The first glitch since the visa waiver cancellation. Uzbeks unable to fly to Thailand due to e-Visa delay

The first glitch since the visa-free travel cancellation. Uzbeks unable to fly to Thailand due to e-Visa delay

Reports are spreading on social networks about problems with the departure of passengers on the Tashkent – Phuket flight on the night of October 7. According to eyewitnesses, some tourists were unable to board because, despite the approval of their Thai visa applications, they never received the electronic document itself.

Passengers say that in the system, their applications were already marked with the status "Approved," but instead of the visa, only an approval notification was displayed — without the file that must be presented upon boarding.

According to user reports, some tourists managed to contact the Thai Embassy in Moscow and obtain their visas right before departure. Others claim they were unable to reach the diplomatic mission by phone. Passengers with luggage waited at the airport until the last minute, but could not fly out without a visa.

Social media posts also state that some applications remain in "Processing" status for weeks, even though the travel date is close. According to passengers, they were advised to wait for the visa, not to reschedule the flight, and to come to the airport.

As a reminder, starting September 15, 2024, citizens of Uzbekistan require a pre-arranged visa to travel to Thailand. Previously, Uzbek citizens could stay in the country without a visa for up to 60 days. This decision was made by the government of Thailand, which explained it by the need to strengthen national security and better manage tourist flows.

At the same time, the visa application procedure itself turned out to be not so simple. The application is submitted online through the Thai e-Visa system, but it is processed by the Thai Embassy in Moscow, which also serves applicants from Uzbekistan. Moreover, the consular fee cannot be paid directly on the website.

To apply for a tourist visa, an international passport, a photograph, confirmation of flight tickets and accommodation, as well as a bank statement are required. An application can be submitted no earlier than 90 days before the trip. The processing time specified by the consulate is several business days, but in some cases, it may take longer.

It was previously reported that it is not necessary to travel to Moscow in person to make the payment: the money can be deposited at the embassy by a representative of the applicant. In Tashkent, there is also an option to use an intermediary. However, there is currently no single mechanism that would allow paying the fee independently from Uzbekistan.

Once the application is approved, the electronic visa should be sent to the applicant's email. This is the document that the passenger presents when checking in for the flight and upon entering Thailand. Therefore, the "Approved" status in the system does not in itself mean that the tourist has already received the document required for the trip.

It was at this stage, judging by passenger reports, that difficulties arose for some travelers departing from Tashkent on the night of October 7: their applications were approved, but they did not receive the visa confirmation in time.

Even before the introduction of the new rules, the authorities of Uzbekistan and Thailand discussed the possibility of simplifying the payment and visa issuance procedures for Uzbek citizens. However, several weeks after the visa regime came into effect, tourists still have questions.