ICFP News & Insights

20 October 2022 Visa Update

Oct 21, 2022

If you (or someone you are sponsoring) require a visa to travel to Thailand, please read this message in its entirety.

AS OF 21 OCTOBER 2022:

Update on the ICFP2022 Visa Application Pre-Approval Process:

The 2022 ICFP International Steering Committee (ISC) Secretariat continues to be in close communication with Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) and Department of Consular Affairs (DoCA) stressing the importance of the immediate release of all remaining names on the visa application pre-approval list submitted for pre-approval by the 15 September 2022 deadline.

Thailand’s DoCA has communicated to the ICFP ISC Secretariat that they acknowledge the original pre-approval decision release date that they set forth of 15 October (no more than 4 weeks after receipt of names for pre-approval) has now passed. The DoCA communicated to the ISC on 14 October that the majority of remaining names would be released by 20 October. As of the morning of 21 October, this release has been pushed to the week of 24 October 2022.

As previously stated, the ICFP ISC acknowledges that we are less than one month out from ICFP2022 in Pattaya City, Thailand from 14-17 November 2022, and there are a number of delegates who still need to obtain their visa to attend this momentous event.

Since the window of time is closing to ensure that all who wish to travel to the ICFP receive their visas, the ICFP ISC is recommending all delegates who took part in the visa application pre-approval process and are still awaiting their status email BEGIN THE STANDARD PROCESS TO OBTAIN A VISA OUTSIDE OF THE VISA APPLICATION PRE-APPROVAL PROCESS PUT IN PLACE BY THE DOCA.

ICFP has been advised by the MoPH that very few names remaining on the pre-approval list are expected to be denied. They have also communicated that the visa application process for those who are placed on the pre-approval list will be incredibly quick and smooth once pre-approval has been granted. They continue to ask for ICFP delegates’ patience as they finalize this process and have expressed their sincere eagerness to welcome all ICFP delegates to Thailand.

We assure you that we are continuing to do everything in our power to move this process forward to ensure that all ICFP delegates can proceed with obtaining a visa if necessary to attend ICFP2022. Please continue to send us feedback regarding any issues you have securing your visa or advice for other ICFP delegates navigating the process. Look out for continuous updates from ICFP via email, the ICFP2022.org website, and official ICFP social media channels. We are greatly looking forward to welcoming you to ICFP2022.