What should my parents do if their tourist visa for Thailand doesn't arrive before their flight on January 18th?

Thailand Tourist Visa Visa Application Process Visa on Arrival eVisa Visa Processing Time Expats in Thailand

Dec 24, 2023

a year ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi, my parents want to apply for the tourist visa (online) , usually it will take 15 days. They fly on the 18th january. Now are so many holidays - what if it doesn't arrive on time? Can they in the end use it anyways and switch somehow from visa on arrival to this one? Or do they loose the money from that in the end?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

If your parents apply for a tourist visa online, it typically takes around 15 days, but processing times can vary significantly depending on the embassy. With many holidays approaching, there is a risk that the visa may not arrive before their flight on January 18th. If the visa is delayed, they can still enter Thailand using a visa on arrival, which provides a 30-day stay. However, they will not be able to switch from visa on arrival to the online tourist visa while in Thailand. They would have to leave the country and re-enter using the new visa. Additionally, there are cases where applications were canceled due to delays, so it's crucial to apply as early as possible.

Ellie *******

The processing time for eVisa application hugely varies by embassies/consulates. For example, the embassy in London is known for its fast processing time, sometimes even just in one day while the embassy in Paris is known for its lengthy processing which is stated as up to 5 WEEKS and people took more than a month to receive SETV. Information on visa issuing time without embassy/consulate information, wouldn't help.

And this is the post about what to do when the visa comes after the trip.

Thank you everyone.

a year ago

Cindy ******************

Mine also took under a week. They are so inexpensive anyway, getting a free stamp for 30 days when you enter is a good back up plan. Then if they want to extend they can leave and use the visa to enter them next time

a year ago

Biff *******

I applied for mine recently (London embassy). It took three days.

a year ago

Ellie *******

If their visas are issued after they arrive, they can use them when they enter Thailand again within the visa validity no problem. Be aware that they cannot "switch" to newly issued visas inside Thailand. They need to leave Thailand once to use them.

There are some reports the application got cancelled when procedures took "too long" (or too late to apply) and the travelling date passed well before visas were issued.

a year ago

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Ellie *******

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