The Royal Thai Embassy has announced that it will no longer accept visa applications in person. Starting January 1, visa applications can only be submitted online through the embassy’s official website.
The new e-Visa policy covers citizens of Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Benin Republic, Central African Republic, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Chad. The embassy emphasised that applicants must be residents of the listed countries at the time of application. If applicants fail to provide proof of residence in these countries, their visa applications may be rejected.
The embassy’s statement also clarifies that applicants are not required to submit their passports or supporting documents in person. Instead, after the e-Visa application is approved, applicants will receive a confirmation email, which can be printed for presentation to airlines and Thai immigration officials when traveling to Thailand.
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A statement on the website reads, “E-Visa applicants are no longer required to submit passports and supporting documents in person at the Royal Thai Embassy/Consulate-General. It is important to note that you are only able to apply if you are currently not in Thailand. After the e-Visa application has been approved, a confirmation e-mail will be sent to applicants, which can be printed out for presenting to airlines and Thai immigration officials when traveling to Thailand.”
Online applications must include details of travel bookings
The embassy noted that applicants must submit their visa application, which must include details of their travel reservation.
“Travel booking confirmation must be provided upon submission of your visa application. This includes return flight details showing applicant’s name, departure and return date, all flights en route from the aforementioned countries to Thailand,” the embassy said.
“Upon receiving your application, it takes within 5 working days to get your visa,” it emphasised.
According to the Thai embassy, processing period may take longer than expected.
The embassy recommends applying for the e-Visa at least three months before the planned departure date, but not earlier than four to six weeks.
All e-Visa applications must be submitted online at www.thaievisa.go.th.
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Thailand e-Visa application process
- Create an account
- Fill in an application form
- Upload supporting documents
- Pay visa fee
- Wait for the visa to be processed
- e-Visa confirmation document sent by email