What should I do about flight booking while waiting for my Thailand visa application?

Oct 5, 2022
2 years ago
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I want to go to thailand next week. I am reluctant to book my flight as i dont know how long my visa application will take but my visa application needs a flight number so what do i do ?

Also i want to go for as long as possible. Is a tourist visa my best option ? Is it just 60 days i can go for or can i get extensions ?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is unsure about booking a flight to Thailand due to uncertainty regarding the length of their visa application process. They seek to know if a tourist visa is their best option and whether extensions are possible beyond the initial duration. Responses suggest entering Thailand on a visa-exempt basis for 45 days, which is extendable once for an additional 30 days, avoiding the need for a tourist visa. They also discuss airline policies regarding onward travel proof and the potential lack of awareness about updated visa rules among airlines.
Rick *********
Book on an airline that gives unlimited rebooking. Very easy to initially book to stay within entry requirements for the airlines etc.
Gerald ********
i wonder if the airlines are aware of the new rules eg you can stay for 45 days + another 30 days before you need a flight out of the country.
Alan ******
@Tod ********
Qatar asked a friend yesterday at check in for vax certificate. So they are not aware of the changed requirements.
Tod *********
@Gerald *******
it would seem that almost no airlines are aware the time changed on free entry stamps from 30 to 45 days.

People have already reported their air carrier required proof of onward travel in 30 days even though they were coming here after the change took effect.
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I really appreciate your advice guys its given me a great start to the day. I wont bother with the tourist visa on this occasion then as 75 days hassle free (except a visit to the local imigration office over there) is better. I then dont have to book my return flight until i know what day i want to return, as long as it dont exceed the 75 days right?
Richard **************
@Tod ********
In the event your airline requires such documentation, it’s easy enough to buy an onward ticket for only $5 to $10 that does the trick. I’ve used the service of these online vendors in the past without problem. Just Google something like “onward travel” and you’ll find various businesses that sell you a ticket that passes muster but that you simply cannot use.
Tod *********
@Steven ***************
whether you need a return flight or proof of onward travel is more an issue of your air carrier. SOME have the policy that you need to show onward travel within the number of days you're going to get stamped in because you're flying to thailand without a valid visa AND few if any airlines know that the free visa exempt entry stamp went from 30 days to 45 days SO you could be asked by your air carrier to show onward travel within 30 days of your flight here.

CHECK with your air carrier to see

If you manage to board your plane you won't have any issues stamping in here without onward travel as they won't ask you at passport control
James ********
@Steven ***************
ask your airline as they may want to see a ticket departing Thailand within the 45 days you stamped in on arrival into Thailand. Many airlines do ask.
James ********
IF you are wanting to stay longer... land borders are OPEN (All except Myanmar which is CLOSED to foreigners).
James ********
You could enter Thailand Visa exempt...giving you a 45 day stamp plus one 30 day extension of stay from your local Thai immigration office for 1900 Thai baht = 75 days
Gooddy *******
Enter flight details for the day that you are planning to go. Your flight details won’t be mentioned on the visa.
Tod *********
Any reason you waited SOOO long before you applied for the eVisa online?

I would say unless you get EVERYTHING correct the first go, it's unlikely that you'll get approved before you fly if indeed you fly next week 😕

I mean even if you applied and it wasn't approved before you flew in you could still enter on a the visa exempt entry plan and get 45 days and then IF that tourist visa was approved you could exit/re-enter the country to stamp in on it

Unfortunately that you want to stay here for as long as possible doesn't mean you qualify for any other visa option. 😮

and yes, you have to upload flight information to apply for the visa, SO book a flight.

OR

You could come in without any visa at all and you would get stamped in on a free entry stamp for 45 days and you could extend that one time for 30 days at the immigration office where you stay for 1900baht. That gives you 75 days in country to sort out another option to stay longer
Tod *********
@Steven ***************
I'd say just come visa exempt then, because the difference is just 15 days now between entering on a real 60 day tourist visa and getting a free 45 day visa exempt entry
Steven *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tod ********
i had to finish projects i was working on and i didn't know when i could finish but as soon as i finished i had that yahoo feeling and just want to go asap lol.
Pui *****
You can extend the tourist visa one time for 30 additional days.
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