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Is it acceptable to have a return ticket that reflects a 45-day stay if entering Thailand on a visa exemption and planning an extension?

Visa Exemption Visa on Arrival Thailand Immigration Return Ticket Policies Visa Extensions

May 14, 2021

4 years ago

Susan ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Does anyone know, if you receive a visa on arrival (with the visa exemption), is it OK if your return ticket includes an extra 30 days for a visa extension? Or should your return ticket show that you’re returning in 45 days? Thank you for any help you can give!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

When entering Thailand under a visa exemption, travelers are typically granted 45 days. Although airlines may request a return ticket, they often do not strictly scrutinize the return date as long as it reflects a reasonable timeframe for the stay. It is generally acceptable to book a return ticket for a date that accommodates potential visa extensions, as long as it falls within a typical travel scope.

Terary **********

When I flew here the airlines wanted to see either of two things. A) a visa or B ) onward travel. I used A...

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Bobby ********

Airlines and immigration are both aware that many people will extend, and you will find that on onward (not necessarily return) ticket outside of the 45 days, but within the 75 days will be accepted.

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Andy *******

Stan's comment above totally missed the question and lectured you on verbiage. To answer your question, your plan is fine !! A return ticket is required but the date is generally NOT scrutinized.

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Bob ********

@Andy *********

@Andy *********

Thank you for pointing that out Andy. What is wrong with people on here, getting caught up with stuff that has nothing to do with the actual main question. Myself, I will be returning to Thailand from one of the Visa Exempt countries (Ireland) and then renew my Retirement Ext. after I get there (which expired while I got stuck here due to Covid) However, I will not buy a "return" ticket, I will buy an "ongoing" cheap ticket to a nearby country, to cover me in case I am asked to produce one. I'll date it to be leaving Thailand within 60 days of my arrival there.

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Tod *********

you won't be doing any such thing

:/

Sadly for a lot of people, it is misuse of terminology that makes these visa questions come off the rails :O

Your extension based on retirement expired while you were out of the country, so you won't be "renewing" anything when you come back in. on a visa exempt entry. You will enter on a visa exempt entry, apply for a NEW 90 day non-O visa based on retirement and then when that runs down you'll apply for a NEW year extension again based on retirement.

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Bob ********

Thank you Tod...I understand that...that is why I made sure to leave my 800,000 Bt. in the bank to always have it at the ready. PS...I understand your point about terminology, that is for sure a good thing to correct...but not to spend so much effort and time on correcting it.. while forgetting the main purpose of the post , and devoting far less time and effort to actually answering the question ?

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Tod *********

@Robert *******

then you won't have any issues once you get in applying for the 90 day Non-O and then the year extension.

stay safe

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Bob ********

Thank you Tod...it is good to be reassured. GB

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Bob ********

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Andy *******

@Robert *******

great! I actually never thought of doing it that way, I feel kinda dumb but never too old to learn. I have a return ticket but need to go back anyway (eventually) to get a better visa and take care of business in USA

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Bob ********

@Andy *********

You're welcome...safe travelling. GB.

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Bob ********

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Terary **********

I hope they got their answer.

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Stan *******

@Andy *********

there’s always one ... 😂

The fact is that if someone wants to travel internationally, then at least get the terminology right.

These are legal terms and getting them wrong could have significant consequences

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Bobby ********

Andy Crocitto. I didn't notice any lecture from Stan, I think he was merely pointing out the correct terminology. Thai visas/immigration is a very complex monster and it is better manoeuvred when people are very clear on the approach. Too much incorrect information is given on Facebook groups and if not corrected it can "snowball" and leave people in a quandary. For example, your advice that a "return ticket" is required is totally wrong. What is often needed is an "onward ticket". My advice always is not to criticise those trying to help, and that small corrections along the way can help people understand the topic more clearly.

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Andy *******

onward/return is a play with words , all the same, let's not split hairs.

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Frédéric ******************

@Andy *********

A short distance onward ticket usually cost much less than a return ticket. So it's not a play with words at all.

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Andy *******

@Frédéric ****************

thank you! Got it, makes sense.

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Stan *******

@Andy *********

it’s exactly that sort of sloppy thinking about return or onward flights which gets others into problems when they accept incorrect things as fact.

There’s a reason for using the correct terminology.

You should stop posting crap ‘advice’.

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Bobby ********

Andy Crocitto. If you think they mean the same that is your prerogative to believe that. I just think people should be advised correctly.

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Bobby ********

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Stan *******

You don't get a 'visa on arrival (with a visa exemption)'. That's an oxymoron.

You can't have both at the same time and as you appear to be from one of the eligible countries , you will enter on a visa **exemption**. That means you are EXEMPT from needing a visa to enter the country, so how can you also have a 'visa on arrival'??

Those are only issued to a very few countries and are for 15 days only. You would enter on a visa exemption of (currently) 45 days, pre-Covid 30 days.

Then you can extend the VE for another 30 days so your return ticket would need to accommodate this, if that is your plan.

The attached chart (with countries who need a Visa on Arrival highlighted) might make things clearer.

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Greg ********

It is not usually Immigration who questions this but airlines. However, that was my experience pre-pandemic 0 it may have changed.

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Susan ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you!

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Susan ***********

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The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.

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