Ask

Answereda year ago

Do I need to buy an airline ticket before applying for a NON-O visa online in Thailand?

Non-O Visa Visa Application Thailand Immigration Flight Details Visa Processing Expat Tips

Greg *****

OP

asked Nov 25, 2025

5.8k

views

43

replies

7

likes

Trying to non-o visa online. Question requires flight details. Do I need to buy airline ticket before l receive visa. Was hoping to get visa first then get airline ticket.

Answer summary

When applying for a Non-O visa online, you are required to provide flight details. It's generally not necessary to purchase a ticket beforehand; many applicants have reported that they simply provide proposed flight information, and the authorities do not typically verify these details. However, having a flight reservation may be beneficial, as it indicates your intent to travel. The key reason for this requirement seems to be to ensure that your visa is not issued too early, before your intended travel date.

43 repliesnewest first

20

Click comment and we will ask for your email, then OTP, then name.

Michael ********

Michael ********

Yes at least have a reservation . They interested that you have booked a flight return

0

Graham ******

Graham ******

@Michael *******

no they are not

0

Greg *****

Greg *****

OP

@Michael *******

why do you need a return flight. Want to extend 90 days to a year.

0

David **********

David **********

they need to know flight details to assess

0

Dylan ********

Dylan ********

@David *********

to assess what?

0

David **********

David **********

the visa

0

Dylan ********

Dylan ********

@David *********

oh the Visa? I thought we were talking talking about dating.

0

James *********

James *********

I gave them my flight number and date of December 3… And my non-o 90 day visa got approved yesterday… So they used yesterdays date (Nov 24) so my Visa will expire 90 days after this date

btw….. I got approved in four days, which was surprising. I heard it can take up to three weeks.

2

Dylan ********

Dylan ********

@James ********

AI is not the final authority, but this is what it says:

AI Overview

+2

The 90-day period for a Thai visa starts on the day of entry into the country, not the day of approval. You must enter Thailand within the visa's validity period (usually 90 days from the issue date for a single-entry visa), and your 90-day period of stay begins on the day you enter.

Day of Entry: The 90-day count starts once you are physically in Thailand.

Day of Approval: The date the visa is approved or issued is not when your 90-day stay begins. This date is a deadline for you to enter the country.

4

James *********

James *********

Great! Happy to hear that

So if that’s correct… And now I think it is… I don’t need to rush to get into Thailand. I’ll just go with my original plan and hope I get 90 days from entry date.

Thank you for posting!

2

Dylan ********

Dylan ********

@James ********

mine took about six weeks. And they didn’t approve it until I was already in the country. I had to enter on a 60 day visa exemption. I will have to leave and come back to activate the 90 Day non-o.

1

James *********

James *********

Wow… did you have some other issue they were looking at?

Happy to hear at least it got approved

So now you had 60 days… Plus a new 90

Hope that worked out well for you

2

Dylan ********

Dylan ********

Also, if I’m not mistaken, you have 90 days from approval to enter the country. your visa actually starts on the day you arrive. And this might seem like a small detail, but the day you arrive is day one.

3

James *********

James *********

I think that’s what was decided here if you read the comments

0

Nongnuch ********

Nongnuch ********

"your visa actually starts on the day you arrive" , , what a complete nonsense this is ! . . . . . The visa has a 3 months validity, this validity starts on the day the visa gets issued. When you enter on this visa, the 90-days STAY PERMIT starts on the day your enter, and the visa itself EXPIRES, it becomes "used", void, invalid. On the day you arrive, your STAY PERMIT starts and the visa is finished for further use. . . a "visa" is a only permit to enter, it becomes void when you enter. A stay permit is the permit of how long you can stay in the country after you entered

1

Paul *******

Paul *******

@James ********

you are wrong. Day 1 is the day you enter Thailand. You have to enter Thailand 90 days from the date on the visa.

0

Dylan ********

Dylan ********

@James ********

thanks! I’ve never been to Laos. I’m excited.

0

James *********

James *********

Sounds like it’s working out great… Vietnam is awesome. I’ve been there many times. I love Laos. Only went once… But I have a feeling it’s going to get more and more popular.

Enjoy the adventure!

1

Dylan ********

Dylan ********

It’s working out fine actually. I was going to take a trip to Vietnam anyway and now I’ve been invited to Laos.

I don’t know what the holdup was. I showed proof of funds and then they wanted to see proof of income, which I submitted pretty much right away. And then I don’t know what happened, but they did eventually approve it.

1

James *********

James *********

I don’t think so… Day one is the day it’s approved

Mine is November 24- Feb 21. That’s what it states right on the Visa itself.

I’m not even there in Thailand yet.

Unless they adjust the date from the day you arrive… I hope that’s the case

0

Dennis *********

Dennis *********

I think they must also use it to make sure you’re not requesting the visa too early and it would expire before you enter Thailand

1

Nongnuch ********

Nongnuch ********

@Dennis ********

the embassy website clearly instructs applicants that one should not apply for the visa more than 3 months before the intended entry. Because most common visas are issued with a 3 months validity

0

Will ************

Will ************

Just an estimate of date of arrival and flight number put departure date within 90 days of estimated arrival date

1

Michael ********

Michael ********

Just give them a proposed flight of when you want to come. There more looking how urgent your request is

4

Greg *****

Greg *****

OP

Won't let me proceed to next stage.

0

Greg *****

Greg *****

OP

Compulsory. Just going to give a flight number.

0

Yngve ***********

Yngve ***********

@Michael *******

I think departure date is optional...You don't have to...

0

Michael ********

Michael ********

@Yngve **********

yes departure date not required for Non O application

1

Harry ********

Harry ********

I was asked one time by IO for my boarding pass when I came through passport control that was a visa on entry

0

Harry ********

Harry ********

Thanks for the clarification

0

Nongnuch ********

Nongnuch ********

you didn't get a "visa on entry" . . not for you. You arrived without a visa and received a stay permit stamp

0

Harry ********

Harry ********

@Nongnuch *******

your correct it says Visa on Arrival

“The Thailand Visa on Arrival allows you to enter Thailand without needing to secure a visa in advance “ It’s taken by many as meaning just that. I was asked by the IO what I would do get another 30 days as my return date was beyond the 60 days of the visa to which I replied I would extend it at Thai immigration office which he accepted i don’t make multiple trips it’s normally a one off of around 84 days to escape the chill of winter.

Thank you for your reply

0

Nongnuch ********

Nongnuch ********

"visa-exemption" is for citizens of 93 nations

0

Nongnuch ********

Nongnuch ********

you are wrong . .. VOA (visa-on-arrival) is for only 31 citizens of following nations, and you need to pay 2000 Thai Baht for it at the airport, and you will only receive a 15-days stay permit, non extendable

0

Kevin ********

Kevin ********

yes you are suposed to keep your boarding pass for imigration

0

Dylan ********

Dylan ********

I did not buy a ticket. I looked up a flight and just gave them the flight information. I don’t think they check.

10

Dave **********

Dave **********

just asking did you get health insurance for the 90 days and where did you get it if you don't mind thanks

1

Richard *********

Richard *********

@Dave *********

not required.

0

Tom *******

Tom *******

@Dave *********

I got travel insurance thru Virgin Money

Get annual Gold policy and it covers trips up to 93 days

I have to declare high blood pressure and cholesterol

Good value at £240 per year

1

Dave **********

Dave **********

thanks for that

0

Ossie *********

Ossie *********

@Dave *********

you only need health insurance for an OA visa not an O visa but it’s wise to get travel insurance

1

Alan *******

Alan *******

yup, and if like me, the flight info i provided was the flight i booked immediately upon getting the evisa, as the turnaround can be just a few days.

1

Traceys *********

Traceys *********

Following

0

Activity

20 joined

Greg *****

Greg *****

Greg *****

Greg *****

Greg *****

Greg *****

20

people

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

Thai Visa Advice and Everything Else

...members60% approval

Member 1

Member 2

Member 3

Member 4

Member 5

Member 6

Member 7

Member 8

Conversation Join group

Related

25

Can I apply for a Non-O Visa from Laos or Vietnam after being in Thailand on a 30-day stamp?

What should I do about flight tickets when applying for a Non-O Visa while unsure of approval?

Do I need a return ticket to apply for a Non-O retirement visa from the Thai embassy in London?

How quickly can I get a Non-O visa approved for Thailand, and do I need to show onward travel?

Do I need to book my flight before applying for a Non-O visa and does it need to be a return ticket?

Can I apply for a Non-O visa in the UK and enter Thailand via Cambodia?

Are there any issues applying for a Non-O visa in Vietnam before going to Thailand?

What kind of proof of home address is required when applying for a DTV visa from Hanoi?

What should I fill in for the duration of stay on my non-O retirement visa application and can I travel with a one-way ticket?

Do I need to provide a return flight for a Non-O visa application in Thailand?

What should I know before applying for a Non-O Visa in Thailand through the eVisa system?

What documents do I need to apply for a No O visa in Laos?

What documentation is needed for proof of residency when applying for a Non-O visa in Thailand from India?

What are the steps and tips for applying for a non-O visa from Laos after leaving Thailand?

What are the requirements for applying for a Non-O retirement visa from Australia?

Do I need health insurance to apply for a 90-day Non-Immigrant Visa in Australia?

Can I apply for a Retirement visa in Thailand now or do I need to wait until I move there?

Is 90 days enough to apply for a retirement visa in Thailand after extending my 60 day exemption?

What should I do about providing a flight number when applying for the DTV in Thailand?

Why do I need to provide a departure date when applying for a Non-O visa in Thailand?

Do I need to rent an apartment in Thailand before applying for a destination visa, and are there alternative options?

Where should I apply for a DTV visa – from my country of residence or can I apply from another country?

Can I apply for multiple Non-O visas if I'm married to a Thai national?

When do I receive my new Non-O visa based on marriage after applying at Phuket Immigration?

Can I provide an unbooked flight number for my Non-O visa application in Thailand?

Resources

Cannabis shops near me Retirement visa extension eSIM for Thailand LTR visa qualification

Need help with your retirement visa?