Comments on: Proof of Onward Travel – Do You Really Need it?

By: Tim Ashdown

Tim Ashdown — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 09:28:55 +0000

In reply to Claire D.. Hi Claire, You can rent a proof of onward travel ticket when applying for a visa. Just remember that the ticket is only valid for a couple of days. If your visa process is likely to take longer, contact the rental company to extend the validity.

By: Claire D.

Claire D. — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 22:19:10 +0000

Can you”rent” a proof of onward travel ticket to get a visa? I am thinking a spending two months in Thailand.

By: Dave Noakes

Dave Noakes — Sat, 08 Oct 2022 09:30:33 +0000

In reply to Katie.

Hi Katie,
It is confusing, I share your frustration. Please refer to the FAQ section of this article, specifically, the FAQ with the title “Is a train or bus ticket enough to prove your onward journey?”, answer pasted below:

We’ve never tried this but many members of our South East Asia Backpacker Community have used bus and train tickets as proof of onward travel. You may need to smile a lot and be super friendly but by all reports, this method can work in Southeast Asia.

It pretty much comes down to the airline staff when you check in and the immigration officers at the other end. If you look trustworthy, behave in a friendly manner and offer no reason for people to dislike you, you’ll likely be fine. But that’s not a guarantee. If the airline employee or immigration officer is having a bad day, they may choose to take it out on you and not accept anything aside from a flight ticket.

So, it’s up to you… chances are you’d be okay with a bus or train ticket but that’s not a promise!

By: Katie

Katie — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 17:07:50 +0000

Hello,
I’m a bit confused as not all backpackers travel by plane from one country to the next (normally budget via buses and trains) How do i provide proof of outward journey if i’m planning to fly to Thailand and get a train/bus to Laos, then a train/bus to Vietnam, then train/bus to Cambodia, then fly home from there.. Many thanks

By: Alex

Alex — Thu, 08 Sep 2022 08:41:36 +0000

Hey!
I seem to have a similar concern. I’m flying to Bangkok first and am taking the slow boat into Laos (not yet booked), however I do have my flights out of Laos booked. These are even still within 30 days of landing in Bangkok. After this I have all my domestic flights booked within SEA and back home to the UK. Since I have my whole itinerary apart from Thailand to Laos do you think I could just wing it with proof of onward travel? Technically I can show them my whole trip, just not the boat.

By: Mungo

Mungo — Fri, 02 Sep 2022 10:10:20 +0000

Flying from Istanbul, Turkey (I’m US citizen) to Hanoi, Vietnam. Qatar airways would not let me board unless I had an onward ticket. I’m 65 years old, a retired professional, look & dress respectfully. They wouldn’t listen to any explanation, with a smile. They were hard-nosed, wouldn’t honor my ticket to Hanoi. I was forced to buy a ticket to Malaysia (my plans were to visit other countries in SE Asia), just wasn’t sure if Malaysia was next. Be warned: if flying Qatar airways, they do enforce this rule. They would only except an airline ticket. Won’t fly Qatar again!

By: Tim Ashdown

Tim Ashdown — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 06:48:02 +0000

In reply to Bridgette.

Hi Bridgette!
That sounds like quite the trip. I must admit, I’m a little jealous of your plans!
In your second scenario, with all tickets being flights, you’ll have no problems at all.
Chances are, the first scenario will be fine too but if those initial tickets out of Vietnam aren’t flights, you might hit a stumbling block as Vietnam are one of the stricter countries in SEA when it comes to proof of onward travel.
I hope this helps,
Tim

By: Bridgette

Bridgette — Sun, 19 Jun 2022 15:04:11 +0000

Hi Nikki,
I happened upon this article and it never crossed my mind that the airline would pose this question.
So my scenario is as such: First time travelling to SEA, hopefully early next year. I will pretty much buy all tickets in advance whether air and train and possibly a sleeper bus. Visiting Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and possibly Thailand.
From USA: First scenario-flight into Ho Chi Minh from which I’ll have a legit ticket to Cambodia, from Cambodia another ticket to Laos and then another air ticket to Hanoi and flying home from Hanoi.
2nd Scenario: Fly into Thailand, sleeper train ticket to Chiang Mai, air ticket from Chiang Mai to Laos, air ticket from Laos to Cambodia, air ticket from Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh and then flying out from Hanoi to return to USA.
With all paid tickets in hand, showing itinerary I should be good to go, yes?
Regards,
Bridgette

By: Nikki Scott

Nikki Scott — Sat, 12 Feb 2022 13:24:00 +0000

In reply to Maria. Hi Maria, I'm not sure that I've understood your question correctly, please ask again if you need further clarification. Basically, you are very unlikely to be asked for an onward ticket at the Immigration Centre in Sri Lanka when extending your visa. It is primarily the airlines that enforce the onward travel rule, so even though you are planning to extend your visa once in Sri Lanka, the airline may ask you for proof that you are leaving Sri Lanka within X number of days that your initial visa expires. You can either change the flight that you initially bought (if you would like to use it), cancel it altogether or just miss it. Hope that helps?

By: Maria

Maria — Fri, 11 Feb 2022 16:16:21 +0000

Hello! I was planning on travelling to Sri Lanka and extending my visa once in there, if I book an onward ticket, will I be asked about it on the extension or I can do the same again with the new date I am applying for? Thank you!

By: Nikki Scott

Nikki Scott — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 09:31:28 +0000

In reply to claire. Hi Claire, no, I'm afraid it wouldn't. If you enter Thailand on the 30-day entry pass, you would need proof that you will be leaving Thailand within 30 days.

By: claire

claire — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 17:38:30 +0000

Im planning to travel SEA, say i had a flight to thailand and then plan to travel around via buses/trains etc and then have a flight back to the UK from my last city (wouldn’t be thailand) , would this count as proof as onward travel? even thought its not from the country i came into?

By: Lydia

Lydia — Sat, 12 May 2018 17:57:41 +0000

I have flown to Southeast Asia several times but I’ve never been asked for an onward flight, Nikki. This is certainly a topic worth noting and you’ve given me plenty of food for thought!