Hello all,

I know this has probably been done to death but I've had a look on the forum and can't see anything recently about it. I've also searched online and am getting conflicting results. 

 

I will have a single entry tourist visa from London embassy in my British passport.  Is it a requirement to have proof of an onward journey to enter Thailand?

Will the check in staff at uk airport request one? Or is it unnecessary?

 

Many thanks,

 

jay 

It's unnecessary. Not needed.

If you have a valid visa of any kind you do not need a return or onward ticket,

Check here for the requirements from the IATA database.: https://www.klm.com/travel/kz_en/prepare_for_travel/travel_planning/travel_clinic/visaform.htm

Brilliant. Thank you for your replies 

Problem is that in some countries (like mine, G7) the Thai Embassy/Consulate won't give you a SETV if you don't show a return or onword ticket.

The Visa Application downloaded here at Los Angeles CA Thai Embassy does ask for Date of Arrival in Thailand and Traveling by Flight No. or Vessel's name, and Duration of Proposed Stay.  There is no statement about needing or showing a round trip or onward flight. I have heard of others that required you to have the ticket before applying for the Visa.  That is one of the reasons I first chose Thailand because my travel plans are very last minute as I really don't know when my contracts end so trying to coordinate buying a Ticket and then applying for a Visa was a bit of a problem.  Many things could change, up to and including lost paperwork, lost passport in the mail, etc.  Visa Exempt on Arrival was and is so convenient

You do not need an onward ticket when you have a visa, but in some Consulates/ Embassies

(HCMC Vietnam for instance) you need an onward ticket to get the visa.

You can rent an onward ticket here https://flyonward.com/en/ just for these types of issues

 

On August 3, 2016 at 3:03 PM, ubonjoe said:

If you have a valid visa of any kind you do not need a return or onward ticket,

Check here for the requirements from the IATA database.: https://www.klm.com/travel/kz_en/prepare_for_travel/travel_planning/travel_clinic/visaform.htm

This is true based on the IATA data base - but - it is ALWAYS at the discretion of the immigration officer to allow you entry and can ask for additional items. I have never shown proof of funds but they could ask for it.

 

I found out the hard way going to Kiev, Ukraine. KLM quoted me the IATA rule that a 'visa on arrival' was available to US citizens. They put me back on the plane in Kiev back to Amsterdam where I had to go get a Ukraine visa - not a problem but took extra week. Fortunately the client paid for all the extra hassle.

 

So please do not think that what IATA states as being 100% what will happen.

 

MJ

12 hours ago, imjmn said:

This is true based on the IATA data base - but - it is ALWAYS at the discretion of the immigration officer to allow you entry and can ask for additional items. I have never shown proof of funds but they could ask for it.

 

I found out the hard way going to Kiev, Ukraine. KLM quoted me the IATA rule that a 'visa on arrival' was available to US citizens. They put me back on the plane in Kiev back to Amsterdam where I had to go get a Ukraine visa - not a problem but took extra week. Fortunately the client paid for all the extra hassle.

 

So please do not think that what IATA states as being 100% what will happen.

 

MJ

The IATA states a US national does not need a visa for a stay of 90 days or less (it does not mention a visa on arrival). "Visa required, except for Nationals of USA for a maximum stay of 90 days."

It does have this additional info.

 "A max. stay of 90 days is granted within any 180 days period
  to nationals of USA."

Warning:
- Visitors not holding return/onward ticket could be refused

  entry."

It seems you were denied entry for some reason but I believe the info on the IATA database is correct. It reflects the requirements but certainly cannot be expected to predict what a immigration officer might do.