Do I need to book a flight before applying for a Non-O visa in Thailand?

Jul 9, 2024
5 months ago
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Applying for a non o visa and it requires a flight number and a leave date

Do I have to book a flight prior to applying and I intend to get an extention when I'm there so how do I get around the leave date
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The Non-O visa does not typically require you to provide a leave date or a confirmed flight ticket when applying, especially if it's based on reasons like retirement or family. While some users suggested that evidence of a paid ticket may be needed, it's primarily for short-term tourist visas that require exit dates. It is advisable to consult the specific requirements of the embassy where you are applying, as terminology can sometimes lead to confusion regarding visa types. If you plan to extend your stay, you can simply select a hypothetical flight number and date for your application.
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Graham ******
What Embassy and what Non-O are you applying for?
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
Thai in London Non o immigrant (non o) staying with Thai family
Graham ******
@Michael *******
I'm here now on a Non-O (marriage) issued from London. Just choose a flight number e.g. TG911 on a date you may leave and a date (within 90 days) when you might be returning. Return flight tickets are not required for a Non-O.
Greg ***********
@Michael *******
sorry to say, but the misunderstanding started when somebody called the visa you apply for “visiting thai family visa”

It is confusing, because there actually is a visa “for visiting Thai family”.

However, this is one of the 60-days tourist visa which are applicable.

A “visiting thai family tourist visa” is not the same as the “90-days Non-O family visa”.

The Non-Imm O family visa” gets issued to someone either married to a Thai wife, or having and supporting a half Thai child.

It is a single entry 90 days visa, out of which one can apply for the “one-year extension of stay based on being married to a Thai wife”

Yet, there is no obligation to apply for the “one-year extension”.

One could fly back home before the 90-days stay permit expires, and call it a “90-days touristic holiday”
Max *************
No need for a return or onward ticket when applying for a 90 days Non-immigrant O Visa based on for example retirement, but you must show evidence of a paid ticket. BUT, now I'm not so sure anymore when the reason is visiting family.
Greg ***********
@Max ************
his reason is not "visiting family", his reason is "married to a Thai wife". The visa is just called "Non-Imm-O FAMILY visa" because it covers "having a half Thai child" or "for support of Thai family member", or for "being married to a Thai" . . "visiting thai family" is YOUR very own interpretation
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg **********
I haven't seen Married to a Thai wife in the options Sorry to be a pain fellas but it's driving me crazg
Greg ***********
@Michael *******
it is definitely THIS visa: the "90-days single entry Non-Imm-O family visa" . . for those married to a Thai wife, or for those having a half Thai child
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg **********
that's the fella mate I have a Thai wife
Max *************
@Michael *******
I do actually understand the logic. "Visiting" family isn't the same as applying for a 90 days Non-immigrant O Visa based on retirement.
John **********
@Max ************
visiting family is the option for a non-o based on marriage
Max *************
@John *********
But not staying forever. "Visiting family" isn't the same as retiring in Thailand.
John **********
@Max ************
yes it is. You get a 90 day visa which can be extended indefinitely inside Thailand just as for retirement
Max *************
@John *********
I don't believe that's true. No one is "visiting family" forever. Not in my book anyway. To be honest, I don't know anyone applying for a 90 days Non-immigrant O based on "visiting family" and then stayed. It doesn't make sense.
Greg ***********
@Max ************
the 90-days Non-Imm-O family visa" is for people who intend to apply for the "1-year extension of stay based on having a Thai family in Thailand". Married partners of a Thai wife who intend to stay in Thailand. The 90-days visa is the START button for staying inside Thailand "based on being married to a Thai". It's absolutely irrelevant how you call it, it can be for "visiting family" or "being married" - it is a Non-Imm-O visa class out of which an applicant can stay in Thailand forever
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Max ************
when you look in the non immigrant option for over 90days it says visiting Thai family so I guess that's what I'm looking for
Max *************
@Michael *******
Yeah, I understand.
Steve *******
@Max ************
Many people do it, it's the visa you need for visiting/staying with your half Thai children if you're divorced or not married.
Max *************
@Steve ******
Visiting family isn't the same as staying with family. That's not the definition of "visiting" in my book. And why do they ask about return ticket if "many people do it"? I just want it to make sense. That's all.
Steve *******
@Max ************
They don't ask for a "return ticket" in the UK. They ask for proof of leaving the Country within 90 days and that's because the visa only gives you 90 days in the Country, you need to meet the requirements of an 'extention of stay' if you want to stay longer than 90 days.
Greg ***********
@Max ************
of course someone married to a Thai wife who only intends to spend a 90 days holiday inside Thailand, could apply for the 90-days Non-Imm-O family visa. Nobody in Thailand will force him to apply for the 1-year extension. You could spend a 90 days holiday and fly back home. It saves one 30 days extension for 1900.- THB otherwise needed if he arrived with a 60-days tourist visa. However, the difference in the fees for both visa applications is about the same amount as the savings
Max *************
@Greg **********
You're reasoning is way off. There's no "of course" when it's about "visiting" family. 90 days Non-immigrant O Visas for any reason are not actually holidays, because you're not a tourist. Do you even know about the new financial requirements for a 90 days Non-immigrant O Visa based on for example retirement? I guess you don't.
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Max ************
Get your point mate but staying with family isn't one of the options only visiting?
John **********
@Max ************
it may not make sense to you but it's how it works
Max *************
@John *********
Well,it doesn't make sense to anyone with half a brain. Then tell me why they're asking for a return ticket?
John **********
@Max ************
that I can't explain
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
that's what I was looking at extending when I Thailand
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Max ************
visiting family
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Wife
John **********
@Michael *******
are you married to a Thai or have a Thai kid? You need to show proof of relationship
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *********
got all that Married. Money in bank etc but the return flight comes up before any of that infomation. Is requesfed
John **********
@Michael *******
weird. It's not listed as a requirement for the non-o based on visiting thai family
Max *************
Michael Watson Have you registered and logged in to the eVisa website?
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Max ************
yes mate pulling hair out now
Henrik *****
Do you have checked the visa-pages of the Thai Embassy if your country, there might be excellent help to make the application.
Greg ***********
@Michael *******
You receive a lot of bad information here! . . . . . . read it carefully: the online E-visa application asks for the "intended departure date". You do not have to prove leaving Thailand. Just give them your planned departure date. And what goes for the flight number, yes, you need a flight number that would match your planned flight to Thailand. Most people use readily booked tickets, but it is not a requirement! You are free to apply without having to upload a confirmed flight ticket. It might get through or not, your chances are high it does get through. If the processing Thai embassy/consulate wants to see a booked ticket, they will send you an email and ask you to add it to your application. As evidence for a Non-Imm-O family visa, it can be a one-way ticket
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg **********
so if I find a flight coming back to UK about 90 days from arrival and put that in should be OK?
Greg ***********
@Michael *******
you don't need a paid flight ticket. You can input the flight number of your intended flight to Thailand, and then just give them a date in the field "intended departure date" that is within 90 days of arrival. Should the Thai embassy require a paid ticket down, they will send an email
Barry ********
@Michael *******
On my visa application I just put a date and found a flight number on line. This gets your visa , but you may get asked at check in at the airport. I just said applying for long term and no problem.
Max *************
Barry Bishop The reason for the 90 days Non-immigrant O Visa matters. And he must show evidence of a paid ticket. Period.
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Barry *******
odd that I need to book a flight prior to getting the visa No idea how long the visa will take so that's an issue
Brandon ************
A non-O visa is a long term visa that's intended for extension and living in Thailand. It should not require a leave date. Are you sure you selected non-O visa in the application?

A tourist visa is the one that would require an exit date.
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Cheers guys will let you know how I get on
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Brandon

Thurkettle it Non immigrant visa as a posed to Tourist Transit or long term resident visa?
Greg ***********
@Michael *******
maybe you picked the "tourist visa visit Thai family", as opposed to the "tourist visa leisure". For both of these ypou would need a return ticket. . . . . However, you should make sure you picked the "90 days single entry Non-Imm-O Thai family visa". You don't need a return ticket for this visa.
Michael ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Greg **********
no mate it says non immigrant visa
Greg ***********
@Michael *******
that's cool, then it's the right visa you picked. Just continue the application. Keep in mind, a one-way ticket will do. And contrary to somebody's info here, you don't need a pre-booked ticket. Just use the flight number of the flight you would like to use. And see if it gets through. The chance is high it gets through. And once the visa is issued, you have absolutely no obligations to use that flight, you can book any other flight
Peter **********
@Michael *******
I received a non-O on a one way ticket just two months ago. No problem obtaining visa, no problem at airline (Eva Air).
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