I will be returning to the UK in March to renew my Non Imm "O" visa as I do every year but I was wondering about the need to hold an outbound flight on my return.

Up to now I have gone back on a one way flight and booked a return, UK-Thailand, Thailand-UK for when I come back here as I've always been told I need to be able to show an outbound flight when get to Thai immigration.

My question is, do you all have outbound flights.....or do you not need one if you go down the money in the bank visa extension road. One I am considering for next time.

I've never been asked to show a return ticket (either way). When I first came to LOS I had a return to the UK. After a couple of years of doing it that way round, I let a return leg lapse and since then if and when I visit the Uk I buy a return from LOS to Uk and back.

As I am now in Thailand, I don't therefore currently have a return ticket.

I originally had a tourist visa, but subsequently have held either a work permit/Non Imm "B" or as now a Retirement visa/Non Imm O/A. Though, as I say I have never been asked about return flight tickets.

I suspect it maybe more of an issue if someone is travelling without a visa or on a tourist 60 day and possibly more likely to be checked at the Uk end, than here.

I have been asked once for an outbound ticket when I left Thailand on a Thai - Guam, Guam - Thai retrun ticket.

I must admit though I was on a Tourist 60 day visa at the time

I just think I've wasted a lot of cash on return halves of tickets that I've never used and wondered what everyone else does and if the "money in the bank" vias extension made a difference given you don't need to leave the country every 90 days, merely report to Immigration.

I believe return tickets are only needed when you enter Thailand on a VOA or tourist visa. If you hold a long term visa such as an O or B then you shouldn't need to show an outbound flight.

I flew with Emirates several months ago and on my flight back to Thailand I was asked if I had a return ticket. When I explained my situation and showed them my B visa they told me that I was ok to enter Thailand without an outbound flight.

Thanks Lee, may be different as you have a B visa and no doubt a work permit....

perhaps I should have posted this in the travel section rather than the visa one

I arrived in Thailand on a tourist visa and was not asked if I had a return ticket, which I did not. Should they ask, it is my understanding they are more concerned 'IF' you have enough money to purchase a ticket to leave. Perhaps some arrive with little money and stay illegally.

But I doubt anyone with a Non-O visa is required to have a return ticket. Has any readers been turned around at the airport and made to fly back... or purchase a ticket for a return?

I would say tourist vis I would worry about it, Non O I wouldn't think it would be a requirement. At the very least you are saying your residence is here for at least a year. I was asked on the tourist visa, but never on the Non O

Before retiring here, I probably made upwards to 20 trips, and did not have and was never ask for a return ticket. Maybe rule is just another tool to keep out folks they consider undesirable.

immigrations has never asked about return ticket, for one reason, they really don't care. that responsibility falls on the airlines. usa carriers usually will not allow you to board outbound flight to another country without a return ticket if you do not possess a visa for that country. the reason is simple, if you are refused entry, they must accomodate you for your return flight, whether you can pay or not. worst, if that flight is full, you will bump a paying passenger as immigration will require the airlines to return you to your home country.

I can see everyones point but I think, just for peace of mind, I'll book a return, LOS - UK - LOS, and an outbound cheapie to Singers or HK....It would be just my luck to be asked for an outbound the first time I don't have one.

contact the airlines and get verification, in writing from them. since you hold a valid visa, you will not be denied entry, thus, shouldn't have a problem. i used to work for airlines, and would board you as you meet the requirements for usa carrier. can't imagine UK carriers' rules being much different. good luck.

For the past 3 years I have been traveling to Udon every 3 to 4 weeks from Vietnam and presently Burma, to vist my wife. I only stay a few days in Udon then return to Burma due to work committments.
I always buy my return tickets in Udon.
I present that ticket to the check in counter at Bangkok.
Because i am leaving Thailand every 3 weeks i only re enter on a normal 28 day tourist visa. In that period of time, when departing Vietnam or Burma or when arriving in Thailand, I have never been challenged by the Thai air ways check in personnel or by immigration in Thailand as to my return ticket.

First of all check with your airline company at Heathrow if you need an outbound flight on arrival. If so then hop over to the BA ticket counter and purchase a refundable BA ticket i.e. BKK - KL (any time and any date), and then when you have arrived in Thailand call BA to cancel the ticket and claim your refund.

I normally buy a return ticket BKK-BNE-BKK and have only ever been asked about a ticket out of Thailand by the Qantas staff in Australia. The Thai immigration have never asked. I use a multiple entry Non O visa with an extension and re entry permit.

John