What should I do if my Thai Tourist E-Visa application is refused after booking my flight and is a train ticket to Laos acceptable as proof of onward travel?

Question

I’m a British citizen and I’m planning to apply online for a 60-day Thai Tourist E-Visa through the Thai Embassy in London. I will be flying from London to Bangkok.
I understand that I need to provide proof of a flight booking and onward travel. My concern is, what happens if I book a flight in advance and then the Thai Embassy refuses my visa? Would I lose the money I paid for the flight ticket?

My second question is about proof of onward travel. I’m planning to travel from Bangkok to Laos by train. Would a confirmed train ticket from Bangkok to Laos be accepted as proof that I will leave Thailand before the 60 days expire, or does the Embassy require an onward flight ticket specifically?

Has anyone recently applied for the Thai Tourist E-Visa through the London Embassy and used a train ticket to Laos as proof of onward travel?

I would really appreciate any advice or recent experience. Thank you!
I’m a British citizen and I’m planning to apply online for a 60-day Thai Tourist E-Visa through the Thai Embassy in London. I will be flying from London to Bangkok.

Ask Thailand · Answer

The user, a British citizen, is concerned about the risks of booking a flight in advance for a Thai Tourist E-Visa if their application is refused, potentially leading to financial loss. They are also asking if a train ticket from Bangkok to Laos is an acceptable form of proof for onward travel instead of a flight ticket. The responses indicate that flight bookings can often be made without upfront payments and that the Thai Embassy may not require onward travel details upfront. However, some suggest having a refundable flight or an alternative ticket while others feel a train ticket will suffice as long as additional evidence like hotel bookings in Laos is provided.

Bob ****** · Answer

I've gotten the SETV often from NY consulate. I've always submitted full detail of flights and places I'm staying. They did ask once about extending stay (70 day +/-). I sent them a letter stating I would get an extension at local Immigration office with a copy of my previous extension. I now send them this with every application.

Likely a train out and hotel in Laos will suffice, if not they are likely to ask for flight, not outright disapprove. However, how are your returning to UK? If you do intend to reenter Thailand and fly home from there, you may want to indicate that too, with date of that flight (or save for when further inquired by them). If flying home from Laos, even better to submit that flight.

You would still have option of 30 day Visa exemption and then could extend another 30 in country.

Mart ******** · Answer

I did SETV last week. They do not ask anything about return or onwards ticket details. Just the date. 100% I just did it 👍🏼

Aeon ********* · Answer

As a British citizen, I recently did this. What I did is book my flight through trip.com website (not the app) as flight prices are always reasonable but also gives you an option to pay £20 extra for the ability to cancel/change easily and I actually did cancel and change my flight no problem. For some reason this option wasn’t available on the app 🧐

On the 60 day visa application, it doesn’t ask for onward travel information. However, there is a field on the TDAC form that has this but it is not a required field and can be left blank, which I left blank, no problem.

All I did was print my 60 day visa certificate, TDAC document and a print out my bank statement and handed over with my passport at immigration.

Immigration was not a problem as the checks and balances are done on the visa application submission and I was never asked about onward travel.

If you do get asked about onward travel, just say that I’m not sure whether I will extend for an extra 30 days or not but if it is an issue, tell them you can action this if a problem and book your train to Laos whilst in front of them.

Bent ************* · Answer

The embassy doesn’t care, but your airline might. Ask them!

Ci ***** · Answer

for the initial application you can provide the booking without the payment and see if they accept it.

Michael ******** · Answer

If they are not happy with the documents you supply they will just send you an email asking for clarification or further information. They won't just refuse your visa.

As you're sending train tickets I would also include your hotel booking for the start of the trip to the other country so they can see you are genuinely going to another country

Paul ********* · Answer

100%. I applied this morning. A friend did his yesterday and had an email back today asking to resubmit as missing info.

John ********* · Answer

From the official Thai Embassy website London.

No.5

Gary ******* · Answer

For what you say about onward travel just go online buy the cheapest air tickets you can find out of Thailand then when you check in at London airport you can show you got a flight out but you can cancel that flight so as you in Thailand

Graham ****** · Answer

For the initial application you provide flight details (flight number and date) not an actual booking unless they come back and ask for that. Regarding onward travel that might be requested by your airline at check in, ask them when you book.

What should I do if my Thai Tourist E-Visa application is refused after booking my flight and is a train ticket to Laos acceptable as proof of onward travel?

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