Clearance certificate for Thailand tourist visa

[Koko Lou]

Hello everyone I've only just joined the site to ask for help.

 

I need to apply for a Thailand visa from the UK but with a different passport.

Now the requirement for this country is that I present a clearance certificate, I've tried obtaining one online but I need to be present in person for me to be able to obtain one from my country of origin.

I don't know what else to do as this trip to Thailand has already been booked and it's non refundable.

 

I was wondering if I can go ahead and apply for the visa and just explain to them at the embassy that I can't obtain the clearance certificate and I haven't been to the country in two years.

 

Any help will be kindly appreciated.

Thanks

[BritTim]

A few specifics would help in answering your question. These include:

• your nationality;
• what kind of visa are you applying for; and
• do you have residence in the UK.

Depending on the answers to those questions, there may be a need for further clarification, but we should be in a position to give an initial opinion.

[Koko Lou]

1 hour ago, BritTim said:

A few specifics would help in answering your question. These include:

• your nationality;
• what kind of visa are you applying for; and
• do you have residence in the UK.

Depending on the answers to those questions, there may be a need for further clarification, but we should be in a position to give an initial opinion.

Hi thanks for replying.

 

I'm Nigerian by nationality

I'm going for the tourist visa (basically a week trip to Thailand)

And yes I've got residence in the U.K.

 

i haven't been to Nigeria for a few years (2 years to be exact)

they are requesting for a drug clearance certificate and I can't possibly apply for it online, it's saying I've to be present to be able to obtain the certificate. And I can't possibly fly to Nigeria just to obtain a certificate which is irrelevant in my opinion.

I have got all the other documents (uni letters, bank statement, application forms, proof of residence)

 

I am at a crossroad here and I'm clueless now, I've exhausted all the other options. I was wondering if the clearance certificate can be waived for me? 

 

[BritTim]

Are you applying at the London embassy? Were you informed verbally about the need for a drug clearance certificate, or is this documented somewhere? If you have been in the UK continuously for two years, with no overseas trips, I would imagine a UK police report might be accepted instead, but I know requirements for Nigerian applicants are very strict.

[ubonjoe]

I suggest you contact the embassy to find out if it is required for you. It appears to a new requirement dated the 1st of this month.

 

Quote

Thai Visa for Nigerian Nationals (Application in person only) From 1 of September 2017 

For a Nigerian whose residence is in the United Kingdom and Ireland with re-entry visa for studying (please also see requirement under no. 4 below), working or residing (on spouse, marriage visa), application for a visa shall be made at the Royal Thai Embassy in London with requirement Clearance Certificate issued by N.D.L.E.A in Nigeria. Otherwise, please see below.

Source: http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/en/nigerian-nationals

[Koko Lou]

6 hours ago, BritTim said:

Are you applying at the London embassy? Were you informed verbally about the need for a drug clearance certificate, or is this documented somewhere? If you have been in the UK continuously for two years, with no overseas trips, I would imagine a UK police report might be accepted instead, but I know requirements for Nigerian applicants are very strict.

No there was no verbal information, just an information on the Thai website for visa applicants.

And yeah I'm applying at the London embassy.

 

would you suggest I give them a call or book an appointment and go explain to them myself?

[Koko Lou]

4 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

I suggest you contact the embassy to find out if it is required for you. It appears to a new requirement dated the 1st of this month.

 

Source: http://thaiembassyuk.org.uk/en/nigerian-nationals

Thanks for replying.

Yeah it's factually a current requirement so I'm quite confused on what to do.

I've tried calling friends in Nigeria to see if they can help with the certificate from Nigeria and each time I get the same answer "you have to be in Nigeria to be able to apply for one"

I have no intentions of going back anytime soon so that's a hard one to crack.

[BritTim]

2 hours ago, Koko Lou said:

Thanks for replying.

Yeah it's factually a current requirement so I'm quite confused on what to do.

I've tried calling friends in Nigeria to see if they can help with the certificate from Nigeria and each time I get the same answer "you have to be in Nigeria to be able to apply for one"

I have no intentions of going back anytime soon so that's a hard one to crack.

I am sympathetic. Essentially, the NDLEA requirement means that any Nigerian (even if resident in another country) can only travel to Thailand (even a short trip as a tourist) by traveling to Abuja, and sorting out all of the requirements there. That long and complex webpage cited by @ubonjoe might just as well be simplified to "all applications for visas by Nigerian nationals must be made at the Royal Thai Embassy in Abuja Nigeria". This seems very harsh.

[Koko Lou]

3 hours ago, BritTim said:

I am sympathetic. Essentially, the NDLEA requirement means that any Nigerian (even if resident in another country) can only travel to Thailand (even a short trip as a tourist) by traveling to Abuja, and sorting out all of the requirements there. That long and complex webpage cited by @ubonjoe might just as well be simplified to "all applications for visas by Nigerian nationals must be made at the Royal Thai Embassy in Abuja Nigeria". This seems very harsh.

Thanks for your help and warm comments. Made me feel better haha

 

well I called the Thai embassy this morning and explained the situation at hand and the lady I spoke with asked me to get a Uk police clearance certificate instead.

I'm hoping it's not a misinformation.

[BritTim]

5 hours ago, Koko Lou said:

well I called the Thai embassy this morning and explained the situation at hand and the lady I spoke with asked me to get a Uk police clearance certificate instead.

I'm hoping it's not a misinformation.

Fingers crossed. I did speculate in an earlier post that a UK police report might suffice. Good luck!