Answered7 years ago
Is it necessary to book a return ticket when moving to Thailand, or is a one-way ticket sufficient?
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?
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?
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.
42 repliesnewest first
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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 *****
OPUnfortunately 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 reportingAlf ***********
@Michael *******
, wrong. An O-A visa get stamped in for 365 daysMichael ********
@Chris *****
stamped in for 3 months not 12.Murray *****
OPSweet cheers
@J**
much appreciateJai ******
You need a return ticket to get extension visas accepted I’m staying for 6 months starting 1st September
Murray *****
OPI am flying from Scotland
Murray *****
OPYes 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 *****
OP@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 *****
OP@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 visaMurray *****
OPReally helpful and responsive page by the way 👍
Murray *****
OPIs 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 LaosJai ******
@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 wrongMurray *****
OPGarrett 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 *****
OPGarrett 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 aboutSammy *******
@Jai *****
the main reason is the southern insurgencyJai ******
@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 foreignersIvor ******
@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 thereIvor ******
@Jai *****
nope, the cheapest bus ticket is Hatyai to Penang.Jai ******
@Ivor *****
are you in hatyai?Activity
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