Answered4 years ago
What are the requirements regarding onward travel tickets when entering Thailand?
Just a note.
I just checked in at Frankfurt airport with China airlines to Bangkok. Since my return flight ist more then 45 away, the airline wanted prove of onward travel. I explained that I'll do a border run or similar. They called Bangkok immigration. I was told that in case the immigration officer at Bangkok airport wants to see a ticket, I can be refused entry. They gave me my boarding pass and I was good to go.
But, I booked a flight online to danang Vietnam straight away. Not to take any chances!
I just checked in at Frankfurt airport with China airlines to Bangkok. Since my return flight ist more then 45 away, the airline wanted prove of onward travel. I explained that I'll do a border run or similar. They called Bangkok immigration. I was told that in case the immigration officer at Bangkok airport wants to see a ticket, I can be refused entry. They gave me my boarding pass and I was good to go.
But, I booked a flight online to danang Vietnam straight away. Not to take any chances!
Answer summary
Many travelers have reported varying experiences with the requirement of providing an onward travel ticket when entering Thailand. While airlines often demand proof of onward travel prior to boarding, immigration officers in Thailand rarely check for this upon arrival, particularly for regular tourists. However, travelers are advised to have an onward ticket, as the airline might deny boarding if they cannot confirm your travel plans, due to potential liability for any passengers denied entry. Some have suggested booking fully refundable tickets or using frequent flyer miles as a precaution. Overall, while it's a common practice for airlines to request proof of onward travel, the actual enforcement by Thai immigration is inconsistent.
50 repliesnewest first
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Оливер *********
OPUpdate! Arrived last night in BKK. Immigration officer asked me how long I'd like to stay. I told him 120 days. He smiled, stamped my passport and off I went!
Btw, I have an absolute clean stay history in Thailand. I'm coming for twenty odd years now!
Btw, I have an absolute clean stay history in Thailand. I'm coming for twenty odd years now!
Simon **********
@Оли***
we just landed in Da Nang, thanks for the ticket! 😂Оливер *********
OP@Simon *********
you're welcome! You know where to buy me the beers 🍻
Gary *********
This is a hit or miss regulation.
Ronald *****
Just buy any ticket where you can cancel for no fee...once you enter Thailand, cancel that flight..
Michael **********
@Ronald ****
where to buy a ticket that can be cancel with no fees? thanks for your help :)Ronald *****
@Michael *********
you can try search at cheapflights.com I've seen some offer free cancellation
Luc ************
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Chuck *******
You Can always book a flight Which Can be cancelled or make a fake return ticket
Hovvard ******
Its always the airline freaking out about this. Thai immigration will let you in and not ask to see any airline ticket.
Mike ********
I usually have a 60 day Visa but my return is for 90 days or more. I tell the airline I can get a 30 days extension or even get a retirement Visa once I'm there. Other option is leave the country and come back for another 30 day's or maybe 45 days pending if they still allow 45 days
Mike ********
@Hovvard *****
I wish the airlines would get there shit together and let the passengers worry about return trip
Stephen *********
I came into Thailand from Australia on 45 days passport . I had no return ticket..No problem . They never asked
Alistair **********
@Stephen ********
Australia never seems to check, Europe, North America and Middle East have a lot of reports of airlines checking tho.
Andrew ********
I've been traveling in and out of Bangkok on a regular basis for 19 years. Never been asked. But you never know.
Dan ********
@Andrew *******
I think if you travel in to thailand from less desirable countries, you will see a completely different rate of more indepth interrogations on that population...Andrew ********
@Dan *******
absolutely possible however for 17 of those years I was rotating out of Nigeria 6 times a year. Just lucky I guess probably depends on the origin of passport as well.Dan ********
@Andrew *******
Nigeria would have been the second country I mention. I've bet you've spent some time in customs queues then 🤣Craig *******
The requirement to have POOT within visa duration is actually not a Thai requirement however airlines have their own interpretation (as explained to me by Ottawa embassy). Therefore it would be best to simply confirm by email with airline you are booked on what they require.
Bill *********
@Craig ******
TR visa still requires you to upload your round trip tickets. However, you can game the system. I did😜Craig *******
@Bill ********
yes but return does not need to be in initial 60 day period
Mitchell *******
I think it IS a requirement. Just very lightly enforced. People have been sent back. Am I wrong?
Christopher ***********
@Mitchell ******
Absolutely correct Mitchell! I was ‘deboarded’ part-way through my multi-leg journey for not possessing either a visa, return nor onward ticket.Mitchell *******
The Thai Embassy? Ok. I have never seen that. I have always seen "within the initial period".
Craig *******
@Mitchell ******
the requirement is to have an onward ticket but doesn't need to be within the initial visa term. I have this in writing from the embassy and they also warned me that airlines policies could be different.Craig *******
@Graham *****
that was my point, POOT is an airline policy, not Thai immigration, and that's what the embassy told me. So best thing is to confirm with the airline you are flying as to what they require for you to board flight.
Graham ******
@Craig ******
It's more likely your airline will ask for that before they let you flyCraig *******
@Graham *****
nothing on immigration website about POOT. Do you have a link?Graham ******
@Craig ******
The Embassy and Immigration are two different organisations and should not be consulted on the other's policies or rules
Bennett ********
One tip that may be useful: try booking a flight out with frequent flyer miles if you have any. I recently booked a "just in case" flight out within my visa period using miles, United, & was able to cancel it 100%, miles were put back on my account & the $20 fee was refunded, no fees at all. Check your flyer miles cancelation policy. (You can tell I haven't traveled much during the pandemic. Apparently airlines have loosened up on cancelation policies.)
James *********
"Things" are never a problem, 'till they happen to you. Better safe, than sorry. 😎
Pauline *******
2 different friends came in recently with return flight past their visa date and nothing said to them at immigration.
Pauline *******
Ok Mr Angry.
Simon *********
@Pauline ******
that told you 😂😂Pauline *******
@Simon ********
I know, shaking in my shoes here 😅Dan ********
@Pauline ******
oh well in that case nobody will ever be asked for onward travel at thai immigration, and by that same stupidity, we can say that nobody will ever need 'proof of funds' or 'proof of accomodation booking' upon arrival in Thailand. That's just 2 visitors out of an estimated 30 million this year. The facts are, that Thai immigration can chose to refuse you entry, on those three proofs, of onward travel, funds (inc the 20k baht cash) and accomodation booking'. Stating on a large fb forum used by thousands for accurate info, that your mate Dave did not get asked this time, does not help in anyway, infact it muddies the water for those who don't realize the above facts. And this kind of 'unhelpful' help you offer is the second most discussed item on the forums.
Stuart *********
The hang up is usually with the airline. Immigration on arrival would rarely care - and if they were to it would generally because you have a string of exempt or tourist entries or Covid extensions. For the “normal” tourist they don’t tend to ask as they know you can get an extension or border bounce.
Bill *********
@Stuart ********
exactly. Why the airlines even care is beyond me. They are not Thai immigration. On another point, I have never been asked for a return ticket except during COVID. I think this has become a holdover practice from COVID and the airlines are slow to change. It's hard too keep up with every countries visa requirements so they assume the worst case scenario. Pre COVID I went to Europe and was never asked for return ticket.
Lynnette *******
@Bill ********
its not just airlines that check on return flights/onward travel. Nor just Thailand. Ive just returned to UK. Passport control questioned a woman on how long she's staying in uk, they checked her ticket was a return and matched her answer. She was in front of me.Stuart *********
@Bill ********
It’s basically because they could be liable to return you if you’re denied entry to Thailand. Hasn’t changed because of Covid. Just possibly not enforced as much. They have a valid point as regards to someone getting an extension in as much as they are not “guaranteed”. I don’t recall a single instance of that happening but “it could”, which is why they want to see a ticket out within the time frame you’re initially allowed.
Sturgess ********
@Stuart ********
Exactly, the airlines don’t want to be left holding the bag.
Ginette *****************
Always have to have flight tickets
Richard ********
@Ginette ****************
No you don'tGinette *****************
@Richard *******
sorry have to form brusselsSimon **********
I have been asked about return tickets etc by check in staff a few times but I have never ever been asked at arrivals in Thailand.
Bill *********
@Simon *********
I have only during COVID. However, if you get the TR visa you have to upload you tickets so immigration already assumes you have a return ticket. That's why they don't ask. The visa exempt entry could be different.Simon **********
@Bi**
I always use visa exemptionBill *********
@Simon *********
I would have also but I applied for the TR visa JUST before they added the 15 days. So I had to pay an extra $40 for my extra 15 days 😡
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