Proof Of Onward Travel

[AnnyChen]

I'm a Canadian citizen planning to backpack in Southeast Asia. I am entering Thailand April 6 and have a ticket flying out July 1, and we will be backpacking in between. Specifically, we plan to leave Thailand before our 30 days by traveling by bus from Chiang Rai > Nong Kai > Laos, and then we'll fly from Vientiane to Bali after exploring Laos.

I am hoping to save money by entering Thailand with Canada's visa exemption, and I am wondering whether anyone has experience using a flight originating *outside* of Thailand as proof of onward travel. For example, we enter Thailand April 6 and would book a ticket leaving Laos by May 6.

Thanks!

[Jingthing]

As I think you already know, the problem isn't Thai immigration at BKK, it's with boarding the flight in Canada. What they usually will require to board you is

(1) a visa of some kind (or)

(2) an air ticket leaving Thailand within 30 days

I would suggest bothering with getting a tourist visa in Canada before going to the airport. I don't think a ticket departing from Laos will cut it. There are sometimes cases of boarding clerks not doing their jobs properly (doing their job would mean not boarding you) or even allowing you to board after you sign a document relieving them of financial responsibility if you aren't admitted into Thailand. However, the latter option may not be offered.

If you don't want to get a tourist visa, you could adjust your trip and arrive with an air ticket to Bali leaving within 30 days and that would probably work as well. Then you could do Laos later.

Also note, even if you get five people posting here saying they were boarded in a case like yours coming from Canada, that doesn't mean they will board YOU.

[dananderson]

April 6 to May 6 is 31 days as the day you enter and the day you leave are counted as days here. You must leave Thailand within 30 days and as this is enforced before you leave by your airline you will need air-travel out of Thailand. A bus or a train ticket will not work. I have come here on a one way ticket with proof of onward travel before. You must also have more than 6 months remaining before your passport expires. There is a wealth of information on this subject easily found by searching this site. Enjoy your travels.

[Jingthing]

I read the post that she is proposing to arrive at the airport in Canada with no visa and no air ticket out of THAILAND within 30 days. BTW, while in Laos, I suggest checking out Luang Prabang.

[dananderson]

I read the post that she is proposing to arrive at the airport in Canada with no visa and no air ticket out of THAILAND within 30 days. BTW, while in Laos, I suggest checking out Luang Prabang.

I missed that part which is why I edited mine after reading your's.

[AnnyChen]

I did search the site, and I know the regulations from living in Thailand before. Visa exemption up to 30 days with proof of onward travel or 30USD for a 60-day tourist visa plus 1900baht for a 30-day extension. 15-day visa exemption if entering by land.

I just didn't find the answer to my specific question - whether proof of onward travel from a neighbouring country is acceptable.

I plan to inquire with JAL and Air Canada, whom I'm flying through, and our plan B is to book a ticket out of Thailand to Bali. We would just rather not backtrack, like many other travellers. My passport is currently being processed for renewal, so I may not have enough time to apply for a tourist visa, hence my current situation.

[Jingthing]

That's a good idea to call the airline that you will use to board in Canada. Once you're on in Canada with boarding passes, you're there ... I think you do ask a good question. Good luck.

[dananderson]

That's a good idea to call the airline that you will use to board in Canada. Once you're on in Canada with boarding passes, you're there ... I think you do ask a good question. Good luck.

Once again you are correct. I see nothing in the RTE Visa exempt addressing this issue. Tourist visas are currently free btw. Good luck with JAL.....

[AnnyChen]

Thanks for the tip on the free tourist visa. I'm just not sure I have enough time to make use of it. My passport likely won't come in for another week or so.

[craigt3365]

I don't think the visa on arrival will work. I flew to the Philippines a few years ago with a one way ticket on Emirates. I was forced to buy a return at the airport or they would not let me board. Even though I got a "visa on arrival" from the PI. It ended up not being a big deal...other than a charge on my mastercard for 2 months. The ticket was fully refundable, but I did have to go to the Emirates office in downtown Manila to process the paperwork...kind of a hassle.

I flew here a few years ago on a one way ticket, but I had a 60 day visa which I had gotten in NYC.

What city do you live in? Is there a Thai embassy there? I'm pretty sure they process visa requests relatively quickly....

Also, aren't 30/60 day tourist visas still free right now?

[Lite Beer]

Tourist Visas are free until March 31st.

[whybother]

I did search the site, and I know the regulations from living in Thailand before. Visa exemption up to 30 days with proof of onward travel or 30USD for a 60-day tourist visa plus 1900baht for a 30-day extension. 15-day visa exemption if entering by land.

I just didn't find the answer to my specific question - whether proof of onward travel from a neighbouring country is acceptable.

I plan to inquire with JAL and Air Canada, whom I'm flying through, and our plan B is to book a ticket out of Thailand to Bali. We would just rather not backtrack, like many other travellers. My passport is currently being processed for renewal, so I may not have enough time to apply for a tourist visa, hence my current situation.

You need proof that you're leaving Thailand in 30 days. Proof of onward travel from a neighbouring country might work ... if it was within the 30 days.

[Robby nz]

Different Thai embassys have different requirements for a tourist visa, NZ requires an outward ticket many others do not.

I have never been asked by an airline to show an outward ticket in the times I have travelled to TL.

While in Laos dont miss the Bolovan plateau and the 4000islands, I will go there later this month.

Then in a couple of months to the north, cross at Chiang Kong then hopefully up the Nam tah river and up to the Chinese border.

To me Luang Prabang was a non event and the road trip very sad seeing the hills stripped of trees and the displaced people camped on the side of the road.

Have a great trip.

[Colabamumbai]

What is Canadas' visa exemption? Do you mean that you will get a 30 day visa at the airport free? or applying at your embassy for a tourist visa which I think are still free.

I entered a year ago with a one year ED visa on a one way ticket Toronto, to Bangkok. No one asked me for a return ticket, not the airlines or immigration.

[craigt3365]

What is Canadas' visa exemption? Do you mean that you will get a 30 day visa at the airport free? or applying at your embassy for a tourist visa which I think are still free.

I entered a year ago with a one year ED visa on a one way ticket Toronto, to Bangkok. No one asked me for a return ticket, not the airlines or immigration.

You had a visa already, so a one way ticket is OK. I got here the same way many years ago...one way ticket AND a visa in my passport. I am pretty sure that without a visa, it will be a problem.

[AnnyChen]

Canada has a 30-day visa exemption, so no visa required at all. You just arrive and they let you be a tourist for 30 days.

[craigt3365]

Canada has a 30-day visa exemption, so no visa required at all. You just arrive and they let you be a tourist for 30 days.

Everybody needs a visa. For some countries, like Canada, it's obtained free upon arrival...and thus called "visa on arrival". But a visa for anybody visiting Thailand is required. Whether obtained in advance outside Thailand or obtained via the free visa on arrival method.

[AnnyChen]

30-Day Stay Without a Visa

Holders of regular Canadian passports are not required to obtain a visa before entering Thailand as long as they are entering Thailand for tourism purposes, and the length of the stay in Thailand is in accordance with the following guidelines:

Canadian passport holders arriving by air for tourism purposes may enter Thailand for up to 30 days without requiring a visa.

Canadian passport holders arriving overland from neighbouring countries for tourism purposes may enter Thailand for up to 15 days without requiring a visa.

In addition, you must have: a valid passport in good condition (with at least 6-months validity and empty visa pages), proof of confirmed air tickets confirming the 30 days-or-less stay in Thailand, no criminal history in Thailand, and at least $200 per person or $400 per family. Extension of stay will not be granted.

N.B. Those holding travel documents for aliens (i.e. an alien passport or C.I.) have to apply for visa.

quoted from the Royal Thai Consulate's website.

[AnnyChen]

I thought it was a VOA, too, until I read up on it. It's not. That's why there's a stipulation to have proof of onward travel.

[whybother]

30-Day Stay Without a Visa

Holders of regular Canadian passports are not required to obtain a visa before entering Thailand as long as they are entering Thailand for tourism purposes, and the length of the stay in Thailand is in accordance with the following guidelines:

Canadian passport holders arriving by air for tourism purposes may enter Thailand for up to 30 days without requiring a visa.

Canadian passport holders arriving overland from neighbouring countries for tourism purposes may enter Thailand for up to 15 days without requiring a visa.

In addition, you must have: a valid passport in good condition (with at least 6-months validity and empty visa pages), proof of confirmed air tickets confirming the 30 days-or-less stay in Thailand, no criminal history in Thailand, and at least $200 per person or $400 per family. Extension of stay will not be granted.

N.B. Those holding travel documents for aliens (i.e. an alien passport or C.I.) have to apply for visa.

quoted from the Royal Thai Consulate's website.

You need a visa, but you do not need one before entering. You get one automatically "on arrival".

[thaiphoon]

There is mis-information in this thread.

Thai immigration requirements are that travellers are either in possession of a valid visa or an air ticket out of the country within 30 days of arrival to meet the requirements for visa exempt entry for qualifying countries. Visa exempt entry requirements are 'policed' by the airlines, as they will have to pick up the tab for traveller departure costs (in addition to being fined) if the traveller is denied entry into the Kingdom. Hence most airlines will not allow boarding without the traveller being in possession of a valid visa or sight of airticket confirming departure from Thailand within 30 days of arrival. Visa exempt entry is neither a visa nor visa on arrival. VOA is something different.

[yiiim2]

There is mis-information in this thread.

Thai immigration requirements are that travellers are either in possession of a valid visa or an air ticket out of the country within 30 days of arrival to meet the requirements for visa exempt entry for qualifying countries. Visa exempt entry requirements are 'policed' by the airlines, as they will have to pick up the tab for traveller departure costs (in addition to being fined) if the traveller is denied entry into the Kingdom. Hence most airlines will not allow boarding without the traveller being in possession of a valid visa or sight of airticket confirming departure from Thailand within 30 days of arrival. Visa exempt entry is neither a visa nor visa on arrival. VOA is something different.

A number of posters have stated that an air ticket out of the country, within 30 days, is a requirement for a 30 day visa exempt entry for qualifying countries. I am Australian and have checked Thai Consulate websites for Australia and Thai immigration and MFA websites together with the relevant Police Order (Number 778/2551 (2008)) and can find nothing about a requirement for confirmation of outbound travel within 30 days of entering Thailand.

The only requirement I can find is to have 10,000 baht or equivalent in funds.

Can anyone point to a specific document that specifies the requirement for an air ticket out of the country within 30 days?

[Jingthing]

The issue is what the AIRLINES require when boarding coming to Thailand, not so much what Thailand actually requires upon entry (as we know, they almost never check once you arrive at BKK).

[Mario2008]

I can't give you a link to an official Thai government site. But the IATA data base gives all the requirements to enter a country.

You can access the database here: http://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/plan_flight/international_travel_information/visa_passport_information/index.jsp

If you don't have proof of onward travel, chances are the airline will not let you board.

[thaiphoon]

This is from Delta airlines website, but the entry requirements for Thailand are provided by Thai immigration and is in the IATA database used by all airlines:

/ 06MAR11 / 1220 UTC

National Australia (AU) /Destination Thailand (TH)

Thailand (TH)

Passport required.

- Passport and/or passport replacing documents must be valid

for at least 6 months upon arrival.

Visa required, except for A touristic stay of max. 30 days:

Visa required, except for A max stay of 90 days, to holders of

APEC Business Travel Cards (ABTC), which states that it is

valid for travel to Thailand on the reverse of the card and:

- if being a national of an APEC member state, holding an

ABTC together with a national passport;

Additional Information:

- All passports must be in good condition.

- Immigration officers can request visitors who are visa

exempt to show return/onward tickets and documents required

for next destination.

- Visitors over 12 years of age must hold sufficient funds to

cover their stay (at least THB 10,000.- per person or THB

20,000.- per family). For details, click here

- For those who do not require a visaFor details, click here

Warning:

- Non-compliance with visa and /or entry requirements will

result in:

- refusal and immediate deportation of the passenger; and

- fines for the airline of THB 20,000.-; and

- overstay fine for the passenger of THB 500.- per day (but

not exceeding in total THB 20,000.-).

CHECK TINEWS/N1 - EUROPEAN UNION: NATIONALS OF GEORGIA

HOLDING DIPLOMATIC PASSPORTS

Timaticweb Version 1.3

06 March 2011

https://www.delta.com/planning_reservations/plan_flight/international_travel_information/visa_passport_information/index.jsp

[lopburi3]

MFA and Consulate have nothing to do with visa exempt entry. Most people will not be allowed to get on flight per the below IATA rules which are published to all airlines. Immigration seldom checks for this from first world travelers but it can be asked and airline would face fine and be required to immediately send you home if happened so most airlines do check.

/ 06MAR11 / 1220 UTC

National Australia (AU) /Destination Thailand (TH)

Thailand (TH)

Passport required.

- Passport and/or passport replacing documents must be valid

for at least 6 months upon arrival.

Visa required, except for A touristic stay of max. 30 days:

Visa required, except for A max stay of 90 days, to holders of

APEC Business Travel Cards (ABTC), which states that it is

valid for travel to Thailand on the reverse of the card and:

- if being a national of an APEC member state, holding an

ABTC together with a national passport;

Additional Information:

- All passports must be in good condition.

- Immigration officers can request visitors who are visa

exempt to show return/onward tickets and documents required

for next destination.

- Visitors over 12 years of age must hold sufficient funds to

cover their stay (at least THB 10,000.- per person or THB

20,000.- per family). For details, click here

- For those who do not require a visaFor details, click here

Warning:

- Non-compliance with visa and /or entry requirements will

result in:

- refusal and immediate deportation of the passenger; and

- fines for the airline of THB 20,000.-; and

- overstay fine for the passenger of THB 500.- per day (but

not exceeding in total THB 20,000.-).

CHECK TINEWS/N1 - EUROPEAN UNION: NATIONALS OF GEORGIA

HOLDING DIPLOMATIC PASSPORTS

Timaticweb Version 1.3

06 March 2011

[Jingthing]

I still think the OP asks an interesting question. An air ticket out of Thailand within 30 days will work, so if a traveler has an air ticket out of a neighboring country within 30 days it is logically clear that traveler at least intends to leave Thailand within 30 days. However, it doesn't strictly meet the airline's boarding rules. So bottom line, it would be risky to arrive at the airport that way.