Do I need an exit flight to enter Thailand as a South African traveling visa exempt?

Thailand Visa Visa Exemption Tourist Visa Onward Travel Requirements Extension of Stay South Africa to Thailand Travel

Aug 16, 2022

2 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello

Please can you advise, I am confused and it is probably an easy answer.

I am flying in November to Thailand from South Africa. South is visa excempt so I need go to Immigration at the airport to get the tourist visa stamp.

I have not booked my exit flight yet as I want to stay longer than 30 days with multiple entry.

So my question is, do I need an exit flight before I arrive and if it is later than 30 days do they automatically approve 60 days or only 30 days.

Or does the exit flight need to be 30 days from date of arrival.

Thank you

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TLDR : Answer Summary

As a South African traveling to Thailand, you will be allowed entry without a visa for up to 30 days. Upon arrival, you will receive a stamp at passport control rather than a tourist visa stamp. It's essential to check with your airline whether you need proof of onward travel, as policies may vary. If they require it, ensure your exit flight aligns with the allowed stay duration. You can request a 30-day extension for an additional fee once you are in Thailand.

James ********

2 years ago

Tod *********

Let's see if we can't sort out what it is you're trying to do AND your errant terminology at the same time 😛

𝗛𝗜 𝗮𝗺 𝗳𝗹𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮. 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁 𝘀𝗼 𝗜 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗴𝗼 𝘁𝗼 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽. <- umm partly right, S/A is a visa exempt country <- that means you can show up here without having bought a visa from the thai consulate in your country and you get stamped in FREE for 30 days BUT you don't go to immigration anywhere and get a tourist visa stamp 🙁 When you arrive you'll get stamped in for free for 30 days at passport control at the airport.

Whether you will need proof of onward travel flying here visa exempt is more dependent on your air carrier than anything else <- that means CONTACT your airline, tell them you're flying to thailand "visa exempt" and ask if you need proof of onward travel and if you do ask if it is in 30 days or 60 days. IF they will let you check in/fly here without proof of onward travel you are highly unlikely to be questioned when you stamp into Thailand.

As I said you will get stamped in for 30 days for free on the visa exempt entry program and when your entry stamp is running out if you want to you can go to the immigration office in the area where you stay in thailand and apply for ONE 30 day extension for 1900baht

Again, the questions about the onward travel need to be directed to your airline, they are the one that can stop you from flying in visa exempt without proof of onward travel (usually in the number of days you'll be stamped in for <- 30) CHECK WITH THEM.

2 years ago

Genevieve ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you. My flight is with Etihad Airlines. I think my confusion was needing that exit flight or not and if that affected being allowed into Thailand but this makes it all clearer. Thank you.

2 years ago

Dan *********

@Genevieve *****

I came from Canada a dozen times and never had the onward ticket BUT I was prepared to book it on my phone at the Thai airport if needed.

As Tod mentioned the bigger issue is the airline bringing you but I used the same plan just show up a little early leaving so you have time to book that flight.

I've never heard anyone rejected when leaving or on arrival but you could be the one.

2 years ago

Reply to

Dan *********

Magnus *********

I guess you can buy a cheap bus, train or air ticket online to somewhere nearby like neighbouring countries just to be on the safe side.

2 years ago

Genevieve ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Magnus ********

Thank you for the advice. This was my thinking as well.

2 years ago

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