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Is it a problem to travel to Thailand on a one-way ticket while applying for a retirement visa?
Thailand Visa RulesNon-O VisaRetirement VisaAir Travel RegulationsOne-Way TicketVisa RequirementsImmigration Advice
Apr 30, 2024
2 years ago
Biff ******
ORIGINAL POSTERI'm coming from America on my passport 30 days. When I arrive I will work on getting a retirement visa. I'm coming on a one way plane ticket. Is this a problem? I can't find info on this and have never did a one way before.
TLDR : Answer Summary
Traveling to Thailand on a one-way ticket can lead to complications, especially if you do not have a valid visa for your stay. Many airlines may require proof of an onward ticket before allowing you to board. It is advisable to obtain a tourist visa (which can be extended) or apply for a Non-O Retirement Visa beforehand. Having an exit ticket, even a cheap or refundable one, can help avoid issues at the airport and with immigration upon arrival.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Steve ********
Like I said, message me
Art ************
Just apply for a 90-day none O Visa, and then you can buy a one-way ticket without any issues . I just came here with a 90 day visa on my passport and now I have a one year retirement Visa. All done within one month of arriving
Janne ***********
The airline will most likely not check you in as you don't have a return ticket and not a valid visa. Information in the systems clearly advises pax to have a return ticket.
Cris ******
Try to get info from a visa center or something to show you will get a retirement visa. If they ask and you show some form of that's your plan I don't think they will pry to much
Andre *********
You should have started working on the visa before you arrived and gotten an easy visa for longer than the 30 days as a tourist.
Andrew ********
I've never been asked. From the UK.
Aaron *******
Assuming your over 50 you can get a 90 day visa, or the regular 60 day visa. 30 days probably too short to set up retirement visa. Just opening a bank account can be difficult.
Graciela ***********
Just rent a return ticket. Google “rent an onward ticket”. Costs about 20.00 - super easy and you will get it in less than 5 minutes
Ruth *******
Just get an onward ticket, either real or throw away…don’t destroy your plans for $10-50.
Ian ********
If you have enough time apply for a Non O visa before you fly out and then you won't have much problems here opening a bank account etc, all you will then need is to season your 800k for 2 months before you apply for your yearly extension,
I wish I had gone that route.
I wish I had gone that route.
Deanna *******
Buy what we call a "throw away ticket". Super cheap one way to Kuala Lumpur or the like. They may not ask for it, but if you don't have one, it's a sure thing that they will ask.
Larry **********
Best onward ticket...... gives you multiple options for a small fee
Bernie **********
Your not allowed to work
Biff ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bernie *********
who said work?Bernie **********
@Biff *****
youBiff ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bernie *********
really? TROLLBernie **********
@Biff *****
working on visa!!Biff ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Bernie *********
omg... working on getting a visa. Move alongReply to
Biff ******
Reply
Robert *****
I used EVA Air and it’s less expensive to just buy a round trip ticket. You go thru Taipei to Bangkok. Get online in the USA and do the visa because 30 days isn’t enough time. Good luck
John *********
Even if you call the airline and they say it’s ok, the person at the airport check-in may or may not require an onward ticket. Then it’s too late to say “but when I called customer service they said it was okay “.
Graham ******
@John ********
that is why you email them and take a print out of their replyReply to
Graham ******
Reply
Henrik *****
30 days may be to short for you, to go through with your plans.
And before even thinking about staying on a retiment visa, you should make a trial run ex. 60 days touristvisa + 30 days extension, which is the longest everyone can get because of few requirements.
Everyday life may be far far from holiday life.
After that you can start considering retiment visa, and meet the requirements for that.
One way tickets into Thailand will always lift a eyebrow without any plans on when to leave Thailand again, so make sure you always have visa and airplane tickets that match each other.
In addition a one-way ticket is much more expensive than a return with a flexibel returndate.
And before even thinking about staying on a retiment visa, you should make a trial run ex. 60 days touristvisa + 30 days extension, which is the longest everyone can get because of few requirements.
Everyday life may be far far from holiday life.
After that you can start considering retiment visa, and meet the requirements for that.
One way tickets into Thailand will always lift a eyebrow without any plans on when to leave Thailand again, so make sure you always have visa and airplane tickets that match each other.
In addition a one-way ticket is much more expensive than a return with a flexibel returndate.
Biff ***************************
@Henrik ****
I love your comments.. so direct and it sounds like you know what you're talking about.. Can I contact you on DM? Thank youHenrik *****
I only answer questions in the thread, since it is to the benefit to the whole group and not only to a few individuals, that is the way to keep the group interesting for everybody and keep it going.
If, by mistake, someone is posting something wrong in the thread others will correct it, or tell if a problem can be solved in another way.
Furthermore there can be differences from country to country, that I not necessarily know about.
It also make it possibel for me (and others) to only write about things I have knowlegde about or have experiences with
If, by mistake, someone is posting something wrong in the thread others will correct it, or tell if a problem can be solved in another way.
Furthermore there can be differences from country to country, that I not necessarily know about.
It also make it possibel for me (and others) to only write about things I have knowlegde about or have experiences with
Reply to
Henrik *****
Reply
Ruth *******
@Henrik ****
30 days is definitely not enough time, unless he already has a very good agent already lined up.Henrik *****
@Ruth ******
You should direct that answer to the OP, as you can see from my answer, I have it 100 % under control.Chris ******
@Ruth ******
He does not need an Agent,as long a Thai Bank account with TB 800,000.00 in it or his pension details that equal the financial requirements,then he can go to immigration and apply for the O visa himself, instead of getting ripped off by an agency firm.I obtained my O Visa within 28 days,so 30 days is enough time.
Henrik *****
Never use an agent, take control over the new life, and the Conditions it is founded on.
When going to Thailand for 31 - 60 ( 90 )days, the 60 days touristvisa is the best option.
It is cheaper than visa excempt + 30 days extension.
No need of a onward ticket ( 90 days 1 onward ), if returnticket within 60 days.
It is easier to apply from the comfort of your home.
thaievisa.go.th
Not wasting holiday time to find, go to and waiting at a immigration office ( 90 you would need that ).
Then no need to leave Thailand in up to 90 days.
When going to Thailand for 31 - 60 ( 90 )days, the 60 days touristvisa is the best option.
It is cheaper than visa excempt + 30 days extension.
No need of a onward ticket ( 90 days 1 onward ), if returnticket within 60 days.
It is easier to apply from the comfort of your home.
thaievisa.go.th
Not wasting holiday time to find, go to and waiting at a immigration office ( 90 you would need that ).
Then no need to leave Thailand in up to 90 days.
Ruth *******
I love when folks put words into my mouth.
Reply to
Ruth *******
Reply
Graham ******
Why don't you get your Non-O retirement Visa before you travel as this will give you a much better chance of getting a Thai bank account for your 800k ready for your Extensuin of Stay.
Larry **********
@Graham *****
from experience , the Thai customs in the US is very slow for some reason , and are requiring things which take longer to achieve because of slow processing , medical exam , bank statements etc..............I leave next week to do the same , and have found it to be easier to come over on a passport and do the process when I arrive , SEVERAL agencies to helpJohn ********
@Larry *********
it’s not Thai customs and also a non O 90 day doesn’t require a medical examLarry **********
@John *******
I am just speaking from my recent personal experience with the DC location , and what they required from me to obtain a visa , others may find different results , regardless it was still a bit of a waiting periodJohn ********
@Larry *********
I am also referring to the DC consulate for a Non O using the evisa systemReply to
John ********
Reply
Graham ******
@Larry *********
So you already have a Thai bank account with 800k in your name?Larry **********
@Graham *****
providing bank documents for my $6000 a month pension depositsGraham ******
@Larry *********
That will not work for your first year with a US passport, you must use the 800k methodReply to
Graham ******
Reply
Steve ********
I highly recommend you get a 60 day tourist visa which you can extend for an additional 30 days when going for a retirement visa. I also, highly recommend you do not try to come on a one way ticket without having an exit ticket. I recommend getting a ticket to someplace like Singapore or Vietnam for your exit ticket. Either get one you can cancel or eat the $50-$75. When I presented my one way ticket the airline was going to deny my boarding until I showed them my exit ticket. DON’T chance it.
Chuck *********
@Steve *******
I agree with the 60 day visa. Agent told me last year it took 30 days for my retirement visa to process (and it did).Reply to
Chuck *********
Reply
Biff ******
ORIGINAL POSTERDelta said they will allow me to board
Dennis *********
having traveled from US to Thailand, 6 times,I can guarantee they will not even give you a boarding pass without either a visa or an outbound "from Thailand" ticket to another country... And Delta is what I always fly. not a lot of $$ to get ticket to Cambodia, and look for the cheapest possible "unless you actually want to go there". why is this?? airlines are legally responsible to pay for cost of your return ticket, if a passenger doesn't have funds for it, so no ticket agent is going to risk loosing their job, giving you a boarding pass. Then they'd have to take you to court to recover thier costs, of course there is also the 1 in 1000 chance that an immigration agent when you arrive in Thailand, asking you for it, in the rare event you manage you get on the plane, they can just turn you right around, and have you sent back. If the risk to you is worth it, to take a gamble, then by all means go for it. of the 6 times, flying from Detroit, they've attempted to tell me "we can't give you a boarding pass because "", and I already have the thai embassy webpage loaded on my phone before I go to the ticket counter, and this is with a return ticket every time. The flight is 100% booked always, and most likely overbooked,so they're doing anything they can to bump passengers, and not have to refund, etc.
Christine *******
@Biff *****
yes nobody asked me about return ticket in Thailand. Already I came around 12x. Take an agent for your retired visa easy going and no stress for you.
I took 1 lady in hua hin and really I had nothing to do visit her only 2x and 1x immigration that it. Price for 15 months was around 35.000 baht+ the insurance for the bank account what was 5.000 baht I think Extension after that time also no problem.
Bill **********
@Biff *****
careful! This is contrary to my experience with Delta’s departure counter in ATL.Robert ***********
@Biff *****
They said that on the phone. You should get it in writing. Maybe send them an email so you have something to show the gate agents.Robert ***********
@Bill *********
???Reply to
Robert ***********
Reply
Luc ************
Book a fake onward ticket
********************
Dustin **********
If necessary, you can use something like Onward Ticket to get a ~$10 ticket for onward travel.
Cliff *********
Sometimes the airline checks, sometimes they don’t.
Sometimes immigration checks, sometimes they don’t.
Best to have a cheap or refundable exit ticket…..
Sometimes immigration checks, sometimes they don’t.
Best to have a cheap or refundable exit ticket…..
Mercede ****
@Cliff ********
agreed it depends on their mood. I been 4 times in past 8 months and have been asked once about my return date by airline and once by immigrationReply to
Mercede ****
Reply
Declan **********
Airline dependant. Best to check with them
Brandon ************
You need to ask your airline. They are the one who would check and may require you to have a ticket out of Thailand within 30 days before they'll let you board your flight.
Some airlines care and some do not.
Some airlines care and some do not.
Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
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