Thailand to introduce e-Visa from 2015

[george]

Thailand to introduce e-Visa from 2015

BANGKOK: -- Thailand plans to introduce e-Visas in 2015 in order to improve immigration security and make it easier for tourists and Non-Immigrants to apply for visas online, Thai TV Channel 3 reported today.

E-visa, an alternative way of applying for a visa instead of going through a Thai Embassy or Consulate, certain types of visas can be applied for online. The service will be available to holders of passports from certain countries.

Unlike ordinary visas, when electronic visas are issued, no stamp or other documentation is affixed inside the traveller's passport; the computer-based system links the passport number to the electronic visa and is accessible by immigration officials and airline carriers.

Further details about the upcoming e-visas are expected to be announced shortly.

-- 2013-09-13

[theblether]

Happy days for some, a disaster for others.

If they add a criminal record check to the visa application as they do in some countries ( and why wouldn't they ) then some of these "notorious" highly connected thugs wandering about the place playing the part of the Godfather will be barred entry.

I'm loving it already.

[cardholder]

Happy days for some, a disaster for others.

If they add a criminal record check to the visa application as they do in some countries ( and why wouldn't they ) then some of these "notorious" highly connected thugs wandering about the place playing the part of the Godfather will be barred entry.

I'm loving it already.

Not sure where you dreamed that one up blether !

This is a simplified system and it works like clockwork for Cambodia (would work even better if e-visas were accepted at every point of entry).

HOWEVER, in Cambodia the e-visa system is only used for one month tourist visas - Thailand is visa exempt in those circumstances.

I cannot imagine that the e-visa system could be used for Non-Imm 'Ó's etc

[aparasher]

I doubt they will include criminal record check as it may dramatically reduce number of "tourists".

[DerringDo]

Positive news ?

[lee b]

i suppose this would work. Keeping up with the times is a good idea.

[Thai at Heart]

I suppose this will be great if you happen to be a Thai who has a dual passport, and you want to come and go without setting foot in an Embassy. I wonder if channel 3 knows of anyone in that position?

Edited September 13, 2013 by Thai at Heart

[Ulysses G.]

They can't do a criminal record check in this way. Some countries ask if arrivals have criminal records to scare them into admitting it, but, if they lie, there is no way to tell unless they have a current warrant out for their arrest. I think that maybe Canada and the US share this kind of information and maybe countries inside the EU, but mostly countries do not make this kind of information about their citizens accessible.

[Globeman]

Hopefully that would take up fewer pages in one's ridiculously expensive British passport...

[Ulysses G.]

Happy days for some, a disaster for others.

If they add a criminal record check to the visa application as they do in some countries ( and why wouldn't they ) then some of these "notorious" highly connected thugs wandering about the place playing the part of the Godfather will be barred entry.

I'm loving it already.

Not sure where you dreamed that one up blether !

They can't do a criminal record check in this way. Some countries ask if arrivals have criminal records to scare them into admitting it, but, if they lie, there is no way to tell unless they have a current warrant out for their arrest. I think that maybe Canada and the US share this kind of information and maybe countries inside the EU, but mostly countries do not make this kind of information about their citizens accessible.

Edited September 13, 2013 by Ulysses G.

[LaurentPerche]

The only thing that is for sure is that this is the perfect project for some local System Integrator and their crownies to get rich

[wileycoyote]

Some progress

[ubonjoe]

They can't do a criminal record check in this way. Some countries ask if arrivals have criminal records to scare them into admitting it, but, if they lie, there is no way to tell unless they have a current warrant out for their arrest. I think that maybe Canada and the US share this kind of information and maybe countries inside the EU, but mostly countries do not make this kind of information about their citizens accessible.

In the US criminal records are considered public records. With a name and date of birth I can go online and do a criminal records check by paying a fee of $1.25. The national sex offenders registry is even easier.

[belg]

when will they start something online for the 90 days crap

[Mario2008]

1 off topic joke removed. You are not allowed to edit quotes from members.

[Andre0720]

" certain types of visas can be applied for online."

Perhaps up to 2 months double entries...

My Non-immigrant O-A requires reports:

-police

-bank

-doctor

All to be notarized..

Online is not for tomorrow....

[Lancelot]

+1 sounds good!

[mortenaa]

*deleted*

Edited September 13, 2013 by mortenaa

[ubonjoe]

How about closing this topic.

There is no additional info available so no questions that can be answered.

[lujanit]

Those of us with nothing to hide will have nothing to fear. If implemented properly this should be a good thing. Yet the devil lies in the detail which we are yet to see.

[cardholder]

How about closing this topic.

There is no additional info available so no questions that can be answered.

Indeed.

It is another case of a Thai official making an announcement without the essential detail being available. It is the detail that will determine whether e-visas will work for Thailand.

I repeat my earlier comment that for Cambodia (where there is a visa requirement for 30 day tourism) the e-visa system is perfect for all parties. Well, except a few border immigration officials whose income drops substantially.

In Thailand's case I can't see where they make e-visas work when the bulk of visitors enter on a visa not required basis.

e-extensions - now THAT is something worthy of consideration..........................

[moe666]

Do not hold your breath

[phantomfiddler]

Chaos, here we come !

[MeowBundit]

Have good and bad

How to check current extension, reports, etc, etc? Individual also must have access to this system. Or they want to not issue visa stickers only?

Also, a lot of businesses can lost about 300+ clients every day in Laos, for example - international buses, hotels, etc.

A lot of things unclear.

[rexall]

Fine for crossing the border (assuming the computers are working), but with nothing stamped in your passport, once you are in the country, there is obviously no visual check possible. So, if someone needs to verify your status, there would have to be some efficient (ha!) way to check to see if your visa (or permission) is valid and current. The cops or whomever would have to have some way of accessing the database to check it 24/7, wouldn't they?

[samran]

I suppose this will be great if you happen to be a Thai who has a dual passport, and you want to come and go without setting foot in an Embassy. I wonder if channel 3 knows of anyone in that position?

He already does.

[Fullstop]

Oh my God! They copied CAMBODIA! ... Several years behind! The SHAME!

[Langsuan Man]

" certain types of visas can be applied for online."

Perhaps up to 2 months double entries...

My Non-immigrant O-A requires reports:

-police

-bank

-doctor

All to be notarized..

Online is not for tomorrow....

Notarization only required at Lost Angeles and Chicago. Washington DC (embassy) and New York (consulate) do not have the silly notary requirement

[theblether]

Happy days for some, a disaster for others.

If they add a criminal record check to the visa application as they do in some countries ( and why wouldn't they ) then some of these "notorious" highly connected thugs wandering about the place playing the part of the Godfather will be barred entry.

I'm loving it already.

Not sure where you dreamed that one up blether !

This is a simplified system and it works like clockwork for Cambodia (would work even better if e-visas were accepted at every point of entry).

HOWEVER, in Cambodia the e-visa system is only used for one month tourist visas - Thailand is visa exempt in those circumstances.

I cannot imagine that the e-visa system could be used for Non-Imm 'Ó's etc

Obviously you have never applied for an E-visa for Australia.

Go through the process and you will see that you are asked if you have spent more than 12 months in custody. People being turned back by the US due to their criminal record is a regular occurrence too. China also requests criminal record disclosure before a visa is granted.

These new generation E-Visas linked to passports will soon result in a tightening up at the border points. There's no dreaming about it, computer cross referencing will become far more common at Border Controls in future. Criminal records will start following people across the World.

[theblether]

Happy days for some, a disaster for others.

If they add a criminal record check to the visa application as they do in some countries ( and why wouldn't they ) then some of these "notorious" highly connected thugs wandering about the place playing the part of the Godfather will be barred entry.

I'm loving it already.

Not sure where you dreamed that one up blether !

They can't do a criminal record check in this way. Some countries ask if arrivals have criminal records to scare them into admitting it, but, if they lie, there is no way to tell unless they have a current warrant out for their arrest. I think that maybe Canada and the US share this kind of information and maybe countries inside the EU, but mostly countries do not make this kind of information about their citizens accessible.

Au Contraire UG, your country is the best in the World at turning back people with criminal records at Immigration. They're accessing the information somehow......they even state that you can be denied entry even if you have a valid visa.

http://www.us-immigration.com/blog/denied-entry-into-the-us-at-the-airport-what-to-do