Answered3 years ago
Do I need to purchase actual flights out of Thailand for my METV application, or is an onward flight sufficient?
Hi. We've finally booked our flights - we were waiting to see if the prices dropped at all, but, not a chance! We're going to be applying for an METV and I've already received great advice from this group. One thing I'd like to check though - when we're booking our flights out of Thai within the first 60 days, have I heard correctly that it's no longer possible to use an 'onward flight ' as proof you're leaving and returning? Do we have to actually purchase flights in and out? Thank you.
Answer summary
The conversation discusses the necessity of providing proof of onward travel when applying for a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) for Thailand. Most comments suggest that while onward flight reservations may have been accepted in the past, it is now safer to purchase a real flight ticket, as airlines have tightened their policies. Many users recommend booking a cheap one-way ticket to a nearby destination, like Malaysia, to ensure compliance with visa requirements.
18 repliesnewest first
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Victoria *******
Last year I was asked to show flight out and back in but this time I was not asked
Paul ***************
Hmmm I've never been asked, must be my charm😎
Steve *******
Any onward travel is acceptable
Peter *******
Do you know how long your going to stay ?
I come in with a tv60 knowing I’m going to extend with a 30 day. I book a return flight from the UK with Quatar airways for 90 days never been a problem
I come in with a tv60 knowing I’m going to extend with a 30 day. I book a return flight from the UK with Quatar airways for 90 days never been a problem
Julie **********
OP@Peter ******
6 months approximately. We arrive on 1st November. Depart on 27th April...
John **********
In order to get an METV you need to show why you need one. So you need your initial flight, travel to somewhere else and then a return from there to Thailand again. There are many reports of only an SETV being issued if you do not do this and the embassy keeping the difference in price.
Bob **********
I just heard that there cracking down on onward flights it’s your airline that will require it your most likely going to extend 30 days so I would book a cheap bus ticket to Cambodia
Richard *********
@Bob *********
bus tickets are a no no and not accepted 99% of the timeFYI onwardflights.com is a rel ticket not just a reservation, ur issued the code
Richard *********
its a REAL booking with a real code
Bob **********
@Richard ********
for $15 real ???Gregor **********
@Bob *********
there is no guarantee an airline will accept a bus ticket for an onward travel proof, because they could say that the bus will only get you to the border but not across it 😃 The only safe and 100% guaranteed onward travel proof is a "real" cheap one way ticket out of Thailand. You can use Air Asia from Hat Yai to Kuala Lumpur as a perfect proof. Why do we hear about "onwardtickets" soon to get refused? Because they are not "real" flights but just reservations, one can clearly sort them out in the TIMATIC system, and since the beginning of the year the fine for violating IATA rules has risen five-fold, it can be up to 10.000.- USD per case.Bob **********
@Gregor *********
buy the ticket all the way to Phnom Penh but with a METV I doubt they’ll be askedGregor **********
@Bob *********
yes, you could be right, normally when you hold a valid visa, the airline doesn't ask for an onward travel proof. However I guess the ticket "within 60 days" is needed for the METV visa application, which is a whole different story
Nongnuch ********
a real flight ticket out of Thailand will always & guaranteed be accepted as onward travel proof. Likewise I would book a cheap one-way ticket with Air Asia from Hat Yai to Kuala Lumpur, which sometimes can be booked for just 33.- USD
Derek ***********
@Nongnuch *******
excellent suggestion
Leigh *****
I booked an outward flight to Malaysia on the first 60 days for my metv application
Brandon ************
Onward flights are actual flights. You can even search the airline system and find them. But they're only valid until the agency cancels them and how long that is will depend on the options you pay for when you purchase the onward ticket.
Julie **********
OP@Brandon ***********
thank you so much. I wasn't sure about that.🙏Activity
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