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Do you need to apply for a Thai E-Visa in your home country if residing abroad?

Thai E-VisaVisa Application LocationsResidency Proof for VisaTourist VisaVisa Approval ProcessVisa RejectionsImmigration Rules in ThailandVisa Types
Oct 3, 2024
3 months ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
A lot of people are worried about if you need to apply in your home country if it’s E-Visa. Don’t worry you can apply anywhere. I have been applying for tourist visa to Thailand since 2023 in China. But i am from Africa but i live in China. You just need proof of residency. Your visa doesn’t matter whether it’s long term visa or tourist. Last time i applied for my friend who can to China on tourist visa and he got accepted. His visa was only left with 8 days at that time. Some hotels can actually help you register to the police if you want
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the application process for Thai E-Visas, highlighting that applicants can apply from any location and do not necessarily need to return to their home country. Participants share personal experiences regarding applying for tourist visas while residing in other countries, emphasizing the importance of providing proof of residency, especially for those from specific regions with additional requirements. Arguments are made about the flexibility of applying from different countries, as long as the applicant is legally present.
Paula ******
I've heard several people just flew from Thailand to Vietnam on 3 months tourist visa and got accepted. So, residency is not needed. You just have to be legal in the country and show your legal stay document (visa/entry stamp) when you go to the consulate
2 months ago
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Jacob **********
Yeah I just flew back to the Uk from Thailand but absolutely think with what I supplied I could have just exited Thailand to any country and applied via the E Visa selecting London still. Would have saved me a lot more money but was anxious to risk.
3 months ago
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Luit *****************
@Jacob *********
 There are possibilities to trace where you apply from, even when you use VPN.
3 months ago
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Jacob **********
@Luit ****************
 ah ok that’s good to know. Glad I did it this way as it’s such a long term benefit for me I just wanted to do everything 100%
3 months ago
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Jacob **********
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Ei ******
what about the E payment? they dont refund if you got rejected for DTV?
3 months ago
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Wannikea *********
@Ei *****
 that's right, so do your application perfectly or risk losing the application fee.
3 months ago
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Wannikea *********
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Paul *******
It varies. I remember applying for a Thai visa from the Thai consulate in Kunming years ago. I was a resident of China at the time but those who weren't, couldn't obtain visas there. This may have changed now under the e-visa system, which has been in effect in mainland China since October 27, 2021 (almost 3 years now).

Some nationalities will have additional requirements. If you're South African, you're OK but those from most other Sub-Saharan African countries may need police clearances, clearance from the anti-narcotics division and background checks.
3 months ago
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Greg ********
As you say. Proof of Residency ie long term visa. Look at how Singapore has handled this for decades. You need to be a Singapore Citizen, PR or on other long term visas to apply for certain Thai visas there. You cannot apply for a DTV on a short term visa such as tourist.
3 months ago
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Enzo **********
Yh that don’t really work if you have residency somewhere in Europe and you go to a country like Laos or Cambodia and have to prove residency there. For example my case I would have to fly all the way to Spain. Buy tickets and find accommodation there and then apply. Costly, better just walk in somewhere.
3 months ago
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Boris *********
@Enzo *********
This description is from HK Thai embassy official web site.

“A non-Thai national whose current legal residence is in the Hong Kong SAR or the Macao SAR with valid permission of stay (e.g. Hong Kong Identity Card) who wishes to obtain a visa to enter the Kingdom of Thailand must apply and settle application fees through the platform on the Thai E-Visa Official Website (
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where English, Chinese, and Video User Manuals are available. Applicants whose current legal residence is not in the Hong Kong SAR or the Macao SAR, i.e. who are visitors in the Hong Kong SAR or the Macao SAR, cannot apply via the Royal Thai Consulate-General.”

This is the reason why do people worry about it.
3 months ago
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Boris *********
This is the attention for the future e-visa platform in KL on the Thai embassy official website. The description looks like they are still thinking about nonresidents 😀

“Due to the new e-visa system transition, visa services will be temporarily suspended from 3rd October and resume with the online e-Visa platform on October 8th from 11 AM onwards.

Citizens of specific countries who are non-residents in Malaysia need at least 45 days to process a visa.”
3 months ago
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Boris *********
Well that means we’ll find out it soon…
3 months ago
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Enzo **********
@Boris ********
 that’s exactly what I’m referring to and might think will happen when they implement the E-visa system in other countries.
3 months ago
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Greg ********
@Enzo *********
 Singapore Embassy have always need to be known to be a bit "Awkard" though for certain visas. They are great for "B" Visas for work though - very efficient
3 months ago
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Greg ********
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Greg ********
@Boris ********
 Singapore is similar and has been like that for decades about certain Thai visa. This is now extended to the DTV
3 months ago
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Greg ********
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Wannikea *********
@Enzo *********
 you are completely mistaken. All they are asking for is proof that you are currently in the country of the Thai embassy that's processing your visa application. Nothing more, nothing less. Simply an entry stamp and proof such as your hotel booking or receipt.
3 months ago
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Enzo **********
@Wannikea ********
 for now it will be.
3 months ago
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James ********
@Wannikea ********
 correct ✅
3 months ago
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James ********
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James ********
@Enzo *********
 residence for Thai visa application in Cambodia or Laos is your HOTEL BOOKING. NOTHING ELSE.
3 months ago
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Enzo **********
@James *******
 8th October it will change to e-visa.
3 months ago
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James ********
@Enzo *********
 and Tod Daniels is Spot On ✅ correct with his reply. Just what answer are you wanting to hear ?
3 months ago
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Tod *********
@Enzo *********
 which doesn't change the fact you show you're legally IN the country whose consulate you're applying at
3 months ago
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Enzo **********
@Tod ********
 when I applied for a tourist E-visa from Spain last year I actually had to submit my empadronamiento (adres registration) as proof of address. A visa stamp wouldn’t have been enough (I’m a EU citizen so wouldn’t have one anyways). If they want a similar type of document once they implement the E-visa system in neighboring countries I wouldn’t be surprised this will also be implemented like this there.
3 months ago
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Paul *******
@Enzo *********
 That's ridiculous, considering that you can show up in Spain as an EU/Schengen member state citizen and remain indefinitely. Just showing proof of citizenship should be enough. What's the deal with this "registration system"? Surely that only applies to non-European foreigners?
3 months ago
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Alexander *************
@Paul ******
 You can't just show up as an EU national and stay whereever you want within the EU. After three months you have to register locally, the methods differ.
3 months ago
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Tod *********
@Enzo *********
 The thai consulates in neighboring countries ONLY generate visa business from people who are not citizens of those countries applying for thai visas. That's most of their business 😛
3 months ago
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Tod *********
@Enzo *********
 that consulate in Spain is a squirrelly but believe me in S/E Asia (and indeed at the thai consulates in most countries) you just show the hotel you're staying at and your stamp legally allowing you to be in that country when you apply
3 months ago
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Enzo **********
@Tod ********
 they don’t have a consulate in Spain. Only and embassy, don’t know if that makes any difference haha
3 months ago
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Tod *********
@Enzo *********
 it does, and ALL thai embassies sell visas to thailand thru consular services, which is why I use the word consulate.

Just accept that Spain is not normal as far as a thai consulate and the requirements, BUT almost every other consulate just has you use the hotel and show your visa to be in that country legally when you apply

For the S/E Asian countries switching to the eVisa system that is unlikely to change at all

How about we just agree to disagree 🙂
3 months ago
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Tod *********
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