Fast-entry online visa system for 20 nations launched at Thai airports
Immigration Bureau acting commissioner Pol Maj-General Surachate Hakpal on Wednesday officially launched the e-Via on Arrival (E-VOA) system that is expected to cut visa processing time to as little as one minute.
Surachate presided over a ceremony to launch the new system, which has been used on trial basis at Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports since November 15.
The launch ceremony was held at Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
Surachate said the new system has been available at Phuket International Airport since Monday, will be adopted in Chiang Mai on November 26 and to Krabi soon after, he said.
Surachate said the new system was launched under the concept of “Fast & Convenient Entry to Thailand”.
He said the system is to be targeted at citizens of Taiwan and 20 countries. Passport holders from those countries can register their request for a visa on arrival in advance at www.evisathailand.com.The request can be made 30 days in advance or at least 24 hours in advance.
Once the tourists arrive at the airports under the E-VOA system, they can show their passports at specially marked counters to obtain a visa in just one minute, rather than a one-to-two hour wait, said Surachate.