Is it possible to enter Thailand on a tourist visa to avoid proof of onward travel and then apply for a Non-O spouse visa in Savannakhet?

Nov 11, 2017
7 years ago
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Bloody airlines :-) I am not paying £418 (emirates) nor £1342 (BA) for one way to BK so going for Finnair £290. Unlike Emirates and BA, Finnair require proof of onward travel so question is, if I pay £25 for 60 tourist VISA so avoid need to proove onward travel is there any issue then with going to Savannakhet to get non O spouse visa?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion centers around the challenges of securing a flight to Thailand without paying high costs for a one-way ticket. The original poster considers purchasing a cheaper ticket from Finnair that requires proof of onward travel and suggests using a tourist visa for a minimal fee to bypass this requirement. Several comments explore the importance of onward travel proof, share personal experiences with various airlines regarding boarding requirements, and discuss the feasibility of obtaining a Non-O spouse visa in Savannakhet after entering Thailand. Most contributors agree that having a tourist visa should not hinder the process of applying for a Non-O visa, but there are varying opinions regarding airline policies on onward travel proof.
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Jim *******
The correct answer Tod.
Tod *********
Okay, let's see if we can't sort this out.

First off you're likely to get grief from the airline when you check in if you don't have proof of onward travel when entering on a 30 day visa exempt entry. However I have seen people check in without onward travel when holding ANY valid visa to thailand. I am not saying you'll be fine checking in with a one way ticket holding a tourist visa I am only saying I have seen that be okay. Your mileage may vary.

As far as your other question, nope, no matter how you enter thailand it's not gonna affect you getting a Non-O visa in Savannakhet.
Andrew ***********
Just buy a cheap air Asia ticket to Malaysia or somewhere close to Thailand
Steve *******
Exactly. Return flight or onward travel
Jim *******
@Richard ******
. No it doesn't guarantee entry but it tells the airline you've been vetted,so you don't need an onward ticket to board.
Jim *******
Sleep well
@Steve ******
.
Steve *******
@Jim ******
. I cant be arsed to tell you anymore. The OP will certainly encounter problems flying 1 way from LHR to Thailand with a 1 way ticket on an SETV
Jim *******
Wrong again sadly.
Steve *******
@Jim ******
. From LHR? No, I dont think so.
Jim *******
Well I have experienced traveling on one way ticket and in receipt of a visa. Seems like you have not. So kindly change your aggressive attitude it's not becoming of this site!
Steve *******
@Jim ******
. That"s total bollocks. The onus is on the traveler to have the correct travel docs, cosulates and airlines have nothing to do with each other.
Jim *******
It has to be required by the Royal Thai embassy, otherwise it's not applicable to the airline, and one is free to board.
Steve *******
@Jim ******
. You obviously dont get it do you? It's a requiremt to board at LHR and a requirement to enter Thailand with an SETV. Doh!
Jim *******
@Steve ******
. Well there you have it. When the embassy/consulate asks for it that's different as one won't have a visa Will they if they've not got onward ticket but with a visa stamped in,you're good to board.
Steve *******
@Jim ******
. I dont know about NZ. Im talking about LHR. Airports and airlines have nothing to do with consulates and embassys. Why do many consulates/embassys require onward travel to issue an SETV in the first place?
Jim *******
@Steve ******
. Firstly, I've flowing many times nz-bkk on a one way with a tourist visa. I was questioned once and explained the same thing as I have to your good self. Then no problem. Why,would a Thai embassy, who requires ones itinerary issue one a visa against as you are saying it's countries laws?
Steve *******
Jim. You're so wrong. You do if the country you're flying to requires it, ie, thailand.
Adam ***********
Finnair aren't amazing. I arrived in Bangkok 3 days before my luggage last year and got a 100 Euro voucher and 500 grams of cured salmon by way of compensation.
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Not a bad deal IMHO lol
Robert ********
Wow! 500 grams of cured salmon, they must have known you were a foodie :-) !
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
yes they got a mixed bag of reviews where did you fly from? I am going from LHR via Helsinki with a 2 hour stop over so should be enough for them to find luggage lol and think it is worth the £240 saving for two of us. Also most of my stuff will be shiiped in container so only clothes for holiday and couple weeks there so not a huge issue if a day or two late :-) worth a gamble I think.
Richard *******
I have been asked for proof of onward/return travel even with a visa. In Luanda, Amsterdam and LHR,( granted this all happened over 10 years ago). A visa does not guarantee you entry into a country, If the airline feels that there is a risk, they are within their rights to deny you boarding.
Lloyd ********
No proof required with a visa.
Steve *******
There certainly is from LHR.
David ********
Why not get a one-year non-O by marriage from London Thai Embassy. No tickets or financials required , copy of marriage cert , wife's ID & blue book copied & countersigned . Its multi-entry & if used correctly could be extended up to 17 months.
Carl ********
And I travelled to Thailand on a one way ticket, Etihad were fine about the one way ticket as I had a visa.
Steve *******
@Carl *******
. Good for you, they want to see income £1400 per month for 3 months and that was for a single entry. No multi issued, advised to extend in Thailand. I guess you got lucky!
Carl ********
No, financial proof was required, its says on the website it's required but I phoned them and they said no financial proof was required!
Carl ********
Yes, really!
Steve *******
@Carl *******
. Really? Ive never seen that, without having 'sole custody' of a Thai child and even then the Thai embassy in London states they require financial proof
Carl ********
@Steve ******
Are you sure? I received a multi non o last month from London based on being a parent of a Thai child, no financial proof required!
David ********
Recently changed ? Had 2 back to backs from UK but didn't go home in November so just extended thru immigration , not a problem but a pain in the ass. Letter from Embassy, photos not good enough , home visits & reams of paperwork. How long before Laos follow suit ?
Steve *******
@David *******
. Proof of finances are required for the non imm o based on marriage from the UK, and now they only issue a single entry and advise you to extend in Thailamd
David ********
@David ******
sorry assumed you already were
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am getting married in Thailand in March :-) otherwise thats what I would have done
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
ah the other comments deleted lol where is the post gone stating I need proof of onward travel even with a visa ? How would that work as that would mean everyone would have to provide onward travel and I will be in and out on one way tickets to work in different countries
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
managed to find something on their site, for transit visa and tourist visa yes, not for non immigrant
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-Issuance-of-Visa.html
Steve *******
@Da***
. Go to the Thai immigration website. It's a requirement when entering the country, and can be even with a single non imm o. Disscresion of the IO
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
Can you post link? If this is the case I would get a non o 90 day
Steve *******
Although rarely asked for when entering Thailand, onward travel is a requirement to enter Thailand on a Tourist visa. The airlines and the airport authorities know this.
Steve *******
You will most likely need proof of onward travel from LHR when flying 1 way. LHR are super hot on this. I got a return with Qatar for £410, 1 way £360. No issues boarding and junked the return leg.
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
its not £50 thou Finnair is only £290 so bin £120
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
thats why I plan to do this :-)
Steve *******
Jim James. I cant legislate if you think £50 is a waste to fly from LHR to BKK without any hassle
Jim *******
@David ******
. But you won't be binning it with a visa.
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jim ******
Finnair £290 so that even more to bin
Jim *******
@Steve ******
. 50 quid is a lot to waste unnecessarily.
Steve *******
David Mills. Like I said you will most likely need proof of onward travel within the validity of the visa or your stay
David *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi. Thanks. Thats not the question though :-) if I get a tourist VISA no proof of onward travel required it is only for exemption travel, my question is more about getting the non o in Laos. Think it is fine just looking for confirmation
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