Questioner: William
I have had a retirement O visa for years. Last February I extended my stay until February 10, 2022. I am currently in the process of traveling to Samui again and want to stay until about mid-April. Before February 10th I will of course extend my stay for another year.
Now the question from my travel agency is: If we book a plane ticket for you that is valid for half a year, you will not get into trouble because your extension period is only until February 10th. Or shall I risk it?
Thank you in advance
Reaction RonnyLatYa
Well, that's always the question. What will they look at or what is decisive in their decision.
People always write “for the entire period of the stay”, but what is that actually?
– The duration of your still valid stay with a re-entry?
– The maximum duration that you can obtain with that specific visa (or Visa exemption) upon entry?
– The date of return flight?
But in each of those situations you can adjust the stay period by extending or converting the ticket. I can't really answer that for you. Perhaps better than investing in a flexi ticket that you can easily adjust later in Thailand to your actual return, also if you have to return to your home country quickly due to circumstances.
A bit more expensive to purchase, but you might win back on other points. Just think of that mandatory insurance that you can take out for a minimum period to travel to Thailand and use your existing insurance for the remaining period.
Perhaps there are readers who would also like to share their own experience here.
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I have kept my response a bit more general and although you don't ask, I also made the link with the insurance and the Thailand pass.
I have often left for Thailand with a ticket where my return was months after the end date of my year extension. You can only renew approximately 30-45 days before the end date. Was never a problem, but that was all before Corona time.
I don't know how it is now in combination with that Thailand pass and insurance.
I wintered in Bangkok for 5 years. Each time on the basis of an “extension of stay” (the basis was a Non-immo OA).
My renewal was also every February. The return flight sometime in March/April.
Just like you, except my immigration office was in Bangkok. The flights were with Thai Airways.
I never had a question or comment about the fact that the date of my return flight to Belgium was after the end date of the last extension.
My Dutch wife had the same problem.
Depart November 10 with a ticket until February 10. Her non immigrant -O visa with retirement extension
must, however, extend it on or before December 5 on Samui, as it will then expire.
She received free AIG insurance for 3 months of $500.000 with the purchase of a ticket at
Emirates. Both cases have been accepted by the embassy and she has been awarded a CoE.
Of course I don't know if that is always accepted given the vicissitudes of the Thai authorities.
It looks like the free AIG insurance with Emirates will expire after December 1.
I read this on the website: https://www.emirates.com/th/english/before-you-fly/multi-risk-travel-insurance/
important notice
We're updating our cover policies. Our multi-risk travel insurance will no longer apply to tickets purchased on or after 1 December 2021.
Like Walter above. No problem. My period runs until the end of January and I never go back before the end of March. So does immigration. I am also in Thailand now. Do not worry. Just do it..
My extension runs until the end of February 2022. Came here about 3 weeks ago with COE but only had a one way ticket. So what would they have based on in my case if I flew back to B ? I therefore don't think much is taken into account with your return ticket. Every sensible person knows that you can always adjust that and that you are not obliged to fly back even if you have that ticket.
About 5 years ago, I was held up at the check-in counter of Thai Airways in Zaventem, because the date of my return flight would exceed the visa-free period of 30 days by a good 3 weeks.
Of course I knew this myself, but was planning to extend 30 days at Jomtiem immigration.
The lady did not want to let me through and brought in a male, who ultimately did not want to take the risk, because of the risk of a high fine for society.
He suggested buying a cheap ticket at the airport at an airline office for a flight to a neighboring country of Thailand within 30 days, and showing it at the check-in desk. But it was Sunday and almost nothing was open, so I went back to the counter without a ticket.
It was already starting to get a little stuffy because I might not be allowed on the flight.
Finally, after the intervention of yet another, probably 'chief', I was allowed to leave, practice…
My fellow travelers had already gone through security and customs for a long time and did not expect this
of me arriving in the departure hall.
I entered in April with an “O” visa for 90 days and also took out insurance with AA for approximately 220 euros. I also had a return ticket which was necessary, but I have a flex ticket. I moved this to April and possibly later during my extension.
I myself experienced that I flew from Taiwan to Indonesia and from there to Thailand again. I wanted to book the ticket from Indonesia to Bangkok later. When I arrived at the registration desk, they asked for my ticket that leaves Indonesia again. Told I booked that later, got my boarding pass and could go to the Gate. Where I was called to report to the counter. There they asked for my ticket to Bangkok. I had to book it there via my mobile and laptop and credit card, otherwise I would not have been able to fly. So I will never take that risk again. Certainly not now in the Covid-19 time, because a ticket to a neighboring country is often not even possible now.
A return ticket has never been a requirement for a 90-day NON-O visa.
I entered Thailand on July 28 with re-entry. My extension of stay expires on December 27.as
I then bought a one-way ticket from KLM.
No one asked when I would fly back, which I don't intend to.
Now I am going to extend my stay period in December every year because I want to continue living here in Thailand.