VISA question . need answer before I depart

[donald1]

Hi guys,
I will be flying into Bangkok This Sunday with my US passport which will give me 30 days entry. I will get a job teaching which I will change my VISA to a year long.

QUESTION:

Do I need an exit air ticket within the 30 day period for when I enter Sunday? I have never been asked for one before on my holiday stays. My luggage does not say I will be
staying an extended period, so won't raise suspicions. Any advice will be well taken.
Thank You

[SmoothLegs]

The one, school, office, whom is giving you the job is responsable for getting you a visa.
Workpermit is only 3000 baht per year, but you need the right VISA before you can get a work-permit.
30 days tourist airport visa will NOT do.

They are giving you a visa/work-permit. THEY school, whomever are, need to take care of it.
You need a non-immagrant at least 90 days, visa something.
sorry, not sober now, maybe tomorrow, better info from me,
but I am sure most people here agree, 30 day tourist visa no-no

1 thing is for sure a 30 day tourist visa will NOT get you anywhere.

Get your facts straight, before coming here.

GOOGLE, thailand visa work

you are teaching, you are working

[anonone]

Smooth legs...i think you missed the point.

Donald. I have entered Thailand on a one-way ticket and was not asked to prove the return.

You have 2 potential roadblocks. The airline taking you to Thailand may insist on seeing a proof of return...and of course Thai immigration might ask to see proof of return...or onward travel.

I would be more concerned about the airline and call them ahead of time to get some information. You can always indicate that you will be touring the region via ground transport, so you have not booked a return travel to your home yet. Probably work better with Thai immigration. An airline functionary is going to be more insistent.

Anyway, if you are really worried about it you can book a fully refundable return ticket (one way), then just cancel and refund it once you have entered Thailand. Assuming you have some room on a credit card to float the ticket for a week or so....

[ikarus]

[quote="anonone"]


I would be more concerned about the airline and call them ahead of time to get some information.
That is exactly the point. Thailand formally requires return ticket for anybody traveling to the country. In reality immigration never asks for return ticket but the airline is required to do so. E.g. United required return ticket for the flight from Chicago to BKK. Similarly, Malaysian airlines required the proof that I have a ticket
for a flight out of Thailand (not a return ticket) for the flight from Singapore to BKK.

[arsenal]

Hi Donald.
It doesn't have to be a return ticket, just an onward one. I would buy the cheapest Air Asia ticket that flies out of Thailand, literally a few dollars. A few years ago Thai Airways asked to see my onward flight before they let me board the plane.

[donald1]

Anyway, if you are really worried about it you can book a fully refundable return ticket (one way), then just cancel and refund it once you have entered Thailand. Assuming you have some room on a credit card to float the ticket for a week or so....

This does sound the safest, but.....
I have just spent the last hour looking for a fully refundable ticket anywhere out of Thailand.
If anyone knows of such a thing please let me know. Leaving in 3 days.
Thanks

[ceejay]

It doesn't have to be a return ticket, just an onward one. I would buy the cheapest Air Asia ticket that flies out of Thailand, literally a few dollars. A few years ago Thai Airways asked to see my onward flight before they let me board the plane.
I agree with Arsenal that this is the best way. I would not contact the airline. That runs the risk of prompting them to investigate your paperwork.

[christianpfc]

I agree with SmoothLegs.

I got a Non-Immigrant Visa from the Thai embassy in Germany, then flew to Thailand without return ticket and then in Thailand, signed work contract and extended Visa to one year.

In your case, you might not get entry into Thailand without return ticket and if you can enter Thailand, you will not get a visa extension for one year, you will need to get a Non-Immigrant Visa from a Thai embassy outside of Thailand.

[loke]

You can just pay for a cheap promotion AIr Asia ticket to KL . It will probably cost you 500 baht .

Youve already got an e-ticket havent you? Just change a few details including the booking reference print it out and bobs your uncle. By the way it must only be Western countries that bother enforcing this silly rule Ive travelled on lots of one-way tickets in Asia to and from Bangkok and noones ever checked I have a ticket out of the country.

[arsenal]

Don't take any notice of Brisbaneguy. Buy a cheap flight out or don't, it's up to you. But do not try and fool the Thai immigration service, they're not stupid.

[donald1]

Thanks for all the help guys. I arrive in 10 hours.
Woo Hoo...

Don't take any notice of Brisbaneguy. Buy a cheap flight out or don't, it's up to you. But do not try and fool the Thai immigration service, they're not stupid.Not sure why you think Im suggesting he show it to Thai immigration Im talking about showing those checkin chicks for the airline and believe me all they want is a piece of paper.

[kakadai]

I have flown into Bangkok at least a hundred times, never been asked for return or onward travel documents. Neither by the airline nor the immigration.

:occasion6:

[donald1]

Thanks for all the help. Arrived and entered Thailand with no mention
of an exit ticket. But glad I got one just in case.
Anyone interested in a one way to Singapore? ;-)

[anonone]

Glad you made it and look forward to hearing more about your transition to a Thailand resident.

As for the other posters, the airlines in the USA at times crack down very hard on following the letter of the immigration policies of the various destinations. If they transport someone who is denied entry due to one of the reasons they should have checked, they are held liable for costs and such. I have flown into Thailand on one-way tickets without any comment, but I have always had a return or on-ward travel if asked. It is better to have it and not need it then to risk being denied boarding.

Not saying it makes a lot of sense...just the way it is.