A dummy ticket for Thailand is the document you submit to the embassy or VFS centre with your visa application. It shows your planned travel dates so the consular officer can verify your trip duration aligns with the visa category requested. This page focuses on the embassy-submission requirements, processing-time considerations, and visa-fee context for Thailand.
What Thailand Embassy Officers Look For on Your Dummy Ticket
The Thailand embassy reviewer wants: (1) full passenger name matching your passport application, (2) flight dates that fall WITHIN the visa-validity window you requested, (3) a round-trip itinerary if your visa category is short-stay, (4) a real-format PNR / booking reference, and (5) IATA-code airports rather than city names alone. Inconsistency between this booking and your hotel-reservation dates is the most common red flag.
Thailand Visa Processing Time and Documentation Checklist
For Thailand visa applications, the dummy ticket is one document among several (visa form, photos, financial proof, hotel booking, travel insurance). Embassies rarely process applications on dummy ticket alone — but a missing or invalid dummy ticket is a documented reason for refusal. Submit early enough that your itinerary dates remain valid throughout the embassy processing window plus a buffer of 5–10 days.
What is a Dummy Ticket? Thailand?
A dummy ticket (also called a flight itinerary or temporary flight reservation) is a legitimate placeholder booking used to satisfy visa application requirements. When applying for a Thailand visa, embassies ask for proof that you have onward or return travel planned — but they don't want you to buy a non-refundable ticket before approval.
MyJet24 generates a free flight reservation PDF with a real-looking booking reference number. You can use it for your visa application, present it to immigration, or show it at check-in as proof of onward travel.
Thailand Visa & Entry Info
How to Use a Dummy Ticket for Thailand Visa
Thailand e-Visa Application — Complete Walkthrough at thaievisa.go.th for 2026
Since June 2025, all foreign nationals worldwide apply for Thai visas through the unified portal thaievisa.go.th — replacing in-person Royal Thai Embassy applications for tourist categories. This walkthrough covers the universal 9-step process. Sections 2-3 cover visa type selection (TR vs METV vs DTV vs SETV).
The 9 Universal Steps
Sources: Royal Thai e-Visa Portal — thaievisa.go.th · Royal Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Thailand Visa Type Decision Tree — Visa Exemption vs TR vs METV vs DTV
Since the July 2024 reform Thailand offers six major visit-visa pathways. Picking wrong wastes the application fee (non-refundable) and may delay your trip by weeks. The matrix below maps every realistic trip profile to the optimal visa.
| Visa Type | Duration | Entries | Cost (THB) | Bank Proof | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Exemption (VES) | 60 days (since Jul 2024) | 1 | Free | THB 10,000 cash equivalent at border | ~93 nationalities, short tourist trips |
| Tourist Visa Single (TR) | 60 days + 30d extension | 1 | ~1,000 | THB 20,000 | Non-exempt nationalities, 1-3 month tourist trips |
| Multiple Entry Tourist (METV) | 60 days per entry, 6 months total | Multiple | ~5,000 | THB 200,000 | Frequent leisure travellers, SE Asia explorers |
| DTV (Destination Thailand) ⭐ | 180 days per entry, 5-year visa | Multiple | ~10,000 | THB 500,000 | Digital nomads, remote workers, Soft Power |
| Special Tourist (SETV) | 90 days + 2× 90d extensions | 1 | ~2,000 | THB 500,000 | Long-stay tourists, 9-month max |
| Education (ED) | 90 days, extendable to 1 year | Single → multi | ~2,000 | THB 100,000 + tuition proof | Thai language / cooking / Muay Thai students |
Decision Tree by Trip Profile
DTV (Destination Thailand Visa) — Complete 2026 Guide for Digital Nomads & Workation
The DTV launched July 2024 under Royal Thai Government Decree and is the most significant Thai visa innovation in a decade. 5 years validity, 180 days per stay (extendable inside Thailand for another 180 days), THB 10,000 (~USD 280 total). It is currently the highest-value long-stay tourist visa available globally — but the eligibility criteria are specific and rejection rates for unprepared applicants are high.
4 Eligibility Categories
DTV Required Documents Checklist
| Document | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Passport | 6+ months validity, 2 blank pages |
| Photo | 35 × 45 mm, white background |
| Bank Statement | THB 500,000 minimum (~USD 14,000), stable 6-month balance |
| Qualification Proof | Cat A: Remote work contract / Cat B: Soft Power enrolment / Cat C: Medical letter / Cat D: Marriage/birth cert. |
| Criminal Record Check | Clean criminal background certificate from home country (apostilled if non-Hague) |
| Flight Reservation | Dummy ticket accepted (no need for confirmed flight) |
| Health Insurance | Recommended (not mandatory) — USD 100,000 cover |
Source: Royal Thai e-Visa Portal — DTV Application · TAT — Tourism Authority of Thailand
Thai e-Visa Documents + Photo Specifications (35 × 45 mm, White Background)
Thai photo requirements align with the ICAO 9303 biometric standard at 35 × 45 mm — identical to Schengen, but different from UAE (43 × 55 mm) and US Passport (51 × 51 mm). Photo non-compliance is the #2 cause of e-Visa rejection after passport-validity issues. Get the spec right at upload — there is no second chance without paying the visa fee again.
Full Document Checklist by Visa Type
| Document | Tourist TR | METV | DTV | SETV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passport (6+ mo validity) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Photo (35 × 45 mm) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Return / Onward Flight | ✓ Dummy OK | ✓ Dummy OK | ✓ Dummy OK | ✓ Dummy OK |
| Hotel / Accommodation | ✓ Full stay | ✓ First trip | ✓ First 30d | ✓ Full stay |
| Bank Statement | THB 20k | THB 200k | THB 500k | THB 500k |
| Employment Letter | Recommended | Required | Specific to category | Required |
| Cover Letter | Recommended | Required | Required | Required |
| Criminal Record Check | No | No | ✓ Required | Sometimes |
Thai Photo Specifications (ICAO 9303)
| Specification | Required Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 35 × 45 mm (same as Schengen) |
| Background | Plain white only |
| Face Coverage | 70-80% of frame, chin to crown |
| Expression | Neutral, mouth closed, both eyes visible |
| Glasses | Remove (medical exceptions noted) |
| File Format | JPEG or JPG |
| File Size | Under 1 MB |
| Recency | Within last 6 months |
Top 8 Document Upload Rejection Reasons
Thai Visa Financial Proof — Bank Statement Requirements per Visa Type
Under Royal Thai Police Order 327/2014, every visa applicant must show "sufficient means of subsistence" via bank statement. The amount required jumps dramatically between Tourist (THB 20,000) and DTV (THB 500,000) — a 25× difference. Apply for the cheaper visa if your bank balance does not support the higher tier.
| Visa Type | Minimum Balance (THB) | USD Equivalent | Period Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Exemption (border check) | 10,000 cash equivalent | ~USD 290 | At entry only |
| Tourist Single Entry (TR) | 20,000 | ~USD 580 | 3 months stable |
| Tourist Multiple Entry (METV) | 200,000 | ~USD 5,800 | 6 months stable |
| DTV (Destination Thailand) | 500,000 | ~USD 14,000 | 6 months stable |
| SETV (Special Tourist) | 500,000 | ~USD 14,000 | 6 months stable |
| Education (ED) | 100,000 + tuition proof | ~USD 2,900 | 3 months stable |
| Retirement (O-A) | 800,000 OR THB 65,000 monthly income | ~USD 23,000 | 2 months in Thai bank |
How to Present Bank Statements (Strength Order)
Thai Visa Application Channels — thaievisa.go.th Direct vs VFS Global vs In-Person Embassy
Since June 2025 the official channel for tourist visas is thaievisa.go.th. VFS Global still handles selected long-stay visas in some countries. Royal Thai Embassies handle complex Non-Immigrant categories in person. Use this matrix to pick the right channel.
| Channel | Covers | Processing | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| thaievisa.go.th (Official) | TR, METV, DTV, SETV, ED, B | 5-14 working days | Visa fee only | All tourist categories — universal channel |
| VFS Global (selected countries) | METV, ED, B in India / Bangladesh / Pakistan | 7-14 working days | Visa fee + VFS service ~USD 20-30 | Indian / Bangladeshi / Pakistani applicants in legacy regions |
| Royal Thai Embassy (in person) | Non-Immigrant Diplomatic, O-A Retirement, complex cases | 2-4 weeks | Visa fee only | O-A retirement, official invitation, refusal appeal |
| Visa-on-Arrival (15-day) | 18 specific nationalities only | At Thai border | THB 2,000 (~USD 58) | Indian, Chinese, Saudi short trips up to 15 days |
Thai e-Visa Processing Times — Normal 5-14 Days vs Express vs Background Check
Thai visa processing time depends on the visa type, application channel, and nationality. The matrix below shows realistic 2026 averages from thaievisa.go.th data. Apply at least 21 days before travel for safety, 30-45 days for background-check tier nationalities.
| Visa Type | Normal | Background Check (auto) |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist Single (TR) | 5-10 working days | 14-21 days |
| Multiple Entry (METV) | 7-14 working days | 14-21 days |
| DTV | 5-14 working days | 14-30 days |
| SETV | 10-15 working days | 21-30 days |
| Education (ED) | 10-15 working days | 21-30 days |
Background-Check Nationalities (Extended Processing)
- South Asia: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Afghanistan.
- Middle East: Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine.
- Africa: Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Sudan, Eritrea, Cameroon, DRC.
- Central Asia: Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan.
Thai Visa Extension Inside Thailand — TM30 Form, 30-Day Tourist Extension, Re-Entry Permit
Many Thai visa applicants forget that the visa itself is only half the story — Thai Immigration Bureau (BoI) handles extensions, TM30 housing reports, and Re-Entry Permits inside Thailand. These are separate procedures with their own documentation, fees, and pitfalls.
Tourist Visa 30-Day Extension
Where: Any Thai Immigration Office — Bangkok Chaeng Wattana (busiest), Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai. Apply before your current stamp expires (last 7 days recommended).
Cost: THB 1,900 (~USD 55).
Documents: Passport + visa page copy, 1 photo (4×6 cm), TM7 application form, address proof (hotel receipt or rental contract), THB 1,900 cash (NOT card).
Processing: Same-day if applied in morning. Bring water and snacks — busy offices have 4-6 hour queues.
TM30 — Address Notification (24-Hour Rule)
Who files: Hotels and licensed serviced apartments file automatically (always confirm). Private rentals, friends' homes, Airbnb — the host or landlord must file. Submit a TM30 confirmation slip to immigration before applying for any extension or 90-day report.
Penalty for non-compliance: THB 800-2,000 fine. Repeat offences can affect future visa applications.
Re-Entry Permit (Single vs Multiple)
Cost: Single Re-Entry THB 1,000 (~USD 30). Multiple Re-Entry THB 3,800 (~USD 110), valid for remainder of visa.
Where: Immigration office before departure OR airport before flight (DXB / BKK / DMK / HKT / CNX).
Documents: Passport, visa page copy, TM8 form, 1 photo, fee in cash.
Auto-included with: DTV, METV, SETV (already multi-entry).
90-Day Reporting (Long-Stay Visa Holders)
10 Most Common Thai e-Visa Rejection Reasons + Re-Application Strategy
Thai e-Visa rejections from thaievisa.go.th include a short reason code. The 10 reasons below cover approximately 92% of all refusals. Read the refusal email carefully — wait at least 7 days, fix the specific issue, then re-apply via the same account.
Re-Application Strategy
- Read refusal email carefully — thaievisa.go.th usually states the specific issue.
- Wait at least 7 days before re-applying. Faster re-application triggers a system flag.
- Fix the specific issue identified — do not change unrelated fields.
- Add a cover letter on second attempt explicitly addressing the refusal reason.
- Consider downgrading visa type — if rejected for DTV (THB 500k bank), try METV (THB 200k) or TR (THB 20k).
- After 2 refusals, switch to in-person Royal Thai Embassy application — they handle complex cases manually.
Thailand Application Hub — Cross-Linked Resources for Every Stage
This page covers the thaievisa.go.th APPLICATION stage. The companion /onward-ticket-thailand hub covers the BORDER/ENTRY stage — TDAC (Thailand Digital Arrival Card), three-checkpoint airline + immigration verification, BKK/DMK/HKT/CNX airport matrix, airline-specific check-in SOPs (Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, AirAsia), land-border crossings with Cambodia/Laos/Malaysia. Use both together for end-to-end Thailand prep.
Curated Application Resources
Premium shows Thai Airways branding, verified departure times from Bangkok (BKK), and a clean PDF — no watermark. Exactly what the embassy reviewers are used to seeing.
Airports in Thailand
Why You Need a Dummy Ticket for Thailand
Thailand offers visa on arrival for many nationalities with a stay limit of 30 days. While you may not need a visa in advance, airlines and immigration officers at Bangkok (BKK) frequently ask for proof of onward travel before allowing you to board or enter the country. Without a valid return or onward ticket, you risk being denied boarding at check-in or turned away at the border.
A MyJet24 dummy ticket for Thailand includes your full passenger name matching your passport, departure and arrival airports (including Bangkok (BKK), Bangkok Don Mueang (DMK)), travel dates aligned with your visa application, and a booking reference number. The PDF is generated in under 30 seconds and is accepted by Thailand embassies, consulates, and immigration checkpoints worldwide.
FAQ – Dummy Ticket for Thailand
Complete Your Thailand Visa Application
A dummy ticket is just one part of your Thailand visa application. Use MyJet24's free tools to prepare all required documents — from flight reservations to embassy cover letters — in one place.