Did the Schengen visa applications on Saturday morning via TLS Bangkok.

 

Does anyone know how long the process generally takes before one hears YES or NO?

 

TIA.

Answer to my own question:

 

We put the applications in oat TLS Bangkok on Saturday morning. Got the passports back the following Friday here in Samui.

TLS staff in Bangkok have told us (by phone) 6-12 days, and that we can get an appointment sooner by phoning them rather than booking on the website (where typically the next 5 days have no appointments, apart from Saturdays, which are more expensive). They also said there is no express service available.

So after receiving the UK visa, we looked on the TLS website this morning (Monday) and the first appointment available was the last slot on Friday. But we phoned them and were able to make an appointment first thing tomorrow by choosing a "premium" service at 1600 Baht. When my girlfriend asked them how long the visa would take, they told her they would prioritize those traveling first. So I'm optimistic that it can be done in 2 weeks.

On 6/17/2019 at 12:53 PM, thaitanic said:

So after receiving the UK visa, we looked on the TLS website this morning (Monday) and the first appointment available was the last slot on Friday. But we phoned them and were able to make an appointment first thing tomorrow by choosing a "premium" service at 1600 Baht. When my girlfriend asked them how long the visa would take, they told her they would prioritize those traveling first. So I'm optimistic that it can be done in 2 weeks.

Seeing that TLS and VFS are optional, external, paper pushers who just forward the documents to the embassy, they have no say in how long the visa application will take... 

 

Legally for a Schengen visa:

- you can chose to apply at either the embassy or if you so desire you can chose to use the external Service Provider (VFS, tls, bls). The SP will charge a service fee, the embassy does not.

- an appointment may be required,  they are obligated to provide a slot within 2 weeks of the request (unless you prefer a later date ofc)

- the visa processing by the public servants of the relevant embassy can take 15 calender days to decide over an application. This can be extended up to 30-60 days in rate cases were additional departments etc have to be contacted for extra reviews and checks.

 

The France embassy in Bangkok only accept applications by appointment on Monday morning, and there is a long wait for appointments (example), so it's barely an option, and only a realistic option if you're organised way ahead of your trip. I suspect they only offer it to comply with some Schengen rule. They really really want you to use TLS.

 

The good news is that my girlfriend's visa was processed and picked up in just 3 days from her appointment. They stressed that the phone-booked 1600B premium lounge service only permitted a sooner appointment (plus free coffee & KitKats etc.) and was not a factor in the fast processing.