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Do I need to buy an airline ticket before applying for a NON-O visa online in Thailand?
Nov 25, 2025
5 months ago
Greg *****
ORIGINAL POSTERTrying 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.
TLDR : 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.
NON-O RETIREMENT VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Go to the Retirement Visa Section for information on requirements, including age restrictions, financial requirements, and necessary documentation.
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the Non-O Retirement Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
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Michael ********
Yes at least have a reservation . They interested that you have booked a flight return
Graham ******
@Michael *******
no they are notGreg *****
ORIGINAL POSTER@Michael *******
why do you need a return flight. Want to extend 90 days to a year.Reply to
Greg *****
Reply
David **********
they need to know flight details to assess
Dylan ********
@David *********
to assess what?David **********
@Dylan *******
the visaDylan ********
@David *********
oh the Visa? I thought we were talking talking about dating.Reply to
Dylan ********
Reply
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.
btw….. I got approved in four days, which was surprising. I heard it can take up to three weeks.
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. 
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!
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!
Reply to
James *********
Reply
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.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
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
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.
Nongnuch ********
@Dylan *******
"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 enteredDylan ********
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.
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.
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!
Enjoy the adventure!
Dylan ********
@James ********
thanks! I’ve never been to Laos. I’m excited.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
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
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.James *********
I think that’s what was decided here if you read the comments
Reply to
James *********
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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
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 validityReply to
Nongnuch ********
Reply
Will ************
Just an estimate of date of arrival and flight number put departure date within 90 days of estimated arrival date
Michael ********
Just give them a proposed flight of when you want to come. There more looking how urgent your request is
Greg *****
ORIGINAL POSTERWon't let me proceed to next stage.
Greg *****
ORIGINAL POSTERCompulsory. Just going to give a flight number.
Yngve ***********
@Michael *******
I think departure date is optional...You don't have to...Michael ********
@Yngve **********
yes departure date not required for Non O applicationReply to
Michael ********
Reply
Harry ********
I was asked one time by IO for my boarding pass when I came through passport control that was a visa on entry
Harry ********
Thanks for the clarification
Nongnuch ********
@Harry *******
you didn't get a "visa on entry" . . not for you. You arrived without a visa and received a stay permit stampHarry ********
@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
Nongnuch ********
@Harry *******
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 extendableReply to
Nongnuch ********
Reply
Kevin ********
@Harry *******
yes you are suposed to keep your boarding pass for imigrationReply to
Kevin ********
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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.
Dave **********
@Dylan *******
just asking did you get health insurance for the 90 days and where did you get it if you don't mind thanksRichard *********
@Dave *********
not required.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
Dave **********
@Tom ******
thanks for thatReply to
Dave **********
Reply
Ossie *********
@Dave *********
you only need health insurance for an OA visa not an O visa but it’s wise to get travel insuranceReply to
Ossie *********
Reply
Alan *******
@Dylan *******
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.Reply to
Alan *******
Reply
Traceys *********
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Traceys *********
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