Is it necessary to book a return ticket when moving to Thailand, or is a one-way ticket sufficient?

Aug 22, 2019
5 years ago
Murray *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi

Looking for abit of help regarding moving to Thailand. I am moving in November and need some help or advice with regards to booking a flight. Is it best to get a return ticket or is it fine having just a one way ticket?
1,376
views
5
likes
60
all likes
42
replies
0
images
11
users
TLDR : Answer Summary
When moving to Thailand, the necessity of booking a return ticket largely depends on the visa type you plan to use. If arriving on a tourist exemption, a ticket out of the country is required. For those considering longer stays, like a year or more, it may be advisable to consider a single entry visa. If over 50, a multi-entry Non-O-A visa allows entry on a one-way ticket, but you should be aware of the 90-day reporting requirement associated with such visas. If there's potential for staying longer than three months, acquiring a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) while still in your home country is a wise option.
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.
Justin *********
If there’s even a chance you’ll be staying for longer than 3 months, and you’re in your home country, get a METV. No reason not to.
Murray *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Unfortunately not
@Ch***
I'm 32 😂😂😔 good shout though would defo be doing that
Chris ******
Murray - If you're over 50 get yourself the multi-entry Non O-A visa - you would only need a one way flight ticket. The visa lasts for 12 months but you get stamped in for 12 months everytime you re-enter the country..so in effect you could make the visa last for 2 years
Alf ***********
@Michael *******
, 90 days reporting have nothing to do with visas.
Michael ********
@Alf **********
oops yes with 90 day reporting
Alf ***********
@Michael *******
, wrong. An O-A visa get stamped in for 365 days
Michael ********
@Chris *****
stamped in for 3 months not 12.
Murray *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Sweet cheers
@J**
much appreciate
Jai ******
You need a return ticket to get extension visas accepted I’m staying for 6 months starting 1st September
Murray *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am flying from Scotland
Murray *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Yes I am planning on staying in Thailand for 1 year maybe more if I can. I was going to get a single entry visa and then the 30 day exemption when I arrive
Bob **********
@Murray ****
not if it's an METV
Nathan ***************
@Murray ****
you go over the boarder and on your return they give you the thirty days

But if you go over the boarder after say 35 days you lose the other 25 days and just get the exempt 30 days

So cross the border on the 58th day

I think that’s correct as I was told
Murray *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nat***
thank you for that. So does that mean you have to leave Thailand within the 60 days to then get another visa? They don't just add this onto your existing visa then?
Nathan ***************
@Murray ****
you do not get 30 days free on arrival plus the sixty days you apply for as tourist visa

To get your 30 days exemption you need to leave thailand an come back to get the 30 days don’t make the mistake many do and think you get a total of 90 days when applying for 60 day visa

You will be charged £25 per day for overstay and they don’t take no money as an answer when you try to leave Thailand
Murray *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
@B**
do you know of or had any experience yet of having trouble doing visa runs every 3 months at all?
Bob **********
@Jai *****
you can get a 30 day extension every 60 days for 1900 baht then go out and come back in also they are cracking down on people staying long time in Thailand without the proper visa
Murray *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Really helpful and responsive page by the way 👍
Murray *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Is 6 months visas not expensive? I have been told you can get 60 day visa plus 30 on arrival, once this is close to expiring you get a flight or bus to Laos to get a new 60 day visa
Jai ******
I’ll be doing it on Malaysia boarder and they are very strict from what I have heard
Jai ******
@Murray ****
so yes if you have a multi entry 6 months visa and do a visa run every 60 days it should be okay in Laos
Jai ******
@Murray ****
for the 6 months visa u need a bank statement showing u have 9k AUD (not sure euro amount ) in the bank to get accepted plus the address of where you’re staying also you need to do visa run every 60 days the thai embassy in my country (Australia) told me all I need to do is cross boarder and come back again for stamp so I assume you can do at any boarder but I think it’s only okay to do this on a 6 months visa because if u were to do every 30 days it may look suspicious as I have heard and they don’t accept always just what I’ve been told I may be wrong
Murray *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Garrett Greenwald on the back of the multiple entry visa. Can you still do visa runs to Laos and back or is it become more difficult?
Jai ******
oh yeah don’t forget the address very important, address of where you will be staying
Ivor ******
@Murray ****
you can also come in with other equivalent currency. 600E for example.
Steven ***************
Yes. In any currency in cash
Steven ***************
Also expect airline that you fly here with to confirm you have a return/exit ticket when they check you in.
Murray *****
ORIGINAL POSTER
Garrett really appreciate your help mate rapid response as well 👏👏 just to check is it 20k baht?
Ivor ******
You also need to provide an address on the immigration form you complete on the airplane and hand over to the immigration officer. I have had unnecessary stress from not having this address before.
Ivor ******
If you are arriving on a tourist exemption you need to have a ticket out of the country. I buy a ticket from Hat Yai to Penang for $10 which means if I don't use it, someone on that bus gets a comfy ride. But, Garrett Greenwald has asked the important question above.
Jai ******
yeah i did sorry, and the bombs are not that bad, never heard someone getting be headed here either only bombs
Ivor ******
@Jai *****
guess you meant that for sammy 👍
Sammy *******
bombings, beheadings, etc tend to be a downer for expats
Jai ******
@Ivor *****
no idea what ur talking about
Sammy *******
@Jai *****
the main reason is the southern insurgency
Jai ******
@Sammy ******
reason for?
Sammy *******
@Jai *****
and there is a reason for that.
Jai ******
@Ivor *****
indeed will do thanks, south Thailand is probably the best place to live IMO not many foreigners
Ivor ******
@Jai *****
awesome! Hope you have a great time. Thailand is amazing. A place where I find that people generally have amazing respect for each other and uou get to take part in that. Have fun!
Jai ******
@Ivor *****
nah just curious if ur staying in hatyai that’s all cuz I’ll be living there
Ivor ******
@Jai *****
nope, the cheapest bus ticket is Hatyai to Penang.
Jai ******
@Ivor *****
are you in hatyai?
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
... members · 60% approval rate
The Thai Visa Advice And Everything Else group allows for a broad range of discussions on life in Thailand, beyond just visa inquiries.
Join the Group
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else
View the Conversation
Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else