Thailand eVisa on Arrival: A Hassle Free Way to Enjoy a Stress Free Trip

Technology has undeniably made everybody’s lives simpler. From shopping to even getting a consultation with a doctor can all be done online from the comfort of our homes. The travel industry too has undergone a major transformation as far as technology is concerned. While booking tickets and issuing boarding passes is already being done online, smart travel solutions are transforming the travel business. Getting an eVisa or submitting almost all the Visa documents online is the latest trend. This methodology is already being applied in the case of Thailand eVisa on arrival. In an interview with DataQuest, Benjamin Boesch, Head – Digital and eCommerce, VFS Global talks about how digital transformation has impacted the travel industry, and how consumers can now obtain an eVisa.

1.  Digitisation has transformed almost every industry that exists. How has it impacted the travel industry?

In a fairly short period of less than a decade, the travel business has undergone a transformation on many levels - fuelled by major technological advancements – even as it continues to show robust growth. Currently the travel and tourism sector accounts for almost 10% of the global GDP. This boom can be tied back to the ease with which travelers now search online for destinations, make bookings and apply for visas. Travellers may still visit a shop or an agency because of a superb personalised service, but they also appreciate it when this service also becomes available at their doorstep or on their smartphones.

This transformation is steadily extending to government-to-citizen (G2C) services as well, including the traditional visa processes space, defined by its very nature as having multiple layers of checks. In the G2C space particularly, the expertise of human interaction, aided by new technologies, is an unbeatable combination.

There are a lot of simple things that provide a lot of convenience when in a digital format, such as information about visa categories, for instance, that can be provided online or through a chatbot. In fact, VFS Global has developed the first chatbot in the visa services industry, called ViVA, powered by artificial intelligence, and offering round-the-clock assistance to this traveller who is always in a hurry, who demands answers right here and now.

At the same time, dedicated personalised offerings may still need hands-on service of experts to make it convenient for the customer. There are myriad such tech-enabled innovations we have introduced, some large, some small, but all going a long way in improving the overall visa application experience for the customer.

2. What are some of the smart travel solutions available? How is it beneficial for customers?

Smart travel is no doubt a win-win for all involved. For us travellers perennially short on time, it removes barriers that made travelling tedious and expensive. For service providers, travel agencies or online platforms, digital solutions can increase their client base as they allow research, booking and payment of services best suited to personal requirements, and provide enhanced customisation and convenience.

Moreover, the inbuilt security features of such tech-enabled travel products have the capability to maintain a high degree of security, while allowing for more efficient operations by Immigration officials. This is particularly important in the visa industry, that has stringent data and process guidelines as mandated by governments.

In fact, the trend of sit-at-home or ‘smart’ shopping as permeated through even the traditionally guideline-driven visa industry. The unique ‘doorstep’ visa service was conceptualized by VFS Global to cater to precisely this demand – the service uses technology-driven innovation to deliver the full visa service (including application submission and biometric enrolment) to the comfort of the applicant’s home or any location of choice.

The doorstep visa service has proven to be tremendously popular in India since it was first launched here in 2016, registering a 144% increase in number of doorstep visa applications in 2018, compared to the previous year. It is availed by corporates, film crews, student groups, High Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs), government delegations, MICE groups and even large groups of families or friends who plan to travel overseas together.

3. How can customers get their visa done with less paperwork, and with computers without having to go to embassy or consulate offices?

By introducing a wide range of tech-enabled conveniences, VFS Global has been making the visa application process smoother for consumers so that the joy of travel can begin at the visa application stage itself.

For instance, the new modernised online visa application service for Indians travelling to UK has a self-upload option, which allows applicants to upload all the necessary documents prior to their visa application appointment. Applicants who opt for the self-upload option can visit the centre with just their passport – meaning, less need to carry original documents with them.

Similarly, the new Thailand eVisa On Arrival option allows you to upload all documents online and enjoy fast immigration clearance at major Thailand airports. The advantage is you don’t need to handle extensive documentation or arrange for local currency upon landing in Thailand. Such facilities are aimed at providing a stress-free application experience to the consumers, at the initial application stage itself.

Given the sensitivity of personal data being handled in the visa space, while it may be some time before paperwork is eliminated, the potential of new technologies like blockchain is massive, especially in areas of visa or citizen services where sensitive data is handled.

Such a technology would potentially provide next-level security in managing records of data, storing virtual copies of documents, as well as providing assurance to governments that this data has retained its authenticity. So this is a new area all stakeholders in this space will explore increasingly going forward.

4. Kindly shed some light on the Visa at your doorstep, Thailand eVisa on Arrival services by VFS Global?

Customisation and convenience are becoming synonymous with the travel industry, with the introduction of tech-enabled models such as ‘Visa At Your Doorstep’ and the recently introduced Thailand eVisa on Arrival solution, that enhance convenience for visa applicants.

Visa at Your Doorstep

Introduced in the year 2016, Visa at Your Doorstep is a highly customer-centric and technology-enabled service, which enables collection of applicant’s biometric data and visa applications from the applicant’s location of choice.

This service is designed to offer customers unmatched convenience when submitting visa applications. A team of trained staff visit the applicant’s location of choice to enrol biometrics and collect the visa application.

In the span of one year, the demand for doorstep delivery of visa services grew by 144% (average y-o-y growth) in 2018.This service is particularly ideal for large groups and families, as the entire applicant group can enroll their biometrics and submit their applications at the same time and place, without the hassle of having to travel to a visa application centre.

Thailand eVisa on Arrival

More than 1.5 million Indians travel to Thailand each year. To enhance the experience for these travellers, VFS Global in partnership with Immigration Bureau, Royal Thai Police, recently introduced the Thailand eVisa on Arrival service for applicants of 21 countries, including Indians.

With eVisa on Arrival, travellers will receive pre-approved eVisa on Arrival online before departure, and can get fast immigration clearance. With the eVOA, they avoid long wait times in the regular Visa On Arrival queues and the inconvenience of filling up application forms on arrival, or arranging for local currency for visa payment.

Through this service, documentation such as flight tickets, accommodation details, and fee payment, is all submitted online prior to departure.

The above are but two of the game-changing solutions VFS Global introduces with regularity. I’m proud to add that as a recognition of our achievements in digital innovation and business excellence, the company recently received the dual recognition of the Dubai Quality Global Award and the 5 Star Rating in the Emirates Business Rating Scheme (EBRS) at the 25th Annual Business Excellence Awards held in Dubai in early April 2019.  VFS Global is the only multinational company to have achieved this internationally-recognised Dubai EBRS rating.