an easy guide to understanding onward travel in 2025
southeast asia- the backpacker’s playground
Onward travel in Asia- where to start?
When you think of backpacking, the first place that comes to mind is Southeast Asia. Its cheap food, high quality hostels, and free-flowing beer make it a magnet for young travelers looking to explore on a shoestring budget. Not to mention the incredible views, cultural experiences, and safety aspects. Mid-range budget travelers can have a luxury experience without the lavish price tag. I consider myself to fall into this mid-range category, as I am in my 30s and not a partier. Admittedly, I like my own space. If you are looking for the best of the best, Southeast Asia has something for you, too. There are five-star hotels and rooftop bars to behold, luxury yacht trips and fancy beach clubs.
All these things make this region of the world incredibly attractive, but luxury travelers and budget backpackers alike will need to do some research to avoid making costly mistakes. Two things most travelers to SEA are concerned about are visas and proof of onward travel. In this article, I will be breaking down the information you need to know on these two topics as an American passport holder.
visa requirements
Before you book yourself a long-haul flight, it’s important to know what countries you can enter and for how long. Most countries require proof on onward travel, but first let’s talk about visas. As an American passport holder, I feel incredibly privileged to have access to so many countries visa-free. Even USA passports require visas for some countries, however. First, let’s break down the popular “Banana Pancake Trail” that a typical backpacker would follow:
To follow this popular itinerary, catch your first flight into Bangkok. (Kuala Lumpur is also a large hub.) Then, use a series of buses, trains, or motorbikes to travel overland to the north of Thailand into Chiang Mai. From here, you will continue on to Laos, northern Vietnam to southern Vietnam, into Cambodia, and finally back to Bangkok. This will all be done overland. Most travelers opt to head down to the popular Thai islands of Ko Samui, Ko Pha Ngan, and Krabi to round out the trip. This should take about 3 months.
If you have more time, an extended version of the “Banana Pancake” itinerary includes Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Visa Requirements and Allowances for this Itinerary
Again, this information is for USA Passport Holders in particular!
I love my lists- so here it is. This is updated information as of February 2025 from travel.state.gov:
- Thailand- No visa required for a stay of 60 days or less.
- Laos- Tourist visa is required and is generally granted for 30 days. Usually you can get a visa on arrival or apply online here: https://laoevisa.gov.la/index
- Vietnam- US passport holders need to apply online for a visa to enter Vietnam. Approval can take anywhere from a couple of days to a week or two, so make sure you have some flexibility here. Apply online here: Vietnam E-Visa
- Cambodia- Visa required. You need to apply either online HERE or you can get a visa on arrival at most border crossings and airports.
*A visa on arrival is when you simply show up at the border, present your passport and pay for a visa. No pre-application necessary.*
Extended Banana Pancake Itinerary and Other Countries
- Malaysia- No tourist visa required for stays of 90 days or less.
- Singapore- No tourist visa required for stays of 90 days or less.
- Indonesia- Tourist visa is required. You can get a visa on arrival or an e-VOA. Visas are valid for 30 days but can be renewed one week prior to expiration for an additional 30 days.
- Philippines- No tourist visa required for stays of 30 days or less.
- Japan- (not typically on a list of SEA countries) No tourist visa is required for stays of 90 days or less.
proof of onward travel
If you are planning a long-term backpacking trip in Southeast Asia, you have probably already heard the term ‘proof of onward travel.’ Simply put, this means you need to show immigration that you have plans to leave the country before your visa expires. Overstaying a tourist visa can incur fines, deportation, or even banning from the country. The most common proof of onward travel is a booked flight. Now, lots of backpackers show up to their first destination with no idea where they will end up. This is great! But it does require some careful planning. Here’s how to navigate this pesky requirement.
What counts as “proof of onward travel?”
There are a few different ways you can approach this necessary step of bouncing around Southeast Asia.
1. Book a flight. You can book an actual real flight that is fully refundable. Once you have passed immigrations, you can cancel the flight at no charge and continue on with your “wherever the wind takes you” itinerary. Easy peasy.
2. Book a train or bus. This generally works as onward travel. Immigrations officers in this part of the world are used to seeing thousands of foreign backpacker types pass through and will probably accept this as proof. It’s up to you to be friendly and reassure them that you won’t overstay your welcome.
3. “Rent” a flight ticket. Websites such as Onwardticket exist for the sole purpose of supplying temporary (real) airline tickets with real booking numbers that immigrations can track. Tickets are cheap and last anywhere from 1-3 days, then are cancelled automatically. This method will cost you a bit of money as it isn’t refundable.
I have heard of people forging plane tickets and turning up at the border to “wing it.” This isn’t my style, but if you’re the type to ask for forgiveness instead of permission, give it a go.
Rules are always changing and it’s better to be prepared when crossing borders. For this reason, I won’t give a list. My recommendation is it’s best to always have a proof of onward travel ready to show an immigration officer. Often, you won’t even need it.
general tips
Navigating Southeast Asia can be super easy if you are diligent. When it comes to visas and proof of onward travel, here some things that will make your life easier-
Check your passport’s expiry date and make sure you have 6 months validity at minimum before you start your journey.
Make sure you have a good amount of blank pages in your passport. Most countries have a blank page requirement to enter.
Making a few copies of your travel documents is a great idea, especially if you need vaccines or printed visas. You should also consider having extra passport photos printed as well as a digital copy for online visa applications.
Register with the STEP program offered by the US government. This is a simple online form you can fill out informing the US consulate of your travels. Enrolling will help the Department of State contact you in case of emergency such as natural disasters, civil unrest, or a family emergency. Think of this as an extra layer of safety- just in case.
I have compiled this information during my own research process while planning my own long-term trip abroad. If you haven’t been following along, I just released an announcement in my post I’m Back- And Planning Something Big! Stay tuned, because I will be sharing my planning process and helpful information with my readers along the way. Thank you for your support and readership! Happy travels!
