Answered8 years ago
Why did VietJet Air require proof of an outbound flight for my kids despite having valid entry visas?
I’m relatively inexperienced with Thai visa’s but I wanted to give a heads up in case what happened to me yesterday isn’t common knowledge.
Yesterday we were returning from Vietnam after successfully getting an ED visa for both my wife and I. We didn’t apply for anything for our kids because we were missing their birth certificate, but the consulate didn’t seem to care because kids can’t be turned away at the border.
We flew from Saigon to Da Nang for a little holiday before returning to Bangkok. Upon arrival to check in to our VietJet Air flight in Danang, they wouldn’t let us check-in because the kids didn’t have a valid visa, and no ongoing flight. They made me stand there in the queue and book a flight out of Thailand for my kids within 30 days, before they would issue a boarding pass. They mentioned that this is the direction of the airline. What made it even more strange is that a guy stood next to us was also being prevented from getting a boarding pass without an outbound flight, and he was planning on entering on a VOA.
We booked our flight and I immediately cancelled, and when we entered Bangkok the immigration had no issues whatsoever. They issues my kids 30 days, and stamped our ED visas for 90 days, with no proof of an outbound flight required.
Not sure if this is useful information, or if anybody knows of times where another airline make you book an outbound flight before issuing a boarding pass?
If this is completely normal, I apologise for wasting your time.
Yesterday we were returning from Vietnam after successfully getting an ED visa for both my wife and I. We didn’t apply for anything for our kids because we were missing their birth certificate, but the consulate didn’t seem to care because kids can’t be turned away at the border.
We flew from Saigon to Da Nang for a little holiday before returning to Bangkok. Upon arrival to check in to our VietJet Air flight in Danang, they wouldn’t let us check-in because the kids didn’t have a valid visa, and no ongoing flight. They made me stand there in the queue and book a flight out of Thailand for my kids within 30 days, before they would issue a boarding pass. They mentioned that this is the direction of the airline. What made it even more strange is that a guy stood next to us was also being prevented from getting a boarding pass without an outbound flight, and he was planning on entering on a VOA.
We booked our flight and I immediately cancelled, and when we entered Bangkok the immigration had no issues whatsoever. They issues my kids 30 days, and stamped our ED visas for 90 days, with no proof of an outbound flight required.
Not sure if this is useful information, or if anybody knows of times where another airline make you book an outbound flight before issuing a boarding pass?
If this is completely normal, I apologise for wasting your time.
Answer summary
A traveler shares their experience of being required by VietJet Air to show proof of an outbound flight for their children before they could board a flight to Thailand, despite having ED visas. The airline's policy appears to be a standard requirement, reflecting a broader movement among airlines to ensure passengers meet entry requirements. Other travelers in the discussion confirm similar experiences with different airlines and emphasize that this is a common practice to mitigate the airline's liability for repatriation if passengers are denied entry.
39 repliesnewest first
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Robert *******
As this discussion is about Airline policies and has nothing to do with Thai Visa Advice I close the commenting.
Bart ***********
It happened to me with Air Asia flying from Macau to Chiang Mai, checkin staff would not understand the difference between VOA and visa exempt /which I was on/. Anyway I had my flight out of Thailand but not printed out, they wouldn't let me on the plane without it, managed to retrieve my flight info on my mobile but unnecessary stress. Chiang Mai immigration never asked me for ticket out, hi, smile, photo, stamp, off u go. 3 minutes
Steve *******
Its normal, most airlines wont let you board without a visa or proof of onward travel
Steve *******
Robert Lagas must be asleep. Im surprised this thread aint been shut down
Steve *******
@Henry ********
Yep. That's entering Thailand and they're very fair on this point. The post is about airline policy. As I said before there's no way your kids could enter, or even be allowed to board a flight to the UK, US or many other countries without the correct travel documentationHenry *********
@Steve ******
That's how it works for many parents of non-Thai kids. Enter on visa exempt and then just stay. Overstay fines and bans are not applied. I prefer to do it properly; but I know many parents who have been told it's ok by Thai Immigration.Steve *******
@Henry ********
Not really, just bring your 10 kids into a country and hope they go home at some pointHenry *********
@Gary ******
Exactly. It's being "jobsworth" in the extreme to insist very young kids, who are entitled to a visa exempt entry, buy an onward ticket they couldn't possibly use!Ivan ************
@Ga**
I get that they let your kids in, but they let millions of adults in on visa exempts every year without asking them for any proof of anything either. Them letting your kids in doesn't mean they HAD to let your kids in.
Gary *******
OP4 & 6 year old I mean. Don’t tell my wife I got it wrong 😳
Gary *******
OPMy complaint, if any, is that both parents had a visa, and there is no rational way that 2 adults would be permitted, and a 4 & 7 year old be denied
Gary *******
OPJust to clarify, my children were absolutely allowed to enter Thailand, and were given a 30 day exemption on arrival, with no proof of onward travel
Gary *******
OPTotally understand, and I booked a flight without showing any frustration towards the check in desk because I know they were just following the rules implemented by the airline
Steve *******
@Iv**
. Exactly, your kids wont be able to board a flight to the US or the UK without a visa, why should it be different for ThailandIvan ************
I'm not totally sure that Thai law specifies that children travelling MUST be admitted, even if they are otherwise inadmissible. I know policy is that children are not fined for overstay. But I am not sure this is a requirement before you enter the country, that kids must be let in without a visa. It could be, but I have not heard it before.
Are you sure you are not confusing it with the _non-enforcement_ of overstay penalties on children?
Are you sure you are not confusing it with the _non-enforcement_ of overstay penalties on children?
Ivan ************
@Ga**
none of these intricacies are written in TIMATIC, the airline visa database. It just says visa exempt entries may require proof of onward travel. That's all, and that is what they go on.Gary *******
OPAnd if parents have visas then the airline, if using rational thinking, should not be concerned that we will be forced to return
Gary *******
OPRight, but logically the airline have no reason to be concerned if children can’t be turned away at immigration
Steve *******
@Gary ******
Yes, but we're talking about boarding in VietnamGary *******
OP@Ivan ***********
My understanding is that Thai Law prevents them from denying children access to the countrySteve *******
@Gary ******
Trump is sending kids back!Ivan ************
@Ga**
why do you think they "can't" send the kids back? You need to make a distinction here between what they are likely to do and what they could do, following the letter of the law. By the letter of the law (and from VietJet's perspective, even more relevant is the wording in TIMATIC, the airline visa database) visa exempt entries need an onward ticket. There is no mention in TIMATIC of exemptions based on age.It's obviously highly unlikely that they would.... but they could, and so the airline is following the letter.
Steve *******
Ivan Yes. Some short haul flights are ok as you say but it's not always up to the airline but sometimes the specific airport regs
Gary *******
OPCouple of side notes too. A while back I posted about elite visa for parents only and allowing the kids to overstay. I imagine this would also be applicable for that scenario.
Also, it’s worth nothing that you can’t book a flight for young children without including at least one adult. So we had to book a flight for 3 people, but cancelled at the point we received a booking reference and all was good.
Also, it’s worth nothing that you can’t book a flight for young children without including at least one adult. So we had to book a flight for 3 people, but cancelled at the point we received a booking reference and all was good.
Gary *******
OPIf we have visas, and the kids didn’t, there is no way the immigration would deny us on those grounds
Gary *******
OP@Kari *******
This is a great question. They can’t send kids back, so why would the airline require us to book tickets for them?
Kari ********
I'm guessing they insisted for the kids because if your kids were sent back, the airline has to front 4 seats since obviously your kids won't be repatriated alone.
Ivan ************
Well "most" short haul airlines in Asia will let you board without this. Air Asia certainly does. But it is up to the individual airline.
Henry *********
@Steve ******
Indeed. That's why this Group and this post is very useful.Steve *******
@Henry ********
Be surprised, that's the way it works, regardless of age.Henry *********
Yes. But I'm surprised they would insist on applying this to young children accompanied by parents who have visas.
Gary *******
OPI have a 4 and 6 year old. I think overstaying is fine, and I’ve heard lots of people do it, but the need to show an outbound flight for them is something to consider.
Henry *********
How old are your kids? My 3year old is piggy-backing on my Extension but there have been times when I've been tempted to let him enter visa exempt and just overstay. Not sure I'll do that now, in light of your experience!
Gary *******
OPAh ok. Appreciate the really useful responses. Slightly strange in that had we checked in online, we would have been fine. Immigration didn’t care because my wife and I had ED visas, but I guess that’s the immigration game!
Biff *******
They still may have checked for a visa (or outgoing flight if there was none) even if you’d checked in online.
Ivan ************
Immigration don't care _in general_ about this, unless the person in question has an extensive history in Thailand. But it is a rule.
Lisa ***************
We had the same issue in Vietnam but we had ongoing flights out of Thailand. It is the policy and it's normal. They are doing their job
Brad ********
It's not uncommon as the airline you're traveling with are responsible for your repatriation if you're denied entry in to the Kingdom. They're basically covering their arses in the event you're denied entry.
Ivan ************
It's normal, but it depends on the specific airline policy. It's more common with long haul airlines from Europe or the US, less common with short haul within Asia, but obviously VietJet does ask. It IS an entry retirement for a visa exempt entry, even if not often enforced, so the airline is correct and allowed to demand it.
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