she was born. How am I supposed to get a letter saying she can travel with me?
5 years ago
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Greg *******
In Australia if you cant locate him for consent, you have to get a court order for permission to travel. This isnt ideal but you should have court orders in place for the childs sake regardless.
5 years ago
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Tod *********
@Al***
 then you need to contact the consulate you are buying the visas from to find out how that works. Sorry.
5 years ago
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Alice ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 no it was on the Thai visa website for getting a visa so it is a visa question.
5 years ago
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Tod *********
That is unfortunately NOT a thai VISA question but a question you need to ask some government office in the country that your passport comes from.
5 years ago
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Tod *********
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Alice ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
What’s the difference between TR and METV?
5 years ago
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Tod *********
Tourist visas are sold two ways

A 90 day single entry tourist visa that is valid for 90 days and let's you enter thailand ONE time to get stamped in for 60 days

AND

As a 6 month METV (multi-entry tourist visa) that is valid for 6 months and lets you enter thailand as many times as you want to during that 6 month period where each entry you get stamped in for 60 days.
5 years ago
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Tod *********
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Tod *********
What are the requirements of the thai consulate you're applying at?

Most require proof of onward travel in 60-90 days to issue a tourist visa.

And just so you know, a 90 day tourist visa means the visa is VALID for 90 days <- meaning you have that long to enter thailand and get stamped in for 60 days like everyone on a tourist visa.
5 years ago
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Tod *********
@Alice ********
 then you need to contact the consulate you're getting the visa from and see if the documentation you have is enough or not
5 years ago
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Alice ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 okay. She has to. We are moving to Thailand.
5 years ago
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Tod *********
@Alice ********
 and that is between you and the thai consulate you are getting the visas from and/or the air carrier bringing you here.

I don't have any idea whether you'll be able to travel with her or not.
5 years ago
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Alice ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
 I have to have all these motorized letters for my daughter. She doesn’t have a father.
5 years ago
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Alice ********
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Luke *******
If you want to play it safe, buy a cheap ticket to a neighboring country. If you have not stayed in Thailand for any length of time previously, you should not really need an onward ticket.
5 years ago
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Thomas ********************
Or just not use. But check if the if the airline has a no-show fee.
5 years ago
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Tod *********
@Alice ********
 IF the thai consulate you're buying the tourist visa from requires onward travel a LOT of people by a bus ticket from Bangkok to Siem Reap dated 2 months out online to meet the proof of onward travel.

OR people buy air tickets that they can move or cancel.
5 years ago
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Luke *******
I'll let
@Tod ********
 explain.
5 years ago
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Alice ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Luke ******
 I don’t understand.
5 years ago
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Alice ********
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Robert *******
Read the requirements on the web page of the Thai Consulate or Embassy where you like to apply for a Tourist Visa, most of the times the question is onward travel, meaning a ticket out of Thailand.
5 years ago
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Robert *******
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