It’s the night before your flight to Bangkok. Your bag is packed, your passport is on the table, and your Thailand Digital Arrival Card is already in your iVisa account. You completed it on your phone a couple of days ago in a few minutes, and it’s already in your inbox with plenty of time to spare.
Then, while browsing online, you notice the arrival card doesn’t have a government fee. Your stomach drops. So what did you actually pay iVisa for?
First, the good news: don’t panic. You can trust iVisa, and your document is genuine, valid, and submitted through the official channel. We’re a legitimate, IATA-accredited travel document service, founded in 2013.
So, what did you pay for? A convenient, easy-to-use website process that saves you time, an expert check of your arrival card before we submit it, and 24/7 support in 14+ languages.
Is iVisa a scam? Key facts at a glance
No. iVisa is a legitimate private company that assists people with their visa and travel document applications.
What is an arrival card, and why is it free?
An arrival card is a short form many countries ask visitors to complete before arrival. It records basic details: who you are, your passport, your flight, and where you’re staying. More and more destinations have moved these forms online, such as Vietnam’s Digital Arrival Card and Thailand’s Digital Arrival Card.
Governments usually don’t charge for arrival cards. They’re an administrative step, not a visa. That’s why you may have seen posts saying, “It’s free, don’t pay for it.” They’re right that the government charges nothing. What they often leave out is that some travelers choose a paid service because they want support filling it in.
Arrival card rules, timing, and who needs one change often. Always confirm the current requirements for your trip with your airline before you travel.
What does iVisa’s service fee cover for an arrival card?
Every iVisa order has two possible parts: the government fee, set by the destination country, and the service fee, which is iVisa’s charge for handling your application. For a free arrival card, the government fee is $0, so you pay only the service fee.
Here’s what that service fee covers:
- A simplified, guided form: Shorter forms, available in multiple languages, with passport scanning that fills in your details for you.
- Expert review: Human experts and AI check your answers before we submit, looking for mismatched dates, typos in passport numbers, and blank fields that can cause border issues.
- Order early: You can place your order well before the government portal opens for your travel dates. We queue it and submit it at the right time, so it’s one less thing to remember before your trip.
- 24/7 support in 14+ languages: Get help via WhatsApp, chat, and email, anytime, anywhere.
- Status tracking and delivery: Get real-time updates and receive your confirmation, often a QR code, stored in your iVisa account for easy access at the airport.
The government document may be free. The time and risk of getting it wrong are not. That’s the gap iVisa fills.
Is iVisa legit? How to verify it yourself
iVisa is a legitimate company. It has been simplifying travel document applications since 2013 and has served over 3 million travelers. When applying through iVisa, you get:
- A real document, submitted through official channels: iVisa submits your application to the relevant government authority. It doesn’t issue documents itself or influence government decisions.
- A track record you can check: 75,000+ Trustpilot reviews reflect real traveler experiences.
- Results at scale: 99% of iVisa applicants are approved, and on average, every 40 seconds, a traveler gets their visa or travel document approved with iVisa.
- Transparent pricing: Government fees and service fees are shown separately at checkout.
It’s worth being clear about what iVisa is: an independent, private travel document service, not a government agency or embassy. Travelers who leave reviews often mention the same things: shorter, clearer forms than official ones; documents arriving well within the promised window (sometimes in under 24 hours); and the peace of mind that someone checked their application before submitting it.
Can I do it myself, or get a refund?
Completing the arrival card directly with the government is always an option, and we’re absolutely up front about that. If the government sites are clear to you and you’ve completed an arrival card in the past, then doing it yourself is perfectly fine. iVisa is for travelers who want it done right the first time and want support if anything goes wrong.
If you’ve just ordered and changed your mind, you may be able to get your money back. Refund eligibility depends on the document type and how far your order has progressed: the earlier you ask, the more likely you are to get a full refund. Once we submit your form to the government, the service is delivered and is no longer refundable.
To request a refund, contact us via WhatsApp, website chat, or [email protected].
