Argument at Italian Embassy Bkk

[Orton Rd]

Having read on here a Thai can apply direct to the Italian (or any EU) Embassy for shengen visa at all seasons place my Mrs rang them to make sure- was told just go down no need for appointment. We got there today just before 12 to be told by the Italian security guy to go to Vfs. I said no she can apply here but he would not have that and insisted over and over we had to go to Vfs and that they did not do shengen visa there. It got quite heated with me saying EU law saying we could and him saying he is carabinari and he says no you go Vfs. 

In the end he started to back down a bit saying they were closed anyway, we knew they closed for lunch, and then asked for our nationalities (me Eu) He then took Mrs passport into the back office. When he came back he had a different attitude said he make a mistake wai ed the Mrs and told us to come back on Monday. We knew they were open again 13- 16 hours but did not fancy another argument over opening times, so she is going back on Monday. The guys attitude was very rude and aggressive, and he was also wrong, the worst Embassy, if you can call the place one I have ever had.

Now the question is what is this law in case she has to quote it and can she apply there without applying as married to an EU national? She decided not to for various reasons, she also thinks this argument might have prejudiced her application. She is not impressed with Italians so far!

The only amusing thing was that he actually looked a bit like Mussolini, especially with his arms folded, his leg spread apart and his jaw jutting out going on about Vfs! 

Edited January 26, 2018 by Orton Rd

[Donutz]

Anybody can apply directly at the embassy without goung to VFS. They can ask for an appointment but it needs to granted ASAP (max within 2 weeks).

 

See the Schengen sticky or check EU directive 2004/38:

 

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/en/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32004L0038

 

And EU embassy handbooks:

1) has a chapter on EU family member applications https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/sites/homeaffairs/files/what-we-do/policies/borders-and-visas/visa-policy/docs/20140709_visa_code_handbook_consolidated_en.pdf

2) about appointments  https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/sites/homeaffairs/files/pdf/policies/borders/docs/c_2010_3667_en.pdf

 

Via EU home affairs : https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/borders-and-visas/visa-policy_en

 

 

[theoldgit]

Whilst Donutz is spot on by saying that Consulates have to allow direct access to their Visa Section if an applicant wishes it, it's not unusual for many of them to make you to arrange an appointment, though they are supposed to do so pretty quickly, some wrongly really make you jump through hoops.
In your case you seem to have followed the advice given on the Italian Consulates website and telephoned in advance, to schedule an appointment, they seem to have told you to just pitch up but it's pretty clear that advice didn't work its way down to their security guard, who is probably on minimum wage, employed by a security company and has been instructed to not let anybody in but to direct them to VFS, if I'd had been in your position I would have printed off the instuctions given on the website and maybe have written down the name of the person you spoke to.
There's usually no point in arguing the point to the security guard, they are normally pretty rigid, though in your case he seems to have  backed down, and subsequently lost face.

Your main concern is whether this will impact on your wifes application, I doubt it very much. As your wife is the spouse of an EU National, under the freedom of movement directive, she's entitled to a Schenghen Visa free of charge which must be issued quickly and with the minimum of fuss. You're probably aware that all she has to do is satisfy the responsible officer that she's married to you, an EU National, though not if your Italian, and that you intend to travel to the Schenghen Area together, or that she will be joining you there, when my girlfriend, and subsequent wife, applied for hers, all she provided was a copy of my passport and flight/train tickets to prove we were travelling together. If you're also visiting a country such as the UK, she has to show that she has entry clearance for there.

I wouldn't worry about your arguement with the security guard affecting your wifes application, I doubt that the person dealing with the application would even be aware, even if they did it shouldn't stop the visa being issued.   

[Orton Rd]

The security guard was Italian not Thai, maybe he was new. The Thai staff had two opinions, guard out in the corridor said they did not do any visas there, the one behind the desk said to the Mrs to go back any Thursday, rather a shambles. Thanks for the replies guys, will have to see what Monday results in. 

[Orton Rd]

She went again today, different Italian on security, no problems all very helpful, put in her application. Nobody else there and they did not seem as demanding as the guidelines with some documents on there not even wanted. 

[OJAS]

On 1/27/2018 at 7:44 AM, Orton Rd said:

The security guard was Italian not Thai, maybe he was new.

It would appear that "saving face" is not an exclusively Thai trait, then!

[tgeezer]

All is well that ends well but I wouldn't tolerate it. Fortunately with mobile phones we have records of calls made, I would have immediately phoned again, because someone is giving you wrong information, either the person on the phone or the guard, whoever it is must be put straight.

[Orton Rd]

I did not go the second time but sent the Mrs with a print out of the law posted in a link by Donutz, clearly states they have to accept personal applications. She went in again today and it was all co co operation again with first guard there friendly this time. As there is a notice as soon as you get in posted up about vfs with contact info they clearly try to steer you away from the Embassy. Most Thai woman on their own would just do what they were told.

[NanLaew]

21 minutes ago, Orton Rd said:

I did not go the second time but sent the Mrs with a print out of the law posted in a link by Donutz, clearly states they have to accept personal applications. She went in again today and it was all co co operation again with first guard there friendly this time. As there is a notice as soon as you get in posted up about vfs with contact info they clearly try to steer you away from the Embassy. Most Thai woman on their own would just do what they were told.

One security guard tried to "steer you away from the Embassy", not "they clearly try to".

 

On 1/26/2018 at 4:33 PM, Orton Rd said:

We knew they were open again 13- 16 hours but did not fancy another argument over opening times, so she is going back on Monday. The guys attitude was very rude and aggressive, and he was also wrong, the worst Embassy, if you can call the place one I have ever had.

Going during regular Consular business hours (typically 08:30 - 11:30 and mornings ONLY) is also the path of least resistance. To me, pitching up at noon indicates a somewhat less ardent approach.

 

Sounds like you've dealt with hundreds of Embassy's then?

 

Good luck with the Mrs's application though.