Will I be refused entry to Thailand with a 90-day return flight while applying for a 60-day tourist visa?

August 19, 2021
3 years ago
Emma *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi. I’m a UK national planning to come to Thailand in November for tourism purposes as part of the ‘Phuket Sandbox’ scheme. I intend on applying for a 60-day tourist visa at the London Thai Embassy before leaving and plan on extending this at the Thai Immigration Office for another 30 days once I am in the country if this is possible. My question is: Will I be refused entry upon arrival if my return flight is booked 90 days after my initial entry (pre-empting that I am granted the extension by immigration)? Or do I need to ensure my flight home is within a 60 day time period first and then change the date of my return flight if I am granted the extension?

Many thanks in advance

Emma
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Emma, a UK national, is inquiring whether she might face entry refusal to Thailand due to a planned return flight 90 days after her arrival, despite applying for a 60-day tourist visa and seeking an extension. Community members suggest booking a flexible or cheaper onward flight within 60 days to avoid hassle, as concerns may arise during the visa application, CoE process, or check-in with airlines. Ultimately, it's noted that flexibility in flight bookings may circumvent potential issues with immigration.
Angelo ***********
Usually they do not care bout the real date of the return flight. But the safest and simplest option is a flight where you can change the date. So book it for the
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days original return requirement and then change it accordingly to your changed plans.

With Thai Airways that is no problem, no idea about BA, though.
James ********
as your in the UK may I suggest you also follow this UK based group...very helpful with your reentry into Thailand.
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Gooddy *******
Keep it simple. Book a flexible return or a cheap onward flight to KL. Its not worth the stress and hassle any other way
Ken ********
@Chris *****
check Siem Reap to sometimes flights there are cheaper
Paul ***********
I am in a similar situation but will be booking on Etihad who not only are one of the cheapest but allow free change of date after departure but if the new return date ticket is more expensive you have to pay more and - e.g. you want a return date the next week or on a saturday or instead of being on the 30th November you want to return on January 5th.
Tod *********
Okay the place you're going to have the issue is when you apply for your COE and your onward travel is 90 days out rather than 60 days out <- the amount of time you're going to get stamped in for.

You won't be asked at all for onward travel when you land here and stamp in OR when you go to get the 30 day extension.

That's why people are saying get some onward travel dated within that 60 days you'll get stamped in for, so that the COE will get approved
Graham ******
I came visa exempt and the London Embassy requied an onward flight for my COE within the date of my entry stamp 45 days). I didn't need to show this after my COE was approved.
Sarah ********
There are 3 possible points hwre you might be asked to provide proof of a flight out 9f thailand. It depends on the embassy & the immigration official. 1) when ypu apply for the tourist visa in the 1st place. The london embassy where certainly asking for that about 4 months ago.

2) When you apply for a CoE

3) When you arrive in thailand.

The London embassy are usually really.good at answrting questions if you email them prior to applying -
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or when you start the process online it will tell you what you need.

Note it doesn't need to be a flight back to the UK.
Brandon ************
@Sarah *******
They haven't actually been checking return flights upon entry to Thailand since Covid started. You can replace your #3 with "when you arrive at the airport to check-in to your flight" as the airline is more likely to refuse you boarding without an onward flight than any other step in the process.
Sarah ********
@Brandon ***********
interesting..i came in on june 7th this year & we were asked for our proof of flight out when we arrived at immigration. It was also the only thing we weren't asked for upon check in! Guess it depends on the airline & what day of the week it is!
Brandon ************
@Sarah *******
weird. You're the first person I've heard say that. I'm just glad I got in before they started checking so I didn't have to worry about it
Sarah ********
@Brandon ***********
yeah i guess its just luck of the draw. Thankfully flights tend to be very flexible now.
Emma *********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for all the advice everyone. That’s really helpful 👍🏼
Raimund *************
Just book within the 60 days and reschedule later, airlines offer with low or no cost in these days.
Geoff *******
@Raimund ************
Problem is that, if insurance is included with ticket (Emirates), extending the ticket later will invalidate the insurance. Or rather, will leave you without cover for the extended portion of your trip.
Raimund *************
@Geoff ******
to get CoE it will be ok, not mandatory to have insurance for extension of Tourist Visa.

If wanting one, check with Luma as you can buy it beeing in country as well.
Geoff *******
@Raimund ************
Understood but you will have to purchase insurance for the extended portion, if you want it. Unwise to have no insurance. Personally, I would book my flight presuming an extension and take my chances.
Tod *********
@Geoff ******
there is no requirement for a person to be insured past the 60 days they'd get stamped in on the tourist visa. It's not needed for the 30 day extension or any extension
Geoff *******
@Tod ********
I agree but you'd lose the free Emirates insurance for the period of any subsequent extension and would need to buy insurance if you wanted it.
Wylie *******
You will also need to be concerned about the airline. They have always asked me about a return ticket when I entered on a tourist visa or visa exempt if it wasn't booked with them. I always had something, so I am not sure if they would have refused me at check-in or not.
Ken ********
@Wylie ******
it doesn't have to be back to where you came from it just has to be out of Thailand in most cases
Wylie *******
@Ken *******
yes. Sorry, that is what I meant to say.
Ken ********
Book one you can change dates on or a cheaper option is booking a flight to Malaysia or Cambodia and just get the extention and forget the $50 ticket
James ********
It really depends on the Thai Embassy in your home country where you are getting the visa and CoE to enter Thailand.

You may wish to ask this question on the UK based group as they have faced this question many times.

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@Jim ********
@Raimund ************
may wish to reply to your question here...they are both very helpful on the UK forum.
Robert *******
As you need a Certificate of Entry from the Embassy, who will check all the documents, including flights, you should not worry. If the Embassy give you all the documents and you bring them with you, you can enter Thailand.
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