What are the requirements for obtaining a Tourist Visa for Thailand given the need for a return ticket?

Apr 5, 2022
3 years ago
Luke ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello,

I am travelling to Thailand on the 11th of June and I keep finding many contradicting answers about the visa and am looking for some guidance.

I have booked my flight to Bangkok and the approved test and go hotel with pickup from the air port. I am trying to apply for a Tourist Visa which I was going to try extend when I am there. I am wanting to be travelling Thailand for around 6 month +.

On the visa form it is asking for a return ticket flight. However I only have the ticket to Thailand not one back to the UK. How am I supposed to book and know the return date of the flight if I am looking at backpacking and staying longer ?

I’m guessing this return flight is more of just a place holder for them to approve the visa and may not be the actual date I am returning ?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The original poster is seeking clarification regarding the requirement of a return ticket for a Tourist Visa to Thailand, as they intend to backpack and stay for over six months. Comments highlight that for a Tourist Visa, while technically required, an onward flight can suffice instead of a return ticket. Several suggestions include booking a changeable ticket or an onward ticket for a small fee from various companies. It is also noted that a standard Tourist Visa lasts for 60 days, extendable by an additional 30 days, and there may be uncertainties related to current Covid extensions. Travelers are advised to be cautious as visa and entry rules may frequently change.
John-Paul ******
Everyone... wait. Don't book anything until end of May. This country has no idea what it is doing. The rules keep changing. My local immigration office folks all say to wait as they have no idea either.

If you have booked and done the stupid Thai pass or test and go or whatever silly names they add to describe a confusing mind numbing and frustrating needless procedure... then you are on your own. As
@Stuart ********
said... there is a stock answer and he is correct.
DavidandKim ********
Did not pay anything for the 90 days.
DavidandKim ********
I arrived in April 3rd. On the Test & Go I put 90 days for length of stay and purchased insurance for the same. I do have a departure ticket. Absolutely no problems. I was stamped and passed through immigration. They never requested proof of a departure flight. Just date. There were others at the gate filling out visa forms. Maybe it has to do with your origin of your country's passport. We are US citizens.
Baz ********
Did you book your hotel as a package including transfer and tests? I see on Agoda etc they have SHA hotels but it doesn’t say if you’re booking the whole package
Luke ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@B**
hi Baz, sorry if this is late but I booked my hotel separate, I did a 2 day booking at a SHA hotel (just to give me an extra day to get my bearings )
Baz ********
@Luke ***************
Not late. Thanks.

Where/how do you book the medical package (transfer and tests) separately?
Luke ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Sorry I thought you meant a package with the flights.. 🤦🏼‍♂️ I got the package with the trasnfer/tests so not too sure about that sorry. I’m sure someone might be able to advise if you make a post
Baz ********
Loads of airlines are doing free cancellations or long postponement. I’ve had to buy a couple recently and cancel. Qatar for sure.

I also upgraded a ticket to a Flexi Fare because that gave free cancellation and I knew I would cancel when I booked it
Wayne *********
When I applied for my TR60 it asked for dates on the application form. I just put dates within the 60 days as i had booked dates or flights and they didn't ask for proof of flights. Got the visa and extended at immigration
Steve ********
Fakeflighttickets. Worked fine for me
Maxim ***********
What seasoned travelers do is book an onward ticket for $10. Many websites offer such service.
Paul ***********
hi how much did you pay for return plane ticket
Luke ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul **********
from Bangkok to Singapore it was about £35 for me
Stuart *********
@Paul **********
it doesn’t need to be a return ticket. Just a ticket out of Thailand. Example Phuket to Singapore, or Bangkok to Cambodia or whatever variation works for you.
Edna *******
The second 30 days requires a trip to immigration office and 1,900tb fee need a recent picture or they will take one for a nominal fee. 90 days max on a tourist visa. Others are right more than 60 days May end after May. It’s been extended several times. I just returned in February and experienced first hand. Make sure you have all your proper paperwork. Takes approximately an hour.
Stuart *********
A tourist visa will give you 60 days on entry, and you can extend that once for a further 30 days.

No one knows if they’ll be extending the “Covid extension” past May so trying to stay for 6 months on a tourist visa may not be viable.
Nick *******
@Stuart ********
the stv is 90 days extendable for another 90 + 90 . So 9 months in total.

You need £5000 or what ever the equivalent is in your own bank.

Book and pay for 3 months accommodation. Just book stuff and cancel it after the visa is issued. Agoda or booking . Pay on credit card and you don't have to spend real money.

Insurance for 3 month .

Many say it's complicated but it's not .

9 months you know you can have.
Zap **********
@Nick ******
isn't STV supposed to be done in September of this year?
Nick *******
Worked out good for myself and my wife . Toured Thailand fine as I landed with just the 1 day test and go hotel then another for 2 nights .

I cancelled everything else I'd booked and got a refund well before the credit card bill .

Saves a lot of faffing and ducking and diving .
Stuart *********
@Nick ******
Thank you. I’m aware of the specifics of getting the visa, but I still thinks it’s an absolutely crap option for many. For some people perhaps it suits, but they’re generally not “tourists” who would usually want to roam the country and see the sights.
Luke ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stu***
would there be any other visa you recommend that I might be able to stay a bit longer ? I was under the impression I could just keep extending and then speak with the embassy there about other options once I am in Bangkok
Stuart *********
@Luke ***************
There’s the Special Tourist Visa that gives you 90 days on entry, and is extendable twice for a total of 270 days. However the requirements of it are horrendous and need pre paid accommodation for the full 90 days (and for extensions, when you apply). Also you need insurance coverage (but that’s probably a good thing to have anyway).

Alternatively you could come in on a tourist visa, extend and then look at options for further extensions, like an education visa (studying Thai language or Muay Thai).
Luke ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stu***
you have been more useful than the entire Thai embassy website and I can’t thank you enough. Doing this on my own has been very daunting, thank you very much for everything.
Stuart *********
@Luke ***************
thank you. Happy to help when I can.
Stuart *********
Stock answer as asked many times here.

If you are entering on a long term visa, like a Non O or Non OA or Thailand Elite you do not need an onward flight out from Thailand.

If on a visa exempt entry or tourist visa you need to have a flight ticket out of Thailand within the amount of days that your initial entry allows, regardless that you can get an extension in country. It doesn’t need to be a return ticket, any ticket out of Thailand will suffice.

In theory immigration can deny you entry if you don’t but they rarely ever would, because they know you can get an extension.

Almost always the hang up will be when you try to board your plane. Many airlines will not allow you to board without an onward ticket within the number of days.

Some will let you. Many won’t. You probably don’t want to be the one scrambling to buy an onward ticket at the check in desk. Best option is a changeable ticket, and just change the date when you’re here.

Alternatively you can Google “onward flight ticket” and you’ll find a plethora of companies willing to sell you one for around $10. A real ticket, Phuket to Singapore, would be approx £25/$35 depending on the time of year.

You’ll probably get a number of replies saying “I managed to enter with no problem, therefore you won’t have one either.” Well you won’t find out which way it’ll go until you get to the check in desk.
Luke ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stu***
thank you Stuart that was extremely helpful and cleared up a lot of my queries.

I will be looking at getting a Bangkok to Singapore ticket or something similar in that regard, I assume something like that will work? I understand now it’s not so much a return ticket, but any ticket out of Thailand they want ? ( just to avoid people abusing the system I’m guessing )
Stuart *********
@Luke ***************
absolutely any ticket out of Thailand will suffice. Pre covid you could use a bus ticket. Nowadays you can’t, but they don’t care if you couldn’t actually use that ticket (because of entry restrictions to said country) just that you have a ticket out.
Luke ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you very much, your a star mate 🙂
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