Are They Going To Let Me In?

[vppro21]

I'm from the USA and planning a 4 month trip to SE asia. I start and end in Thailand. Trouble is, I don't have the tourist visa (I only have 8 days till the flight, and not sure if I have time to get it), and I am traveling by train around the other countries.

So I have no proof of onward travel other than the return flight to the USA 4 months later. Are they going to let me in?

If not, am I stuck with re-booking penelties, or is there a quick way to get the tourist visa now (and is that tourist visa going to be enough for them to allow 4 month later departure date)?

[Jingthing]

Well, if you are in a city with a Thai consulate, you probably still have time to get a tourist visa.

If not, you really really should buy a one way AIR ticket out of Thailand going to a country near Thailand that leaves within 30 days of arrival. Thailand will almost always let you in because they usually don't check tickets. However, your problem is being BOARDED by your airline from the US. Unless you get really lucky and get an incompetent clerk, they won't board you.

[thebestman36]

We were kicking around the idea of not getting a visa to enter Thailand on our upcoming trip. We are staying for 3 months, but are headed to cambodia before the first 30 days is up. However we have no onward travel ticket, as we are going by bus. Last year we went and had onward travel ticket, but Im sure the airlines never asked about it. Not sure if its worth the risk or not to save $70. Just seems silly to buy something that you dont need.

[Jingthing]

We were kicking around the idea of not getting a visa to enter Thailand on our upcoming trip. We are staying for 3 months, but are headed to cambodia before the first 30 days is up. However we have no onward travel ticket, as we are going by bus. Last year we went and had onward travel ticket, but Im sure the airlines never asked about it. Not sure if its worth the risk or not to save $70. Just seems silly to buy something that you dont need.

Where did you fly from? In my experience from the US, they do check for a visa or ticket out most of the time. If you are denied boarding that could really be expensive. I don't think the risk/reward of showing up at the airport unprepared makes sense for most people.

[sjaak327]

We were kicking around the idea of not getting a visa to enter Thailand on our upcoming trip. We are staying for 3 months, but are headed to cambodia before the first 30 days is up. However we have no onward travel ticket, as we are going by bus. Last year we went and had onward travel ticket, but Im sure the airlines never asked about it. Not sure if its worth the risk or not to save $70. Just seems silly to buy something that you dont need.

I agree it is a bit silly to buy something you don't need. But strictly speaking, if you want to receive a 30 days exempt stamp, you need to be able to provide proof of onward (flight) travel within 30 days. And if they happen to ask, and if they deny you boarding, you'll loose the flight, and I'm sure that's not a mere 70 USD.

A tourist visa is going to cost you around 30 USD, not a very huge amount, also why not consider flying into Phnom Penh, you can get there cheaply on Air Asia, thus complying with the requirement, and it sure beats going to Cambodia by bus. (and it is rainy season, so not the best time to be bussing around western Cambodia).

[tominchaam]

Some people in your situation make an internet booking. Just before they are requested to give the credit card details they make a print of the booking – and after that they just leave the sight. Hereby they have a document that looks like a confirmed booking and from what I have heard it works. I did the same many years back when I applied for visa to various countries and never had a problem.

[lopburi3]

Today bookings can be checked so not a good idea. False paperwork is a serious crime in Thailand.

[britmaveric]

Just buy a cheapie ticket in Air Asia and problem solved. Lot better than being refused to board your flight to thailand and def not the way you want to start a holiday.

[JimGant]

So I have no proof of onward travel other than the return flight to the USA 4 months later. Are they going to let me in?

As said, the problem might be with your airline. But, I don't think the airlines care when your departure date from Thailand is -- just having a ticket is their concern.

But, a phone call to your airline could clarify this for you.

[Jingthing]

So I have no proof of onward travel other than the return flight to the USA 4 months later. Are they going to let me in?

As said, the problem might be with your airline. But, I don't think the airlines care when your departure date from Thailand is -- just having a ticket is their concern.

But, a phone call to your airline could clarify this for you.

I don't agree with this. If you call your airline and you can get them to read the screen available to airport agents, I bet you it will say a visa is needed or a ticket out within 30 days. Once when I called (a few years ago) I was told the screen also said you could not have a "hippie appearance' and she laughed and said that needed to be updated. Anyway, I do think people have luck being boarded without meeting the requirements (busy workers who don't bother to read the visa screen), but you have to ask yourself do I feel lucky and am I am willing to pay the cost of not boarding?

[JimGant]

I don't agree with this. If you call your airline and you can get them to read the screen available to airport agents

Yeah, well I advised he check with his particular airline. In my experience, I've been checked twice for exit tickets when I had no visa. This was with United. Both times my tickets were "open." Both times there were no further questions.

With what airlines did you encounter the 30 day rule?

[thebestman36]

We were kicking around the idea of not getting a visa to enter Thailand on our upcoming trip. We are staying for 3 months, but are headed to cambodia before the first 30 days is up. However we have no onward travel ticket, as we are going by bus. Last year we went and had onward travel ticket, but Im sure the airlines never asked about it. Not sure if its worth the risk or not to save $70. Just seems silly to buy something that you dont need.

Where did you fly from? In my experience from the US, they do check for a visa or ticket out most of the time. If you are denied boarding that could really be expensive. I don't think the risk/reward of showing up at the airport unprepared makes sense for most people.

Flying from Cincinnati to Chicago to Korea to Bangkok.

Yea, I dont think we will risk it.

We were headed to Sihanoukville from Koh chang, so didnt feel the need to do a flight, since its not all that much further to go by buses.

Now we are thinking whether to even go back to Sihanoukville, or just spend all 3 months in Thailand.

I'm sure I can find the info here, would it be easier for me just to get a 90 immigrant visa instead of getting an extension on my 60 days? I havent looked into how hard it is to qualify for the immigrant-O visa. Our trip is 89 days and for pleasure.

[Jingthing]

Tourism isn't a usual reason for an O visa. If you are trying a consulate, you could explain the situation in a call or email and ask them if they will make an exception. Otherwise, a tourist visa.

Mostly, I have flown Northwest and Korean. I never said I was ever denied boarding as I am always prepared; I did say they checked for visas and have policies about requiring a visa or ticket out.

One time I did buy a throwaway ticket out that left within 30 days to Malaysia as I was traveling on a OW USA to Thailand and did have a visa. In that case, I bought the ticket because the Thai consulate would not issue a visa on a OW ticket without a ticket out, which was insane because the ticket out was within 30 days and the visa was for 90 days, but we all have to do insane things sometimes to play the game.