This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What should I do if Etihad requires visa information for my flight to Thailand?
Visa RequirementsEntry RulesThailand ImmigrationEtihad AirlinesVisa on ArrivalVisa ExtensionTravel TipsExpats in ThailandReturn Flights
Mar 23, 2025
a year ago
Wes *******
ORIGINAL POSTERHi, 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 ✈️
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 ✈️
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.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Thai Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Andy *******
Get a Throw away Air Asia or similar flight ticket
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!
Wes *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Paul ******
what did you do?Paul *******
We are still waiting to be re-imbersed the €2000 extra costs for flights etc.
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.
Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
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...
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 .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
J **************
Book a ticket to Cambodia …it will serve as a ticket out of the country.
Jason *********
I always book on onwardticket.com
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
Brandon ************
@Bill *********
Airline doesn't care. You're not guaranteed an extension. They care about what you are granted on arrival.Bill **********
@Brandon ***********
flew into Bangkok on 2 occasions where I was staying for 60 days and needed a visa extension airline did not mention itBrandon ************
@Bill *********
That's nice for you. But that doesn't change both the legal requirement, and what some airlines require.Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
Jonny *********
Buy a cheap ticket out of Thailand on your 60 day mark. Then just toss it away after you arrive in Thailand.
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
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 .
Lynnette *******
@Robin *******
we keep saying that. Not sure he'll follow the advice even though a £20 solution takes the uncertainty away.Reply to
Lynnette *******
Reply
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.
Lynnette *******
@Steve ******
exactly, we've been saying that. Several times.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.Reply to
Lynnette *******
Reply
Steve *******
@Lynnette ******
Oh really, I don't read other comments, I just answer the OP's questionLynnette *******
@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 🤷.Reply to
Lynnette *******
Reply
Colin *********
Just get e-visa (o-visa)90days
Wes *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Colin ********
can I do that online now in time before the flight tomorrow?Colin *********
@Wes ******
noWes *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Colin ********
ok, thanksReply to
Wes *******
Reply
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.
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?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.Reply to
Lynnette *******
Reply
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.
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.
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?Lynnette *******
@Wes ******
you won't get a visa when you enter, though. You'll just get an exempt entry.Wes *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lynnette ******
yeah that’s what I meant. And then pay 1900b for the extra 30 daysChris *********************
@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
Lynnette *******
@Wes ******
but you're flying in on a one way ticket, this can cause issues for the airline.Wes *******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lynnette ******
I’ve booked a return with Etihad manchester to Phuket returnLynnette *******
@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.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 itLynnette *******
@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.Reply to
Lynnette *******
Reply
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.Reply to
Brandon ************
Reply
68 comments
a year ago
102 comments
2 years ago
45 comments
2 years ago
15 comments
2 years ago
49 comments
2 years ago
What should I do about my exit flight from Thailand if my return is after the 60-day visa-free stay?
7 comments
2 years ago
40 comments
2 years ago
10 comments
2 years ago
17 comments
2 years ago
26 comments
3 years ago
51 comments
3 years ago
9 comments
3 years ago
38 comments
3 years ago
14 comments
3 years ago
35 comments
3 years ago
4 comments
3 years ago
15 comments
4 years ago
28 comments
4 years ago
15 comments
4 years ago
17 comments
4 years ago
21 comments
4 years ago
3 comments
4 years ago
7 comments
6 years ago
12 comments
8 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.