This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
Do I need an onward ticket when flying to Thailand on a Non-Immigrant Type O visa?
Non-Immigrant VisaTravel RegulationsLufthansa AirlinesOne-Way Ticket PolicyThailand ImmigrationVisa TypesExpat Travel Advice
Oct 3, 2025
7 months ago
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTERI am travelling to Thailand with a Non-iimigrant Type O visa from the UK, via Munich on Lufthansa Airlines. The visa is valid for 90 days as I will be staying in Thailand permanently then extending for 12 months based on marriage. Therefore I have booked a one way ticket. Will Lufthansa refuse me checking in and boarding the airplane as I do not require onward travel.
TLDR : Answer Summary
Traveling to Thailand with a Non-Immigrant Type O visa allows for one-way tickets, and passengers should not be required to show onward travel proof. However, airline policies may vary. Past experiences suggest that if questioned at check-in, asking for a supervisor could resolve any issues. Some travelers recommend purchasing a low-cost onward ticket just to mitigate potential problems with the airline, particularly because different carriers, like Emirates and KLM, have more strict policies. It’s advisable to confirm directly with Lufthansa or your travel booking company for clarity.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Thai Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Bent *************
Why don’t you just buy a train ticket out of Thailand?
Nong Khai to Vientiane costs not much more than 100 baht!
Nong Khai to Vientiane costs not much more than 100 baht!
Gregor **********
@Bent ************
there is no guarantee that the airline will accept a bus, train or ferry ticket as an onward travel proof. Many airlines insist it has to be a "real" flight ticketReply to
Gregor **********
Reply
Charlimo *********
There is a good chance LH will not let you board
Reinhard ********
@Charlimo ********
Wrong.If he has a Visa they don't do anything.They will ask for a Visa and that's it.Only If He want's to travel on visaexemption they want to see a ticket out of Thailand in between the 60 days.John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Reinhard *******
have you flown with Lufthansa ?Gregor **********
@John ********
Lufthansa is know as being somewhat strict in ensuring the IATA conformity rules. And keep in mind: If a flight is overbooked, which happens very often, the airline will use the onward-travel proof to sweep out a few passengers. I am not kidding - this is reality, it is insider knowledgeReply to
Gregor **********
Reply
Alf ***********
I bought a ticket to Laos to show just in case. Udon Thani - Vientiane about 250 baht.
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTERIS that a flight??
Alf ***********
@John ********
Bus ticket - can be bought online…John *********
ORIGINAL POSTEROK so that is calssed in terms of an airline check in desk, 'onward travel'?
Gregor **********
@John ********
good luck with that. . you never know. There are airlines that only accept a REAL flight ticket. Not a bus or train or speedboat ticketReply to
Gregor **********
Reply
Gregor **********
@John ********
that's a bus that actually crosses the border (many Thai busses do not enter Laos because the steering wheel will be on the wrong side after having crossed)Reply to
Gregor **********
Reply
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTERMy travel booking company just spoke to Lufthansa and they replied, 'He needs to make sure he has the right visa'. Booking company replied, thats not what I asked, The Trvaeller has a 90 day non-Immigrant visa with a view to extending for 12 months'. They still did not give an answer. No wonder airlines remove their contact number.
Frank *********
@John ********
it is a real hassle these days to get a straight answer to any questionGregor **********
@Frank ********
that's why I always recommend to ask the airline by email. You can then print out their email reply and take it to the check-in. On a telephone, people like to talk all kind of nonsenseReply to
Gregor **********
Reply
Gregor **********
@John ********
that's why I always recommend to ask the question by email. You can then print out the email reply and take it to the check-in. On a telephone, people like to talk all kind of nonsenseReply to
Gregor **********
Reply
ThanyaMichael *********
What about Thai Airways?
Pertti *************
@ThanyaMichael ********
non immigrant visa holders can fly without return ticket. When we moved here we fly thai airways with one way ticket.Reply to
Pertti *************
Reply
Martyn *******
I think I would check with the airline, too risky otherwise
Richard *********
Nine!
Andy *****
Although Thailand do not stipulate onward ticket, the airlines own policy may do. I'm doing 1 way with an onward reservation. Emirates,KLM,Qatar all have it in their policy. I did onward ticket Approx £12 real reservation. Not worth the risk for me.
Graham ******
@Andy ****
So you're travelling without a long stay visa then? BTW the onward travel requirement is required for a tourism entry to Thailand if asked.Andy *****
@Graham *****
ohhand by the way. It's only my preferance based on the research I've done. Individuals can take it or leave it. Take the risk if you want. Not bothered either way.Andy *****
@Graham *****
none O visa. I've done my research. Got a visa, Thai immigration are not interested in onward travel. But the airlines are. Its unlikely that the airline may ask for onward/return ticket but for £12 its not worth the risk.Reply to
Andy *****
Reply
Gregor **********
on a 90-days Non-Imm-O family visa, you can fly one-way. You don't need an onward-travel proof. If the Check-in does not comply, ask for the manager and explain to them that this visa is the first step for a longstay in Thailand
Stuart *********
Long term visas like a Non O don’t require an onward ticket. If questioned at check in ask for a supervisor. They’ll know that you aren’t required.
John *********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
If only I could speak to Lufthansa!! No phone number anywhere.Reply to
John *********
Reply
50 comments
7 months ago
12 comments
8 months ago
3 comments
a year ago
63 comments
a year ago
8 comments
a year ago
65 comments
2 years ago
6 comments
2 years ago
15 comments
2 years ago
7 comments
3 years ago
8 comments
3 years ago
15 comments
3 years ago
22 comments
3 years ago
89 comments
3 years ago
30 comments
3 years ago
7 comments
3 years ago
39 comments
3 years ago
39 comments
4 years ago
60 comments
4 years ago
13 comments
4 years ago
15 comments
4 years ago
10 comments
4 years ago
8 comments
7 years ago
11 comments
8 years ago
59 comments
8 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.