In a strongly worded public notice issued on July 17, 2025, the Royal Thai Embassy in Dhaka has alerted Bangladeshi citizens to the rising incidents of visa fraud and deceptive practices being carried out by some local travel agencies. The embassy noted that certain agencies are charging unusually high service fees to Thai visa applicants but are failing to submit applications or payments properly through the official Thai e-Visa system.

Warning Signs of Visa Fraud The embassy has identified the following common fraudulent activities: Fake payment receipts that appear to show visa fee payments have been made when, in fact, they have not. False status updates that mislead applicants into believing their visa has been rejected by the embassy. In reality, these applications were never submitted into the system due to non-payment. These deceptions have resulted in significant financial and emotional distress for many applicants.

Alarmingly, victims often reapply through the same fraudulent agents, leading to repeated scams. Embassy Recommendations to Applicants To avoid falling victim to such scams, the Royal Thai Embassy has issued the following key advice:

1. Apply Directly Yourself: The embassy strongly encourages all applicants to use the official online portal www.thaievisa.go.th for submitting visa applications independently. This enables applicants to track their application status, avoid unnecessary expenses, and reduce the risk of fraud.

2. If You Use an Agent, Be Cautious: If you must apply through an agent, make sure it is a trustworthy and reliable one. After submission, request the username and password used for your application. Then, log in to www.thaievisa.go.th to track the progress yourself. Here’s how to interpret common status messages on the portal:

“Pending Payment” – Application has been created, but payment is still pending; the application remains incomplete. “Pending Document Check” – Submitted documents are under review by the embassy. “Pending Approval” – Document check is complete; you may or may not be called for an interview. Please wait for the embassy’s decision.

3. Receiving the Visa: Once your visa is approved, it will be emailed to the address you provided in your application. You can also download your e-visa by logging into your account and selecting “Manage Visa Application(s)” > “Download.”

4. Processing Time and High Application Volume: The embassy processes between 900 to 2,000 applications daily and also deals with a significant number of forged documents submitted by dishonest individuals or agencies. Due to the careful scrutiny required to identify genuine tourists and medical travelers, processing may take 30 to 45 days. Excessive follow-ups from applicants may further slow down the process and delay others.

The Royal Thai Embassy expressed its gratitude to Bangladeshi citizens for their patience and understanding, reaffirming its commitment to a fair and transparent visa process. The embassy also reiterated its dedication to supporting Bangladeshi nationals and strengthening the long-standing friendship and cooperation between Thailand and Bangladesh. For safe and smooth travel planning, applicants are urged to stay informed, avoid unauthorized agents, and trust only the official e-visa platform.

Source: Royal Thai Embassy, Dhaka, Bangladesh | July 17, 2025