Job Discussion Forums

vindie · Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 11 Location: Thailand

I am planning to gain TEFL certification next month in Thailand. I do not have any solid plans after I complete the training so I would like to book a one-way ticket into Bangkok (from US). After training I imagine I may do one of several things including teaching in Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, or Japan. Bearing this in mind, I have no idea when I want to return to the states nor where from. My concern is that if I purchase a one-way ticket into Thailand, immigration will not let me pass. Does anybody have any advice regarding this? I can easily provide proof of financial means for living and departing, but I really don't want to purchase the RT ticket when I might be returning stateside from another country altogether in 2 months to 2 years!!

junkmail · Joined: 19 Dec 2004 Posts: 377

Some travel agents refuse to sell one ways in the UK.
I've never heard of anyone refused entry on that basis.
Many people travel overland to nearby countries.

tedkarma · Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 7:29 am Post subject:

I've never had immigration ask to see my tickets - so never an issue here on the Thailand side. I am in and out twice a year for the last several years - never a problem either in BKK or Phuket. In fact, I always buy my tickets on Phuket and so when I return - it is always on the final half of the ticket (so no ticket out).

For your local travel agent - I agree with the above poster. Just tell them you are traveling on a bus, boat or something else they have no way of verifying. Really none of their business - but sometimes we must placate people who do things for us (even though we pay them!).

kenkannif · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 550

Basically it's the carrier that can refuse to take you if you don't have a return ticket (or correct Visa) as in theory Immigration this end can refuse you entry and thus the carrier would have to take you back.

Just get a 'good' Visa. Basically anything other than a 30 day on entry stamp and you'll be fine, fine, fine!

taz · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 14

i do one-ways out of LA and no problems. immigration never seems to even consider this. my two cents would be that i would recommend it without hestiation.

two carrier choices may be thai air and eva. may find a lower carrier but those two are usually good deals and among the lowest and also the lowest times. eva is a little longer than thai but you spend a good amt of time on the ground which is preferrable to being at 30K feet. also, with eva, you change planes in taiwan (no problems) and have a good chance of getting a new airbus for taiwan to bkk. the new airbus makes the 20 yr old 747 look like a model T. better seats and your own tv to boot. both you can book online thru each carrier. seat choice in the back where the windows seats immediately go down to two abreast. there is room for 2.9seats but only two seats and you have a good chance of having this area all to yourself. last dec and jan the flights i did were 60% and 80% full. and thats during the holidays.

kenkannif · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 550

^ What Visa were you on?

PKB · Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 88 Location: USA

Don't most people in similiar situations get some sort of open ended ticket or something with a low return date change penalty?

junkmail · Joined: 19 Dec 2004 Posts: 377

kenkannif · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 550

Just get a proper Visa (anything other than a 30 day stamp in is fine) and there's nowt to worry about.

junkmail · Joined: 19 Dec 2004 Posts: 377

Look on the bright side. At least it's not India. Just paid $70 for a tourist visa Evil or Very Mad

vindie · Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 11 Location: Thailand

I am very thankful for those of you that posted answers to my query. It is true that normally an open-ended ticket would be preferable, but as someone pointed out I may actually be returning stateside through a completely different route and working along the way. Besides that, the crazy ticket prices available to me when I was booking made a regular RT ticket only 100USD less than my one way (each way)! An open ended ticket would have cost even more!! Now I just have to decipher this Non-Imm B Visa gibberish and all will be well.

Thanks Again! You guys are great!

-Jeremy

kenkannif · Joined: 07 Apr 2004 Posts: 550

You don't need a Non-imm B Visa (or any kind of Non-imm Visa) just not a 30 day on entry stamp.

Anything unclear about the Non-imm B let me know, I'm quite good at them.

taz · Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 14

k - in the past i didnt have a visa and just did the stamp at the airport. now i have a non-imm but the airline never has questioned about the visa nor would they be able to find it in the book nowadays. if my best friend was traveling my opinion to him would be that a one-way ticket is fine. i remember when i first started coming to thailand and there was a similar ongoing discussion and i worried a little the first time. my experience has been that the airlines and thailand couldnt care less.

in other countries it can be a problem without a return ticket; i was on a boat crew a few years back and the airline would not allow you to board without proof of somehow getting out of the country. fortunately i had my crew list letter in my bag and it worked for me but not for another crew member a couple of windows down who didnt know they need the crew list. even in offering my crew list letter the airline would not allow him to board the plane as the letter was addressed to me (but showed the entire crew). the country was obviously very strict with the airlines and it took some time for the airline to call and get approval from the govt.

menace2society32 · Joined: 17 Aug 2003 Posts: 92

I am a U.S. citizen facing the same problem. A couple of you, if I am correct, have stated get anything OTHER THAN a 30 day visa. I am understanding this correctly? My problem is that I am in the United Arab Emirates on a tourist visa, not a work visa, so they will only issue me a 30-day visa. SO do you think that the airport will not let me fly with a 30 day visa and only a one-way ticket?

junkmail · Joined: 19 Dec 2004 Posts: 377

In my experience you'll be fine. Basically having a visa in your passport as opposed to getting a landing visa (stamp in your passport).
I've turned up with no visa and no return ticket, smiled sweetly and had no issues.