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Why is a return flight ticket required for the Non-O visa application in Thailand?
Non-O VisaVisa ApplicationFlight Ticket RequirementVisa RegulationsThailand ConsulateExpat AdviceTravel Tips
Feb 6, 2026
3 months ago
Eric ********
ORIGINAL POSTERAccording to the Los Angeles consulate, A requirement to obtain a Non- O visa is to have a return flight ticket to the United States. Can anyone tell me why this is and when you have to show you have the ticket? Once I am in Thailand I have no plans to return to the US at any point in the near future. So what do I do with the ticket or do you buy a return ticket that is refundable?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The need for a return flight ticket for the Non-O visa is a common point of confusion among applicants. According to the Los Angeles consulate, a flight out of Thailand is necessary, but opinions vary on whether this is strictly enforced. Some users suggest using a 'dummy' ticket or a low-cost flight to a nearby country as a workaround. Others mention experiences where they were not asked for a ticket or were only required to provide a flight number. Various consulates appear to have different requirements, and it may be advisable to check with the consulate from which one is applying.
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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Normand **********
They are fed up with Americans here please don’t come
Andreas *********
it will ask for "intended departure", not asking for a real ticket
Eric ********
ORIGINAL POSTERAndreas Mueller excellent! Thank you 🙏
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Eric ********
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Doug *******
I’m pretty certain you do not need an actual ticket but you can easily locate a flight number relevant to your suggested date of departure and just enter that.
Eric ********
ORIGINAL POSTERDoug Olson so, that worked for you?
Doug *******
Eric Duggan Well sort of… I did have a refundable return ticket but all I entered was the flight number and was never asked about an actual ticket. They are much less studious of people who have a non O compared to visa exempt.
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Doug *******
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Ralph *******
I thought you didn’t need a return ticket for the non O?
Kenny *****
I just purchased round trip ticket 2 yrs ago for the OA visa, and cancel the return trip before it expires, paid some penalty and got refund of the return trip. I treat it as part of the expense for the long stay here, no big deal.
Jay ****
They're all different. Buy a dummy ticket the day you submit application or use a different consulate . You DO NOT have to "use the one that serves your state" BS that's said online. Ive used 5 different consulates and now only prefer the DC one as it's the quickest turnaround.
SupportiveC***********
Jay Wb What Does DC Stand For Jay ? Tnx In Advance. JD.
Jay ****
SupportiveCapybara4727 in America. Washington DC. District of Columbia. Headquarters of the corporation of the usa.
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Jay ****
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Doug *******
Jay Wb So in your experience, applying for a non O visa redundantly has not been an issue? Somebody said if you apply for a second non O they might ask why you didn’t follow through with the retirement extension the first time. It didn’t seem like legitimate advice to me.
Jay ****
Doug Olson i applied for and recieved multiple visas from multiple consulates. Now that I've been age eligible for non o, I've been living on extensions from an original non o. I absolutely could have applied for repeat 90 day non o visas based on my circumstances but decided after much wasted money and time, that 12 month retirement extensions would be best. Not everyone's situation is the same, but regular non o retirement is straight fwd.
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Jay ****
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Atrustwor*********
Jay Wb You have had 5 x Non O visa ?
Jay ****
AtrustworthyJaguar did you read non o?? Comprehension is everything. I said visas. Now I have been on extensions of a non o.
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Jay ****
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Eric ********
ORIGINAL POSTERJay Wb Thank you so much for sharing this information 🙏
Doug *******
Jay Wb Wow this is interesting info. So you entered the same zip code for each application at five different consulates? Good to know this. My application at Chicago was approved in one week.
Jay ****
Doug Olson i entered all the same address and info as asked. Never once returned, forward or denied.
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Jay ****
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Memorabl*********
Get a dummy ticket 2 days before , will cost you about $12
Alan *******
I have used the onward ticket option for 60 day visa exempt and that has got me through the airport but dont forget if you dont purchase full price it expires in 48 hours so if its on an application and they check the flight it may be expired and they may reject application ,worth a try i guess.
Memorabl*********
Alan Moore just buy the day before
Alan *******
MemorableSeal8673 Thats exactly what i do ,that gets me to my destination before it expires ,all i am saying if you try that in an application for a visa which takes time you could get caught out if they check with the airline
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Alan *******
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Deborah *******
MemorableSeal8673
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Andreas *********
@Deborah ******
you can't use this for an application to a visa. The applicaton will be rejected when uploading a fake ticket. You can't be serious!Reply to
Andreas *********
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She ****
MemorableSeal8673 right
David ********
MemorableSeal8673 who sells the dummy tickets?
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David ********
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John **********
It does say a flight out of Thailand, not a flight back to your home country. A cheap flight to a nearby country should suffice
Eric ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
got it John. Thank you 🙏Reply to
Eric ********
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Andrew ********
Check with another consulate i swear they come out with some really dumb crap non-o is meant to be long term never heard of that one thus far but if they insist once you get the visa approved tou can just cancel the return flight and is refundable - that is a first - return ticket is for tourist
Brandon ************
According to them where? It's not a requirement and it's never asked for.
Deborah *******
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John **********
@Brandon ***********
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Wannikea *********
@John *********
it says flight itinerary not ticket.Eric ********
ORIGINAL POSTERWannikea Wanblee Yes, you are right. I stand corrected. How would one show an itinerary?
Brandon ************
@Eric *******
there's not even anywhere to upload an itinerary in the application. There's a single plane where it asks for the date you'll be leaving Thailand. You just need to put a date within 90 days of the date you put for your expected arrival, since it's a 90 day visa. That's it.Eric ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Brandon ***********
Great information. Thank you Brandon 🙏Reply to
Eric ********
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Mike *************
@John *********
It's not a requirement (did the Non-O w/ the DC Embassy on Jan 9th - no flight out needed) so this is just more proof that LA is fkd. Refundable tickets are expensive but that's one option, *make sure it's refundable. Airmiles tickets are refundable with most airmiles plans. Last option is a cheap throwaway ticket to a border country. Vietnam one way flights can be as cheap as $35-$50USD.Deborah *******
Mike Deslauriers I did a Non OA in October also from the LA office. You did the Non OW we have long stay visa’s. They treat the Non O similar to the METV except you get 90 days to extend for the 1 yr giving the person 15 months. I could be wrong but it appears that if the person doesn’t open the bank account during that time they HAVE TO leave the country. I don’t know why people don’t do the Non OA eliminating the need to get an agent to show the 800k baht in a Thai bank. I for one want to have insurance over here anyway so that didn’t bother me. I’m 65 I pay $143 a month for basic medical/hospital coverage that meets the requirement for immigration.
I have Medicare in the states which will reimburse for certain emergencies, but I still have to pay the hospital upfront then Medicare will reimburse. I heard that the $800k baht was to cover you in the event of medical expenses because Thailand does not provide free healthcare. That is understandable, to me, it’s tie up 800k baht or pay a monthly/yearly premium. The only exception should be military which some of the hospitals here now accept the military insurance Tri-Care.
I have Medicare in the states which will reimburse for certain emergencies, but I still have to pay the hospital upfront then Medicare will reimburse. I heard that the $800k baht was to cover you in the event of medical expenses because Thailand does not provide free healthcare. That is understandable, to me, it’s tie up 800k baht or pay a monthly/yearly premium. The only exception should be military which some of the hospitals here now accept the military insurance Tri-Care.
Don *********
Medicare only reimburses if you are a tourist, out of the country 30 days or less.
Eric ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Deborah ******
What is your insurance carrier?Reply to
Eric ********
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