Starting September 15, citizens of Uzbekistan must obtain a visa in advance to visit Thailand. Previously, it was reported that applying for the visa fee required contacting the Thai embassy located in Moscow. This new measure has already caused difficulties for tourists who booked trips for October and November, as it is not yet clear how or where they should obtain the necessary documents.
Competent structures in Uzbekistan are negotiating with the Thai side to find a way to simplify this procedure. The new rules apply to all Uzbek citizens entering Thailand from the specified date, and the option of obtaining a visa upon arrival is canceled.
The situation even affected passengers flying out of Tashkent on September 14. For example, Uzbekistan Airways warned passengers on flight HY531: although the plane departs from Tashkent on September 14, it lands in Bangkok on September 15, which requires a pre-arranged visa.
What to do if you have already bought a tour
Tourists who enter Thailand before September 15 according to the previously valid rules will not need to change their plans, as they can stay in the country until the permitted period expires. However, for those planning a trip after September 15, the situation becomes more complicated.
Formally, an application for a visa can be submitted online from Uzbekistan through the Thai e-Visa system. The Thai embassy in Moscow reviews the documents and also serves applicants from Uzbekistan. Nevertheless, it is not possible to pay the consular fee directly through the website; the embassy accepts payment in cash US dollars.
It has been found that the applicant does not necessarily have to travel to Moscow in person to make the payment. A representative located in the Russian capital can fill out the documents and make the payment on behalf of the applicant. After submitting the application, the system generates a confirmation with payment details and a QR code, for which there is a 14-day payment window.
Option to apply for a visa through intermediaries in Tashkent
The memo from the Thai embassy in Uzbekistan also provides an option to apply through an intermediary in Tashkent—Lilavadi Consult LLC. This company accepts payment in sums via cashless transfer, including the Click service, with the amount in the document listed as 900 thousand sums. It should be noted that the consular fee for a single tourist visa is 40 US dollars.
Thus, Uzbek citizens have several ways to obtain a visa: self-application at the Thai embassy in Moscow; using a representative in Moscow to pay the fee; or applying through the intermediary company Lilavadi Consult in Tashkent. However, currently, there is no simple and universal mechanism for paying the visa fee directly from Uzbekistan.
Authorities' discussion of changes to the procedure
Meanwhile, competent bodies in Uzbekistan are discussing with the Thai side the possibility of modifying the visa fee payment process itself. One of the areas under consideration is organizing payment directly from Uzbekistan or through Thai representations in neighboring countries. This could free applicants from dependence on the Moscow embassy, although a final decision on this matter has not yet been made, causing particular concern in the tourism market.
Muhlisa, a representative of Fun&Sun, told Podrobno.uz correspondent that the agency has temporarily suspended sales of tours to Thailand and postponed applications for September. According to her, despite having purchased tours for October and November, their status remains uncertain. The possibility of processing documents through partners and representatives in Russia is being considered, but the mechanism is not yet stabilized.
Required documents for obtaining a visa
To obtain a tourist visa, the following documents must be provided: a foreign passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry; an up-to-date photograph; proof of airline tickets; proof of accommodation in Thailand; and a bank statement for the last three months with a balance of at least 20,000 baht per person. There is an additional set of required papers for minors.
Documents prepared in Russian or Uzbek languages must be accompanied by a notarized translation into English. Applying through the Thai e-Visa portal is possible no earlier than 90 days before the planned arrival date. According to the memo from the Thai embassy in Uzbekistan, the review period is from five to twelve working days. The Moscow embassy informs that the process usually takes about 14 working days after payment, but in exceptional cases, the period may increase, so it is recommended to apply about a month before the trip.
Visa is not the only entry criterion
Once the electronic visa is approved, it will be sent to the email and must be printed for presentation when checking in for the flight and at the border. Additionally, travelers are required to complete the TDAC electronic arrival card within three days before arriving in Thailand. Thus, starting September 15, traveling to Thailand for tourists from Uzbekistan will require additional preparation. While the authorities of both countries work on improving the visa application process, travel companies await a final decision.