Thai Embassy Document Request · Logistics

Refundable Flight Itinerary for the DTV

Facing a DTV refundable flight itinerary request? Learn how to provide the correct airline e-ticket — screenshots and agency tickets get rejected and risk your visa.

DTVDTVThaiVisa 12 min read

If you’ve just received an embassy email asking for a refundable flight itinerary for your Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) application, you’re in the right place. This guide shows exactly how to reply with the correct e-ticket—sourced directly from the airline, covering all flights to Thailand, and ideally refundable—so you can comply without risking a rejection or wasting money on a non-compliant fare.

A traveler examining an airline e-ticket on a laptop with a passport visible, symbolizing the DTV refundable flight itinerary request.

What the embassy asked

During a Destination Thailand Visa review, the embassy may email you a Request for Further Document specifically asking for your flight itinerary. The wording varies but always demands an official airline e-ticket, not a screenshot or third-party booking. One real request is shown below.

“Kindly upload your E-ticket (all flights route from UK/Ireland/UK territories to Thailand) downloaded directly from the airline's official website. Tickets from agency websites or screenshots will not be accepted.”

Why the embassy asks for this

The reviewing office uses the flight itinerary to confirm that your stated travel plans are concrete and align with a genuine DTV application. It’s not about issuing the visa—the DTV is applied for online through the Thai e-Visa portal, where our team prepares and submits your application for you—but about verifying you are a real traveler with a fixed intent to go to Thailand.

Because processing can take time while they check other parts of your file (such as the 500,000 THB (~$15,000) financial proof), they recommend a refundable ticket. This way, you aren’t locked into rigid dates or lose money if review drags or you’re asked for more documents. A flexible fare protects you.

How to provide it correctly

Wait for the exact request wording. It will specify “E-Ticket(s), all flights route … to Thailand”. Don’t volunteer unrelated documents.
Book directly on the airline’s website or app (not via Expedia, travel agents, or flight comparison sites). The e-ticket must come from the airline itself.
Choose a fully refundable or flexible fare class (often labeled “Flex”, “Refundable”, or “Unrestricted”)—or book within the airline’s 24-hour free-cancellation window—so you can get a full refund if needed.
Cover every leg of your journey to Thailand on one itinerary, including connections or onward flights, to show “all flights route to Thailand”.
Double-check that your name on the e-ticket exactly matches your passport (given names, surname, spelling, order) and that your passport details are correct.
Download the official e-ticket/itinerary receipt as a PDF directly from the airline (via the confirmation email or Manage Booking). Never send a phone screenshot or photo of the screen.
Ensure the file is in English (or Thai). If the airline issues it in another language, get a certified and legalized translation before sending it to us.
Send us the single clean PDF and we submit it as your reply on the e-Visa portal within the deadline. Keep the booking active—do not cancel it—until your DTV is actually approved.

Close-up of a PDF airline e-ticket showing flight numbers, dates, passenger name, and booking reference suitable for a DTV refundable flight itinerary request.

Common mistakes that cause rejection

Buying a cheap non-refundable basic-economy fare to save money, then being unable to recover it when review runs long or further documents are requested — the office specifically recommends a refundable ticket.
Booking on a comparison site or through an agent because it was easier, not realising agency tickets are explicitly not accepted and must come straight from the airline.
Uploading a phone screenshot of the confirmation page instead of the airline's downloaded PDF e-ticket.
Cancelling the refundable ticket too early (right after uploading) so the booking is no longer live if the office re-checks before approval.
Forgetting connecting or onward legs, so the itinerary does not show "all flights" to Thailand as worded in the request.
Over-submitting — adding hotel reservations or extra funds proof that were not requested, breaking the golden rule of sending only what was asked.

Frequently asked questions

Does the flight ticket have to be fully paid for the DTV, or is a refundable one accepted?

It must be a genuine, issued airline e-ticket — but you are encouraged to make it a fully refundable or flexible fare (or book within the 24-hour free-cancellation window) so you can recover the money if review is slow. The embassy literally recommends "a refundable flight ticket".

Why was my ticket from Expedia or a travel agent rejected?

The embassy's request states that tickets from agency websites are not accepted. The e-ticket must be downloaded directly from the airline's own official website or app.

Can I just send a screenshot of my booking confirmation?

No. Screenshots are explicitly not accepted. You must download the official e-ticket or itinerary receipt as a PDF from the airline and send us that to submit.

Does "all flights to Thailand" mean I include connecting flights too?

Yes — the itinerary should show every leg of your route to Thailand, including any connections and onward flights, not just the final arrival leg.

How far ahead should the flight be booked?

Plan it weeks in advance rather than a day or two before travel — one embassy cited "at least 3 weeks in advance" — and keep the booking live until your DTV is approved.

If my DTV is denied, do I lose the ticket cost?

A refundable fare lets you reclaim the airfare from the airline. Separately, the DTV application fee is non-refundable unless you bought the optional paid Denial Protection add-on, which gives a 100% refund if denied — only with that add-on.

Can I cancel my refundable ticket as soon as I upload it?

No. Keep the booking active (do not cancel) until you receive your DTV approval letter. If the office checks again and finds it's been cancelled, they may reject your application.

Get this document right the first time

Let our team prepare and check your response to the embassy — apply from $139, with a 100% refund if denied (with the optional Denial Protection add-on).

Start your application

General guidance only — not legal advice. Thai embassy requirements vary by office and change over time; always confirm the exact wording in your own request email, or let our team check it for you.