Will I be okay at the airport with a 90-day return flight but only receiving a 60-day exception?

September 20, 2024
3 days ago
Neville ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi I've booked flights for 90 days return but only get 60 exception will I be OK at airport I'm going to get extension 30 thanks x
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The traveler expresses concern about having booked a return flight for 90 days but only obtaining a 60-day tourist visa exemption for Thailand. Community members highlight that while immigration in Thailand may not ask for proof of an outbound ticket, airlines often do check for onward travel, particularly within the agreed timeframe. Several users suggest reaching out to the airline for clarification and recommend obtaining an onward ticket as a precaution. Experiences vary, with some noting they have never been asked for a return ticket, while others report being checked at the airport.
Vinay ********
The Airline normally determines but rarely asks if you from a country that has 60 days entry allowed. If they ask you, then say you will land cross into our of the neighbourhood countries. Last resort is a disposable ticket. I got mine for £15, which I never used. Don't stress over it. There are ways
Patrick ********
I'm in Thailand now 60 days then extension 30 days easy
Scott ******
I'm no expert so can only share my experience...

I travelled to Chiang Mai last year on Qantas. I planned to stay 6 weeks, which was the time period of my outbound and return flights.

I emailed a visa agent in CM before my travel who gave free advice. She said I was fine to get a 30 day visa on arrival, and I could renew it for another 30 days at immigration in CM. This saved me the "hassle" (so I thought) of working with the Thai Consulate to have a visa period sufficient to cover my travel dates.

Qantas wouldn't let me on the outbound flight. Luckily (in this instance) the outbound flight was delayed 4 hours. I called the Thai Consulate, who emailed me a message saying they were ok for me to travel (I admit their email was a bit vague). Qantas still wouldn't let me on the flight even with the email.

My choices were limited: bail on the trip, at least for those dates, and likely lose all hotel deposits, or change the return flight to an earlier flight. Luckily there were earlier flights available. Immigration in BKK did not even ask about my return flight. Once in Thailand I moved my return flight back to my original date. Of course both changes incurred change fees.

Lesson learned: don't just consider what Thai immigration will do, but what the airline will do.

(As an aside, Qantas customer service is abominable. Literally 8 hours or longer on hold to speak to customer service - not an exaggeration although it may have improved since Alan Joyce got the boot; this question isn't covered by their website FAQ's; they don't provide email support; they don't answer questions in their FB group. Hopefully your airline makes it easier to get an answer to this scenario, but I would think the safest option is for your visa validity to completely cover the time period for your outbound and return flights. Otherwise make SURE you know what your airline will do when you're trying to check in.)

Hope this helps...
Bart **************
The rule is a little vague on this. Normally it makes no sense to ask your airline if you would be okay, because they don't make the rules and have no choice but to tell you that proof of onward travel is required, regardless of whether they'll enforce is, this is slightly different with this particular issue as now their interpretation of the rule comes into play. Normally, airlines will interpret the rule as that proof of onward travel needs to be within the original period that you get granted however, as it appears that this is also what the Thai authorities imply (although embassies, which also deal with the rule in case of tourist visa applications, often take it more leniently, and do account for extendability). So although the odds are very high that your airline upon consultation will tell you that proof of onward travel within 60 days is required (regardless of what the check-in crew will do), it could make sense to ask.
Jo **********
@Bart *************
korter A.U.B.
Sean *****
@Bart *************
I don’t believe it would help asking in advance as I flew in from London yesterday via Thai air as I do regularly yet it is very rare that Thai air staff are on check in desk it usually or Canada or India or some other, I had 90 day return as usual but no visa never been asked
Bart **************
@Sean ****
agree. Although not getting checked is kinda exceptional these days. I haven't managed to fly to Thailand on a one-way without being checked for many years. They always do it. But coming back to your case: had you asked any of the three airlines you refer, they'd always say that proof of onward travel is needed. They may have a lenient enforcement policy, but can't reveal that upfront.

It reminds me of a recent discussion checking in with EVA Air. I was allowed 2 suitcases of 23 kgs each. I had one weighing 23.8 kg and another weighing 24.6 kg. I figured the 23.8 one would be within the tolerance (that I know from experience would be like an extra kg), but was a little surprised finding that also the 24.6 kg case went through without a problem.

So I asked the lady: what is the tolerance then?

She: the maximum is 23 kgs.

Me: but 24.6 kg is okay?

She: yes that's fine.

Me: is the tolerance then 2 kgs?

She: no. The maximum weight is 23 kgs. You cannot take more.

Me: how about 24.6 kgs then? That's almost 2 kg more. If that's within the tolerance, then I would like to know how much you tolerate.

She: the maximum is 23 kgs. This one is okay but the maximum weight is 23, not more.

If asked, they'll only give you the actual rule.
Jo **********
@Bart *************
I fly constantly with KLM monthly from Europe never been asked once. If they did I would straighten them out
Bart **************
@Jo *********
I've been checked every time I flew since 2020. It's not common to get aboard these days without a check. KLM are however one of the few letting me through without checking, back in 2017 that was.
Jo **********
@Bart *************
KLM never bothers. Once going to Singapore and I was asked by Singapore Airlines if I had an onward ticket I said no. They said oh do have a residency?( which I do but did not tell them) I said no but I will leave there when I want and buy a ticket later. I told them to mind their own business and leave me alone.
Bart **************
@Jo *********
I think you're lucky to have been on board that flight.
Jo **********
@Bart *************
I am Solitaire PPS. The highest tier of frequent flier. They really can’t say no.
Bart **************
@Jo *********
I see. That might indeed be convincing :p
Jo **********
Steven *********
I was asked for my return ticket by Immigration in Thailand last February
Alma ***************
And flying in and out
Alma ***************
@Steven ********
it's really kind of a luck..you got asked buy we were never even doing a lot of border runs
Steven *********
@Alma **************
I agree, it was the first time I was asked after many, many times without any problem...
Gordon *******
You aren't asked by Immigration in Thailand, it's the check in at your airport of departure where you may be asked.

KLM wanted proof of visa
Alma ***************
@Gordon ******
weird Bec I flew from Ontario with klm without return ticket and visa and never asked for any to show..
Andy ********
You should be fine but like Brandon recommended contact your airline and ask them
Bart **************
@Andy *******
the rule is more often than not interpreted as proof of onward travel qualifying only within the original duration of the visa.
Robert **************
I came in on a 60-day tourist visa. My return flight is 84 days after arrival. I’ll get a 30-day extension when it gets close to the 60days in country and wasn’t asked by immigration
Steve ***********
I have never been asked at immigration about details of my return flight, but my passport is nearly full of Thai entry and exit stamps, I never go anywhere else 😂
Steve *******
I was asked for the first time ever by Qatar at London Gatwick this month. Never been asked before in over 20+ visits. (I had a return ticket so no issue)
Bart **************
@Steve ******
so your return was beyond 60 days?
Steve *******
@Bart *************
- Yes but had no fixed plan. I did 60 days visa, extended 30 days then Cambodia for one night. Returned with 30 days exemption and extended 30 more before returning to the uk 🇬🇧
Neville ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Steve ******
thanks 😊
Della ********
@Neville *******
We were asked at check in for proof of leaving, last year and the year before with different airlines so don't chance it...
Steve *******
@Neville *******
- on my visit last year I only had a one way as was unsure of my plans. I flew Thai airways. I was worried about needing one so I booked a very cheap refundable flight from Bangkok to Cambodia just in case. I wasn’t asked so I then changed the flight date and used it later for a border run 👍
Marc ********
@Steve ******
Thai Airways never asks. Air France, Qatar, Lufthansa ask sometimes
Neville ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Neville ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Cynthia ******
They never ask me for proof of leaving when I go there without a return ticket.
Neville ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for the info.
Chris *********************
Just buy disposable onward ticket,

Google onward ticket about 12 quid each better safe than sorry
Neville ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for the update.
Brandon ************
Asked at least 5 times per week.

ASK YOUR AIRLINE

They are the ones who might require you to show proof of leaving Thailand. And if they do then they will require it to be within 60 days, not 90.
Don ******
@Brandon ***********
Well at least u were nice and courteous with your response.

Not condescending at all.

What other things should curious people automatically know not to ask?
Brandon ************
@Don *****
They can spend 5 minutes doing their own research or using the search feature in the group, or just scroll down a few posts and see the last time the question was asked. If I wanted to be an ass I would just deny the post.
Scott ******
@Brandon ***********
I agree but just saying FB search ***SUCKS***. There are probably 1000+ forum software packages with better search than FB.
Neil ******
@Brandon ***********
everyone is too lazy to search these days. They want to be spoon fed information.
Sheen ************
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