Thai visa woes: From easy as pie to digital fly, book before you buy

[webfact]

Once upon a time, jetting off for a Thai visa was as easy as pie. A quick border dash to a nearby country, pop into a consulate in Laos, Malaysia, or Vietnam, and voilà! You’d be done and dusted, ready for an evening drink by the Mekong River. Ah, the good old days!

 

But hold onto your hats, because the digital age has swept in like a whirlwind, turning the visa game on its head. In recent years, many consulates have swapped the spontaneous stroll-in method for an appointment-only system, meaning you have to jump online and nab a slot before making your visa run.

 

Now, brace yourselves: several Thai consulates in the region have ditched paper applications altogether, opting for the online-exclusive e-visa route. Others still cling to the good old-fashioned paper method but insist on an online appointment first. Confused about which consulate offers what? Don’t fret! Here’s the ultimate guide to prevent a wasted trip across the border.

 

Consulates going E-visa only

These days, some consulates won’t even entertain the idea of a face-to-face submission. Moving exclusively to e-visas are:

 

Vietnam: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City
Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kota Bharu
Cambodia: Phnom Penh

Thinking of strolling in? Think again! Applications must be submitted online, and here’s a crucial tip: you’ve got to be in the country where the Thai consulate is based when applying. Unfortunately, no cheeky attempts from afar are allowed.

 

E-visa dilemma

 

Now, the e-visa concept might sound as smooth as silk—head to Vietnam, apply online, and zip back post-application. But here’s where it gets sticky: what if they ask for more documents after you’ve returned home? Or worse, if they reject your application, you’re stuck reapplying. Suddenly, staying put for the 5-10 day processing time seems unavoidable, turning the supposedly slick e-visa tech into a sticky wicket compared to the speedy traditional walk-in approach, Thailand Life reported.

 

Consulates requiring appointments for paper applications

 

Prefer the tangible world of paper? Some consulates still accept in-person submissions but demand an online appointment first. This mixed-method madness is available at:

 

Laos: Vientiane, Savannakhet
Myanmar: Yangon

While they technically offer walk-ins, don’t try rocking up unannounced—you’ll need that online appointment as your golden ticket. Rumours suggest agents may help you nab an appointment (for a fee, of course), but tread cautiously.

Walk-ins still welcome here

 

For those who crave nostalgia, a handful of consulates still embrace the classic walk-in system without appointments:

 

Indonesia: Jakarta
Taiwan: Taipei
Philippines: Manila

Special note for marriage-based non-immigrant O visas

 

For those gunning for the long-term, marriage-based Non-O visa, a once-hot commodity in Ho Chi Minh City, the shift to e-visas means looking elsewhere. Savannakhet in Laos and Yangon in Myanmar are now your best bets.

 

E-visa futures

 

As the e-visa trend continues, globetrotters and expats must fine-tune their Thai visa strategy. Spontaneous jaunts to Laos or unplanned flights to Penang are fading into memory. With digital control tightening, who knows which consulate will be the next to switch? Stay sharp and double-check the specifics for each location before packing those bags. The visa landscape is shifting—don’t be caught off guard!

 

by Bob Scott

Picture courtesy of Royal Thai Visa

 

Source: The Thaiger 

-- 2024-10-30

 

 

[Pattaya57]

How does any of the following paragraph make sense? You are saying someone would think to go to Vietnam, make e-visa application and then go home to await the issued visa. The whole point of the trip was to get the visa to allow you to go home, so why (or how) would someone think to go home without it?

 

E-visa dilemma

Now, the e-visa concept might sound as smooth as silk—head to Vietnam, apply online, and zip back post-application. But here’s where it gets sticky: what if they ask for more documents after you’ve returned home? Or worse, if they reject your application, you’re stuck reapplying. Suddenly, staying put for the 5-10 day processing time seems unavoidable, turning the supposedly slick e-visa tech into a sticky wicket compared to the speedy traditional walk-in approach, Thailand Life reported.

 

[CLW]

1 hour ago, Pattaya57 said:

How does any of the following paragraph make sense? You are saying someone would think to go to Vietnam, make e-visa application and then go home to await the issued visa. The whole point of the trip was to get the visa to allow you to go home, so why (or how) would someone think to go home without it?

 

E-visa dilemma

Now, the e-visa concept might sound as smooth as silk—head to Vietnam, apply online, and zip back post-application. But here’s where it gets sticky: what if they ask for more documents after you’ve returned home? Or worse, if they reject your application, you’re stuck reapplying. Suddenly, staying put for the 5-10 day processing time seems unavoidable, turning the supposedly slick e-visa tech into a sticky wicket compared to the speedy traditional walk-in approach, Thailand Life reported.

 

Absolutely agree. The paragraph doesn't make sense. Usually you go abroad, hand in your application, wait a few days and enter Thailand with that particular new visa. The only difference between e-visa and paper application is indeed the longer waiting time. 5-10 days vs 2-3 days

[Cabradelmar]

Getting a visa shouldn't be easy as pie. It should require effort and diligence. It's only a problem if valid applications get denied. And just because you are denied doesn't mean your request was valid to begin with. 

[Liquorice]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Now, brace yourselves: several Thai consulates in the region have ditched paper applications altogether, opting for the online-exclusive e-visa route. Others still cling to the good old-fashioned paper method but insist on an online appointment first. Confused about which consulate offers what? Don’t fret! Here’s the ultimate guide to prevent a wasted trip across the border.

The Embassies/Consulates don't have an option.
It forced upon them by the MFA.

 

Prepare for all Thai Embassies/Consulates to go online in the near future.

[Pattaya57]

14 minutes ago, CLW said:

The only difference between e-visa and paper application is indeed the longer waiting time. 5-10 days vs 2-3 days

 

My non-imm O e-visa was approved and sent to me within 72 hours. I applied on a Wednesday and it arrived on the Saturday, so it was not restricted to business days.

 

[Guderian]

It's years since I did any travelling in SE Asia, but I remember when Cambodia started its e-visa scheme 20-odd years ago that it was a Godsend. A simple online application process, and it meant when you entered the country at a dodgy land border crossing like Cham Yeam you were no longer subject to the scams and "price adjustments" beloved of the local Khmer Immigration officers. 

[hotchilli]

Eternal changes... this might actually work.

[biggles45]

Also be aware that though Manila accepts in person only, processing takes two working days. Apply before 12noon day 1,pickup after 3pm day 3

And if you are taking a Filipina with you there is no charge for her tourist visa - ASEAN concession) 

[degodasilva]

35 minutes ago, Guderian said:

It's years since I did any travelling in SE Asia, but I remember when Cambodia started its e-visa scheme 20-odd years ago that it was a Godsend. A simple online application process, and it meant when you entered the country at a dodgy land border crossing like Cham Yeam you were no longer subject to the scams and "price adjustments" beloved of the local Khmer Immigration officers. 

20 years, are you sure about that?

[degodasilva]

1 minute ago, degodasilva said:

20 years, are you sure about that?

Yes, it looks like it started in 2006. 

 

Wow, time flies.

[harryviking]

All the excitement and fun is now mostly gone. I guess start looking to new places for next 5 yo 6 months stay is imminent. I am in Europe so there are many new options available. The good old days are gone. 

[morocco]

24 minutes ago, degodasilva said:

20 years, are you sure about that?

The last 17 or 18 years for sure.

[DrJack54]

Off topic post removed 

[node]

A two friends were in Japan and did not realized that the passports (Bahamian); they are carrying required an eVisa to enter Thailand. 

They caught a plane, and arrives into Singapore Sunday gone, hoping to get their eVisa at the Royal Thai consulate there on Monday.

They were told, they can apply, but they have to stay put in Singapore for 15 days for the eVisa. 

Not sure this is normal. They decided to head out to Edinburgh on Thursday.

 

[sikishrory]

Whats the racket with the visa forms at Vientiane? I have to go in a few weeks for dtv and i remember something about a scam to do with their forms involving the stall out the front?? Can you use a form downloaded from their website?

[pacovl46]

Well, given the extremely long queues in Vientianne I'm not surprised they're trying to do something. I'd like to know, if it has actually improved the situation in Vientianne. 

[geisha]

What about those who do border hops with the Pattaya agencies ?  ( I’ve never done that ) Can they come in on a turnaround like before and get their 60 days Visa Exempt or not ??  Will it depend on the immigration officer who stamps you in ? 
Myself, I would probably do just the three months allowed ( 60 days + 1 extension ) instead of the 5 months I usually do. 
I wouldn’t fancy being locked out for some reason or other and all my belongings in my rental condo. 

[retayl]

If applying online how will the local embassy establish you are in that country? Surely the use of a VPN would give the appearance of being in that country. Or am I missing somethin?

[DrJack54]

3 hours ago, geisha said:

What about those who do border hops with the Pattaya agencies ?  ( I’ve never done that ) Can they come in on a turnaround like before and get their 60 days Visa Exempt or not ?

Yes.

The thread is about obtaining an eVisa. 

That's different to simple border bounce to obtain visa exempt entry to obtain 60 day stamp. 

Plenty of companies operating from Pattaya.

Here is one link. Good idea to use company.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1312731-border-run-pattaya-to-cambodia/

 

[Pattaya57]

5 hours ago, retayl said:

If applying online how will the local embassy establish you are in that country? Surely the use of a VPN would give the appearance of being in that country. Or am I missing somethin?

Yes you are missing something. You have to provide proof of address in the country you are applying for the e-visa in.

[Upnotover]

5 hours ago, retayl said:

If applying online how will the local embassy establish you are in that country? Surely the use of a VPN would give the appearance of being in that country. Or am I missing somethin?

Entry stamp in passport, for example.

[Greenwich Boy]

2 hours ago, Upnotover said:

Entry stamp in passport, for example.

Suspect they will also want a flight to Thailand from the country in which you are applying. If it works smoothly it will make things easier for me when applying from Hoi An, no need to go to Saigon or Hanoi

[DrJack54]

4 minutes ago, Greenwich Boy said:

Suspect they will also want a flight to Thailand from the country in which you are applying.

That was always required for applying at consulates (eg Saigon) so guessing will be required for eVisa you outlined.

 

Interesting (to me) that if you apply for eVisa for entry  to Vietnam, a proof of flight is not required..

 

 

 

 

 

[BrandonJT]

On 10/30/2024 at 2:42 AM, node said:

A two friends were in Japan and did not realized that the passports (Bahamian); they are carrying required an eVisa to enter Thailand. 

They caught a plane, and arrives into Singapore Sunday gone, hoping to get their eVisa at the Royal Thai consulate there on Monday.

They were told, they can apply, but they have to stay put in Singapore for 15 days for the eVisa. 

Not sure this is normal. They decided to head out to Edinburgh on Thursday.

 

Umm... The Thai embassy in Singapore doesn't use e-visa so none of this is the actual story.

[Kalasin Jo]

At first glance sounds great. But the kicker is that you have to be in the country to apply to Thai Embassy there. And the wait time. I know. I applied at the French Embassy fora 90 day non O by marriage, applying with what I thought was plenty of time, 4 weeks,. Previous  applications this way had been approved in days. Not this time although what was supplied by me had not changed.. After doing nothing for nearly 10 working days I was contacted for more information and a rehash of the invitation letter, typed not handwritten ( a new requirement) and with more info.  By this time my flight was just days away. I begged, I pleaded, by email as never got through on the phone. The e -visa was finally sent through 6 hours before my flight departure, seemingly after a review by jobs worth's superior.

I suppose whilst waiting you could nip home visa exempt stamp but not sure how that would "fit" with the e- visa when that arrives, by email with instructions to print for border entry.

 

Looks to me like this is getting very expensive for those who do border runs.

[Pattaya57]

48 minutes ago, Kalasin Jo said:

Looks to me like this is getting very expensive for those who do border runs.

Why, people who do border runs can get a free 60 day visa exempt so why would anyone wait around to apply and pay for a tourist e-visa to get the same 60 days entry (any other visa is not a border run imo)

[BrandonJT]

15 hours ago, Kalasin Jo said:

At first glance sounds great. But the kicker is that you have to be in the country to apply to Thai Embassy there. And the wait time. I know. I applied at the French Embassy fora 90 day non O by marriage, applying with what I thought was plenty of time, 4 weeks,. Previous  applications this way had been approved in days. Not this time although what was supplied by me had not changed.. After doing nothing for nearly 10 working days I was contacted for more information and a rehash of the invitation letter, typed not handwritten ( a new requirement) and with more info.  By this time my flight was just days away. I begged, I pleaded, by email as never got through on the phone. The e -visa was finally sent through 6 hours before my flight departure, seemingly after a review by jobs worth's superior.

I suppose whilst waiting you could nip home visa exempt stamp but not sure how that would "fit" with the e- visa when that arrives, by email with instructions to print for border entry.

 

Looks to me like this is getting very expensive for those who do border runs.

The Thai embassy in Paris is the worst example you could use.  They are known to be the worst embassy (tied with Ottawa) for processing e-visa.  Multiple weeks if not multiple months to process applications.  And then if they take so long that the date on the ticket you uploaded passes, they will cancel the application.  Most other embassies will still issue the visa even if the date on the ticket passed, and then you can just border bounce to use your visa.