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What are the recent changes to Thai visa regulations regarding the 60-day visa and how does proof of onward travel affect my plans?

Thailand VisaVisa RegulationsVisa ExtensionOnward Travel RequirementTourist VisaVisa ExemptionsUK Expat in ThailandThai Immigration Law
Aug 11, 2024
4 months ago
Tom *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello!

I’m from the uk, currently in Australia. Looking to get a 60 day visa & extend when I’m there for the extra 30 days (90 total)

On way to Australia I stopped for 2/3 days in Thailand & this was July 2nd. I only got a 30 day visa stamp, when I thought we got a 60 day visa from the 1st June 2024. Now I’ve looked online and to apply for a single entry visa (60 days) but wants proof of an outgoing flight. But how does this work if I’m looking to extend to get the full 90 days.

Thanks 👍🏼
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A UK citizen traveling through Thailand initially received a 30-day visa stamp but intended to apply for a 60-day visa due to recent changes effective June 1, 2024, which allows for a 60-day visa exemption starting from July 15, 2024. The discussion revolves around the necessity of providing proof of onward travel as required by airlines and Thai immigration. It has been noted that while airlines might ask for this proof, immigration typically does not, but it remains a legal requirement. Travelers are advised to consider refundable tickets or alternative travel plans to comply with this requirement and avoid potential issues.
Bart **************
The visa exemption has been increased to 60 days by now. You were just a bit too early.

But your outgoing flight concern is still relevant. You do indeed require proof of onward travel within 60 days, and you may be asked for it, be it more likely by the airline than by immigrations. Pointless as this requirement is (and the detail that extendability is not accounted for), I would resist losing any of your hard worked for money on it. Book something refundable and refund after arrival. There are services doing exactly that for you but cost wise those aren't as viable considering that you get nothing back and the money is just lost. But there are some single digit priced bus options, that's an option.
4 months ago
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Robert **********
I usually fly from Darwin to Bali and then Bali to Bangkok ( Different airlines ) Very occasionally I will be asked by airline staff at check in Darwin for proof of onward travel from Bali. It is completely random but it can happen. It is easy enough to doctor up a PDF itinerary showing onward travel.
4 months ago
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Angelo ***********
@Robert *********
 Doctor up a PDF is fraud. And that means a criminal offense. For example the embassy in Savannakhet has a big preamble that every fraud is criminal prosecuted.

So if a "doctored up" flies into your face, you are:

a) in Laos

b) under Thai jurisdiction

You can be lucky if they just deport you.

And you keep forgetting/ignoring: the problem is not the airline. It is the immigration officer.
4 months ago
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Angelo ***********
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Angelo ***********
To make it straight, I do not know why even moderators do not know that stuff.

It is not the airline to bother with. It is the immigration officer at the border that gives you the stamp: to bother with. It is Thai law to have an onward ticket. Hence: it is mentioned as a requirement for your visa.

The airline "might" be asking because they have to ship you home on their cost if you get entry denied because of a missing ticket.

But: as many people mentioned, you do not need a visa anymore. As the entry stamp is 60 days and can be extended ONCE for another 30 days.

The proof of onward travel can be a bus ticket out of country. E.g. from Mukkdahan to Savannakhet. Does not need to be a flight. Savvanakhet is nice town, especially after August. Perhaps you want to visit it anyway?

And before the nitpickers come and say: "you never get asked", I got asked by Air France clerks once in Paris, when I had booked a flight with Air Oman. When the Oman clerks heard my troubles, they gave me a return ticket for free, with a smile and comment: "This is a gift from the Sultan of Oman" and a second smile: "please do not use it".

I once got asked on Suvarnabhumi airport on arrival by the immigration officer. When I fiddled with my iPad (which was switched off during flight), he said: "okey no problem"

There are other options, like refundable flight tickets. But: do not cancel it before you are in the country.

I saw enough people who got seriously rejected entry because the officer said: "I do not care that you have a refundable ticket. But trying to insult my intelligence, by coming here with a pdf of a ticket that is already canceled: I care"

I do not know why this attitude pops up so often in Thai Visa Advice forums: it is not airline issue. It is Thai law. And the Airlines follow Thai law. On top of flying you home on their cost (which they will recover from you later), they get a hefty fine! (And that fine they will recover from you as well).
4 months ago
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Luit *****************
@Angelo **********
 Practically it is the airline check-in where you might have problems, because immigration has the right to ask for onward ticket, and can refuse entry.

Airlines must take you back when you are not allowed to get in the country, and that is the reason they want to check.

You obviously know this, but still uou say it is not the airline to bother with?

I never met an immigration officer asking for onware ticket, and several times an employee at check-in desk.
4 months ago
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Angelo ***********
@Luit ****************
 Yes, because it is not the airline to bother with. It is immigration. As you just explained perfectly well. On both steps: you do not know if they ask. If the airline asks: you take out the credit card open your web browser and buy a ticket. If immigration askes: you might already have an "DENIED ENTRY" stamp in your passport, and no chance to buy a ticket.
4 months ago
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Angelo ***********
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Michael ********
@Angelo **********
 Really I have been here on and off since 1988 and living here for the last twenty five years and as my work is overseas probably involves 20 to 30 inbound flights a year. Do the maths how many times i have entered.

Times asked for details of visa or exit ticket by airlines.

Pre covid about 5 % of times

Since covid about 50 % of tines

Asked by immigration

Pre Covid once and that was actually first time flying in.

Since Covid zero.

Should get off your high horse what a stupid statement about moderators. Your the one dont know s4it
4 months ago
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Stuart *********
@Angelo **********
 The airlines may ask you for a ticket out of Thailand within the number of days your entry scheme allows, regardless that you could possibly get an extension.

Extensions are not a god given right. They are at the discretion of the immigration office you apply at. Granted that probably 99.99% are given it’s not a guarantee that you’d get one hence the need for a ticket out within the number of days allowed.
4 months ago
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Bart **************
@Stuart ********
 although the reasoning that extensions are not a given right is accurate, wouldn't you agree that's it's pretty much insane to (de facto) give the right to extend and then at the same time require people to have flights booked as if extending were impossible?
4 months ago
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Angelo ***********
@Bart *************
 Well, rules are rules. Sometimes they make no sense. Thai law rarely changes: they just add new laws and new amendments. I assume originally there was no way to extend. And then they added the option to extend. The standard assumption is: if he really wants it, he will figure how to do it!
4 months ago
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Bart **************
@Angelo **********
 I like the new approach by embassies, asking the intended travel dates but not requiring bookings yet. Asking proof of inbound flights was obviously even more pointless than outbound; who loses anything if a visa holder decides to change his plans and not fly? Requiring a visa (or entry eligibility, generally speaking) for a flight makes sense; the opposite does not.

It's like requiring having a car for a driving test. Or having to show employment as heart surgeon before being allowed to study medicine. Makes no sense in that order. But requiring the opposite actually does.

Let's look at Australia; the guy replying below says that airlines have checked him regularly (in the past) but currently they don't require proof of onward travel for any visa except the transit visa. I like when countries realize when rules make no sense and then drop them.
4 months ago
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Stuart *********
@Bart *************
 The airlines probably have to factor in that although it’s a slim chance that extensions won’t be given it’s a possibility that they could be denied. I’ve seen it happen once (other than when an extension wasn’t allowed anyway).
4 months ago
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Stuart *********
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Angelo ***********
@Stuart ********
 That is what I wrote.
4 months ago
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Stuart *********
@Angelo **********
 Ok. Perhaps I misread what you wrote. But I think you said “I do not know why the moderators do not know that stuff.”
4 months ago
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Stuart *********
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Stuart *********
@Angelo **********
 Moderators on this forum know that the chances of being asked by immigration on entry for a flight or ticket out of Thailand is pretty much zero. Yes it’s a rule that you need one but they rarely ever enforce it and if they do so it’s because they are looking for a way to deny you entry - probably because of your previous entry history.

Airlines on the other hand can and do implement their policies if you don’t have an onward ticket. Some don’t. Some do. If you are one of the very very few people that have been asked by immigration for an onward ticket then it’s almost certainly that you had questionable previous entries.
4 months ago
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Angelo ***********
@Stuart ********
 Obviously: you don't know that it is not zero. How long are you living here, how often do you fly? What is the hardship if you get asked and do not have it?
4 months ago
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Stuart *********
@Angelo **********
 I have no idea what you are trying to say here. I’ve been here 35 years. I stated that the probability of being asked by immigration is very close to zero. The hardship if you are asked for an onward ticket and you don’t have one is the possibility of being denied entry. You almost certainly won’t be asked, but you could be.

How often I fly is completely irrelevant to anything in this conversation.
4 months ago
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Angelo ***********
@Stuart ********
 The point is: if you live so long here already: then likely you travel rarely. So: you do not know how often immigration is asking. And: you have a long stay visa, so they do not ask you. So: you double do not know how often they are asking. So giving advices: they rarely ever ask, is not based on your circumstances. And: is simply completely objectively wrong.

"How often I fly is completely irrelevant to anything in this conversation."

I just explained: why it is not. You never saw one pulled out in front of you, because you do not fly often. Simple.
4 months ago
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Stuart *********
@Angelo **********
 I don’t need to fly out or travel regularly to read the posts and comments on this forum and other visa related ones to know what I’m talking about and how often immigration ask about onward travel. For 300 hundred posts about someone saying they got stopped and asked by their airline for onward travel before being allowed to board there may be one from someone saying immigration asked them about onward travel plans. These are made up numbers. I don’t tally every post.
4 months ago
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Stuart *********
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Michael *******
The airline has a responsibility to check, depends on destination and type of ticket, they have a flag on their system - otherwise they are responsible for covering cost of return if entry is refused - I also used to travel extensively and got challenged numerous times especially going to Australia…… being refused boarding is not pleasant
4 months ago
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Bart **************
@Michael ******
 is that a typo? Going from Australia I suppose? Australia enables airlines to verify entry eligibility automatically without asking for any proofs upon check-in. Going to Australia you should not be asked for anything.
4 months ago
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Michael *******
We‘re going back 15 years , they couldn’t find my Esta and almost got bumped, a phone call or two sorted it
4 months ago
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Michael *******
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Bart **************
@Angelo **********
 long story but agreeing with everything.

Adding on the "ask your airline" matter: it's particularly useless because airline's policies do not vary. Airlines are supposed check onward tickets for exempt entries, period. That's the only answer you can get. It doesn't mean you will always be asked but it does mean that this is the answer you will get if you ask. So you may be told you need it but not get asked. Might as well give that answer here.
4 months ago
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Angelo ***********
@Bart *************
 You seriously get asked extremely rarely by immigration. But people her in this forums claim: "oh, they never ask!" Because they had three flights and did not get asked. Immigration can deny you entry for what ever they want. And they do not even need to tell you why.

That attitude is like approaching a traffic light with a little bit to high speed and just stopping just in time. And the police officer sitting there on the chair says in his mind: at least he stopped.

And is not asking for the driving license.

Have one of your blinking lights damaged in this situation, he would stand up and walk over, and tell you: your blinking light is damaged, get it repaired. Perhaps he still is not asking for the driving license, but perhaps he is.

Considering how simple it is to come to Thailand and how complicated it is for a Thai to get a Schengen visa for Europe, I most of the time shake heads. :D
4 months ago
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Angelo ***********
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Angelo ***********
P.S. I used to fly about 10 times a year between Europe and Thailand. Now I live here. So I had quite a lot of border passings. Hence the story above.
4 months ago
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Angelo ***********
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Phil ******
@Tom ********
 Why not ask the airline your flying with? If they require an onward travel ticket within 60 days simply buy an onward travel ticket at 60-days and your normal ticket at 90 days
4 months ago
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Henrik *****
@Angelo **********
 Visa excempt is now 60 days, for 93 countries, and are free.

Visa-on-arrival is now 15 days, for 31 countries, and cost 2000 baht.
4 months ago
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Angelo ***********
@Henrik ****
 We are talking about LAOS!
4 months ago
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Henrik *****
4 months ago
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Phil ******
Hello
@Hen***
. Toms specially asking about the 60-day EXEMPT on entry to Thailand. This isn't right for him.
4 months ago
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Henrik *****
Replying to the wrong informations given by Angelo: “You now have 14 days visa exempt”
4 months ago
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Henrik *****
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Kool *******
@Angelo **********
 that only applies to a few countries. Most others now get 60 days for the same visa fee instead of the 30 days before July.

**************************************************
4 months ago
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Tom *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Phil *****
 nothing booked yet pal. So just thought I’d ask before hand 👍🏼
4 months ago
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Kool *******
@Tom ********
 if you have your exit flight out of Thailand booked with the same airline you fly in with you will have no problems with a flight out more than 60 days later if it is with the same airline.
4 months ago
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Angelo ***********
@Kool ******
 But you might have trouble with immigration, see my post above. And Air France or Lufthansa or KLM or Swizz Air: good luck!! A normal clerk at the counter: does not know that you can extent. And immigration in Thailand does not need to grant the extension.

The simple solution is a ticket where you can change the return date, if the fee is not to high. One way flights out of Thailand are usually more expensive than one way flights into it. The other solution of course is a cancelable ticket, as some people mentioned already or a cheap bus or train ticket to for example Laos. Laos canceled the "visa on arrival" (which costed $40) and you get now a free 14 day entry stamp: "Visa Exempt".
4 months ago
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Tom *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Kool ******
 looking to extent the 60 days to 90 mate, so will book a cheap onward flight for the end of the 60 days & then just extend whilst I’m there to get the 90 days 👍🏼
4 months ago
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Angelo ***********
@Tom ********
 The extension costs 1900 THB, a night in Laos 200THB 😛 (plus food of course). Just giving you the idea that you actually indeed could travel to a neighbour country.
4 months ago
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Kool *******
@Angelo **********
 don't forget the US$40 visa fee to enter Laos.
4 months ago
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Angelo ***********
@Kool ******
 That got removed 15th of July. You now have 14 days visa exempt.
4 months ago
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Angelo ***********
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Tom *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Brilliant mate, thank you! 👍🏼
4 months ago
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Phil ******
@Tom ********
 oh I should add the Onward tix costs about aud$18
4 months ago
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Phil ******
@Tom ********
 sometimes you are asked and sometimes your not.
4 months ago
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Phil ******
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Stuart *********
The 60 day with visa exempt only started on the 15th July, so last time you entered you got 30 days. Now you’d get 60 so there is no point applying for a tourist visa.

You can extend one time for another 30 days at a local immigration office for 1,900 baht.

As
@Bra****
 mentioned you could have issues with your airline without an onward ticket within the 60 days though.
4 months ago
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Rene ********
@Stuart ********
 cheap throw away?
4 months ago
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Stuart *********
@Rene *******
 Or Google “onward ticket”
4 months ago
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Rene ********
@Stuart ********
 , apparently some people are cracking down on that nowadays
4 months ago
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Graham ******
@Rene *******
 I see many people saying this but I've not yet seen proof
4 months ago
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Graham ******
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Brandon ************
The new 60 day visa exempt stamp started on July 15th.

You need to check with your airline to find out what you'll need to check-in for your flight if you're traveling without a visa. The airline might require proof of a ticket out of Thailand within 60 days before they will let you board your flight. If you make it to Thailand, immigration rarely asks for proof of onward travel.
4 months ago
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Ling *****
@Brandon ***********
 I can confirm that after 34 years of coming to Thailand it was not the immigration officers that asked for the onward travel. It was asked for by the airlines only. The most recent time was last year. Vietjet check in was looking for my visa, I didn't have one when coming back to Thailand. So I explained that I am only going to be in Thailand for 29 days on visa exempt and I showed my flight back to my home country which was on my phone. They entered that into the computer and I boarded my flight without incidence.
4 months ago
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Ling *****
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