Going from Cambodia to Europe via Thailand and back. Do I need proof of onward travel for the return flight?
I have made Sihanoukville, Cambodia, my travel-around-Asia operations-base for some time now. Now I need to travel to Europe and back... To save some cash on tickets, I will be going to the Thai border by bus, get a visa and fly with Finnair, then return back to Bangkok, catching a bus back to Sihanoukville.
It suddenly hit me that when returning I will be landing in Bangkok and it's my final destination. And I might be asked by Finnair when boarding for proof of onward travel even if I started my journey with them in Thailand. And usually bus tickets do not 'cut it'.
I have Lithuanian passport.
Do I need to get proof of onward travel for my return flight to Thailand, even though I am using the same company (Finnair) to do the round trip to my original destination?
Best Answer
Do you need POOT?
The answer is you might. When you dont have a visa already prior to boarding, (VoA and VE) entry, then you are at higher risk of not being able to enter the country. And the airline is technically burdened with having to return you and/or get fined. This is why some airlines check sometimes.
In practice, it is rare to get denied entry on VE or VoA. If you have entered 6+ times with VE within 1 year period, Thai immigration computer might shoot up an alert. They may wonder if you are working illegally.
The solution is fairly simple: FlyOnward.com a very cheap insurance policy so to speak for your return leg.
Or buy the cheapest ticket to neighbor country via other means. edit: pay more for a changeable ticket or add travel insurance to give you option to reuse ticket or cancel and get money back or credit towards new ticket :)
Or get a visa ahead of going.
Or just go for it. But from memory 7 years ago, they did ask for it at the gate desk when flying from USA to Thailand on Delta I think. After seeing a non-immigrant visa and thinking for a few min, no problem.
POOT = Proof of Onward Travel
VOA = Visa on Arrival
VE = Visa Exempt [entry]
Pictures about "Going from Cambodia to Europe via Thailand and back. Do I need proof of onward travel for the return flight?"
Do you need proof of onward travel Thailand?
Proof of onward travel and fundsImmigration officials in Thailand may ask you for proof of onward travel (eg a return or onward air ticket). You should make all reservations before travelling to Thailand. Some airlines have refused to board passengers without evidence of onward travel.Does Cambodia require proof of onward travel?
Officially, Cambodia requires travellers to have valid proof of onward travel.What countries require proof of onward travel?
A few countries that absolutely require documented proof of onward travel are Peru, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States, Philippines, Indonesia, and Brazil. It's possible to avoid some hassles by dressing presentably (think business casual, neat and tidy) when flying and being polite to passport control.Can I travel to Europe without a return ticket?
If you do not have a return ticket, you can present a hotel booking you've made in an another country as proof of onward travel, but there is no guarantee it'll work. Some travelers use fake airline tickets they've created themselves and sometimes manage to fool immigration.How To Prove Onward Travel Using Best Onward Ticket - Travel Tip Thursday
More answers regarding going from Cambodia to Europe via Thailand and back. Do I need proof of onward travel for the return flight?
Answer 2
Do I need to get proof of onward travel for return flight to Thailand even though I am using same flight company (Finnair) to do the round trip to my original destination?
So long as you get a multi-entry visa for Thailand (that allows you to enter via air as well as land - not all visas everywhere allow you to swap methods of entry) when you cross the border via bus, or can show that you are eligible for a visa at the border, you can show that to Finnair and that will suffice that you have permission to enter Thailand and thus do not have to show onward travel.
Airlines simply have to satisfy themselves that they will be conveying someone that can either enter the destination country (in this case Thailand) or can show onward travel that does not require entry into the destination country (eg visa-free transit).
In your case you say you will be getting a visa on entry into Thailand - so long as this covers a second entry via air or that you are a visa-at-the-border nationality, you will satisfy the airlines requirements for eligibility for entry into Thailand.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Anthony Beck, Adrien Olichon, Marcin Jozwiak, Maria Orlova