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Why did Delta Airlines ask for a visa when flying to Thailand?
Visa RequirementsThailand ImmigrationThai PassportAirline PoliciesDelta AirlinesNon-O VisaTravel RegulationsExpats in Thailand
Oct 30, 2024
2 years ago
Frank ********
ORIGINAL POSTERJust leaving US for Thailand. Wife is Thai. Flying Delta / Korea air.
1. Delta requested my visa, so fortunately I have an e-visa 90 days. Return ticket in January. Wife has no return ticket and they requested her visa, but instead accepted her Thai passport in place of return ticket.
1. Delta requested my visa, so fortunately I have an e-visa 90 days. Return ticket in January. Wife has no return ticket and they requested her visa, but instead accepted her Thai passport in place of return ticket.
TLDR : Answer Summary
A traveler shared their experience flying from the US to Thailand with Delta Airlines, where they were asked for their visa and a return ticket. The traveler, holding a 90-day e-visa, had no issues, but their Thai wife was initially questioned regarding her visa despite not needing one as a citizen. The conversation among the community revealed that airlines often ask for visas or onward tickets to avoid fines and the responsibility of returning passengers denied entry due to improper documentation.
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Kevin ***********
Simon Tan Not if she's travelling on a US passport. He said she had to produce her Thai one.
Simon *****
It’s anyway quite funny for the airline to ask for a VISA when a national (your wife) goes back to her own country.
Steve *************
And the point of this post was what?
Richard **************
Before I secured my retirement visa, I would sometimes be asked at the ticket counter for the nature of my visa and my onward travel plans. Airlines are responsible for the cost of returning a passenger who is turned away at the Thai border for not having travel plans consistent with their visa. I used to take the precaution of buying faux ticket from places online that sells such things for about $10. Just Google something like “onward travel” and you’ll find plenty of them. I never had a problem using them.
Ryan ********
@Richard *************
given the stakes involved maybe the airlines can hire someone literate so they can read that US passport holders don’t need visas to enter Thailand.Steve *********
@Ryan *******
They don’t need visas but they need an onward or return ticket if they are going to enter on a visa exempt entry.Reply to
Steve *********
Reply
Daryl ***********
Wtf??. Your point is mate?
Frank ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Daryl **********
if your asking me? I am just providing information regarding my experience with onward ticket. I read many Facebook posts regarding this issue.Reply to
Frank ********
Reply
Joann ********************
I just flew Korean air/Delta to the US Delta flight was great. Korean air fell short. Neither of us was asked about visas. Maybe on our return to BKK. We have multi entry Non O visas
Vic ********
Delta is very strict. They even employ their own “security “ people that will question you on departure
Dora ******
Funny bc I came here first on tourist visa and was never asked for return flight info. I now have a different visa with multiple re-entry and still have not been asked for return ticket 🤞
Steve *********
@Dora *****
As I understand it you don’t need to show a return or onward ticket if you have a non immigrant visa with a re entry permitDora ******
@Steve ********
I first entered with a tourist visa and foreign passport and they still didn’t ask me 🤷♀️Reply to
Dora ******
Reply
Robert ********
@Dora *****
you look thai heading to thailand maybe there profiling. They did ask for a onward ticket in September when I came on a one way and I did have a cheep ticket I had got so I had proof of leaving 😅Frank ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Robert *******
they asked my wife for her Thai passport. They were confused because she does not have a return ticket.Robert ********
@Frank *******
ah..Reply to
Robert ********
Reply
Phil ******
@Frank *******
thats quite normalFrank ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Phil *****
just wanted to spread the information. I had to pay for the ninety days and I am glad I did. They did not have the 60 day visa free when I made plans.Frank ********
ORIGINAL POSTERI have a Non o 90 days.
Frank ********
ORIGINAL POSTERThey only had the 30 when I applied. Going to do the marriage visa or ltr.
Not sure how long we will be staying in Thailand near term. Family health, so looks like next year same time return. By then the tax situation should be an open book. Going to look at villas and condos, but probably rent next year. Heading to wife’s home Khon Kean
Not sure how long we will be staying in Thailand near term. Family health, so looks like next year same time return. By then the tax situation should be an open book. Going to look at villas and condos, but probably rent next year. Heading to wife’s home Khon Kean
Mike ********
@Frank *******
check your passport, it’s only a 60 day visa. You will have to get an extension if you need 90 days. The 90 days when applying is how long you have to begin using the eVisa.Reply to
Mike ********
Reply
Phil ******
@Frank *******
ok. The Visa Exempt is something you can't apply for on the evisa website. Its just a stamp your given entering Thailand if you don't have a VisaReply to
Phil ******
Reply
Michael ********
Why did the airline ask for visa, since you can go there for 60 days without visa?
Harry ************
@Michael *******
Because his return ticket is in January. Obviously longer than 60 days.Michael ********
@Harry ***********
people do extend. Or they might travel to other countries by land. Many reasons why you don’t need a return ticket. Thai immigration rarely ask if you are a first world country citizen.Reply to
Michael ********
Reply
Frank ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael *******
not sure, but they wanted to see the visa for my confirmed flight return date I guess and they wanted my wife’s Thai passport because she does not have a return flight.Brenda *********
@Michael *******
yeah you won’t have a visa if you don’t need it!Adam ******
@Michael *******
some airlines ask for this. Emirates I have noticed asked me many occasions over the years. It’s due to the fact that if you are refused entry the airline take no responsibility, as I didn’t have a visa at the time they made me sign a waiver to say that they are not responsible and you will pay additional costs yourself to leave Thailand if refused. As I was an offshore worker I didn’t need a visa to live in Thailand on my time off.Goodd *******
@Michael *******
Rhey Walt to see proof of onward travel if you are coming in as a tourist.James ********
@Michael *******
then they will want to see PROOF of your flight departing Thailand within the number of days you are stamped in on arrival into Thailand.Frank ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael *******
I suspect, because my return ticket is 90 days out.Phil ******
@Michael *******
all Airlines are supposed to ask for travel out of Thailand during your visa/non visa periodGraham ******
@Michael *******
Because now until January is over 60 daysReply to
Graham ******
Reply
Dan *******
That sounds normal. An airline can be fined for allowing passengers to board without the proper visa or onward ticket.
Ryan ********
@Dan ******
amazing people trying to justify this.Frank ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Ryan *******
I would have been livid, if not allowed on flight. You would think that the airlines would provide a waiver for signature and let you go about.Dan *******
@Frank *******
it’s not that easy or simple. An airline is responsible for following regulations that various countries impose on them.Ryan ********
@Frank *******
I flew from Kona in February of this year from Hawaii and Hawaiian airlines tried telling me I need the Thai pass thing from COVID times with the QR code that hasn’t existed for two years.Reply to
Ryan ********
Reply
James ********
All is normal when flying to Thailand from the USA on Delta Airlines. They want to see your visa and PROOF of your flight departing Thailand within the number of days you are stamped in for on arrival into Thailand.
I fly Delta and they always ask questions. Other airlines do too.
I fly Delta and they always ask questions. Other airlines do too.
Halim ****************
James Miller yes others asking for too, the things is they have too otherwise they will have to send you back on airline charge
Michael ********
@James *******
sounds like Delta wanting to sell tickets. Thai Airways make no such demands.Adam ******
@Michael *******
I was asked once by Thai airways in Madrid airport. Once by Singapore airlines in Singapore. This was around 7-8 years ago though. Emirates was the only other airline but they only ever asked from Brazil. Made me sign a waiver as I didn’t have a visa. Basically to say there were not responsible if I was refused entryJames ********
@Michael *******
I'm not familiar with Thai Air policies. I do know that Delta and American Airlines do ask.Neal *******
@James *******
If I recall correctly, Thai Airways International no longer operates flights from the US.Reply to
Neal *******
Reply
Ernesto ********
So nothing out of the ordinary
Reply to
Ernesto ********
Reply
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