What are the options for onward or return tickets for the Non-O retirement visa in Thailand?

The Thai Embassy, US, asked me to provide documentation for the minor I was travelling with, which is very strange because I wasn't travelling with a minor. I wrote a note/letter explaining that I was travelling alone, with no minor, and I would not be able to provide documentation. I converted the letter into a PDF, then jpg, uploaded it and they seem to accept it because the gave me the visa.

Additionally, I used my condo instead of a hotel booking, they requested this same paperwork a couple of times. Condo paperwork is all in Thai and I didn't understand that my name was not on the front of the paperwork, so I uploaded the paperwork, they found it inadequate and re-requested. They requested 3 times. Hence, you may want to try the letter explaining your plans... They may accept it or reject it and re-request your onward travel documents.

That's really strange. You should be ok with one-way. Actually if you show them a return, they'd have a reason to refuse the visa. It's meant to stay in Thailand.

But okay, if you need to work around such stupidity, just book a flight that you can refund in full, and refund it after you get the visa.

It looks like none of the Thai Embassies are offering non 'O' multiple entry any longer.

Try a cheap buss ticket

In all legality, you have to show onward travel within your initial exempt or visa period in Thailand. Book a flight to Kuala Lumpur for the end of the initial visa period. Heck go hang out for a few days there. This will serve the purpose to get you into Thailand.

Try

@Bjørn **************

Our embassy in Norway doesn’t require onward ticket for a Non O visa. They even issues tourist visa just with an inbound ticket. Onward ticket it’s not required for Non Immigrant visas.

Required Documents:

1. Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months.

2. Photograph of the applicant, taken within the past six months.

3. Financial evidence in English: applicant’s bank statement showing a balance in the amount of not less than 800,000 Baht – or a pension certificate with a monthly salary, after-tax, of not less than 65,000 Baht/ 20,000 NOK, for example from NAV or insurance company (NOT selvangivelse or skatteoppgjør) –

or a combination of a deposit account plus a monthly pension totaling not less than 800,000 Baht a year.

4. Proof of accommodation: Copy of hotel reservation / rental contract/deed. In case of residing with a family, an invitation letter from the host family along with a copy of their undersigned Thai ID or house registration is required. The name of the applicant must be indicated clearly.

5. Copy of residence card or other evidence to prove that the applicant is legally residing in Norway (only for non-Norwegian and passport holders)

@Bjørn **************

The Non-Imm-O visa „365 days multi entry” option was discontinued in most European countries by October 2023.

Only single entry 90-days Non-Imm-O visa classes remained available

The ticket out of Thailand doesn’t have to be a “return-ticket”.

Just buy a cheap one-way Air Asia flight, for example Hat Yai to Kuala Lumpur, for something like 35.- US Dollar and upload it into the E-visa application

The evisa system doesn’t offer the option for multiple entry Non O visas. So any embassy or consulate that uses the system no longer offers them. Some local consulates like Savannakhet or HCMC will still offer them for marriage visas. I’m not aware of any that will offer for a retirement visa.

Google “onward ticket” and there loads of sites that will sell you a “real” ticket for around $15. They are absolutely valid for visa applications as they are a valid ticket. It’s just they haven’t been paid for and they won’t be.

Alternatively you could buy a cheap throwaway ticket like Bangkok to Cambodia or even an international train or bus ticket. The latter two have to be international not to just a border town.

Very few multi entry visas available possibly because if you are in Thailand for more than 180 days a year you are considered to be tax resident and will have to submit a tax return based on worldwide income