Ghana, 8 African countries to benefit from Thailand’s new E-Visa system
Thailand grants Tourist Visas, Special Tourist Visas (STV), Transit Visas, Non-Immigrant Visas, Diplomatic and Official Visas depending on the reason for travel.
Depending on particular circumstances, these visas allow single as well as multiple entries.
These categories exclude the Privilege Entry Visa, which only belongs to Thailand Elite members.
Whereas the STV serves long-term visitors, the Tourist Visa is for leisure travellers. Travellers going through Thailand are eligible for the Transit Visa; non-immigrant visas are for business, employment, or study.
Diplomatic and official visas are for government or diplomatic staff on official business.
Thailand’s e-Visa system streamlines application procedures and guides visitors towards the appropriate visa for their trip.
Thailand’s e-visa procedure
The Thai e-Visa project aims to streamline the visa application process, so increasing accessibility, efficiency, and user-friendliness.
The Royal Thai Embassy states that all applications from the qualified nations must be completed online via their official website; hardcopy applications will not be approved.
The listed approved African nations are:
- Federal Republic of Nigeria
- Republic of Benin
- Republic of Cameroon
- Republic of Ghana
- Central African Republic
- Republic of the Congo
- Republic of Equatorial Guinea
- Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe
- Republic of Chad
“The Royal Thai Embassy has the right to cancel the visa applications should the applicants fail to provide the evidence of their presence inside the mentioned countries while applying for the visa,” the statement added to the statement
The embassy stated that upon visa application submission, all travel booking confirmations had to be supplied.
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“This includes return flight details showing applicant’s name, departure and return date, all flights en route from the mentioned countries to Thailand,” the statement said.
Although processing timelines may vary in some circumstances, the embassy noted that normally, visa applications are handled within five working days upon receipt.
Though not more than three months in advance, applicants were also urged to apply for their visas 4–6 weeks before their intended travel date.
Thailand and Africa’s relationship
Thailand started the “Look West Policy” to deepen relations with Africa in the early 2010s; the 2013 Thai-Africa Initiative expanded involvement.
Trade between Thailand and Kenya, for example, totalled $256.16 million in 2023; Thai exports, including vehicles, sugar, and rice, were $226.82 million, while imports from Kenya, comprising chemicals and jewellery, were valued at $29.34 million.
Additionally, a major partner is Sudan, especially in trade and education.
With more than 500 Thai-Muslim students now enrolled there, Sudan grants 80–100 yearly scholarships to them.
Thailand-Sudan trade in 2023 came at $23.05 million, with imports including plants and medical tools, and exports including cars and chemicals.
This emphasises Thailand’s initiatives to strengthen ties of trade ties with Africa.
