Need onward ticket for a VISA?

[transat99]

I have scheduled a flight from the USA to Thailand ... arriving January 12th and departing May 10th.

 

I was planning to:

 

-  obtain a Tourist VISA (good for the first 60-days)

-  get a 30-day extension at Chaengwattana

-  after 90-days, I plan to travel to Penang, Malaysia for a "border run" (spend about 3 nights there)

-  return to Thailand with another VISA (for the final 30-days)

 

I am filling out the SINGLE ENTRY Tourist VISA application and have noticed that they also need a copy of flight confirmation/reservation showing my flight to/from Thailand?!?

 

Do I just send them my ticket confirmation showing a four-month stay ... even though I'm only requesting a two-month VISA?  Will they even question it?

 

Or should I buy a refundable one-way ticket out of Thailand for two months after my arrival?  After printing the confirmation (for the Thai Embassy), I could immediately cancel the reservation and get my money back...

[overherebc]

Wouldn't a multi entry suit you better?

[transat99]

It would.  Unfortunately, the Multiple-Entry VISA requires "a copy of  bank statement for the last 6 months with a minimum balance of $7,000."  Income isn't a problem -but- my current bank balance isn't even close to $7,000. 

 

Therefore, I was going with the MUCH more reasonable Single Entry VISA. 

[overherebc]

6 minutes ago, transat99 said:

It would.  Unfortunately, the Multiple-Entry VISA requires "a copy of  bank statement for the last 6 months with a minimum balance of $7,000."  Income isn't a problem -but- my current bank balance isn't even close to $7,000. 

 

Therefore, I was going with the MUCH more reasonable Single Entry VISA. 

 

Give the embassy/consulate a call ans see if they will accept a verified income letter? maybe worth a try.

[ubonjoe]

You could get refundable one way ticket but some airlines do still have a cancellation fee. You might  find to be cheaper to buy a one way ticket to a nearby country on a low cost carrier. They can be found for as little as 1000 baht.

[buick]

i have applied for tourist visas in the USA (LA office via mail) a couple times since they started asking for proof of flight out of thailand (leaving before the 60 day tourist visa runs out, even though i'm staying longer via a 30 day extension).  i book a one way ticket bkk-hkg on emirates in business class.  there is a business class fare that is fully refundable, no fee at all.  i book the ticket a few days after my credit card billing statement arrives (usually the 10th).  then i cancel the ticket about two weeks later (i figure an immediate cancel might create an issue if it is done multiple times using the same credit card).  it doesn't even show up as a debit and then credit when i get my next statement.  as if it never happened.  you can cancel the ticket online.  you have to submit an electronic form but it is simple and easy.  no phone calls required.

 

i booked a flight on emirates (r/t bkk-hkg) for february 2017 as a way of thanking them for this service !!

[buick]

OP - i'm not sure what your travel history to thailand is, but you may not need to get a tourist visa in penang.  you can come back with the 30 day visa exempt stamp and that will cover you until may 10.  also, i believe citizens of USA can get 30 days via a land crossing, but don't choose poipet.  you may not have to visit penang unless (i) you want to or (ii) you plan to visit thailand often, then it is best to use tourist visas and limit the number of visa exempt entries.