Thailand’s eVisa On Arrival (eVOA) service is now live

 

 

Image: Thai Immigration

 

Thailand’s new eVisa On Arrival (eVOA) service is now up and running and available to visitors from China, India and nineteen other eligible nations.

 

At a media event on Friday, Immigration chief Surachate Hakpal said the eVOA service was available to tourist at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Chiang Mai and Phuket airports.

 

The new eVOA service eliminates the need for tourists to fill in paperwork on arrival and avoid getting stuck in long queues at Immigration.

 

Pol. Lt. Gen. Surachate said that 89 people, mostly from China and India, had used the service since it went live on February 14th.

 

Applications for eVOA are made through https://thailandevoa.vfsevisa.com/

 

Currently the eVOA is available to nationals from Andorra, Bhutan, China, Ethiopia, Fiji, India, Kazakhstan, Maldives, Mauritius, Papua New Guinea, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

 

 

From April 1st, it is planned that nationals from Britain and France will also be able to use the service.

 

Tourists can apply from 30 days up to 24 hours before they are due to arrive in the country.

 

There is also an express eVOA for passengers who may urgently need to travel to Thailand.

 

Passengers travelling on Thai Airways can also apply for eVOA when buying flight tickets on the airline’s website.

 

This isn’t the first time Thailand has launched its eVOA system.

 

The old system was launched last year but was cancelled after foreign tourists complained it didn’t work properly.

 

Thai immigration then partnered with VFS Global and a new system was designed.

 

Commenting on the new eVOA service, Pol. Lt. Gen. Surachate said: “With the eVOA service, we are proud to offer a new age digital solution which enhance the overall experience for the modern day traveller who seeks to visit Thailand from 21 countries across the globe.

 

“In our cooperation with the world's largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions VFS Global, we aim to effectively meet the objective of increasing tourism to the country through this solution especially taking into consideration, the all-important security aspect that allows pre-check of travellers prior the arrival, as it offers time to the Immigration Bureau for effective assessment.”

 

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2019-02-16

 

 

great but they have not done US and Australia, even Russia and these 3 are all major tourism countries for Thailand, really have to wonder why they did countries with few tourists first, maybe because it was easy and required less work

Just now, seajae said:

great but they have not done US and Australia, even Russia and these 3 are all major tourism countries for Thailand, really have to wonder why they did countries with few tourists first, maybe because it was easy and required less work

Those counties eligible are the only countries that qualify for a 15 day visa on arrival which normally requires a 2000 baht fee to get.

The other countries you mentioned get a 30 day visa exempt entry. Like a long list of other countries do. See here for the list.

http://www.consular.go.th/main/contents/filemanager/VISA/Visa on Arrival/VOA.pdf

There has other news articles about the possibility of applying for tourist visas online but that has not happened yet.

15 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

From April 1st, it is planned that nationals from Britain and France will also be able to use the service.

The above is only to submit applications online so it is a misleading statement since the applicant still has go to the embassy to complete the application.

23 minutes ago, seajae said:

great but they have not done US and Australia, even Russia and these 3 are all major tourism countries for Thailand, really have to wonder why they did countries with few tourists first, maybe because it was easy and required less work

What China and India???

47 minutes ago, seajae said:

great but they have not done US and Australia, even Russia and these 3 are all major tourism countries for Thailand, really have to wonder why they did countries with few tourists first, maybe because it was easy and required less work

Haha. Where did you hear that?

Majority of tourists and money come from China and India. Check the stats. http://www.atta.or.th/?p=4019

Good news , it is a move in the right direction partnering with VSF Global and I think K-Bank is the back portal for payment.

 

If hey can make it work, Immigration and foreign Affair  will possibly extend the service to more countries.

 

 

Hopefully Local Immigration may use it for expats to apply for extension filling the form and scanning the documents so we can have queue number  when  the officer have already checked the application.

 

 

 

3 hours ago, rooster59 said:

From April 1st, it is planned that nationals from Britain and France will also be able to use the service.

Interesting choice of date. Lol. 

3 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

The above is only to submit applications online so it is a misleading statement since the applicant still has go to the embassy to complete the application.

Any further details on that? I thought from April 1st I was going to be able to get a visa by applying online and picking up on arrival, like when entering Vietnam, so that isn't the case? 

11 minutes ago, bananafish said:

Any further details on that? I thought from April 1st I was going to be able to get a visa by applying online and picking up on arrival, like when entering Vietnam, so that isn't the case? 

No it is not going to work that way.

Have a look at this video. https://thaievisa.go.th/Images/sliders/e-visa.mp4

Or here: https://thaievisa.go.th/Home/

4 hours ago, seajae said:

great but they have not done US and Australia, even Russia and these 3 are all major tourism countries for Thailand, really have to wonder why they did countries with few tourists first, maybe because it was easy and required less work

Hey, what about U.K. ? 

37 minutes ago, Wiggy said:

Interesting choice of date. Lol. 

Plus nationalities bearing in mind that it's 3 days after Brexit!

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

No it is not going to work that way.

Have a look at this video. https://thaievisa.go.th/Images/sliders/e-visa.mp4

Or here: https://thaievisa.go.th/Home/

And, it should be mentioned, that once this system is fully live, it appears that postal applications won't be possible. That means that I and people like me, who live in UK and want an SETV, will have to travel to the Embassy in London to get their visa whereas hitherto, one could apply by post - my latest one was posted to the embassy on the Monday and my PP with visa arrived back on the Thursday which was excellent service.

I'm definitely NOT impressed with this new"improvement"!  

Edited February 16, 20197 yr by VBF

I’m shocked they even knew these countries existed-isn’t Fuji water?

5 hours ago, seajae said:

great but they have not done US and Australia, even Russia and these 3 are all major tourism countries for Thailand, really have to wonder why they did countries with few tourists first, maybe because it was easy and required less work

Well people from China are the number one tourists, so it would make sense for them to start with China.

1 minute ago, Splash210 said:

Well people from China are the number one tourists, so it would make sense for them to start with China.

Yep the Chinese looking to visit countries less polluted than their own.  Thailand is slightly not as bad as China.  But it soon will be

8 hours ago, seajae said:

great but they have not done US and Australia, even Russia and these 3 are all major tourism countries for Thailand, really have to wonder why they did countries with few tourists first, maybe because it was easy and required less work

I don't think Russians need a visa?

3 hours ago, VBF said:

And, it should be mentioned, that once this system is fully live, it appears that postal applications won't be possible. That means that I and people like me, who live in UK and want an SETV, will have to travel to the Embassy in London to get their visa whereas hitherto, one could apply by post - my latest one was posted to the embassy on the Monday and my PP with visa arrived back on the Thursday which was excellent service.

I'm definitely NOT impressed with this new"improvement"!  

 

Yes, I have to agree that the London Embassy's postal service is great. I just done a visa renewal by post, and I don't think it could of been any quicker! With them Monday morning, back with me Wednesday morning. 

 

A few questions I will need answers to like of...

 

Will my father be able to renew his 1 year ME visa, using his State Pension letter, as currently. 

 

How big a time window do you get to arrange the visit to the Embassy (for availability & price of flights to London and back from Edinburgh). Probably an overnight stay in London, as you have to be there early.  Then if you have to collect it again at a later date (oops you need it as photo ID for the return flight, where's my DL), and how long do you get to arrange the collection.

 

Will the consulates, such as Glasgow be able to apply a Visa to a Passport, once approved?

 

Likely I'll have to be back from Thailand when all these visits to London are needed.  So I need the detail to book my BBK EDI flight in November. 

 

So if visits to London, that's probably at least 6 return flights to London per Year. 

 

Detail eagerly awaited!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So what is the use of that for the French and British ? Imagine me going to Paris from Cannes, a return air ticket, and two nights hotel. / spending money plus visa costs. Plus you’re not even sure of getting a visa as Paris are one abomination ! That’s why I always come in without a visa sincé monaco and Marseille consulats closed down. 

If this system system is copied from the VFS system the UK uses in Bangkok, It is very  inconvenient for anyone not staying in proximity to the relevant office.

 

Thinking of VFS Bangkok Slightly of Topic, 

)

Edited February 16, 20197 yr by johnwf1963

7 hours ago, Naamblar2014 said:

Yep the Chinese looking to visit countries less polluted than their own.  Thailand is slightly not as bad as China.  But it soon will be

I find Bkk streets exceptionally clean.I look out for litter their isn't any,occasionally I come across a plastic bag I just pick it up.

1 minute ago, Percy P said:

I find Bkk streets exceptionally clean.I look out for litter their isn't any,occasionally I come across a plastic bag I just pick it up. Thai people just walk past it but am I committing an offence as it's something a Thai person can do.

 

https://thaievisa.go.th/Home/

typically thai IT ,  a 404 error ????

does indeed look like a downgrade on the mail in service and be a ballache doing appointments for all who want a visa .

Why they couldn't do setv evisa like cambodia been doing for years is beyond me .

12 hours ago, bananafish said:

Any further details on that? I thought from April 1st I was going to be able to get a visa by applying online and picking up on arrival, like when entering Vietnam, so that isn't the case? 

unfortunately not, that would of been smart thing do for certain criteria but they call it evisa when in reality for likes of setv it nothing more than online appointment booking for the embassy .

and the visa fees going up too ...

How is this good news, I am failing to understand?

 

Currently, VOA is free until the end of April, then supposedly it's back to the regular 2,000 baht.

 

On top of that, 600 baht is added for regular 3 day e-visa processing, or 2,500 baht is added for 24 hour processing, bringing the cost of a 24 hour decision on e-VOA to 4,500 baht ???

 

"Good news" is that also they will start milking more fees (at least 600 baht more I am guessing, in service fees), from UK and France in the near future, probably for SETV?

Edited February 16, 20197 yr by lkv

^

it not really good news in any way when look at the full picture .

What should of been simpler VOA and SETV is going be more money and more running about pending on country you from and what current services you had ...

Only thais could add what is a simpler system yet actually make it more work and charge more too ????

Going be fun for London consulate if indeed have do visit appointment for every applicant  lol ... one would hope do keep a post in option of passport but looking unlikely from poor details released so far .

Edited February 17, 20197 yr by BuckBee

49 minutes ago, BuckBee said:

Only thais could add what is a simpler system yet actually make it more work and charge more too ????

Going be fun for London consulate if indeed have do visit appointment for every applicant  lol ... one would hope do keep a post in option of passport but looking unlikely from poor details released so far .

Indeed! In the same way that Retirees are being messed about by all the changes in financial and administrative requirements, now it seem that anyone even visiting Thailand for more than a simple 30 day holiday is being made to feel unwelcome. I've never subscribed to the "they just don't want foreigners in Thailand" but more and more it's feeling that way!  

I do hope that the Embassies reintroduce the postal application or make it a proper e-Visa just like Cambodia does. As I say, I hope, BUT.........

18 hours ago, VBF said:

And, it should be mentioned, that once this system is fully live, it appears that postal applications won't be possible. That means that I and people like me, who live in UK and want an SETV, will have to travel to the Embassy in London to get their visa whereas hitherto, one could apply by post - my latest one was posted to the embassy on the Monday and my PP with visa arrived back on the Thursday which was excellent service.

I'm definitely NOT impressed with this new"improvement"!  

Can't you just step in to local Thai consulate nearest your city after the appointment is set-up, is everything now being centralised to London EMBASSY ?

33 minutes ago, freedomnow said:

Can't you just step in to local Thai consulate nearest your city after the appointment is set-up, is everything now being centralised to London EMBASSY ?

The online applications can only be done to the embassy in London.

You will be able to apply in person for certain visas like before at one of the honorary consulates.

4 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

The online applications can only be done to the embassy in London.

You will be able to apply in person for certain visas like before at one of the honorary consulates.

@freedomnow I fear that at least part of my point has been missed, partly because i didn't mention that the London Embassy IS the "local Thai consulate nearest my city." 

Even visiting it will take nearly a day of my time.  For people living in (say) Devon it will be a real hassle both in terms of time and expense. They will need to travel either to London for this new method or Cardiff to get a visa as before. 

 

My point is that until now one has had the opportunity to apply by post for a Tourist Visa and therefore no need to visit anything except the local post office to send the paperwork off.

Apparently the postal method will not be available soon.

 

@ubonjoe Do you see any likelihood of this new approach turning into a proper eVisa OR the postal application being reinstated?

Edited February 17, 20197 yr by VBF