This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
Do Thai immigration officers always require proof of onward travel for visa exempt entries?
Sep 24, 2024
2 years ago
Robby *******
ORIGINAL POSTERFYI Onward travel from Thailand.
I came through immigration last week visa exempt (from USA). I was asked by immigration about onward travel and was asked to see flight confirmation. I booked a cheap flight to Malaysia before I left just to be safe. Most people say only airlines would ask. Thought I would share this was not the case with me.
Most saying I have extensive history. My last stamp was 3 years ago during covid. I stayed about 7 or 8 months.
I came through immigration last week visa exempt (from USA). I was asked by immigration about onward travel and was asked to see flight confirmation. I booked a cheap flight to Malaysia before I left just to be safe. Most people say only airlines would ask. Thought I would share this was not the case with me.
Most saying I have extensive history. My last stamp was 3 years ago during covid. I stayed about 7 or 8 months.
TLDR : Answer Summary
A recent experience shared by a traveler from the USA highlights that Thai immigration officials can request proof of onward travel, even for visa-exempt visitors. The traveler reported being asked for a flight confirmation upon entering Thailand, contrary to the common belief that such checks are typically conducted only by airlines. Many commenters echoed this sentiment, noting variability in questions asked by immigration, often dependent on the traveler's entry history and stamps in the passport. Some shared that they had been asked for onward tickets in prior visits, suggesting that those with multiple entries or specific travel patterns may be more likely to face scrutiny. Overall, the discussion emphasizes the unpredictability of immigration checks and the importance of having onward travel documentation to avoid potential issues.
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
Dan *******
Interesting. I have travelled at least 30 times to Thailand on a one-way ticket (visa-exempt) in the past and never been asked by immigration.
Maksym ***********
@Dan ******
they can ask. But mostly not. But if ask - they can deny. Official rules says : return ticket, cash
*****
thb.Reply to
Maksym ***********
Reply
Stuart **********
I usually get a 90day non imm o visa based on marriage to a Thai but now those visas have gone from nz$120 to Nz$800 I’m changing to the 60 day visa exempt then going to Cambodia for 7 days then back to Thailand for another 60 day visa exempt entry which times in with my flight back to NZ so hopefully no problems.I also have Thai bank account,Thai drivers licence and yellow Tabian Baan house book.
Aaron *******
I don't understand why people are even debating it. It's required by Thailand and many countries, to have an onward ticket. Nothing to debate. If you wish to gamble and not have one, cool. Probably won't be asked. But why risk it, when there are many inexpensive options available. Why would you spend thousands of dollars, travel half way around the World, to risk being denied entry. I don't get it.
Tom ***********
Very disconcerting (and stressful) to hear of this lack of consistency.
Andrew *******
@Tom **********
yes it's the lack of consistency that's particularly annoying ...to buy an onward ticket you may not use only to not be asked ...then another time no pre-booked onward ticket to get to check in counter to be told you need an onward ticket .....seems totally arbitrary and inconsistent even with the same airline !!! Sometimes it's down to the person on the check in counterReply to
Andrew *******
Reply
Kool *******
Immigration stereotypes, and profiles, so you set off their alarm bells, and they asked.
Greg ********
@Kool ******
my wife is 60+ japanese with a japan passport and they asked her. It was her first time visiting. They must have some strange profiles. It clearly says in big writing at immigration to have your onward ticket ready to show along with passportReply to
Greg ********
Reply
Terary **********
Thanks for sharing.
Billy ******
I’ve been asked by both the airline and immigration at BKK on a couple of occasions, I always have POOT to show if asked, this year I have a one way from BKK to KL which cost 1100 THB, well worth it to avoid hassle.
Tom ***********
@Billy *****
who has 1100 THB? I see only 3000Billy ******
@Tom **********
sorry it was Don Muang to KL, not BKK. It was £25 with Air AsiaTom ***********
@Billy *****
thanksReply to
Tom ***********
Reply
Reply to
Tom ***********
Reply
Brian *******
since my 2nd trip leaving america no onr has asked me for a return ticket to america lol now thai immigration has asked me only at mk airport never at sv airport..
Ian *********
Are you constantly re enter Thailand with to short of a time span between trips? When did you leave last?
Sab *****
Actually i was asked too. My 3rd entry to Thailand this year and immigration officer asked me to see an onward ticket. Luckily i had one. I spent prior 4 months this year in Thailand, split over 2 visits. Left for 1 months Europe and when i returned, airline in Europe as well as immigration officer in Don Muang asked for onward flight. Not that rare especially if you are a repeat visitor.
Sam **********
I didn't get DTV until after I arrived, passport hounded me about return tickets, where I'm staying etc. it was only my 3rd entry this year I was shocked I got drilled so hard.
Chynna *****
@Sam *********
this happened to me this time too. I arrived two weeks ago, my second time in Thailand this year. I was quite shocked at how hard I was grilled too. I’ve always abided by the regulations in the past.Sam **********
@Chynna ****
me too anyway next entry Il have my DTV printed ready to go! Hopefully there's no expiry on the entry time 😲Reply to
Sam **********
Reply
Ruth *******
@Sam *********
three is a lot.Reply to
Ruth *******
Reply
Simon ******
Unfortunately you’re American
David ***********
You can definately be asked by both airline and thai immigration on visa exempt. Its their discretion if they do or dont. Just because some havent been asked doesnt mean you wont be
Andrew *******
Yep sure seems stupid 😕
David ***********
@Andrew ******
indeed, but reality im afraidReply to
David ***********
Reply
Ruth *******
@David **********
agreed. I don’t know why people get so defensive about this. There’s an entire business for onward tickets for a reason. They didn’t create a solution for a problem that doesn’t exist. 🤦♀️. I have not yet been asked in Thailand, but I have in other countries. People, including the OP, have been asked in Thailand. This idea that it “never happens” or that the person must have done something wrong is absurd.David ***********
@Ruth ******
indeed. Ive been asked at checkin by the airline toAndrew *******
@David **********
very annoying after you've just spent 45 mins waiting in a queue to be told you need an onward ticket .....can't see the point when everyone is getting fake throwaway ticketsDavid ***********
@Andrew ******
indeed but thems the rules.Andrew *******
@David **********
I don't mind rules ....but when they are discretionary and arbitrary it's both annoying and frustrating . From now on I will be purchasing the fake $15 tickets which many seem to buy .David ***********
@Andrew ******
exactly, thats all you need to do. Thailand is full of crazy laws etc. You either learn to.accept them or you leave, its that simpleRuth *******
@Andrew ******
no one said bureaucracy was logical.Ruth *******
@David **********
I have as well. I do not understand people advising others to risk their trips just to avoid spending a few dollars on an onward ticket.David ***********
@Ruth ******
indeedReply to
David ***********
Reply
Craig *******
Thanks for sharing
Michael ********
I have been asked once by immigration and that was way back in 1988 when they still used to have the hippies not allowed entry board up in immigration. Since then never.
Lots more by airlines now. Like
Lots more by airlines now. Like
@Garrett **********
said you must have pissed them off somehowStuart *********
@Michael *******
Have you still got that Hippie haircut? Could be an issue even these days….Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
Declan **********
No, most people will tell you that airlines will ask you and immigration could ask but are unlikely unless you have an extensive history of visa exemption, overstaying etc etc.
If you're being grilled you've likely got an extensive history of exemption and/or TR use, you've overstayed or been pulled out and grilled before and now flag something up in the system when you try to enter.
If you're being grilled you've likely got an extensive history of exemption and/or TR use, you've overstayed or been pulled out and grilled before and now flag something up in the system when you try to enter.
Robby *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Declan *********
last entry 3 years agoDeclan **********
@Robby ******
history is history regardless of time frame. If you've done something wrong or have been seen to be doing something wrong in the past such as overstaying or too many exemptions they will still grill because in their eyes, what's to stop you doing it again?John ***********
@Robby ******
what was your history before that?Reply to
John ***********
Reply
Kevin *******
I landed two days ago and I was asked the same thing. I didn't buy a return ticket so I just said I was planning to stay for about two months and not sure about the return date yet. She talked to her colleague and after a few seconds stamped my passport😅
Andrew *******
@Kevin ******
I guess they also look at previous entries and departures .....it's very frustrating as I like to keep an open itinary and frequently change plansKevin *******
@Andrew ******
I know! Next time I'll buy a bus ticket to Laos beforehand, it cost like 3$ 😁Lien ******
@Kevin ******
where do you purchase that?Kevin *******
Andrew *******
@Kevin ******
yeh ...that's the way to goReply to
Andrew *******
Reply
Jeff *********
@Kevin ******
wow, a case of common sense in the land of smiles!! 🙏Reply to
Jeff *********
Reply
John **********
I guess you have a fairly extensive history of spending time in Thailand?
Robby *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
last entry 3 years agoReply to
Robby *******
Reply
Ahmed *******
Its totally random and yes they ask sometimes , probably depends on how many thai stamps you have on your passport or how empty it is
Declan **********
@Ahmed ******
passport being new or not doesn't make any difference, a brief overview of your entry and exit history shows up on the screen when they scan your passport which they can then either look deep into your history on the computer or check your passport.It's also not totally random, if you have an extensive history of exemption or TR use or even an overstay you're likely to be pulled out and grilled.
Ahmed *******
@Declan *********
i used to enter thailand with a passport full of thai visas & extensions "normal & covid" but it was a hit and miss for me , mostly they stamp and never ask any questions and only a couple times they asked me for where am i staying and how many days but never took me to that office some are talking about , i was once though asked to stamp through a supervisor while crossing from laos to bkk on an empty passport with ed visaReply to
Ahmed *******
Reply
Stuart *********
Immigration almost certainly won’t ask you for onward flight information unless they are looking for a way to deny you entry. Obviously that rarely happens to anyone who is a “normal” tourist.
If you’ve got a history of previous entries on tourist visas or visa exempt entries then they could ask. They believe you are abusing the system.
If you’ve got a history of previous entries on tourist visas or visa exempt entries then they could ask. They believe you are abusing the system.
Robby *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stuart ********
last time I was in Thailand was 3 years agoStuart *********
@Robby ******
ok that would be incredibly unusual. But as anything immigration wise it’s up to the individual officer you hand your passport to. If they are having a bad hair day then they can ask for stuff that 99.9% of other people would never be asked for.Stuart *********
It can happen. It’s one of the “requirements” to enter Thailand. Except that it’s almost never asked for. I suspect that for whatever reason you may have riled the officer up the wrong way. Just a guesstimate on my part but usually they’d never ask for that.
Marc ********
@Stuart ********
They asked me when I went to a counter actually only for chinese passport holdersBut they stamped me in though😅
Reply to
Marc ********
Reply
Jason ********
What airport?
Robert ********
I have watched this topic for sometime now .
My airline ( Korean Air ) has no requirement for a onward flight . There is nothing on the official Thai website about this being a requirement.
My plan is to take the slow boat from northern Thailand to Luang Prabang.
I would like to not have a big problem at the Bangkok airport after a long flight.
My airline ( Korean Air ) has no requirement for a onward flight . There is nothing on the official Thai website about this being a requirement.
My plan is to take the slow boat from northern Thailand to Luang Prabang.
I would like to not have a big problem at the Bangkok airport after a long flight.
Ruth *******
@Robert *******
which “official Thai website”? Please, supply your link. Every Thai embassy I’ve seen shows this requirement, so I’d honestly like to see where the Thai government lists requirements and does not include this one. One Thai website as a resource for those who inquire might be quite useful to provide people as a resource.Robert ********
@Ruth ******
I have scoured this website and can find no mention of onward travel.Ruth *******
@Robert *******
that’s not a link nor is the image from L.A.. 🤣. With that said, I’m not going to go searching for the sites. The fact is that if you have entry into any nation on earth for 60 days, you can be asked to prove you are leaving within that 60 days. I realize people who don’t travel frequently may not know this, but it’s a standard policy. No nation wants people moving in on a tourist visa.Robert ********
@Ruth ******
do you need glasses? Or help with translation?What part of my message about traveling on confused you ?🤣
Ruth *******
@Robert *******
Immigration doesn’t care what is in your heart. 🤣. Your “plan” is irrelevant. I can’t believe I’m needing to explain this. 🤦♀️Again, in every country, they may ask for evidence that you are leaving, not you just stating that’s your “plan”. 🤣. The airline may ask the same as they’d be on the hook to return you if you are not allowed in.
Reply to
Ruth *******
Reply
Robert ********
@Ruth ******
Royal Thai Consulate / Los Angeles, CA. USAReply to
Robert ********
Reply
John *******
@Robert *******
what website you following?Nongnuch ********
@Robert *******
this is NOT an official Thai government or embassy website! This is just somebody trying to give you wrong infoReply to
Nongnuch ********
Reply
Bart **************
@Robert *******
FYI: there is everything on Thai official sources about this being a requirement. All airlines are supposed to check this upfront, also Korean.Robert ********
@Bart *************
could take a screenshot of this requirement on the official Thai website?I don't believe it exists
Bart **************
@Robert *******
any. I'm not even going to screenshot it for you, you're the only one here who can't find it. Look for yourself.Reply to
Bart **************
Reply
Maksym ***********
@Robert *******
all official Thai embassies websites say that onward ticket is required for visa exemption,🤷😂Robert ********
@Maksym **********
could you reference where on the official Thai website?Maksym ***********
@Robert *******
for example Warsaw. But it will be on each embassy website under visa exemption rulesReply to
Robert ********
Reply
Benjamin *********
@Robert *******
it is up to the discretion of the immigration officer. They may ask for proof of onward travel.Robert ********
@Benjamin ********
I will be taking the slow boat to LB. I am not looking to skirt any immigration laws.I would like to have some flexibility in my plans
Andrew *******
@Robert *******
yes ....this booked onward flight makes flexible plans difficult ...it's nice to have open itinary and flexibility to change .Reply to
Andrew *******
Reply
Bart **************
@Benjamin ********
true that, and besides that it is also officially required.Reply to
Bart **************
Reply
Carsten ************
@Robert *******
fyi: Your airline (Korean Air) has no requirement for an onward flight, but your airline (Korean Air) has to bring you back free of charge if your entry is denied. That's why they ask for the return or onward flight.Henrik *****
You may need to go to the Thai Embassy website to update your knowledge about onward travel.
As seen below.
As seen below.
Reply to
Henrik *****
Reply
Incognia **********
@Carsten ***********
I think ETA will solve this problem.They will make mandatory on ETA systemHenrik *****
Don’t believe in rumors about things that may never happend.
Don’t bother about rules that haven’t been through Parlament and has been publiced in Royal Gazette.
Don’t bother about rules that haven’t been through Parlament and has been publiced in Royal Gazette.
Carsten ************
@Incognia *********
yes, the proposal looks good. Let's wait what they are doing with it.Reply to
Carsten ************
Reply
Garrett ***********
You must have pissed them off.
Paul *******
@Garrett **********
no necessarily. I have recently flown in from Cambodia on a 60 exempt. I have done this many times as I worked in Cambodia for 10 years teaching. Anyway, for the first time ever, the Thai immigration officer asked how long I was staying and when I said less than 60 days, she asked where I was going next and ASKED TO SEE MY TICKET. This is the 1st time a Thai immigration officer asked to look at my ticket out. Usually its been my experience the airline in Cambodia asked to see a ticket out before boarding the plane, and they didnt this time.No one "must have pissed off" the I.O in Thailand, its just their choice.
Ruth *******
@Paul ******
I usually get, “It must have been the purple hair.”, except the only times I’ve been asked, my hair was a natural color. 🤣. It’s human nature. People want to think it can’t happen to them.Reply to
Ruth *******
Reply
Is an onward flight ticket to Malaysia acceptable when entering Thailand on a 60-day visa exemption?
43 comments
2 years ago
Is it safe to use a dummy ticket for proof of onward travel when entering Thailand on a 30-day visa?
11 comments
2 years ago
11 comments
2 years ago
9 comments
2 years ago
11 comments
2 years ago
18 comments
3 years ago
40 comments
3 years ago
50 comments
3 years ago
9 comments
3 years ago
45 comments
4 years ago
53 comments
4 years ago
24 comments
4 years ago
16 comments
4 years ago
25 comments
4 years ago
12 comments
4 years ago
6 comments
6 years ago
9 comments
6 years ago
1 comments
7 years ago
24 comments
7 years ago
14 comments
7 years ago
6 comments
7 years ago
64 comments
8 years ago
17 comments
8 years ago
12 comments
8 years ago
27 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.