Thai e-visa system expanded, upgraded
Tourists from around the world will be able apply for Thai visas more easily
The Thai e-visa system has been expanded and upgraded, so tourists from around the world will soon be able to apply for Thai visas more easily.
The Foreign Ministry has been tasked with refining the e-visa system so that it can handle the very large number of tourists who want to use it.
The Foreign Ministry’s Trisulee Trisaranakul explained that the ministry has been told to expand the capacity of the Thai e-visa system so that it can deal with all tourists wherever they may come from, with the same standards of service.
The number of foreign arrivals may be rising – especially after the Chinese government ended its quarantine requirements – but the system was initially designed to handle a lot more passengers than are currently arriving.
Trisulee said Chinese arrivals will increase when the Chinese government starts allowing tour groups to visit 20 countries, including Thailand, from February 6.
Visa on arrival and e-visas have made it much easier for tourists to visit the kingdom. However, the Immigration Bureau is responsible for visas on arrival, while the e-visa system is run by the Foreign Ministry
The e-visa system allows foreign nationals to submit visa applications and copies of passports online instead of having to visit a Thai embassy or consular office in their country. Once their applications are approved, they receive an electronic visa stamp that they can print out to show to their airlines and immigration officials upon arrival.
Many different types of visas are available as e-visas. The most common are tourist visas, business visas, and investor visas. People applying for non-immigrant visas can also apply for ED for studying, O for visiting family and friends, and F for government or diplomatic travel.
Long-term resident visas and long-stay visas will also be able to be issued electronically. Smart visas and other official and diplomatic visas will be able to be done through the Thai e-visa system as well. People who are approved will receive their e-visas through email.
Those who want to apply through the Thai e-visa system can do so at: https://www.thaievisa.go.th
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