Do I need to book an onward journey before arriving in Thailand on a SETV?

SETV Onward Travel Thai Visa Visa Requirements Immigration Tourist Visa Thailand UK to Thailand Travel

Aug 11, 2017

7 years ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Sorry to ask this again but it's because I've read two different answers in threads here and I need to clear this up before I go ahead. I am planning on getting a SETV here in the UK before I arrive in Thailand this November. My question is do I NEED to book an onward journey BEFORE I arrive in Thailand ? If so do I book the flight just before the 60 days or just before the 90 days ? ( 60 + 30 day extension) I'm planning on going to Vietnam to obtain another SETV once my 60 + 30 days have expired.....

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TLDR : Answer Summary

When applying for a Single Entry Tourist Visa (SETV) from the UK, proof of onward travel is generally not required by the Thai consulate. Upon arrival in Thailand, you will receive a 60-day stay, which can be extended for another 30 days. The 60 days begins on your date of arrival, and you must enter Thailand within the validity of the visa issued (typically within 3 months of application). While airlines may sometimes ask for onward travel confirmation, it is not a strict immigration requirement.

Keith **********

OK my experience is with travel to Philippines not Thailand recently. It is not the immigration who ask for onward ticket necessarily but the airline may refuse boarding. Twice I have had to explain at check-in that my visa allows indefinite stay. Just returned here after a short holiday in UK of course had ticket for flight here only. Woman at check-in asked how long I intended to stay I said a few years. She was taken aback till I showed and explained my visa. When I came in first time I searched the net to find the cheapest flight out to anywhere. 14gbp to Hong-Kong on a special deal

7 years ago

Graham *********

applying from.london.

in.person takes 2 days. ..2 trip to the embassy. . £25 cash only...

7 years ago

Graham *********

so get August. .has to be used by november

7 years ago

Graham *********

the visa start on arrival..it had to be activated with 3 months of issue

7 years ago

Kyron *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Lorry ********

thank you so much 😊

7 years ago

Lorry *********

I just got an SETV in Kuala Lumpur Kyron. The 60 days activates once you arrive in Thailand, but the you have to arrive within a certain time-frame as stated on the visa. I don't have my passport with me but that time-frame is maybe 3 months.

7 years ago

Kyron *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Graham, does the SETV kick in once obtained or when you actually arrive in Thailand?

7 years ago

Reply to

Kyron *********

Graham *********

from uk..you get the 60 day visa..yoj can extend that at any immigration office in thailand. ....during any period of the 90 days. .you can book a flight anywhere you won't to go....I am from uk..and just got my visa a few weeks a go..

7 years ago

Tod *********

Like I said, it seems the thai consulate in london doesn't require onward travel to issue a single entry tourist visa.

When you get a 30 day extension at the immigration office for 1900baht you don't need to provide onward travel either

7 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

@Kyron ********

, it seems the thai consulate in London doesn't require proof of onward travel when applying for a single entry Tourist visa (or at least it's not listed on their website) ;)

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7 years ago

Tod *********

That is totally dependent on whether the thai consulate you're getting the visa from.

Once you get here they're not gonna ask you for proof of onward travel when you stamp in.

7 years ago

Kyron *********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you so much Tod :) in that case I will just apply at the London Thai embassy and see what they say. Thanks again!

7 years ago

Reply to

Kyron *********

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