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rbos
Joined: 22 May 2010
Posts: 69
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 Posted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 8:42 pm Post subject: One-Way or Round-Trip ticket Necessary to Go to Teach? |
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I'm thinking of coming to teach ESL for the first time in May or June. I'm not sure what the consulate requirements are in the US as far as the type of plane ticket (one-way vs. round-trip).
I'd really like to avoid having to pay for a round-trip ticket right now (especially because it might go to waste if I'm in Thailand teaching and won't use it to come back to the US). In addition to the consulate requirements, I realize that TSA or even the actual airline I want to fly on might give me slack if I want to go to Thailand on a one-way ticket, on either a visitor visa or a non-immigrant visa.
Does anyone know the current US consulate requirements for the type of flight that must be purchased, and does anyone know about the airline and TSA requirements if any? If the consulate will allow me to get a visa on a one-way ticket, would I still run into any problems at the airport?
-Thanks |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 2:49 am Post subject: Re: One-Way or Round-Trip ticket Necessary to Go to Teach? |
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| rbos wrote: |
I'm thinking of coming to teach ESL for the first time in May or June. I'm not sure what the consulate requirements are in the US as far as the type of plane ticket (one-way vs. round-trip).
I'd really like to avoid having to pay for a round-trip ticket right now (especially because it might go to waste if I'm in Thailand teaching and won't use it to come back to the US). In addition to the consulate requirements, I realize that TSA or even the actual airline I want to fly on might give me slack if I want to go to Thailand on a one-way ticket, on either a visitor visa or a non-immigrant visa.
Does anyone know the current US consulate requirements for the type of flight that must be purchased, and does anyone know about the airline and TSA requirements if any? If the consulate will allow me to get a visa on a one-way ticket, would I still run into any problems at the airport?
-Thanks |
It has nothing to do with the US consulate, TSA or any US agency.
For entry into the LOS you are required to have "onward" passage within the time-frame of your entry (ie: within 30 days if arriving on a visa waiver entry stamp).
IF you have an actual visa then then tend to be more relaxed about it (ie: 60 day, double entry tourist visa).
If you do NOT have a visa and do NOT have onward passage you can rest assured that you will NOT be allowed to board your flight (boarding denied) in the US and bound for Thailand.
The reason is that the AIRLINE is responsible for the costs of your repatriation should you be denied entry/deported and the airline is the one to be fined if you do not meet the entry requirements.
Bottom line: GET A VISA (from the Thai consulate in the USA) or get a disposable air ticket to somewhere (BKK-MNL on Cebu Pacific air for $150) OR be prepared to buy one (full fare ticket) at the airport if the airline gets sticky.
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half moon
Joined: 17 Jul 2007
Posts: 49
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 6:06 am Post subject: |
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ttompatz,
Very true.
About 10 years ago, I could fly into Thailand on a one way ticket, but that changed (at least I noticed it) in 2003.
The airline is legally responsible to fly you back if you are not allowed into the country or passed immigration.
You need an onward ticket, or return.
It's all about $$$. |
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sojourner
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 738
Location: nice, friendly, easy-going (ALL) Peoples' Republic of China
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 8:19 am Post subject: |
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I think that the issue of whether you need to show a return (or, onward) ticket to get into Thailand depends very much on where you are flying from.
On a number of occasions over the past few years I have flown, with AirAsia, from Macau to Bkk. Not once have the AirAsia check-in people at Macau Airport ever asked me to show proof of a return/onward journey. Nor, have I ever bothered about getting a visa prior to entering LOS. I have never encountered any hassles with the Thai Immigration people at Bkk Int'l Airport - they have always stamped my passport with a "30-day stamp".
However, whenever I fly from Melbourne to Bkk, the check-in people at Tullamarine Airport have always asked me to show proof of a return/onward journey. I always show them an AirAsia Bkk-Macau flight online letter.I'm wondering about people who expect to travel from, say, Bkk to HCMC by bus or train.Would a credit card/cash suffice if you haven't yet got such a ticket ?
The only time that I have encountered any hiccups with the Thai Immigration people was a couple of months ago when I was crossing into Thailand on a mini-bus (from Georgetown, Penang, to HatYai ). For some reason, the immigation officer seemed a little hesitant to let me in - but, after frowning and saying something in Thai, eventually stamped my passport with a 14 (15 ?) day stamp.
Peter |
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rbos
Joined: 22 May 2010
Posts: 69
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| Posted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 3:57 pm Post subject: Another Question |
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| Quote: |
| For entry into the LOS you are required to have "onward" passage within the time-frame of your entry (ie: within 30 days if arriving on a visa waiver entry stamp). |
So, if I get a disposable air ticket to an onward destination, and just get the Thai authorities to stamp my passport once I'm in Thailand without having a visa first obtained from the Thai Consulate in the US (i.e. only having a visa waiver entry stamp), then am I still allowed to obtain a teaching "B" non-immigration visa once I'm in Thailand so that I can teach legally? Or am I required to first obtain either an actual tourist visa from the Thai Consulate in the US before going to Thailand (if my desire is to get a teaching "B" non-immigration visa only after I arrive in Thailand rather than before)?[/quote] |
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jumpamonkey
Joined: 02 Oct 2009
Posts: 9
Location: Bangkok
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| Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 9:41 am Post subject: Do your own reasearch on this to be sure |
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| Over the last 2 years (including last week) I have flown into Singapore and Thailand with no return or onward ticket. For all they know, you're continuing overland to Vietnam, China, Laos, etc. Backpackers do this every day. Get your 60 day tourist visa in advance. Enjoy some Thailand travel while looking for teaching jobs. If it pans out, get a work visa. If not, you an always move on to another country and look there or do a visa run and return again. |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 1:07 pm Post subject: Re: Another Question |
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| rbos wrote: |
| Quote: |
| For entry into the LOS you are required to have "onward" passage within the time-frame of your entry (ie: within 30 days if arriving on a visa waiver entry stamp). |
So, if I get a disposable air ticket to an onward destination, and just get the Thai authorities to stamp my passport once I'm in Thailand without having a visa first obtained from the Thai Consulate in the US (i.e. only having a visa waiver entry stamp), then am I still allowed to obtain a teaching "B" non-immigration visa once I'm in Thailand so that I can teach legally? Or am I required to first obtain either an actual tourist visa from the Thai Consulate in the US before going to Thailand (if my desire is to get a teaching "B" non-immigration visa only after I arrive in Thailand rather than before)? |
IF you find a job you can convert a tourist stamp to a "B" visa BUT you need 21 days remaining on your entry or they will require you to leave the country and get your "B" visa at a Thai consulate in another country. What this means is that if you enter on a 30 day stamp you only have 9 days to find a job, complete the paperwork and get down to immigration and change your status.
If it takes 10 days to get done you will be making a trip out of the country (usually at your expense) and be aware that Americans do NOT get visa free entry to the adjacent countries so you will be paying for entry visas there as well as to Thailand.
Get your 60 day visa before you travel.
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ldragon
Joined: 01 Jan 2011
Posts: 32
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| Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 12:24 pm Post subject: |
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I just came here a month ago from the US on a one-way ticket.
What you have to do is get a 60 day tourist visa from the Thai Embassy. All the info is on their website. Or you can call them. Theyre very helpful. Youll need to send your passport w/ a bunch of other info. 2 photos. A couple other items I think. But once you have this, then you can fly to Thailand on a one-way ticket. |
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warda
Joined: 22 May 2010
Posts: 29
Location: in transit
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| Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 4:58 pm Post subject: |
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I came on a one way as well, with my non-B visa. I've also been to the US twice and to Malaysia once, and each time entered Thailand without proof of outbound journey. I guess my extension of stay stamps and re-entry permits were enough.
For the record, there is no fee for a stamp-on-arrival in Malaysia. I did not have to pay for my visit pass in Penang. However, it would be cheaper and easier to come with a visa, so I second tttompatz's opinion.
You could also look for an open-return ticket. |
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