What are the processing times and application options for a Thailand E-Visa when applying from the UK on an Indian passport?

May 2, 2022
3 years ago
Ravinder *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thailand E-Visa Processing Times when applying from Outside your Home Country

Hi Guys,

Wondering if the processing times are significantly longer if you apply for an E-Visa outside of your home country? It states on the website that it can take up to a month in such cases.

My friend is currently in the UK but holds an Indian passport and wondering if he should choose Indian embassy or UK Embassy when applying for the E-Visa?

Also, can I clarify the validity of E-Visa is 60 days and not 15 days?

Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The processing times for a Thailand E-Visa can be longer if applying from outside your home country, with potential waits of up to a month. For Indian passport holders in the UK, the Indian Embassy does not process E-Visas, and the individual must apply through the UK Embassy, but residency status may impact eligibility. Current regulations state that only residents can utilize the E-Visa application; therefore, if the applicant holds a visitor visa, they may face difficulties. The standard validity of a tourist E-Visa is 60 days, while a Visa on Arrival (VoA) is valid for just 15 days and cannot be extended.
Brandon ************
Here it says you can apply in UK as an Indian resident.
Ron *******
@Brandon ***********
he also needs long term leave to remain in the UK in order to apply.

That's how evisa works worldwide.
Brandon ************
@Ron ******
well he can't apply anywhere else, that's how embassies and consulates also work worldwide. So it's London or nothing unfortunately.
Ron *******
@Brandon ***********
correct. He can't use evisa.

He needs to contact the Thai Embassy. That's why the visa can take a month or longer
Brandon ************
@Ron ******
it was my understanding that any consulate that had switched to evisa no longer processes visas through any other method. Is it even possible to apply through anything other than evisa?
Ron *******
@Brandon ***********
only residents applying in any given country can use evisa. Anybody else needs to contact the Thai Embassy and make an appointment.

If you look under the screen shot you posted, where it says Indian passport, it tells you that you need a leave to remain of at least 6 months.

You upload that information further on in the application
Ravinder *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
@Ron ******
Hi Guys, this is the exact issue he is running into, he is in the UK, but on a Visitor Visa (hence no residence status), and cant choose India, as they don't do E-Visas for India. He is not able to go back to India before flying to Thailand. He is looking at Visa on Arrival but it only has a 15 day validity, wonder if its easy enough to extend VOA once in Thailand?
Brandon ************
@Ravinder ******
VOA cannot be extended. It's 15 days then leave the country. Has he tried applying? It does say /current location. When it asks on the application for proof of ability to be in UK, just upload whatever he has whether it's an entry stamp in his passport or a visa or anything. It's worth a shot.
Ravinder *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Thanks. He didn't apply yet as he noticed the requirement to be resident (which essentially means they wont accept a Visitor visa. I have run into this with other embassies myself). But I do agree, definitely worth a shot, worst case they will just decline. He has emailed the Thai Embassy in the UK and India to see if there is an alternate option but looking like for now its just VOA or e-Visa.
Brandon ************
@Ravinder ******
almost every Thai embassy doesn't reply to email and can hardly be reached by phone. You or him should message them through Facebook, many reports of better responses that way.
Ravinder *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
Cheers, that's definitely a pro tip!
Ron *******
@Ravinder ******
just bare in mind, the visa is paid for when you apply.

There are no refunds for failed applications.
Ravinder *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ron ******
Sure Ron, I guess I will let my friend make that call but I think he is happy to take that risk.
Brandon ************
According the the evisa site, an Indian resident in India is not eligible for evisa so UK is the only option.
Brandon ************
I know there was someone a couple of months ago that was in India and tried to do their visa in the UK but they got rejected because they couldn't show a flight from UK to Thailand. So they may run into the same problem if you say you're in India. Also does India even do evisa yet?
Stuart *********
I have not used the evisa system, but I don’t see why an Indian national in the UK couldn’t use it. Perhaps someone with specific experience could confirm or not.

If you get a tourist visa using the evisa system it is valid for 60 days entry.

An Indian national with no visa would purchase one on arrival (Visa on Arrival) and it would be valid for 15 days.
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