Getting A Non Immigrant Visa From Uk

[Maigo6]

A friend of mine who is English sent his passport to the UK from China, he had a friend in UK whose address he could use for the consulate to return the passport, then the passport was sent back to China

Anyway, he got a multiple entry Non Immigrant Visa, he has since entered Thailand 3 times with this Visa that was Issued in England with no problems at all.

I was told this is illegal for some reason, I understand that he is without his passport in China, but how does the way he obtains his visa from England affect any immigration law in Thailand, what difference does it make to Thai Immigration if he was in Salford or Shanghai when he applied, he has paid for a visa ?

He has still paid for and recieved the Visa at a Thai consulate overseas, I cannot see what laws he is breaking either.

Someone has told me it is illegal, anyone know for sure ?

Bearing in mind that my friend has used this Visa to enter Thailand 3 times with zero problems, a Thai consulate issued a Visa is in his passport, he was not in Thailand when it was issued, it is from his country of birth, surely that is all is required.

[lopburi3]

A Thai Consulate issued the visa on the understanding he was in there jurisdiction. He was not. The visa is invalid. That he has been able to use does not make it legal.

[Phil Conners]

While working in a European country some years ago I also sent my passport to the Thai consulate in my home country (another European country) and they had no problem issuing the visa and sending it back to me - even by registered letter. Maybe it's the law but surely not one that is very important. Of course if you were trying to do this from Thailand it would be a complete different story.

[LivinLOS]

If he has 2 passports this is not illegal (despite what this forum says) both the UK british embassy and a Thai consul have put in writing (via email) that a passport can be sent to the UK from another jurisdiction.

Its common practice to send passports internationally if theres no local embassy (Libyan embassy not in Thailand for example).. Ask in the oil industry workers and this happens all the time with second passports DHL'ed globally to get stamps and permits.

It would be highly illegal to send your only passport containing your Thai entry chop away.. Its law you must have your passport here and the chop would indicate an application from within the country which I have been told is not legal (tho no one will put that in writing)..

[Hampstead]

is this the real story?

there are some agents in Thailand offering this same kind of visa, where the passport is sent to the uk or us.

it is illegal, but some people dont care to take a risk

if you get away with it, good on you

Edited April 12, 2007 by Hampstead

[Lite Beer]

is this the real story?

there are some agents in Thailand offering this same kind of visa, where the passport is sent to the uk or us.

it is illegal, but some people dont care to take a risk

if you get away with it, good on you

And if you do not..... Bye Bye.

[torrenova]

I have had it from the consulate in Hull that as long as there is an exit stamp from Thailand (if there is an entry stamp in the passport), then all is ok. It is sending the passport back from Thailand when you are still here that is "illegal".

If you were to go to Cambodia, Fed Ex your passport to a mate in the UK, who then sent it to Hull and back, then Fed Ex'd it back to you in Cambodia, you would be OK. You should be able to enter on the new non imm visa because as far as the Thai authorities are concerned, you left the country ok, have been out (presumably back to the UK) and returned with a new visa.

Whilst perhaps not totally correct, it fulfills all the requirements of the Thai authorities.

[Maigo6]

Lopburi says no, others say no problem.

I would take Lopburi's advice every time, yet other guys are saying it's ok..........they have done it themselves.

So, I have sent an e-mail to a Thai Consulate that is well known for replying to enquiries and being very helpful, to get the lowdown from the man ( Bill )himself.

I am betting on Lopburi being right, I want to know for sure cos my friend has advised me to get my Visa the same way as he did, and I just wanna do it the right way with zero chance of comebacks, even if it means a 12 hour flight instead of a letter.

I will post the result when I get a reply.

Edited April 12, 2007 by Maigo6

[LivinLOS]

I agree with you that Lops advice is usually spot on.. This is just one area where I differ...

Also make sure you explain that this is for holding 2 passports.. In the example of Cambo above I would strongly suspect that the Cambodian authorities like you to have a passport while in Cambodia.. You may be breaking Cambodian law (but not Thai) by doing the above.

I have it in writing from both Brit embassy and Thai consuls.. Tho last time I posted the direct emails onto the forum I was slated by a number of people so I removed them.

My buddy who works offshore is continually having one of his passports fedex'ed around.. Its literally routine for him..

[lopburi3]

The OP has said nothing about dual passports.

A friend of mine who is English sent his passport to the UK from China, he had a friend in UK whose address he could use for the consulate to return the passport

Now the visa application has a section for permanent home address of the applicant and date of departure from the UK and the information provided has to be signed as true. If anything was not true the visa is not valid.

[Maigo6]

Lopburi is correct..................

I recieved an e-mail today from Bill Dunn ( Brisbane Thai consulate ) confirming that my friends Visa goes against the rules, and if an immigration officer notices , the visa will be cancelled.

Thanks Lopburi.

[LivinLOS]

Please post email.. I will obtain counter..

[lopburi3]

Unless you have permission of the sender you will not be on this forum long if you post private emails.

[LivinLOS]

Sorry was not aware of forum rule.. I will still get the information from Consul and British Passport office.

May take a day or two (unless I can find the old ones in email backups)..

[Phil Conners]

Rules rules rules rules rules

[Maigo6]

Rules rules rules rules rules

I cannot post the e-mail or even extracts from it, but, Lopburi is right, the applicant has to be in The Jurasdiction of Thai Consulate issuing the Visa.

There may be circumstances where this may not be the case, for instance a Nigerian wanting a Thai Visa when there is no Thai Consulate in Nigeria will deal with London maybe, but I have it first hand that what my friend did is against the rules, and if an immigration officer notices the discrepency, the Visa will be cancelled.

The fact that he has so far gone ' Under the radar ' does not mean that his next entry will not have problems.

I wish it was that easy, I was gonna do the same thing myself, but not now.

[LivinLOS]

I have the relevant text but even edited cannot post it here..

Email me if you want to see it..

I will also contact Bill Dunn (but after Song gran)

[LivinLOS]

Rules rules rules rules rules

I cannot post the e-mail or even extracts from it, but, Lopburi is right, the applicant has to be in The Jurasdiction of Thai Consulate issuing the Visa.

There may be circumstances where this may not be the case, for instance a Nigerian wanting a Thai Visa when there is no Thai Consulate in Nigeria will deal with London maybe, but I have it first hand that what my friend did is against the rules, and if an immigration officer notices the discrepency, the Visa will be cancelled.

The fact that he has so far gone ' Under the radar ' does not mean that his next entry will not have problems.

I wish it was that easy, I was gonna do the same thing myself, but not now.

I have the opposite of this from officials.. Can you PM me Bills email please ??