How long does the Thailand e-visa typically take to process?

Nov 12, 2021
3 years ago
Sonia *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Does anyone know how long the e-visa takes to come through usually?

Have a flight on Monday but so far it's still showing 'pending document check'

London Embassy told me to apply with evisa as it is supposed to be quicker and easierđŸ€”

I already have the Thailand Pass QR code but no use without a visa
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The processing time for Thailand e-visas can vary, with the London Embassy indicating a timeframe of 5-10 days. Some users reported quicker approvals, such as within 2 days, while others experienced delays up to 20 days. Additionally, UK citizens can enter Thailand visa exempt for up to 30 days, which is extendable, in case the e-visa is delayed.
Sonia *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Update, applied on 3rd Nov and received it yesterday 19th Nov.

Thanks for the advice and tips to everyone helpful in this group.
Monika *******
My e tourist visa took 5 working days
Patcharee ***********
My husband just got his today it’s take 20 days process non-o visa type
Lisa ********************
If UK more help in this group

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Ron *********
I've been waiting 11 days and it doesn't surprise me, we knew there was gonna be a visa log jam at consulates all over the world.

The answer is travel visa exempt and hope in 2 months a border hop is easier than it would be now.
Brian ********
@Ron ********
there are no boarders open
Suzanne ***************
@Brian *******
Cambodia announced its re-opening.
Ron *********
@Brian *******
yes there are, why Brian do people only consider crossing borders by land

✈✈✈✈✈✈✈

😂😂😂
Brian ********
Email for Thailand Pass

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Sonia *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brian *******
already have the Thailand pass but thank you
David *********
Mine was 46hrs from the uk
Sam ******
@David ********
What type of visa did you apply for? And when did you submit your application?

Sorry so many questions 🙏😄.
David *********
@Sam *****
Applied for the TR60 on Sunday
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/21 at 10pm and received the visa by email on Tuesday
*****
/21 at around 8:00pm
Sam ******
@David ********
ah lucky you. It seems you did yours just before the system failure. I applied on 3rd Nov, still waiting. I’ve seen many other reports of still “pending document check” from people who applied from early November. đŸ€”
Frédéric ******************
Paris embassy sent mine 6 days after application.
Jonathan ********
The London Embassy informed me by email that e-visas will be approved within 5-10 days
Wannikea *********
@Jonathan *******
the eVisa system is and has been down for maintenance for 2-3 days starting the 10th. Yes, really really stupid and bad timing. So if you are waiting and critical, use visa exempt entry or delay your trip.
Jonathan ********
@Wannikea ********
though not the UK embassy I understand
Wannikea *********
@Jonathan *******
since all UK visas are processed online now, what good is the embassy being open if you need or are waiting for a visa?
Sonia *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jonathan *******
what email did you use as to phone then I'm usually on hold for 3 hours
Jonathan ********
@Sonia ******
their email is on the embassy website under contact. Sorry don't have access to it right now
Sonia *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jonathan *******
done thank you
Wannikea *********
@Sonia ******
the eVisa system is and has been down for maintenance for 2-3 days starting the 10th. Yes, really really stupid and bad timing. So if you are waiting and critical, use visa exempt entry or delay your trip.
Sonia *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wannikea ********
thanks for that info, I will delay a week and if not come through use the visa exempt entry, just don't have a flight back as I am picking up non b paperwork once I get there
Stuart *********
The ThailandPass does not depend on a visa. It doesn’t care if you have one or not. If the evisa doesn’t come through and you’re a UK citizen you can enter visa exempt and you’d get 30 days on arrival. That is extendable once for a further 30 days at a local immigration office.
Hovvard ******
@Stuart ********
finally, someone explained this in a simple, direct way.
Chris ********
@Stuart ********
great, thanks
Andreus **********
@Sonia ******
Hi Sonia Not me all Stuart as above. Good luck with your trip.
Andreus **********
@Stuart ********
Hi Stuart Thanks for all of the info. It appears after waiting 89 days and still no evisa I will have to go in on the visa on arrival you mentioned. I am in the UK. Is there a Thai reference I can read up on please?
Sonia *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andreus *********
thank you for all the information, I'm sure you have to repeat yourself constantly. I need to get back to pick up my non b paperwork as they wouldn't send it to UK, otherwise I wouldn't have this mess
Sonia *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Stuart *********
@Sonia ******
then you qualify for a visa exempt entry and will be given 30 days on entry. Do not follow the signs at the airport for “visa on arrival”. That is for citizens of places like China and India and a number of African nations who buy a visa on arrival.
Chris ********
@Stuart ********
Hi, I'm coming visa exempt next Saturday (1st time to Thailand), do I just go towards "normal" exit at the airport ? Thanks
Stuart *********
@Chris *******
absolutely. Go to the general immigration queue and work away from there. There’s no difference to whether you’re on a visa exempt or have a visa. The immigration officer will handle your entry just the same.
Sonia *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
and definately 30 days, is the 15 days for the other countries then? This where I'm getting confused
Stuart *********
@Sonia ******
It is confusing because many mistake the term “visa on arrival” with a visa exempt entry. The former is for citizens of places like India, China and various African nations who buy a visa upon arrival. A visa exempt entry is for citizens of 40+ countries (pretty much all of Europe, UK, Americas and Australia) that are eligible to enter Thailand with no visa and get a stamp for 30 days. If you need the exact country list for either option then a quick Google search will give you that.
Sonia *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andreus *********
I've done all that but still waiting, I will need more than 15 days even with 1 extension
Stuart *********
@Sonia ******
what country is your passport?
Sonia *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Stuart *********
@Andreus *********
just to correct terminology if you are from the UK you do not get a visa on arrival. That’s a completely different thing to a visa exempt entry. A visa on arrival only allows citizens from 15 or so countries to stay for 15 days after they have paid for the visa at their arrival point. It’s also not extendable.

As a Uk citizen you can get a visa exempt entry which would give you 30 days on arrival and is extendable.

I’m not trying to be pedantic, but the terminology makes a huge difference on when we’re tying to help people with their questions and what answers would be valid.

As to a valid Thai reference you can check at
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That’s the website you use to get an evisa (for those embassies/consulates that are using it now)

I randomly put in my country of passport and that I reside in the Uk (I don’t but it was just for demonstration purposes) and this is the result I got. You can enter your own information and it will tell you if you are eligible for a visa exempt entry.
Stuart *********
John *********
@Stuart ********
the visa on entry is it same as before, fill in on the plane on way there. Asking as my 60 day e,visa still has not come through
Stuart *********
@John ********
you’re confusing two things, but many people do so. The card you fill out on the plane is called a TM6. Everyone other than Thai nationals have to fill it out, regardless of what visa they may hold. Often referred to as a arrival/departure card.

When you give your passport to the immigration officer and you don’t have a visa he’ll stamp you in under the visa exempt entry that passport holders of some 60+ countries are allowed.

Under the visa exempt entry you get stamped for 30 days on arrival. You may opt to extend that one time at a local immigration office for a further 30 days. The cost is 1,900 baht.
Carl ********
@Stuart ********
if my duration of stay is 37 days would I be allowed to enter then extend at immigration or would my return flight need to be in the 30day duration?
Stuart *********
@Carl *******
unfortunately it’s not a definitive yes or no answer. It’s mainly up to your airline. They may or may not let you board. They may insist that you have a flight out of Thailand within the allowed days of your visa, regardless of whether you can get and extension in country.

In theory the immigration officer may deny you entry because you don’t have a flight out within your days allowed, but that would be extremely rare because they know you can get an extension in country.

Many people have gotten away with having a flight out later than the days allowed for their visa (or exempt) and you may too. However to ensure that you’re not stopped for that reason I’d suggest a changeable ticket with a flight out within the allowed days and change it once you get here.

Alternatively you can Google “onward flight tickets “ and there’s loads of sites that will sell you a ticket for around $10.
Carl ********
@Stuart ********
ok brilliant that’s a good idea with booking a cheap flight 👍 also may I ask can you do the Thai pass on a iPhone or does it have to be laptop/computer!
Stuart *********
@Carl *******
I’ve seen reports of people successfully getting theirs on an iPhone or iPad (or android to be politically correct). You have to upload jpegs only (not PDFs or Heifs). Make sure you have all the documents ready as the site will time you out fairly quickly if you don’t. Many posts saying a cropped image of their vaccine QR code (rather than the whole certificate) worked well. Good luck.
Carl ********
@Stuart ********
thank you very much. I must say out of all the people I see giving advice on here you’re by far the best! It’s extremely helpful.
Stuart *********
@Carl *******
Thank you. I’m happy to try and help people navigate the quagmire of gaining entry to Thailand. I wish it wasn’t so difficult but unfortunately I can’t change the rules.
Joe *********
@Stuart ********
Interesting comments,but would visa on arrival work,if all other required details of flights,insurance and accommodation relate to a 4 month stay. Regards joe
Stuart *********
@Joe ********
There a few things that are at play here. Whether you have a visa (or don’t), what country you’re from and what information you need to give the ThailandPass system to get a QR code approval to enter Thailand.

The ThailandPass system doesn’t care if you have a visa or not. It just wants details of your flights, accommodation, vaccination status and the like.

Your airline may well be the stumbling block if you don’t have a flight out of Thailand within. The days allows of your entry (tourist visa or exempt). Many people have been able to enter without a ticket out within the time but many are denied boarding by their airline because they don’t. It’s a crap shoot which way would happen to you. Best course of action is to have a changeable ticket that you change once you arrive.
Paul *******
@Stuart ********
hi. I’m awaiting TR visa. It’s holding up my applying for TPass- flight is 55 days. Will the thai pass work with 55 day flight but no visa? If so could just book a cheap in out flight before 30 days to satisfy airline. From uk.
Stuart *********
@Paul ******
you may get away with the 55 day flight with the ThailandPass (I’ve not used it so can’t confirm). But you may be denied boarding by your airline if you don’t have a flight out within your allowed entry time. Some people have got away with it but many haven’t. Flip a coin. It could be you. Google “onward flight tickets” and you’ll see a plethora of companies willing to “rent” you a ticket for around $10.
Stuart *********
@Paul ******
ThailandPass requires no visa. It doesn’t care if you have one or not. You will need confirmation of flights, insurance, accommodation and vaccine status.
Joe *********
@Stuart ********
Thanks,I’m a U.K. resident,It’s a good option.
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