Do I really need a return ticket when I apply for a Tourist Visa? Thanks to a misunderstanding on my part with some of the new regulations (and a decreasing exchange rate), I was unable to renew my retirement visa for a third time and had to leave. I need to re-enter on a tourist visa to sort everything out.

You do not need a return ticket if traveling and entering with a tourist visa.

I have never been asked to show a return ticket on entering the kingdom with a tourist visa.

It depends on where you are applying for the visa.

Some Thai Embassy's/Consulates do wish to see tickets.

• The immigration officer at passport control will not want to see an onward ticket
• Oncearugge is right that some embassies/consulates ask for tickets when you apply for the visa.

Do you have a visa already and if not which country and which embassy/consulate will you be applying?

You should try to get a single entry non-o visa instead of a tourist visa.

Our original intention was to just get Non-Immigrant O visas. We thought that this would be an easy, quick process. We should have known better! We had all the paperwork other than the criminal record reports. These were not needed the first time around when we initially obtained retirement visas a couple of years ago and didn't realize they were required now. There is no way to get them in a day or two so back in we will go with tourist visas. We are in KL and the immigration officer is the one who suggested we re-enter with tourist visas since we can't go the non-o route. I just forgot to ask her about the tickets and we want to finish this tomorrow morning. Thanks for the answers.

Edited October 25, 201510 yr by asiacanuck

Our original intention was to just get Non-Immigrant O visas. We thought that this would be an easy, quick process. We should have known better! We had all the paperwork other than the criminal record reports. These were not needed the first time around when we initially obtained retirement visas a couple of years ago and didn't realize they were required now. There is no way to get them in a day or two so back in we will go with tourist visas. We are in KL and the immigration officer is the one who suggested we re-enter with tourist visas since we can't go the non-o route. I just forgot to ask her about the tickets and we want to finish this tomorrow morning. Thanks for the answers.

Where are you applying ? An Embassy , Consulate General, or an Honorary Consulate ?

Criminal record checks are not usually required for an "O" visa?

Are you confusing the requirements for an "O/A" visa with the lesser requirements of an "O" visa?

Edit !

I now see you are in KL!

KL does not issue "O" visas on the basis of "retirement" only O/A visas !

Edited October 25, 201510 yr by oncearugge

Our original intention was to just get Non-Immigrant O visas. We thought that this would be an easy, quick process. We should have known better! We had all the paperwork other than the criminal record reports. These were not needed the first time around when we initially obtained retirement visas a couple of years ago and didn't realize they were required now. There is no way to get them in a day or two so back in we will go with tourist visas. We are in KL and the immigration officer is the one who suggested we re-enter with tourist visas since we can't go the non-o route. I just forgot to ask her about the tickets and we want to finish this tomorrow morning. Thanks for the answers.

I don't think you need a booked onward flight when applying at KL. But the website does mention a hotel booking.

You need to show ticket into Thailand only