What do I need to know about entering Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption and proving onward travel?

May 27, 2023
2 years ago
Kim ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Edit: Thanks everyone, really appreciate your advice.

Hi a couple of questions, I’ve searched here first and looked on internet, still just want to double check. We are from Australia, flying into Chiang Mai from Hanoi. We don’t need to apply for a visa, we can get 30 days on. Visa exemption is my understanding. If we want to do another 30 days, we leave the country and then can come back again on a visa exemption. As we plan to do a land crossing at the end of our first 30 days we won’t have proof of an exiting ticket, will they check this when we fly in? Any advice about what we should do in regards to exiting ticket or just leave it and hope we are not asked?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
An Australian traveler is seeking advice on entering Thailand without a visa, utilizing a 30-day visa exemption upon arrival in Chiang Mai from Vietnam. They want to verify that they won't need to leave the country to obtain an additional 30 days and are concerned about providing proof of onward travel. Community responses suggest that it's possible to extend the initial 30 days at an immigration office instead of leaving the country. Additionally, there are mixed opinions on whether airlines will require proof of onward or return tickets, often advising to have a temporary or refundable ticket ready. General procedures for extending the visa and tips for dealing with immigration in Thailand are also discussed.
Tore *********
Yes, but no need to leave 😉 You can enter on visa exemption, then extend that another 30 days for 1900 baht at a immigration office.

In Chiang Mai you can actually go to Immigration and extend immediately after you arrive and get total 60 days. CM probably has the “friendliest” immigration office in Thailand. When I did my extension there I was in and out in less than 30 minutes.

But there is two locations, go to the one at the Central Festival Mall. Rarely any queue there

You need:

- printout of TM 30 registration from your accommodation

- passport photo

- 1900 baht (cash only)

- passports, photocopies of passports and visa stamp

- prefill TM7 makes it faster, download at
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Kim ************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tore *****************
thanks heaps, we will try that.
Tore *********
@Kim ***********
i forgot to mention.
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to show a ticket out of Thailand. You only need it to be valid for the day you inter Thailand. Cost about 15 usd 😉
John *******
To get 30day extension of stay from immigration 1900baht per person you will also need to have TM30 form completed just been put through the ringer by immigration chonburi pattaya this week in regards to my entries in the last six months but it all depends on the IO infront of you on the day it doesn't take much to p#ss them off Chokh di
Martin *********
Austrian were going to refuse to allow me to fly because I had no visa and was staying 35 dsys, I showed them the conversation I'd had with Petchabun immigration and evidence of an appointment there they then overrode the system and allowed me to fly, touch and go for a while though.
Ken ********
@Martin ********
if there's any questions people often book a $50 flight to KL and either don't go or go to Malaysia for a few days
Ken ********
You can get a 30 day extension from immigration before your first 30 days expires
Nigel *********
Just an update from Ranong/Kawthong border. Last few weeks they've been asking to see onward ticket and a couple been asked to show
*****
thb.
Jeremy ********
you can enter then extend the visa exemption stamp at your local immigration office for a cost of 1,900THB, each immigration office has their own criteria on when you can extend it. some don't allow you to extend until a certain day count to expiration others allow you to extend It the day you land....

for land border crossings you get 2 per calendar year 01 JAN - 31 DEC.....

airlines are the ones that care about RT tickets due to the economics of it if you are denied entrance

Good luck
A*
Yes. You enter Thailand from Vietnam, at the airport you can get a 30 day visa.

You don't need to go out of country and reenter. At chiang mai Immigration offices You can go to fill up a form and extend another 30 days paying 2000 baht.

Yes, generally it is a good idea to have a ticket out of Thailand before 30 days from day of arrival. They may ask for it. Get some temporary cancellable ticket.
Jeff ********
@A*
it is not a 30 day visa. It is 30 days visa exempt.
Daniel ************
Airlines may or may not ask for proof of onward or return ticket and can deny you boarding if you can’t provide proof. Best to have a onward rent ticket on hand ready or book a cheap refundable flight to a neighboring country and then cancel it after showing the airline.
Brandon ************
You can get a 30 day extension once per entry from immigration, you don't have to leave the country and re-enter to get another 30 days.

Immigration isn't going to ask you to see proof of leaving Thailand when you arrive but your airline may require you to show this proof before they let you board your flight to Thailand. Contact them and ask them what their policy is when you're flying without a visa.

You can Google "onward travel ticket" for options of renting a valid plane ticket to show as proof if needed.
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