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What do I need to know about applying for a Non-O/A e-visa in the UAE, specifically regarding flight tickets and Thai phone numbers?

Non-O/A Visa Thai Visa Application Visa Rules Thai Immigration Travel to Thailand Thai Consulate in UAE Expats in Thailand

Apr 29, 2025

10 hours ago

Nick *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi everyone, I'm in the process of applying for a non-immigrant O/A e-visa through the Thai Consulate in the UAE and have a couple of questions. I wrote to them but they only answered one and ignored the other two. I'm hoping you can help. The first is about our air tickets. The form asks for arrival and departure dates, so do we need to buy return tickets and get a refund once the retirement visa is issued in Bangkok? The form also requires a Thai phone number. I thought I could select a UAE one, but that option is not there. Is there an e-sim we can buy from outside Thailand that would be acceptable? I've found some, but without an ID card, I can only buy a tourist SIM and am not sure it would be acceptable.

Thanks in advance for your help.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is seeking guidance on applying for a Non-O/A e-visa from the Thai Consulate in the UAE and has specific queries about flight arrangements and providing a Thai phone number. Responses indicate that purchasing return tickets is not necessary; an itinerary suffices. As for the Thai phone number, having a local contact is recommended, and the necessity of providing a valid phone number may vary. The application will not be processed in Bangkok but will be sent by email. Residents of the UAE can typically apply online for this visa.

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Floyd ******

Just two things to be aware of.

make sure your phone is not locked and has a SIM card.

have any forms you may need to change your direct deposit to the Thai Bank.

9 hours ago

Nick *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks,

@Fl***

. Noted.

6 hours ago

Reply to

Nick *******

Wannikea *********

Neither is a mandatory field to fill in. The application is a generic template.

10 hours ago

Nick *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

If memory serves,

@Wann****

, the field has a red asterisk against it, so I assumed it was mandatory. I’ll check again, thanks.

9 hours ago

Reply to

Nick *******

Nongnuch ********

are you resident in the UAE? Only residents can apply for a Non-Imm-O/A visa by the E-Visa online system of their home country. The visa will not be issued in Bangkok, but sent to you by email from the Thai diplomatic mission in the UAE

10 hours ago

Nick *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Yes, long time residents,

@Nong****

. Thanks.

9 hours ago

Reply to

Nick *******

Stuart *********

Usually the Non OA visa is only available from your home country or country of legal residence. If you reside legally in the UAE then that may be OK.

Not sure about the reference “once the retirement visa is issued in Bangkok”. The Non OA visa IS the visa. If issued it’s valid for a year and multiple entry so you can come and go as you please. Each entry you’d be stamped in for 365 days (or as long as your health insurance is valid for).

With the correct timing of a bounce out and back before the visa expires (and a new year long health insurance) you can get almost two years out of that visa.

Not sure about the Thai phone number part. Haven’t used the evisa system for ages. Perhaps others can advise.

10 hours ago

Nick *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

I did wonder,

@Stu***

, but we were advised that the Non OA was a 90-day visa which would give you time once in Thailand to find and get proof of a permanent address, open a Thai bank account and deposit the 800,000 THB (each, presumably). If this is it, it would make life a lot easier. We’ve been resident in Dubai for 20 years. Thanks for your help.

9 hours ago

Stuart *********

@Nick ******

Ok. A Non O visa is what you describe. It’s valid for one single entry and you’d get a stamp for 90 days. Get all your ducks in a row and you can apply for a yearly extension off of that.

A Non OA visa is valid for a year, on each entry you get stamped in for a year - it does require mandatory health insurance and a medical and police check and is only available from your home country or country of legal residence.

9 hours ago

Graham ******

@Nick ******

That's the Non-O not the Non-OA

9 hours ago

Reply to

Graham ******

Jan ******************

You don’t have to buy tickets for a Non O-A visa, only give a itinerary. Do you have someone you know in Thailand, just give the Thai number as a contact person.

10 hours ago

Nick *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Forgot - no, don’t know anyone I’d feel comfortable asking to use their number,

@J**

9 hours ago

Jan ******************

@Nick ******

Ok, when I applied for a Non O recently I just filled in a flight number, not e-ticket number. Flight numbers are easy to find if you make itinerary. I just gave a number to a Thai person as I stayed private. If you’re going to stay in a hotel, just give the hotel number. The system never asked for my own Thai number.

9 hours ago

Reply to

Jan ******************

Nick *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thanks,

@J**

. I think it asks for the e-ticket number, but if a one way ticket is acceptable, it would save money on getting the refund. Thanks.

9 hours ago

Reply to

Nick *******

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