This is a bit of a tricky question. Please read carefully.

I am from China and my husband is from USA. We are on annual retirement extensions.

We are taking a trip leaving Thailand to China and back by AIR.

Since we are not concerned about maintaining our current visa extension, will we be able to enter Thailand with a FREE Visa on Arrival?

If so, will we still need to show a ticket leaving Thailand on or before the VOA expires?

Btw, we don't need the re-entry permits because we will be leaving Thailand just before our visa extension expires and will not be able to renew this time.

 

Note: I know there has been some changes to Visa rules effective October 1, so I want to add that we will be returning mid September.

Edited August 2, 201411 yr by nuomici

If you are Chinese and using a Chinese passport you'll need either a VOA or a visa in advance. I hear that for a three month period, you won't have to pay a visa fee if you're Chinese (up until October 31st) but you'll still need to apply for a visa, just that you won't be charged for it unless you apply after October 31st. Not sure if the Chinese authorities will let you check in without a visa to enable a VOA if departing directly from China as in the recent past no Chinese traveler was allowed to leave China without a visa in their passports, for fear of being denied, even if they are carrying a return or onward air ticket. I would get a tourist visa in advance. Your American husband can get the 30 day visa exempt entry though.

 

Sorry forgot to add - a ticket out must be produced for both of you and if you are Chinese departing from a Chinese airport, my guess is that there will be extra scrutiny applied for you - no return ticket and you will probably be denied boarding. Your American husband also needs a ticket out, but my experience has been that for departures from Chinese airports they don't check and don't care. They are only rigorous for Chinese citizens. That being said, Thai immigration can always ask for a ticket at the immigration counter upon arrival and should be ready just in case. All depends how long you want to stay. If you just want to visit for a short time and are going to leave again soon, then that's OK. I would however recommend extending the retirement extension IF and ONLY IF you wanted to return to stay an extended time in Thailand in the next year.

Edited August 2, 201411 yr by Tomtomtom69

your husband will definitely require a ticket out of Thailand within 30 days of arrival, or he might not be allowed on the plane in China to Thailand

We will have print copies of online eticket purchases for a flight leaving Thailand to the US not a return ticket to China,

I read on an unofficial website that VOA for Chinese is good for only 15 days. I will need at least 20 days. Where can I confirm how many days I can stay on a VOA? I don't want to chance getting a tourist visa in China since I can get a re-entry permit more easily here but I would love to avoid waiting at immigration as well as saving a 1000B.

Edited August 2, 201411 yr by nuomici