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What are the visa rules and onward travel requirements for an Australian arriving in Thailand?
Thailand Visa RulesVisa TypesOnward Travel RequirementsVisa ExemptionAustralian PassportImmigration Policy30 Day Extension60 Day Visa Exempt Stamp
Aug 24, 2025
8 months ago
John *******
ORIGINAL POSTEROnward travel and Visa.
I'm getting so much conflicting advice, hopefully someone here can set me straight,
Australian passport, arriving 3rd of September to bangkok international airport. One way ticket.
At the momment I have no Visa, will I get 30 days on arrival, or 60 days on arrival,
Can you extend for another 30 days, regardless of if I get 30 or 60 days on arrival.
Do immigration require an onward ticket, if so, does it have to be a plane ticket, or would something like a bus ticket, hat yai to Penang be sufficient.
I appreciate any advice, thank you.
I'm getting so much conflicting advice, hopefully someone here can set me straight,
Australian passport, arriving 3rd of September to bangkok international airport. One way ticket.
At the momment I have no Visa, will I get 30 days on arrival, or 60 days on arrival,
Can you extend for another 30 days, regardless of if I get 30 or 60 days on arrival.
Do immigration require an onward ticket, if so, does it have to be a plane ticket, or would something like a bus ticket, hat yai to Penang be sufficient.
I appreciate any advice, thank you.
TLDR : Answer Summary
An Australian passport holder arriving in Bangkok without a visa will receive a 60-day visa exemption upon arrival. This can be extended for an additional 30 days. While immigration does not typically require proof of onward travel, airlines usually do, and it's advisable to have a departure ticket to avoid issues during check-in. Bus tickets out of Thailand may be sufficient for immigration, but airlines may have stricter policies regarding the type of onward travel proof they accept.
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Mark *****************
I’m in Bangkok now, I arrived on the 21st July with a one way ticket.. All immigration asked was how long I am staying and wanted an address.. I flew Jetstar out of Perth and never got asked about return flights…
Lee-Ann *******
Firstly it’s a 60 day visa exemption, (means no visa for up to 60 days).
immigration don’t require onward travel, it’s the airlines that do, some are strict about it more than others
immigration don’t require onward travel, it’s the airlines that do, some are strict about it more than others
Stuart **********
@Lee-Ann ******
I travelled here on a 60 day tourist visa and my return ticket was for 90 days later allowing for 30 day extension.No problemStuart *********
@Lee-Ann ******
That’s not correct. It IS a requirement to show proof of onward travel to enter visa exempt. That being said immigration will rarely ask to see proof of one, unless they are looking for reasons to deny you entry. For 90% of people they’ll never be asked. The airlines are the ones that could insist. Some will some won’t.
Reply to
Stuart *********
Reply
Frankie *******
I do lots of travel n its a fact every Airline wants to see a return flight outbound at the check in counter n very rarely immigration will ask u but definitely u can be denied boarding without a return ticket.i lost lots of money trying to extend my stay canceling my return ticket n rebooking again.no refunds when u cancel your return ticket
Charmae *******
@Frankie ******
I've. NEVER in 20yrs been asked to. Show a. Return flight ..flying into Thailand 3 to 4 times every. Yr. ..not once so no every airline does NOT want to seeee a return flightMark *******
Never been asked once in all my travelling! Always a risk I guess, but as I've said before on this site, life in general is a risk!!
Robert *********
Ok
It does not matter if they change it from 60 to 30 days you will get a 30 day extension .
Immigration probably would not ask for ongoing ( not return ,just out of the country )
It's the airline when you get on your original ✈️ guy that might ask .
The gamble is not worth it to me and I buy a refundable ongoing flight
To be sure ,phone a Thai embassy and ask
It does not matter if they change it from 60 to 30 days you will get a 30 day extension .
Immigration probably would not ask for ongoing ( not return ,just out of the country )
It's the airline when you get on your original ✈️ guy that might ask .
The gamble is not worth it to me and I buy a refundable ongoing flight
To be sure ,phone a Thai embassy and ask
Robert *********
Christopher ***********
@Robert ********
It’s one of three things. Either a return or onward ticket during the permitted period of visa exempt entry (currently 60 days) or, ‘some sort of visa’.Reply to
Christopher ***********
Reply
Sylvia ********
@Frankie ******
buy an expensive refundable onward flight, once you arrive cancel and get refundPaul ******
@Frankie ******
maybe where you fly out fromReply to
Paul ******
Reply
Paul ******
60 days and used to depend on the immigration officer not sure with digital arrivals card for onward travel
I have many times entered with out a return ticket and never been asked by Jetstar or Thai airways
I have many times entered with out a return ticket and never been asked by Jetstar or Thai airways
Christopher ***********
@Paul *****
Thai Airways asked to see either a return/onward ticket or, ‘some sort of visa’ when I checked-in at Munich for a Bangkok flight with a one-way ticket.Paul ******
@Christopher **********
never had it happen only going on my experienceJan ******************
@Paul *****
Formal requirements should always take precedence over general advice. In situations where specific documentation is required, it's crucial to comply to avoid issues. What would you do yourself the day you get asked without a onward ticket or a long stay visa?Reply to
Jan ******************
Reply
Steve *******
The new digital arrival card asks for a departure vehicale and a date
Charmae *******
@Steve ******
not compulsory to state thatLloyd *********
@Steve ******
yes it "asks" but not compulsory to fill in.Reply to
Lloyd *********
Reply
Wayne ******
U need a return ticket or ticket leaving thailand, airline might not let u board on departure
Vicky *****************
I will arrive on the same day but I did get the DTV visa a couple of weeks ago. I read that it was easier to get from your home country. This gives me six months from the day I arrive and I can renew for six more months I believe before I have to leave the country and come back. Border runs are pretty easy but I will likely return to the states instead of a border run.
Henrik *****
But to get a DTV you need to show 500.000 baht in a bank.
Visa exempt cost nothing when staying less than 60 days ( 1900 baht for 60 + 30 days )
Visa exempt cost nothing when staying less than 60 days ( 1900 baht for 60 + 30 days )
Reply to
Henrik *****
Reply
Anthony ******************
Yes, yes, no
Brandon ************
You will receive a 60 day visa exempt stamp if you arrive without a visa. This is eligible for a single 30-day extension.
One requirement to enter as a tourist is proof of onward travel, which is a ticket out of Thailand within the number of days you will be stamped in for (60).
Immigration almost never asks for this, only if you have a history of trying to stay in Thailand for a long time without a long-term visa.
Airlines much more often ask for this proof, and many will not let you check-in for your flight without showing proof of a ticket out of Thailand. Will they accept a bus ticket? That's up to the airline. Every airline sets their own policy. Immigration would accept it.
One requirement to enter as a tourist is proof of onward travel, which is a ticket out of Thailand within the number of days you will be stamped in for (60).
Immigration almost never asks for this, only if you have a history of trying to stay in Thailand for a long time without a long-term visa.
Airlines much more often ask for this proof, and many will not let you check-in for your flight without showing proof of a ticket out of Thailand. Will they accept a bus ticket? That's up to the airline. Every airline sets their own policy. Immigration would accept it.
Alan *******
@Brandon ***********
Out of curiosity, why do Airlines ask for proof of "onward travel"?Jan ******************
@Alan ******
The airline may also be subject to a fine of up to $10,000 USD in accordance with international regulations if a passenger is denied entry and fails to meet the necessary requirements for entering the Kingdom.Brandon ************
@Alan ******
it's an entry requirement for Thailand which means if the airline flies someone to Thailand who is denied entry for failing to meet those requirements, the airline can end up being forced to fly that person out at their own cost.The same reason airlines check for visas, travel authorizations, vaccine requirements etc.
Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Mark ********
Rob **********
@Brandon ***********
you are on the money. Should pin this to the top. 🙏John *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
thank youDoug ********
I got asked for proof if travel because I had visited so much. I had a ticket to laos by train and they accepted it.
Will do non o when I next come back. Understand it better now
Will do non o when I next come back. Understand it better now
Reply to
Doug ********
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