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What should I do if Etihad requires visa information for my flight to Thailand?

Visa Requirements Entry Rules Thailand Immigration Etihad Airlines Visa on Arrival Visa Extension Travel Tips Expats in Thailand Return Flights

Mar 23, 2025

6 days ago

Wes *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi, I’m just wondering if anyone has anyone come across this before and is there a way around it? 

I’ve got a return flight booked with Etihad to Phuket from the Uk for 81 days. I know the visa is 60 days on arrival but I was going to do a visa extension whilst there. To cover me for the 81 days. 

I’ve gone to check in online with Etihad and they want visa information. Which I don’t have.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. We fly tomorrow evening.

What’s the best thing to do now?

Cheers ✈️

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TLDR : Answer Summary

A traveler with a return flight booked to Phuket from the UK for 81 days is facing issues with online check-in at Etihad, which requires visa information. The traveler plans to use a visa extension since the visa on arrival is only valid for 60 days. The community suggests potential solutions like providing fake or placeholder visa information, purchasing a cheap onward flight to show compliance with visa rules, or obtaining an e-visa before departure. They caution that airlines may require proof of onward travel within 60 days, even suggesting that having a dummy travel itinerary might be prudent to avoid complications at immigration.

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Andy *******

Get a Throw away Air Asia or similar flight ticket

5 days ago

Paul *******

We had our return flights booked 90days from arrival last December with Lufthansa Group, we were denied boarding even when we showed them the hotel and flight bookings to the Philippines that we were due to take after 57days. So beware, and be lucky!

5 days ago

Wes *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Paul ******

what did you do?

5 days ago

Paul *******

We are still waiting to be re-imbersed the €2000 extra costs for flights etc.

5 days ago

Paul *******

We were in Alicante, as we live in Spain, and we were getting no help what so ever from the Check-In staff who refused to board us. I decided I would take the chance and fly to the UK where Emirates looked at the same Docs that we presented to Lufthansa and boarded us without any problem. We arrived in Bangkok 4 hours late, but still managed to have a great time.

5 days ago

Reply to

Paul *******

Della ***********

We are here for 88 days. When checking in Etihad wanted to see our onward flight details on day 59, their system would t accept the details so the supervisor made a call and got a special code to input. When we got to Thai immigration they too wanted to see the onward flight details, so don't chance it...

5 days ago

Ar *******

Pay for a cheap flight out of the country within your 60 days . Also just in case do a simple dummy travel itinerary that includes the country you bought onward ticket to , not for airline but for the really awkward immigration officers. You might not get any hassle if it’s your first trip but be prepared for questions at airport immigration.

@Brandon ***********

has written good advice on what you need to get into country , just be prepared as my mate had a real hard time from immigration officer in January. Be as prepared as possible , buy the cheap onward flight it gives you peace of mind .

5 days ago

Stephen ********

I've never had an issue returning outside of the 60 days with either an airline or immigration. But some have. I think it can depend on where you are departing from, and obviously the airline

5 days ago

J **************

Book a ticket to Cambodia …it will serve as a ticket out of the country.

5 days ago

Jason *********

I always book on onwardticket.com

5 days ago

Bill **********

When it was 30 days you just went to your nearest immigration office and extended your visa for another 30 days airline should know that

5 days ago

Brandon ************

@Bill *********

Airline doesn't care. You're not guaranteed an extension. They care about what you are granted on arrival.

5 days ago

Bill **********

@Brandon ***********

flew into Bangkok on 2 occasions where I was staying for 60 days and needed a visa extension airline did not mention it

5 days ago

Brandon ************

@Bill *********

That's nice for you. But that doesn't change both the legal requirement, and what some airlines require.

5 days ago

Reply to

Brandon ************

Jonny *********

Buy a cheap ticket out of Thailand on your 60 day mark. Then just toss it away after you arrive in Thailand.

5 days ago

Mike *******

I had the same problem with air India 2 months ago. I flew from Heathrow to Delhi they were unable to issue boarding pass for the Bangkok leg because I did not have a visa but I was able to resolve in Delhi as they advised that was the only way. I had a return flight booked within 90 days. Just as an aside I was also quizzed on arrival in Suvarnabhumi about my reasons for visit as I had only been in Uk for 3 weeks and had visited Thailand four times in the last year advised to get a visa next time

5 days ago

Robin ********

There's sites where for £20 ish they will send you a legitimate ticket . Get one shoeing your leaving the country for a few days , 30 40 etc days into your trip .

6 days ago

Lynnette *******

@Robin *******

we keep saying that. Not sure he'll follow the advice even though a £20 solution takes the uncertainty away.

5 days ago

Reply to

Lynnette *******

Steve *******

You're return or onward travel needs to be within 60 days. You could book a cheap flight out of Thailand within 60 days.

6 days ago

Lynnette *******

@Steve ******

exactly, we've been saying that. Several times.

6 days ago

Wes *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Lynnette ******

5 days ago

Lynnette *******

@Wes ******

why are you showing me that? It's irrelevant. The entry is 60 days. That's what the airline looks at. An extension is applied for IN country. That's after you have entered with the 60 days exemption. At the airport check in you are not in the country and the airline have no guarantees you will get an extension. I suggest instead of asking, then arguing, you just arrive at check in and take a chance.

5 days ago

Reply to

Lynnette *******

Steve *******

@Lynnette ******

Oh really, I don't read other comments, I just answer the OP's question

5 days ago

Lynnette *******

@Steve ******

I was just agreeing with you Steve. He asked the Airbnb host who told him to just do it the way he's booked, without proof of leaving within 60 days 🤷.

5 days ago

Reply to

Lynnette *******

Colin *********

Just get e-visa (o-visa)90days

6 days ago

Wes *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Colin ********

can I do that online now in time before the flight tomorrow?

6 days ago

Colin *********

@Wes ******

6 days ago

Wes *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Colin ********

ok, thanks

6 days ago

Reply to

Wes *******

Lynnette *******

Etihad want to see if you have a visa that lets you enter on a one way ticket. As you're entering with no visa and no proof you'll leave by 60 days, they would be liable for repatriation IF you were denied entry.

6 days ago

Wes *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Lynnette ******

so I need an onward flight before 60 days to show them? But my return flight to the uk from Phuket would still be fine?

6 days ago

Lynnette *******

@Wes ******

it's very much up to the airline. You might need to show you're leaving, somehow, by bus etc within the 60 days. . they might or might not accept the flight you have. But that's a chance you take.

6 days ago

Reply to

Lynnette *******

Brandon ************

You could try just fudging your way through entering visa exempt and N/A and such. But if the system won't accept that, you'll probably have to wait until you're at the airport to checkin

Do beware that since visa exempt is a 60 day entry, the airline might require you to show proof of a ticket out of Thailand within 60 days of your arrival before they let you checkin.

6 days ago

Wes *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Brandon ***********

so if I just wait to see what happens at check in? And if they need it I can book a flight then and be allowed? Or should I just book one now just in case?

6 days ago

Lynnette *******

@Wes ******

you won't get a visa when you enter, though. You'll just get an exempt entry.

6 days ago

Wes *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Lynnette ******

yeah that’s what I meant. And then pay 1900b for the extra 30 days

6 days ago

Chris *********************

@Wes ******

Google onward flight or travel get a disposable ticket to fly anywhere out of Thailand within your 60 days ,and just bin it once you enter Thailand. It covers you with the airline and IMO.

It's about £15 saves all the worries

5 days ago

Lynnette *******

@Wes ******

but you're flying in on a one way ticket, this can cause issues for the airline.

6 days ago

Wes *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Lynnette ******

I’ve booked a return with Etihad manchester to Phuket return

6 days ago

Lynnette *******

@Wes ******

yes, I can see that. But for the purposes of this trip you are entering, legally, for 60 days. That's the entry. Your flight isn't within that time. They may not ask you, they might be happy with your later flight, and likewise they may not. So it's up to you to decide if you wait and see.

6 days ago

Wes *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Lynnette ******

yeah I know. But you can extend whilst in the country. This is how the air b&b host told me to do it

6 days ago

Lynnette *******

@Wes ******

I know you can extend. That's irrelevant to the airline. You're entry is for 60 permitted days. I'm not sure why you're asking if you've asked an Airbnb host what the airline will do. No one knows. I wouldn't want to risk being denied boarding by "jobs worth" check in staff. Not for the sake of £10.

6 days ago

Reply to

Lynnette *******

Brandon ************

@Wes ******

you can do either. Many people use onward travel websites and basically "rent" a ticket for $10-$20. Or you can find a cheap bus or train ticket as some airlines will accept that, but some won't. Plus there are usually $30-$40 one way flights to nearby countries like Vietnam or Cambodia you can use and throwaway.

6 days ago

Reply to

Brandon ************

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Will I face issues at check-in if I have a return ticket after 60 days in Thailand?

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