What Are the Challenges of Applying for a Thai Visa Online?

Nov 14, 2019
5 years ago
Jake ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi there,

Is anyone else finding it extremely difficult to apply for a visa online? The biggest problem is when uploading documents.

Applying by post was soo much easier
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Users are discussing the difficulties they face when applying for a Thai visa online, particularly with document uploads and the transition from postal applications. Some have found alternatives, such as visiting the Thai Consulate in person, while others express frustration with the system, prompting advice from fellow expats.
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Jake ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Visa arrived. Was a lot quicker than expected. Still can say the online application was a nightmare! Thanks for the help
Jake ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
All is good. Special delivery for 9am tomorrow morning. Spoke to Thai Embassy and they will be on the case. I don't need an appointment because I sent documents by post. I paid extra to have it arrive for 9am tomorrow and the fee for the visa to be sent asap. Thank you every, appreciate it
Jake ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I've spent 5 months in Thailand in total so I'm aware of the majority of the rules and regulations
Jake ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Also they have had my passport for over a week because originally I applied by post
Brian *********
My friend done mine on line took about 5 hours was a bloody joke ,always done it by post before very easy
Jake ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
It took me 5 hours too. Luckily had the visa this morning
James ********
UK Thai Consulates
Chris ******
The answer your question is Yes, everybody in the UK says the same, your best bet would have been to go to the consulate at Hull, is it still to late?
Jake ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
My visa arrived this morning less than 24 hours after submitting my application
Jake ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I live in West Wales. There's no chance I'll be traveling to Hull
Ron *******
Friday tomorrow. They don't work Saturday or Sunday. You will be lucky if it even arrives there on Monday in time for them to deal with it. You have no chance of getting it back in time by post for Tuesday. I doubt you would get an appointment in time. Last reports are saw were 3-5 weeks to get an appointment after you complete the online application. Even then, it isn't issued the same day. You need to drop off the documents and go back when they tell you. There is no same day service in London. Best to phone a consulate and check if they are actually going to be there. If so, you better get your finger out and get there.
Ron *******
@Jake *******
if you knew all this, why did you bother posting on here and crying that the system was so hard to understand?

Congratulations. You've gone from being a whinging cry baby to an online visa application expert in just a few posts!
Jake ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Well I think you'd better get your finger out because they processed it and sent the visa the same day and arrived before 1pm today. Very bad advice Ron
Jake ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Well I'll have you know that my online application has been submitted and I have a special delivery for it to be there at 9am tomorrow morning. I've told the Thai Embassy when it will arrive and they will be on the case straight away. There's no need for an appointment and I'll my visa is bound for arrival Monday morning. Thanks anyway
Polly ****************
Yes we had to resize everything.
Joe ***********
Fly to Ho Chi Mihn City Vietnam, get a tourist visa for Thailand. Then take a short flight hop to Bkk
Steve ********
I am lucky to live within 5km of the local Thai Consulate so do all my applications in person using a paper form.
Jake ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Very lucky. This has been a nightmare for me
Robert *******
i guess your documents are to big, resize them and the problem will be solved
Robert *******
Go in person with an appointment is getting a very close call. If you manage to make the appointment for tomorrow you can pick up your passport with visa on Monday, otherwise it depends on what time you fly out: If your application is successful and your visa has been approved, you can collect your passport with visa the next working day. Collection time is between 11.00 am - 12.00 pm.
Jake ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok thanks for the advice
Robert *******
For UK mail service i have no idea how fast or slow they are, I guess you are right, you run out of time to apply on-line. Risky to visit Thailand, as 39 million tourist visit without problems this year, why should it be risky. It becomes risky to use Tourist Visa or Visa Exempt Visa to live inside Thailand or visit with other means than tourism.
Jake ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I think I'm getting to the end now. My problem now is that my flight is booked for Tuesday and I originally applied by post, not knowing that they stopped accepting that method of application anymore. As a result..I'm running out of time. I've spent 5 months in Thai this year but have been back in the UK for 4 months. Would you consider it being too risky if I just hoped for a 30 day exemption?
Robert *******
All we can do is try to help you, if you prefer to keep on ranting about the system, no problem. Then you better visit the 100 miles away Thai Consulate and please do not end up as in the other report today that 30 to 40 % of the applicants did not have the documents prepared. Otherwise we will read that Thai Consulate is also a very bad and unfriendly office.
Robert *******
Did you start again after error messages? Then go back to the home page, open folder finish pending visa application, set the first date back in time, search for all, then delete all pending applications and start from scratch
Jake ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
All in all. Non of the application has been easy to deal with. The documents were just 1 of the problems
Jake ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I've made sure that they are not too big. I've managed to upload them and then they've disappeared only to then say that there's an error
James ********
London...many have chosen to go to acThai Consulate in the UK to get their visas.

Which visa are you applying for?
Jake ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Tourist visa. My nearest consulate is 100 miles
Carolina ****
Depends on which embassy. Singapore’s online system was an absolute dream, serious perfection.
Jake ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Ok I understand. Thank you
Jake ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
But why would I apply through the Singapore embassy if I'm going to Thailand?
Lloyd ********
Where ?
Jake ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thai Embassy London online application
Lloyd ********
@Jake *******
where are you applying, there are hundreds of consulates
Jake ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
?
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