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Answered24 days ago

What should I do if my tourist visa for Thailand doesn't arrive in time before my flight on November 1st?

Craig *********
asked Oct 17, 2026
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Hi all, I booked my flights months ago before they changed the visa exemption from 60 to 30 days, I have applied for a tourist visa now but what is the best option if the visa doesn't come in time, I fly out 1st November
Answer summary
If your tourist visa doesn't arrive in time before your flight on November 1st, one potential option is to enter Thailand on a 30-day visa exemption. If needed, you can extend this visa for an additional 30 days at an immigration office for a fee of 1900 baht. Some travelers shared their experiences of receiving their visa approvals quickly and suggested alternatives such as travel tickets to neighboring countries as a backup plan.
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John *******
How long where you going for? It matters.
John *******
John *******
How long where you going for? It matters.
Daniel **********
I applied for a tourist visa in London didn't get it in time, as im here now its been canceled by them. So just going to to get the 30 day extention and leave
Daniel **********
Daniel **********
I applied for a tourist visa in London didn't get it in time, as im here now its been canceled by them. So just going to to get the 30 day extention and leave
Thomas ********
My visa only took 12 hours for approval
Thomas ********
Thomas ********
My visa only took 12 hours for approval
John *******
John *******
Thomas Ripley which visa?
Kirk *******
Kirk *******
Book a cheap one way ticket Cambodia etc dont go get visa extension in Thailand
Tod *********
Tod *********
@Kirk ******
and what would a cheap one way ticket to cambodia do to get them more time in thailand than the 30 days they'll get on a visa exempt entry w/a 30 day extension?
Kirk *******
Kirk *******
@Tod ********
if you can prove you are leaving Thailand within tbe 30 days you be fine. Once you get into Thailand go get visa extension when needed dont go Cambodia
Craig *********
Craig *********
OP
Tod *********
Tod *********
Oh you mean in case the air carrier asks for proof of onward travel?
Ian *********
I’ve never been asked by any other airline only Thai Airways.
Ian *********
Ian *********
I’ve never been asked by any other airline only Thai Airways.
Tod *********
Tod *********
@Ian ********
the carriers that run thru the middle east were asking quite a lot for onward travel when people were comin' here free stamp (visa exempt)
Rod *********
Rod *********
I'm booked from November 21 to April 21, what do i have to do?, I've had a few conflicting answers
Biff *******
Last time I was travelling on a one way ticket I bought a throwaway ticket Phuket to Penang that left a couple of days before the exemption stamp would run out. Cost me £30
Biff *******
Biff *******
Last time I was travelling on a one way ticket I bought a throwaway ticket Phuket to Penang that left a couple of days before the exemption stamp would run out. Cost me £30
Alan ********
Alan ********
Anyhow, don't worry. Too many scaremongerers on here. Emirates don't care and neither do most. You can get an extension at immigration for 30 days or 2 border entries in 12 months.
Alan ********
Alan ********
Who are you flying with?
Anita ******
Mine came the next day. I’m in uk
Anita ******
Anita ******
Mine came the next day. I’m in uk
Tod *********
show up on a 30 day visa exempt entry and if you need to take the one 30 day extension you can get at the immigration office for 1900baht
Tod *********
Tod *********
show up on a 30 day visa exempt entry and if you need to take the one 30 day extension you can get at the immigration office for 1900baht
Tracey ******
Tracey ******
my son had the same and we ended up having to buy him a cheap flight to somewhere to show he was leaving. The airline told him to buy a bus ticket but in the heat of it we couldn’t locate a cheap one. So ended up paying £57 so he could board
Craig *********
Craig *********
OP
Yeh I been going to Thailand for 25 years but this is the first time since the exemption change
Graham ******
Graham ******
Craig Jackson so you do now exactly what you did before July 2024 ;)
Ian ********
Ian ********
Craig Jackson

I did get asked by an airline the only time I didn't have an outward bound trip covered prior to getting my retirement visa.

so I bought the $5 ticket while standing at check in.

even immigration at Swampy laughed when I showed them the ticket.
Craig *********
Craig *********
OP
@Tod ********
I've been told the airline won't let me board the plane for departure
Andy *******
Andy *******
Craig Jackson what airline?
Craig *********
Craig *********
OP
Andy Mayze Thai Airlines
Ian ********
Ian ********
Craig Jackson

buy a $5 bus ticket from Nong Khai to Laos which shows an exit and bin it after arrival.
Ellie *******
Ellie *******
@Craig ********
, better to check with your airline if they accept international bus ticket for proof of departure. Some airlines accept only flight ticket for departure.
Craig *********
Craig *********
OP
Ian Ramsay cheers Ian, thanks
Tod *********
Tod *********
@Craig ********
that's between you and your air carrier <- some carriers require onward travel within the days you'll be stamped in for (30) so contact your carrier and double check

BUT

if you can board your flight you won't have any issue with onward travel more than 30 days out when you go to stamp in.
Rod Croydon
Alan Hooper
Alan Hooper

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