What changes can we expect in the visa application process for foreign nationals once neighboring countries switch to e-visa systems?

e-visa visa processing times DTV application immigration Thailand expats Vietnam Laos Indonesia

September 23, 2024

3 days ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

What's gonna change once neighboring countries switch to e-visa? Will the process be longer? Will foreigners still be able to apply for DTV in Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia and so on ?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The switch to e-visa systems in neighboring countries may lead to varying impacts on visa processing times and procedures. While the initial implementation of e-visas could potentially increase processing times—possibly taking up to 30 days according to some embassy communications—the situation may stabilize after a few weeks as systems become more routine. Ultimately, that could result in quicker processing times, ranging from 2 to 4 days. Applicants might benefit from being able to stay within their destination country during the application process instead of traveling to a consulate in another city. However, overall outcomes remain uncertain and may require a waiting period to fully assess.

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Lili ********

Monkey see monkey do n soon they will have something similar. You cannot work there n spend your money there. Why not?

3 days ago

Kieran *******

One advantage could be that you can be in the specified country you’re applying in and not necessarily have to visit the embassy city. For example, hang out in Bali while you wait rather than Jakarta :)

But we will see

3 days ago

Paul *******

@Kieran ******

Absolutely. The e-visa system is designed for that. You just have to be in the country you apply, no need to travel to the city the consulate is located in.

3 days ago

Reply to

Paul *******

Henrik *****

Simply wait and see.

3 days ago

Tim ***********

Yes it will most likely take longer. The HCMC embassy told me that the Evisa process will take up to 30 days.

3 days ago

Paul *******

@Tim **********

They told me the same, but I think after the initial high workload, processing times will be reduced to a more reasonable length of time.

3 days ago

Reply to

Paul *******

Will the process take longer? Hard to say. Initially probably yes, but after a few weeks, once the process becomes routine, then not necessarily.

I think the e-visa system could speed up processing at consulates that have randomly long processing times such as Phnom Penh (where there's no reason for the much lengthier processing time compared to Laos or Ho Chi Minh) but it may end up taking slightly longer for the others.

Hopefully they'll process visas within 2-4 days but it's anyone's guess.

3 days ago

Deepak *******

Why are you so interested in knowing the future, and why do you think people in this group would have the answer?

3 days ago

Kevin *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Deepak ******

I'm planning to go to Laos next month to apply for DTV and I think they might switch to e-visa soon hence my question.

3 days ago

Gerry ********

@Kevin ******

You can do it in Laos, either way.

If they have switched to e-visa, you just select Laos as your current location, as part of the online application process.

All Thai e-visa applications are done through the same central web portal:

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The documents you upload are apparently then sent to the local (Laos) consulate for checking/processing.

The local consulate may require you to go there for an interview. That seems unlikely, but is possibly one of the reasons why you need to physically be there.

As for how long it will take? Who knows. Hopefully it would be similar to how long it took immediately before they switched, since their task is basically the same.

a day ago

Reply to

Gerry ********

Paul *******

@Deepak ******

We're talking one month from now or less. People need to plan their trips.

And why would these consulates no longer accept foreigners? Of course they will. They'd have no business with locals only as locals usually only need a 30 day visa waiver or they work in Thailand on LR migrant worker visas, which are applied for in a different way to standard visas.

3 days ago

Reply to

Paul *******

Yes. Just you'll have to do it online.

3 days ago

Reply to

Paul *******

What are the current visa application processes for Cambodia and neighboring countries for expats in Thailand?

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3 days ago

What are the implications of the new Thailand ETA on long-term stays and the DTV application process?

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