Thailand Visa with One-Way Ticket (page 1 of 2)

Hi there,

This will be my first trip to Thailand, which will be the first stop on my Asian journey. This time, I’d like to leave with a one-way ticket so I can return to France from the last country I visit.

First and foremost, I’d like to confirm whether it’s possible to get a VOA (Visa on Arrival) when I land in Thailand without any prior steps? Is proof of onward travel (like a return ticket) required to get this visa?

If so, does it have to be a round-trip ticket from the country I’m arriving from, or can I use a flight or train ticket from Thailand to a neighboring country as proof of exit?

For Cambodia and Vietnam, is it also possible to get a VOA on the spot?

I’d also love any tips or important info you think might be useful about Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam—my planned destinations—especially regarding accommodation, transportation, points of interest, and, of course, any personal advice or experiences you’d like to share!

Thanks so much to everyone, and I wish you all an amazing 2025 filled with health, travel, and discoveries! !

Can you use a flight or train ticket from Thailand to a neighboring country as proof of exit?

Hi, Yes. Proof of exit doesn’t have to be a return to your home country.

Hi there,

Currently, you can stay in Thailand for 60 days (entry and exit days included) without a visa. Thai law states that you must have proof of onward travel (return or continuation) before departure. After that, you can apply for a 30-day extension on-site before the initial 60 days expire—it costs around 1,900 baht, I think. Then, you exit to a neighboring country, return for another 60 days, and can extend again for 30 days. However, without applying for a visa extension, you’ll only be able to do one 60-day stay and wrap it up by 2025. In any case, you must be able to show proof of onward travel for this type of stay.

Hi,

As mentioned earlier, there’s a 60-day visa exemption on arrival in Thailand. You’ll need a mandatory onward ticket to another country, which may also require proof of exit.

Basically, you can’t arrive with just a one-way ticket. It’s mainly the airline that might stop you from boarding, and it’s happened before.

Personally, I’ve often been checked, but I always had an onward ticket.

For your info: Vietnam: 45-day exemption Malaysia: 90-day exemption Cambodia: 30-day visa Laos: 30-day visa

Hi,

obtaining a VOA on arrival in Thailand

Few countries are eligible for the VOA (2000 Baht, valid for 15 days), and EU countries aren’t among them. You’re mixing it up with the aptly named Visa Exemption, which the folks above have already explained to you.

Hello,

obtaining a VOA upon arrival in Thailand

Few countries are eligible for the VOA (2000 Bahts, valid for 15 days), and EU countries aren't among them. You're mixing it up with the aptly named Visa Exemption, which the folks above have already explained to you.

...You're right! It's best to be precise... I think it's indeed a visa exemption and not a VOA. My bad.

Hello,

As mentioned above, there's a 60-day visa exemption upon arrival in Thailand. A continuation ticket to another country is mandatory, and they may also ask for proof of departure.

Basically, you can't arrive with a one-way ticket. It's mainly the airline that can prevent you from boarding, and it's happened before.

Personally, I've often been checked, but I always had a continuation ticket.

For your info: Vietnam: 45-day exemption Malaysia: 90-day exemption Cambodia: 30-day visa Laos: 30-day visa

Thanks for your information and for confirming what I thought, as I wasn't entirely sure... I'll try to find a refundable or cheap flight or train ticket, since I don't yet have the exact date of my departure from Thailand. 😉

Hello,

Currently, you can stay for 60 days (entry and exit days included) without a visa in Thailand. Thai law states that you must have proof of onward travel (return or continuation) before departure. After that, you can apply for a 30-day extension on-site before the initial 60 days expire—it costs around 1,900 baht, I think. Then, you exit to a neighboring country, return for another 60 days, and can extend again for 30 days. However, without applying for a visa extension, you’ll only be able to do one 60-day entry and that’s it until 2025. In any case, you must be able to show proof of onward travel for this type of stay.

Thanks for your reply.

What do you mean by "extension"? Is it obtained under the visa exemption, or does it count as a visa?

This sentence is what’s confusing me: "However, without applying for a visa extension, you’ll only be able to do one 60-day entry and that’s it until 2025."

As for the return or onward ticket, I’ve taken note of that!

Can you use a flight or train ticket from Thailand to a neighboring country as proof of exit?

Hi, Yes. Proof of exit doesn’t necessarily have to be a return to your home country.

Thanks for confirming!

Hi there, If you want to stay an extra 30 days after the initial 60-day visa-free period, you’ll need to apply at an immigration office in Thailand for a visa to extend your stay by 30 days. Make sure to do this well before your 60 days are up—even 2 or 3 days after arrival works, so it’s done and you don’t risk forgetting.

If you want to stay an extra 30 days after the 60-day visa exemption, you’ll need to apply at an immigration office in Thailand for a visa to extend your stay by 30 days

Not a "visa" but an extension of the Visa Exemption.

What do you mean by extension? Is it obtained under the Visa Exemption scheme?

Yes. An extension of 30 days is only necessary if you stay more than 60 consecutive days in Thailand after entering with the Visa Exemption stamp.

60 days means 59 nights.

It’s the same—they have to go to an immigration office to get this right and pay. It changes nothing; it’s the same office.

Here’s everything: Guide | 30-Day Extension in Thailand - VisaThailande.fr It’s called a TR visa. However, it’s recommended to do it only one week before the end of the 60 days.

Same thing—he has to go to an immigration office to get this right and pay; it changes nothing, it’s the same office.

Yes, but it’s better to use the right terms from the start, especially when it comes to formalities and dealing with a "newbie" interlocutor 🙂

The details are above.

Hi, I’d like to know how long the visa exemption lasts if I leave Thailand and then re-enter via the Laotian land border... A few years ago it was 1 month, then it changed to 2 weeks—I think. What’s the rule now?

Hi, There’s no waiting period between exiting and re-entering to get another 60 days + a 30-day extension for 1900 baht. However, without an extension visa, you won’t be able to do this again in 2025—you’ll have to get a paid, limited visa instead. Right now, if you get a first extension and then a second one, you can return a third time with another 30-day extension, adding up to 9 months total. After that, it’s over for 2025. Three extensions cost 5700 baht (160 €).

Thanks so much for your quick reply! Actually, I’m staying for three and a half months, so I don’t think I’ll need an extension (thanks to that half month 😄). So I’ll have to leave the country, and if I understand correctly, I can stay another 60 days when re-entering Thailand by land border.

Yes, though that’s no longer the case for 2025 without a visa. 😉

The issue with Thailand is that they regularly change the rules.