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What should I do about the departure date on my Digital Arrival Card with a Non O visa for retirement in Thailand?

Jul 12, 2025
2 days ago
Frazer ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Just got my Non O visa and looking at the Digital Arrival Card, they are asking for my departure date. I'm looking to permanently retire there so what have people been doing to get around this instead of buying a return ticket. I really don't want to purchase a ticket and only get a credit towards another ticket in the future as it'll likely never be used.

Thanks In advance.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
When applying for a Non-O visa and filling out the Digital Arrival Card, you may leave the departure date blank as it is not a required field (noted by the absence of an asterisk). Many expats advise against purchasing a return ticket if you plan to retire in Thailand, suggesting instead to either leave the departure date blank or enter a random date. Some users have opted for cheaper alternatives, like purchasing a bus ticket as proof of onward travel. It's recommended to be straightforward with airline staff, letting them know about your retirement visa to avoid complications.
Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC)

WARNING: Only trust Thai government websites with .go.th domains or Thai agent websites with .co.th or .in.th domains, as these require verified Thai registration and cannot be registered anonymously.

The official TDAC form is available at tdac.immigration.go.th, which uses the official .go.th government domain.

The services by AGENTS CO., LTD. does NOT charge any fees for arrivals within 72 hours. If you need to book more than 72 hours in advance, there is a service fee of $8.

Do not trust other sites pretending to be a trustworthy agency. Pay attention to delivery time - the service operated by AGENTS CO., LTD. has 1 minute delivery time for arrivals within 72 hours.

Don't fall for sites pretending to be agents.co.th or the official government tdac.immigration.go.th website. Always double-check the exact domain in your browser.

Scam services may take days to process your application, others may not even do anything. With these TDAC scam services you also need to worry about double charges.

Please watch out for TDAC misinformation spread by fugitive Jesse Nickles and his many fake accounts on Quora, TripAdvisor, Reddit, and other platforms.

TRUSTED TDAC LINKS:

Official Government TDAC Form: tdac.immigration.go.th
Official TDAC form by AGENTS
Official TDAC information page by AGENTS (tdac.agents.co.th)

Frazer ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Want to thank everyone for their comments and advice. Been going to Thailand every year since 2010, except during Covid.

Looking forward to living there full time.
Sean ********
I just did it from Manchester to Bangkok with Emirates, Non O.

No onward flight, left blank, told Emirates staff at check in, I had a retirement visa, no problem. obviously no problem at Thailand immigration.
Dwayne ********
With every ‘Non-O’ I’ve gotten, only did a “one way flight” with no return or onward. Return flights are usually for Tourists or Exempt.
Will *********
Sweden actually has quite a lot of snow....Vvis with good ground clearance and the right tires are actually quite good in snow.

Had both, loved both.
MJ ******
Hi
@Frazer *****
me and my husband are thinking to do the same for None O, have you got a Thai bank account yet? We are in the middle of figuring out how to get that. Thank!
Frazer ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@MJ *****
Not yet. Will be one of the first items on my to do list. We live in Nonthaburi Thailand, not many foreigners around where I live so it could be a challenge.
Rok ********
Departure detailed not red starred / not compulsory info.
Michael ***************
If you have a non O visa departure date not required
Roland **********
Since it is not a red * (Asterisk)

This is optional information. Also applies to visa number and middle name.
Paul *******
If worried, you can buy a bus ticket online for proof of onward travel . Much cheaper than a plane ticket
Chris ******
I put random date and hotel came through yesterday no problems
Kevin ******
Leave blank
Malcolm *******
Leave blank , not needed .
Bob **********
You can leave it blank
Val *********
We left it blank and bought one way ticket. No questions asked at the immigration desk on arrival
Gordon *******
@Val ********
did u fly from UK
Val *********
@Gordon ******
yes we did. From London Heathrow
Peter **********
put the date of end date of visa
Robin *******
I just put a random date down it worked for me
Garrett ***********
@Robin ******
Don't do that
Neil ********
@Robin ******
don’t do that. It’s then in the system and they may question why you did not depart.
Neil ********
You leave the departure blank. Everything will be okay.

If there is no asterisk then you are not required to fill in
Brandon ************
Departure is not required. Don't even touch it and leave it blank. If you touch it, then all the fields become required.
Robin *******
@Brandon ***********
I just learned something thanks Brandon
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