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Do I need a visa to enter Thailand if I have an onward flight and am using the visa exemption rule?

Visa ExemptionThailand Visa RulesTravel Requirements for ThailandUK Citizens in ThailandDubai Transit VisaVisa RequirementsTravel Tips for ExpatsSelf TransferBaggage Transfer
Sep 2, 2024
4 months ago
Josh *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hey Guys, Just want to get my questionable plans sorted out and verified that I'm doing everything correctly,

I am a UK Citizen, Leaving the UK to go Travelling around ASIA, Starting off in Thailand, My flight is Leaving Gatwick on the 9th September 2024 which is a week away. Last minutes nerves are kicking in (Haven't been abroad since I was 8)

Flight Plan -

Gatwick to Dubai

1Hr 25 Min Layover - Self Transfer and Baggage Claim - Transport Visa Document Might be Needed? Can anybody confirm this.

Dubai to Suvrambhami Airport

I will arriving and planning getting through customs and border with the *Visa Exemption* rule, I have an onward flight planned for November 5th going on to further travelling.

I am able to provide finances of £485 a month minimum

Do I need to worry about being turned away because I have no visa secure before travel?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user, a UK citizen planning to travel to Thailand, inquired about the necessity of obtaining a visa prior to departure, given that they would utilize the Visa Exemption rule upon arrival. The consensus among the community responses is that the user does not need to worry about securing a visa in advance, as they are eligible for a 60-day visa exemption upon arrival in Thailand and have an onward flight booked, satisfying immigration requirements. However, the discussion also highlighted important considerations regarding their layover in Dubai, specifically the need for self-transfer and baggage handling between flights.
Ian ********
Enjoy your trip you have nothing to worry about
3 months ago
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Antony **********
Don't worry! Just take a lot of savlon! Lol
3 months ago
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Phil ********
Transiting through Dubai only requires you getting off a plane and on to another one.

You don't collect luggage.

You'll get 60 days visa exempt at BKK.
3 months ago
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AJ ****
@Phil *******
 stop spreading misinformation if the person has bout a ticket that includes a self transfer then you defo need to collect your bags it all depends on the type of ticket you bought
3 months ago
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AJ ****
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John ******
Why aren't your bags being checked right through to Bkk ?
4 months ago
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AJ ****
@John *****
 usually if you do a self transfer it’s a slightly cheaper ticket
3 months ago
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John ******
@AJ ***
 really. Never knew that. But is it really worth the bother ????????
3 months ago
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Josh *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *****
 For someone who is trying to save as much as I can, to put forward toward other essentials, the original flight was going to be even worse at 41 hours total and for even cheaper than my current flight. I've got it currently at £373 for the flight out there. I wasn't spending an extra £145 for a direct flight which would take a little less time at 11Hrs5mins.

Heathrow to Rome

Rome to India

India to Bangkok
3 months ago
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Josh *********
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Andy **********
One of those cheap tickets sites like Kayak sell. I never touch them because I always have checked luggage. Brassic holiday at £16 a day, or you already paid for accomodation. If you had luggage, you would need to go out of airside, and "into Dubai", but you don't need to.
3 months ago
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Josh *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *****
4 months ago
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John ******
@Josh ********
 is it the same airline ?
3 months ago
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Josh *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *****
 Yes, Emirates on both flights.
3 months ago
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Josh *********
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Josh *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *****
 It's either me being dumb or it's I've purchased a weird ticket. It's 2 flights. It doesn't really matter as I'll be only packing my rucksack which fits under/top cabin.

Gatwick to Dubai

1Hr55Min Layover - Self Transfer.

Dubai to SUV Airport.
4 months ago
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Josh *********
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AJ ****
You will have no issue Josh, you don’t even need to prove your finances. As far as Thailand are aware you are coming in as a tourist and you already have a exit date booked so your good!👍

For Dubai , I would recommend being a bit quick as a self transfer and checking in may be a bit lengthy because Dubai airport is pretty big.

You don’t need to show any visa to Dubai to go to BKK as Dubai will already see you have a UK passport and you are already visa exempt for 60 days have fun !

And your last question UK passport holders are visa exempt for 60 days in Thailand meaning your passport is enough if you stay more than that then you need to leave and enter the Thailand kingdom again but seeing as your travelling around you’re good either way as it will reset every time you enter the country.
4 months ago
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Josh *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@AJ ***
 as I've brought a separate one way ticket out to Thailand and the one way ticket out of Thailand are separate, would i need to provide proof of both flights or am i able to just detail briefly at passport control. I won't have any boarding passes or physical flight tickets until roughly the 1st/2nd November. I've got a basic flight plan describing it though if needs be.
3 months ago
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AJ ****
@Josh ********
 that’s fine when you get to BKK don’t need to tell them anything, if they ask and say oh you got a one way ticket then say yea you got a ticked booked out of the country too they might just want to see booking confirmation is all nothing else.
3 months ago
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AJ ****
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AJ ****
@Josh ********
 did you select self transfer for Dubai ? Or did you u book one journey but with two flight ? If the latter then the luggage will be transferred for you and you don’t need to check in
4 months ago
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Josh *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@AJ ***
4 months ago
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AJ ****
@Josh ********
 ah ok so this means yes you will need to collect your bag and check in again which is odd but it depends on the type of ticket you booked
3 months ago
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AJ ****
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Josh *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@AJ ***
 One Total Ticket but Two Separate Flights. Gatwick to Dubai, Short 1hr25min self transfer (whatever that means, haven't been abroad since I was 8) and then from Dubai to SUV Airport.
4 months ago
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Josh *********
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Tom ***********
Simple answer: Ask when you check in for the first flight - they will be able to give you the definitive answer. As for the visa - your situation is exactly what they were designed for.
4 months ago
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Lynnette *******
If you bought your flights that are on one ticket your baggage will go through to destination. Or have you booked one flight to Dubai and then separately gone and booked another to Bangkok? Most people book their flights together as one ticket with just 'transit' in Dubai.
4 months ago
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Josh *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lynnette ******
 It's a transfer. The website didn't fully explain it properly, It said that I might need a travel document to enter Dubai, but I'm technically not leaving the airport.
4 months ago
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Phil ********
@Josh ********
It's called a Passport.
3 months ago
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Lynnette *******
@Josh ********
 you're transferring from one plane to the other. But is it one booking with two flights, that's the point.
4 months ago
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Josh *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lynnette ******
 One Booking 2 Flights...
4 months ago
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Lynnette *******
@Josh ********
 then the bags normally go through to destination. You are only in transit between flights and stay airside. It's just a plane swap.
4 months ago
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Lynnette *******
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Graeme ******
Who are you flying with to dubai? If it's emirates and you are booked from Gatwick to bangkok then all your bags will automatically be transferred to your dubai to bangkok flight no need to pick up. When you land in dubai just go to transfers which will take you to your connection gate.
4 months ago
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Josh *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
But the thing is I will only be using my backpack which I will be taking on the flight with me. No other baggage will be checked.

The self transfer was stated before I brought the ticket. I didn't give me any direct answers. I didn't pick the option to do self transfer it was what came with the ticket.

The only thing I was wondering about is now the travel documents, but I've now had it answered I think so.
3 months ago
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Josh *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graeme *****
3 months ago
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Graeme ******
@Josh ********
 hi josh when you get to Gatwick airport you check in to your destination which is bangkok, this will make sure your bags are transfered to the correct flight in dubai, you will get 2 boarding cards at check in for both legs of your journey. You don't need to worry about your bags until you land and collect them in bangkok. You don't need any visa for dubia as you are still in the airport, when you land in dubai follow transfers to your next gate , there are plenty of notice boards showing your flight to bangkok. When you go through transfers there is another security check but nothing special. No documents other than your boarding card is needed I.e. the one you got when you checked in at Gatwick Airport. When you land go straight to the gate then once you have found it chill 😎 ready to board
3 months ago
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Marcin *******
@Graeme *****
 You are completely wrong.

He has stated:

"1Hr 25 Min Layover - **Self Transfer and Baggage Claim**"

Aswell the screenshot
3 months ago
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Graeme ******
@Marcin ******
 nope have flown it many times
3 months ago
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Marcin *******
@Graeme *****
*********************************************************************************************


Since he hasn't posted the actual itinerary, we can only wonder.
3 months ago
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Marcin *******
It's probably this itinerary but I don't undestand why it says self-transfer and why he has posted the screenshot of "Self-Transfer"

(which means that you have to collect your bags and check in with another airlines, meaning you have to clear border and security, 1.25h is a bit tight.
3 months ago
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Josh *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graeme *****
 Thank You, it's only taken me
***
weeks to get this fully explained to the point where I'm able to understand it the answer.
3 months ago
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Graeme ******
@Josh ********
 that's ok you'll be good , I am in thailand at the moment so.a few hours different. Enjoy your trip and try not to worry
3 months ago
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Graeme ******
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Josh *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graeme *****
 Yes Emirates is who I'm flying with. The only thing Im struggling to get answered is, before I actually booked the flight it said I might need a travel document for the transfer but I can't find anything online about needing any documents when I'm not even leaving the airport.
3 months ago
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Josh *********
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Kenny *****
1:55 layover, need to bag claim and re-check another airline - very tight in time.
4 months ago
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Josh *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kenny ****
3 months ago
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Josh *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kenny ****
 Same Airline. Layover is a tiny bit different to what I said but it's 1hr25m.
3 months ago
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Максим **********
@Kenny ****
 and can be different terminals too... But I don't see anything that can be author's option from lgw to bkk via dxb
4 months ago
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Максим **********
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Максим **********
1:55 self transfer in Dubai when you have never been in another country since 8? That's what you should worry about, not Thailand entrance rules 😂
4 months ago
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Josh *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Максим *********
 1hr 25m layover, Same Airline on both flights... I will not be leaving the airport because of time restraints.
3 months ago
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Md *****************
@Josh ********
 If your ticket is in single PNR, your luggage should transfer to a connecting flight to Thailand.

Just ask the counter of LGW to give you two boarding pass for both flights.

DXB is a large airport though, no worries, you will see person holding connecting flight number on the exit.

Have nice solo travel to Thailand. Enjoy.
3 months ago
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Md *****************
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Matthew *************
No need to worry, you have satisfied the requirements of the visa exemption scheme
4 months ago
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Josh *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Matthew ************
 as I've brought a one way ticket out to Thailand and the one way ticket out of Thailand as separate tickets, would i need to provide proof of both flights or am i able to just detail briefly at passport control. I won't have any boarding passes or physical flight tickets until roughly the 1st/2nd November. I've got a basic flight plan describing it though if needs be.
3 months ago
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Matthew *************
@Josh ********
 retain your spent boarding pass in to Thailand as proof of incoming flight and hand that over to the Immigration office with your passport. Then have your flight out booking confirmation printed to hand over as well. The 60 day visa exempt is a very simple, no fuss way to enter the country. You will have no issues my friend and enjoy Thailand.
3 months ago
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Matthew *************
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Rob *******
No why would you ? You have onward travel booked within the 60 day visa exempt scheme
4 months ago
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Josh *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Rob ******
 Somewhere along the booking process it stated that I might need travel documents for the transfer in Dubai, yet to no avail I cannot find anything online about needing anything when I'm not going to be leaving the airport itself. I have 1hr25m layover. No time to do anything really.
3 months ago
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Josh *********
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Brandon ************
You'll receive a 60 day stamp if you arrive without a visa.
4 months ago
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Brandon ************
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