Do I need an onward ticket when entering Thailand on a 60-day tourist visa with plans for a 1-year visa?

Aug 8, 2022
2 years ago
Colin ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am coming to Thailand next week on a 60 day tourist visa. I have a one way ticket as I intend to get a 1year Visa. Someone told me that I might get refused on flight as I haven't an onward ticket.but I intend to stay so lovely people do you think there is a problem .As I do not wish to buy an unwanted ticket.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The question discusses the concerns regarding travelling to Thailand on a one-way ticket under a 60-day tourist visa, with intentions to apply for a 1-year visa. Many commenters explain that while immigration in Thailand may not require proof of onward travel upon entry, airlines often enforce this requirement to avoid liability. It is recommended that travelers purchase a cheap onward ticket or use services that provide temporary tickets to ensure they can board their flight. Alternative suggestions include booking changeable tickets or using websites that offer free cancellations.
Renaud ***********
Better book a ticket showing your return , what kind of visa are you looking for to stay one year in Thailand ?
Steve ********
Do you have your visa already? Pretty sure they will deny your application without proof of an exit ticket. That is what they did to me the first time I came here. I just bought a cheap throwaway ticket. Worked fine and I got my visa.
Graham *********
12 go asia bus ticket...about 1000 bhat
Mitchell *******
It depends on the airline really. I have been asked several times for the return ticket. Book a flight To Cambodia. Nice country. You might even take the 4 day trip. 😁
Peter ****************
Many times I read this question
@Colin *****
. A return ticket is not much more expensive than a one way. Many times you can ask a refund on the return part if you not use it. Had a return ticket with EVA Air which was about 50€ more expensive than a one way. I was almost sure I did not use the return trip because I wanted to stay in Thailand permanent. Asked the refund, and they gave me 150€ back. So at the end, the total was 100€ cheaper than I had bought a one way ticket in the first place. Ask the refund policy of your flight company !
Dennis **********
Just go online and buy a cheap bus ticket to Cambodia
Graham *********
@Dennis *********
.yes 12 go asia
Quest *********
Malaysia airlines has a free cancellation option. You can book a real ticket and after you land login and cancel. You’ll get all your money back. 100% free
Jim *********
I've traveled numerous times on a one way only. If you are really worried here is a trick to help... Expedia website allows for 24 hour cancellation on flights with no fee. Book a flight from BKK to Rangoon (currently that ticket is $50 USD). Next print everything out. Then immediately cancel the flight for no fee and get 100% of your money back. Problem solved.
Varun ********
Plz buy
Colin ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks everyone for your help
Martyn ***********
If you get refused buy a ticket to Vietnam that you can cancel free....
George *********
See Lee Richardson reply...onwardticket.com came in on 60 day tourist visa last month...bought a ticket for $14.00 valid for 48 hours...just in casr...but no one asked to see it, neither airline or immigration
George *********
Someone on here will advise you on filling in the onward flight visa application question....or if nnot pm me and I will explain how to do it
George *********
@Sabine ****************
Applying online for your visa is completely different. You need the onward flight ticket when you actually fly out to Thailand. buy it the day before you fly and pay $14.00 for it to be valid for 48 hours...if the airline ask you when you board the flight, or if immigration ask you when entering Thailand you have the necessary ticket.
George *********
Ian **********
Bus ticket...
Steve ********
@Ian *********
@Ian *********
Probably the cheapest option
Scott ********
Book a hotel that falls within the 60 days that you'll be in the Kingdom in Cambodia, Malaysia or Vietnam with full cancellation rights where you'll pay at the hotel and tell the airline you'll be leaving Thailand by train, boat or car.

Once in Thailand, cancel the hotel booking. Ta-dah!
Steve ********
@Scott *******
@Scott *******
Probably the cheapest option
Steve ********
@Scott *******
You need proof of onward travel, so a ferry or train ticket will suffice Scott
Steve ********
@Scott *******
Hotel booking doesn't suffice. It has to be proof of onward travel. Ta-dah!
Penny *********
@Steve *******
when I flew with Qatar they wouldn't let me on the plane until I booked a hotel outside of Thailand. I said I was booking a train to Vientiane
Scott ********
...but what if you want to leave Thailand for elsewhere by ferry or train,
@St***
?
Lee ************
Onwardticket.com $14 valid for 48 hours you only usually get asked for an onward flight when you check in your first flight, I’ve used it many times 👍
Marco ********
bestonwardticket.com
Michael ***********
Check the cheapest flights to a neighbouring country, in worst case scenario you can book a flight at the airport via mobile telephone. Immigration in Thailand doesn't care, just the airline.

M.
Laurence **********
@Michael **********
I had to do this twice in 20 years. Cheapest ticket I could find out of Thailand. Never been asked by immigration. Always someone at the airline counter. Annoying but easy to fix. 😁
Rachanee *************
Get an open changeable return no problem
Av **********
Buy an air asia ticket to cambodia for 1000 for when the 60 daya ends....problem solved
Dave **********
Last time I flew Emirates, from Manchester, before COVID kicked off, and I had a non O retirement visa, they still would not let me board the plane unless I had a return ticket!
Terry ********
@Dave *********
Emirates are the pits. They used to be good but now they dont seem to give a shit about their passengers. They changed my return flight but didnt show the extra stopover at Phuket in the new itinerary. 2 boring hours sitting there in the middle of the night and 2 more hours before I could get some sleep! Not even an apology!
Steve ********
@Dave *********
You've never ever needed a return ticket. Any onward travel ticket will suffice. I had a similar problem a while back re-entering on a non-immigrant visa. I was asked to show onward ticket, and I explained I didn't need it. She still made a phone call to a supervisor to confirm this. Check-in staff are not conversant with all visa classes
Dave **********
@Steve *******
you are correct! An onward ticket out of Thailand would also have been acceptable!
Stuart *********
@Dave *********
an onward ticket out of Thailand is not needed for a non Immigrant entry. Check in clerks rarely know the rules but ask for a supervisor. They’ll know their stuff.
Stuart *********
@Dave *********
I’ve heard of instances of this, but that’s just the check in clerk being uneducated. Ask for a supervisor.
Stuart *********
If you are entering on a long term visa, like a Non O or Non OA or Thailand Elite you do not need an onward flight out from Thailand.

If on a visa exempt entry or tourist visa you may well need to have a flight ticket out of Thailand within the amount of days that your initial entry allows, regardless that you can get an extension in country. It doesn’t need to be a return ticket, any ticket out of Thailand will suffice.

In theory immigration can deny you entry if you don’t but they rarely ever would, because they know you can get an extension.

Almost always the hang up will be when you try to board your plane. Many airlines will not allow you to board without an onward ticket within the number of days.

Some will let you. Many won’t. Short haul carriers probably won’t care, but for long haul carriers they probably will. If you don’t have an onward ticket it’s the carriers responsibility (at their expense) to return you to your point of departure should immigration deny you entry for some reason.

You probably don’t want to be the one scrambling to buy an onward ticket at the check in desk. Best option is a changeable ticket, and just change the date when you’re here.

Alternatively you can Google “onward flight ticket” and you’ll find a plethora of companies willing to sell you one for around $10. A real ticket, Phuket to Singapore, would be approx £25/$35 depending on the time of year. Bangkok to Cambodia would probably be similar.

You’ll probably get a number of replies saying “I managed to enter with a one way ticket no problem, therefore you won’t have one either.” They’ve been to Thailand 20 or 30 or 100 times and haven’t been asked so they assume that no one else on the planet has ever been asked either.

When you get to the check in desk you’ll find out which way it’ll go for you. Be prepared. You might get away without one, but do you want to take that gamble?
Scott *******
@Stuart ********
Thanks for these observations. Flying to BKK from LA (seven or eight times) I am not aware that we’ve ever been asked for our return tickets. We’ve always had them. But now I’m slightly paranoid. The wrinkle for an upcoming flight is that our return is 36 days later than our entry because we want see more of the country. We’re advised by your colleague to get an extension at an Immigration Office. But if we can’t even get on the plane in LA, that’s a bit of a game-changer.
Stuart *********
@Scott ******
as stated the best option is to have a changeable ticket and change the dates on arrival. Next is to have some form of ticket out of Thailand. That can be a $2 bus ticket, a $10 “fake” flight ticket or a $30 real ticket to somewhere like Singapore or Cambodia.
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