Starting September 15, Uzbek citizens traveling to Thailand must obtain a visa in advance. The new rules apply to all entrants and eliminate the possibility of getting a visa on arrival. This change has already caused difficulties for tourists who purchased packages for October and November, as the visa fee payment mechanism remains unclear. Uzbek authorities are in talks with the Thai side to simplify the procedure.
Formally, visa applications can be submitted online via the Thai e-Visa system, but documents are processed by the Thai Embassy in Moscow, which also serves applicants from Uzbekistan. The consular fee must be paid in cash in US dollars at the embassy. However, it has emerged that the applicant does not need to travel to Moscow personally — a representative in the Russian capital can make the payment. After submission, the system generates a confirmation with payment details and a QR code, and payment is due within 14 days.
In Tashkent, an alternative is offered through the intermediary Lilavadi Consult. The company accepts payment in soums by bank transfer, including via Click, with a fee of 900,000 soums. The consular fee for a single-entry tourist visa is $40. Thus, tourists have several options: independently at the embassy in Moscow, through a representative in Moscow, or through an intermediary in Tashkent. However, there is no universal and simple mechanism for paying from Uzbekistan yet.
Travel companies are forced to suspend sales. A representative of Fun&Sun, Mukhlisa, told Podrobno.uz that the agency has temporarily stopped selling tours to Thailand and is postponing applications for September. "They are waiting now. There are purchased tours for October and November, but even this is in question," she said. The company is considering processing documents through partners in Russia, but the mechanism is not fully established.
Uzbek authorities are discussing with Thailand the possibility of changing the visa fee payment mechanism. One option under consideration is to organize payment directly from Uzbekistan or through Thai representations in nearby countries, so applicants do not depend on the Moscow embassy. No final decision has been made, and this uncertainty particularly worries the tourism market.
To apply for a tourist visa, the following documents are required: a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry; a recent photo; flight confirmation; accommodation confirmation in Thailand; and a bank statement for the last three months with a balance of at least 20,000 baht per person. Minors require an additional set of documents. Documents in Russian or Uzbek must be accompanied by a notarized translation into English. Applications via the Thai e-Visa portal can be submitted no earlier than 90 days before the intended arrival. Processing takes 5 to 12 working days, and the Moscow embassy typically processes within 14 working days after payment, though delays are possible.
After approval, the e-visa is sent by email; it must be printed and presented at check-in and at the border. Additionally, within three days before arrival, travelers must fill out the electronic arrival card TDAC. Thus, from September 15, traveling to Thailand for Uzbek citizens requires additional preparation, and travel companies are awaiting a final decision from the authorities.
Source: podrobno.uz