Tuesday, June 3, 2025
France has officially joined a fast-growing list of countries—including the Brazil, US, Canada, India, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and Nigeria—that now mandate online visa appointment systems in an effort to combat fraud, eliminate middlemen, and make the visa process more transparent and traveler-friendly. By digitizing how travelers schedule consular visits or submit applications, these governments aim to reduce appointment hoarding, cut down on delays, and ensure fair access amid surging global demand for visas in 2025.
Starting June 2025, anyone applying for a French visa will need to book their appointment through the country’s new digital platform. No more walk-ins. No more manual bookings. The goal? To stop appointment hoarding by third-party agents and streamline a system that’s struggled under post-pandemic demand. But France isn’t the only one making this move. From North America to Southeast Asia, countries are going digital—and fast.
The US: A Pioneer in Mandatory Online Visa Appointments
Let’s start with the United States, which has had a mandatory online appointment system in place for years. Before setting foot in a consulate, you have to complete the DS-160 form, pay the visa fee, and then secure an appointment through the official USTravelDocs portal. And with interview wait times stretching to months in places like India and Nigeria, the system—while far from perfect—helps maintain order in an otherwise overwhelming process.
Canada: Biometric Appointments Made Easy
Canada’s visa process is another one that runs entirely online. After submitting your application through the IRCC portal, you’ll receive instructions to book your biometrics appointment, also online. Whether you’re applying as a student, worker, or tourist, it’s now the norm to handle everything through their digital channels—no agents needed, no extra fees, and no surprises.
Brazil: Back to Visas, But With a Digital Twist
Brazil, which previously waived visa requirements for Americans and Canadians, brought them back in April 2025. But this time, it did so with an online-first approach. Travelers now need to apply through a secure platform, upload documents (like a bank statement), and pay electronically. The visa itself is valid for ten years—but that initial appointment? It’s strictly online, no shortcuts.
India: Massive Demand, Managed Digitally
India has one of the busiest visa networks in the world—and it knows it. That’s why most visa applications now funnel through its eVisa system, but for cases where a consulate visit is needed—like long-term stays or certain categories of employment—you must book your slot through an official portal. This is especially critical in major hubs like Delhi and Mumbai, where visa fraud and slot scalping used to be rampant.
Japan: Smooth, Simple, and All Online
Japan’s approach is refreshingly streamlined. Their online eVisa platform allows citizens from countries like the US, Canada, and Singapore to submit applications digitally. In places where in-person appointments are still required, those too are arranged through an official online scheduling system. It’s fast, straightforward, and exactly what travelers have been hoping for.
South Korea: K-ETA for Some, Appointments for Others
South Korea requires most visitors from visa-exempt countries to get a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) before boarding their flight. If you’re from a country that does require a visa, you’ll need to book a consular appointment online. That shift has helped ease bottlenecks at embassies, especially in countries where demand is high and consular staff is stretched thin.
Singapore: No Shortcuts, Just Digital Scheduling
Singapore doesn’t require visas for many nationalities, but if you do need one—especially if you’re from India or other parts of South Asia—you’ll have to go through their mandatory online appointment system. This helps cut out the black-market middlemen that used to charge desperate applicants for fake or resold slots.
Vietnam: Fully Digital and Getting Better
Vietnam made headlines in 2023 by expanding its eVisa system to cover all countries. For most travelers, this means you can apply online and get approval without ever setting foot in a consulate. But for longer stays or complex visa types, consulate appointments are still necessary—and they’re now handled entirely through Vietnam’s digital scheduling system.
Thailand: Visa on Arrival Is Easy, But Long-Term Visas? Book Online
Thailand’s tourism sector loves spontaneity, but for anyone applying for long-term visas—like retirement or work permits—online appointments are now required. The Thai government made this mandatory in 2024 after years of complaints about appointment slot manipulation, especially in places like India and China.
Pakistan: From Paper Trails to eVisas
Pakistan has made huge strides in digitalizing its visa services. It now offers free eVisas to citizens of 126 countries, including the US, and for visa types that require consulate processing, online appointment booking is mandatory. The system was launched to eliminate corruption and offer fair access, especially in high-volume countries.
Israel: Online First, Always
Israel launched its ETA-IL system in 2024 for visa-exempt countries, and it’s now rolling out online-only scheduling for standard visa applicants. This system is already proving effective, especially in African and Asian countries where appointment reselling had become a major issue.
Nigeria: Overhauling Its Visa Model
Nigeria has announced a sweeping reform of its visa application system, including plans to automate short-stay visas with 48-hour approvals. All applications will go through an online system, including appointment bookings for those who need to visit a consulate. It’s part of a national push to cut down on fraud, improve service delivery, and open Nigeria up to more business and tourism.
Why This Trend Isn’t Slowing Down
France’s move is part of a bigger global shift—one that recognizes that fairness, efficiency, and security can’t be guaranteed through paper forms and crowded lobbies. As countries face record-high demand for visas and increasing pressure to protect their borders, online appointment systems are becoming the global standard.
For travelers, this means one thing: planning ahead is more important than ever. But it also means less reliance on middlemen, fewer scams, and more transparency about where you stand in the visa queue.
So, if France is on your radar—or any of the countries listed above—make sure your first step isn’t just packing your bags. It’s logging on.
Tags: brazil, Canada, france, India, japan, nigeria, south korea, Thailand, travel industry, Travel News, US
