Non-B/Non-O Visas from London--Report

[CWA14]

My wife and I just got visas from the Thai Embassy in London. She will be working as an international school teacher in Thailand (Non-B). I will be accompanying her as her (non-working) spouse (Non-O). I wanted to post our experience to provide some insight and possibly help others who are applying for visas/CoEs/repatriation through the Royal Thai Embassy in London.

 

Coming from South Yorkshire, we originally planned on going to Hull and had our visa/CoE request sent there. However, having seen other Thai Consular websites in the UK (notably Liverpool and Glasgow) saying that all Thai (Honorary) Consulates were a) going to be closed indefinitely b) all visa inquiries and applications had to go through London, we realized we would have to head to London and apply there.

 

A few caviats that may have influenced how things went for us:

a) The school previously sent a list of teachers and their dependents (children and spouses) to the embassy to request visa approval/CoEs several weeks ago. Given how our original request was sent to Hull, the school re-sent our names to the embassy in London last week.

b) When we got to the counter, the lady checking our doucments scanned our barcodes and stated that they couldn't read several things we uploaded on their system. Given their shoddy IT/online application system, I'm not surprised.

c) Wife is British, I am American. Certain nationalities may (or may not) get differing requests (and/or hassle) for documents.

 

We completed the online applications and payment the previous Tuesday. We scheduled an 11-11:30 am appointment for last Monday (20 July) and arrived at 10:50 am. We got a queue ticket, sat down and waited for just over an hour. When we were called up, my wife went first.

Documents Mrs. CWA14 was individually asked for: Passport, Cover Letter/Invitation from the school, School business license, University Degree (copy)

After the third request, my wife then proceeded to give them a document pack from the school with the above, her contract, qualifications (degree, PGCE etc.) and other documentation in Thai. They flipped through it, seemed satisfied, then asked for her for: Confirmed Flight into BKK, Confirmed ASQ Hotel Booking

She had but they didn't check/ask for:ARCO certificate (Safeguarding/Police Check), COVID-19 Health Insurance, Declaration (refer to the Thai Embassy London's website)

 

When my turn came up, I also submitted an identical document pack the school gave me which included the above documents. I was also asked for:

Original UK marriage certificate. They relented and made do with a copy submitted in my document pack. Note: This was also uploaded onto the online application system beforehand. Confirmed flight in with my name on it. Confirmed ASQ Hotel Booking

 

I had but didn't need: UK Visas/Immigration Letter verifying I'm legally in the UK on a COVID extension, Council Tax Bill (proof of UK residency/address), Thai Police Check from my previous time in Thailand, Enhanced DBS Check (UK Safeguarding check to work in schools)

 

After everything was submitted, the lady checking everything gave us two receipts to claim our passports w/ visas between 11am-12 pm the next day (21 July/Tuesday). She said only one of us had to show up to pick up both passports and also said our CoEs would also be issued then. The staffer also confirmed the above about the Thai Honorary Consulates are closed for the forseeable future with no idea as to when they'd be reopening.

 

Day 2: Arrive at the Embassy at 11 am. People waiting/queueing out the door. It was unclear as to whether people picking up passports had to take a queue ticket and wait. Eventually, people picking up passports/visas were told no queue ticket was necessary and to use Counter 2. After signing and submitting receipts, the gentleman working the counter gave us our passports with valid Non-B/Non-O visas.

 

After this, he then said CoE's are flight specific and that the State of Emergency was going to be extended into August. Therefore, our original flights (on 2 August) weren't going to be allowed in. We would now need to register for repatriation flights through the embassy website (maybe he meant Embassy Facebook page?). Once we did this, we would need to then email/send in updated ASQ bookings. CoE's would then be sent to us via email. There was no timetable given or any more information provided (when repatriation flights would be offered, costs, how many people are waiting and priority etc.).

 

I realize the last part is probably a bit confusing. It certainly is for me. If we hear anything concrete from the embassy (or the school) I'll post updates on here. If anyone has a better understanding of that or more concrete information feel free to add that to this thread.

[phetchy]

An enlightening post ????.  Typical Thai shortsightedness - two days before the visa amnesty/extension until 26th September and the SoE is extended for another month,  you're told that your 2nd August flights need to be rescheduled!  Surely they must have known what was going on.  Well done and for having the perseverance to navigate the seemingly endless bureaucracy!  

[CWA14]

Just wanted to provide an update after my wife and I got our visas a couple of weeks ago:

 

Wife and I just got confirmation of flights into Thailand for August 14th (arriving in Thailand on the 15th). We just emailed relevant documents (Flights, ASQ Booking, etc.) to the Thai embassy in London to request a CoE. The embassy have told other staff who have gotten visas that it takes 3 working days for CoEs to be issued. Our CoEs should be issued via e-mail.

 

However, the above flight is apparently NOT a Thai Airways flight. Apparently, several top international schools have chartered an EVA Air plane (!!!) and are putting all their new staff and dependents on that.

 

God only knows what that cost in terms of money and connections involved. All I know is that we hope to have our CoEs by August 5th and fly out on the 14th.

[AjRoyalbkk]

Is thai Immigration started providing Non-O visa for Spouse ?. i have been working here hold valid work permit and got married in Feb 2020 after i came back to bangkok in March the lockdown was imposed and immigration stop issuing new visas. I was following up with my HR about the visa issuing information but till date she was replied as immigration is not yet started. dammm....can anyone confirm is thailand immigration started issuing new Non-O visa for Spouse.

[NanLaew]

On 7/31/2020 at 6:48 PM, CWA14 said:

Just wanted to provide an update after my wife and I got our visas a couple of weeks ago:

 

Wife and I just got confirmation of flights into Thailand for August 14th (arriving in Thailand on the 15th). We just emailed relevant documents (Flights, ASQ Booking, etc.) to the Thai embassy in London to request a CoE. The embassy have told other staff who have gotten visas that it takes 3 working days for CoEs to be issued. Our CoEs should be issued via e-mail.

 

However, the above flight is apparently NOT a Thai Airways flight. Apparently, several top international schools have chartered an EVA Air plane (!!!) and are putting all their new staff and dependents on that.

 

God only knows what that cost in terms of money and connections involved. All I know is that we hope to have our CoEs by August 5th and fly out on the 14th.

Glad that it all worked out for you and your travel to work here and ASQ lodging is as easy as some other members have indicated.

 

FWIW, ThaiSmile are offering their A320's for charter on their website. I wouldn't be surprised if they are being used for regional repatriation groups already.

[ubonjoe]

On 8/5/2020 at 4:30 PM, AjRoyalbkk said:

Is thai Immigration started providing Non-O visa for Spouse ?. i have been working here hold valid work permit and got married in Feb 2020 after i came back to bangkok in March the lockdown was imposed and immigration stop issuing new visas. I was following up with my HR about the visa issuing information but till date she was replied as immigration is not yet started. dammm....can anyone confirm is thailand immigration started issuing new Non-O visa for Spouse.

Immigration never stopped issuing non immigrant visas or extensions of stay.

You should be able to apply for a extension of stay based upon marriage if you have a non immigrant visa entry (non-b, non-o and etc).

[stubuzz]

On 7/22/2020 at 9:38 PM, CWA14 said:

After the third request, my wife then proceeded to give them a document pack from the school with the above, her contract, qualifications (degree, PGCE etc.) and other documentation in Thai.

Could you elaborate on what was in the document pack? My school is clueless.

 

On 7/22/2020 at 9:38 PM, CWA14 said:

We completed the online applications and payment the previous Tuesday. We scheduled an 11-11:30 am appointment for last Monday (20 July) and arrived at 10:50 am. We got a queue ticket, sat down and waited for just over an hour. When we were called up, my wife went first.

Can the passport and documents be sent by post (after they have been uploaded)?

[CWA14]

On 8/11/2020 at 2:44 PM, stubuzz said:

Could you elaborate on what was in the document pack? My school is clueless.

 

Can the passport and documents be sent by post (after they have been uploaded)?

Sorry for the delayed response. Bascially, it was everything that should be in a Non-B/teachers doucment pack for those to teach in Thailand. Things such as: your qualificiations (e.g. degree) and police check, school/business licence, school director/owners signed ID card, contract in Thai, school financials and tax info, invitation letter etc. Your school should be able to sort something like this and/or contact the Embassy/Consulate where you plan on applying to see what exactly they want. This may vary depending on the type of school and where you are applying.

 

As for sending things by post, I can't advise and think it takes way longer (3 weeks thereabouts) if its even possible at this time. If you can, you need to fill out the online application, pay, and send in your confirmation barcode and doucuments to and from the embassy via Royal Mail Special Delivery. If at all possible, I'd apply in person.

 

On 8/11/2020 at 2:13 PM, ubonjoe said:

Immigration never stopped issuing non immigrant visas or extensions of stay.

You should be able to apply for a extension of stay based upon marriage if you have a non immigrant visa entry (non-b, non-o and etc).

 

The embassy in London should be doing these as there were a few Thai/farang couples in there trying to sort visas, documents required, CoEs, repatration flights etc. No idea on the particulars though so can't advise. My wifes school did most of the legwork (ASQ bookings, flights, CoEs, liasing with the Embassy and MFA). If you're on your own, I wish you all the best. Luckily, aside from my COVID test taking longer than plan, everything worked out. My wife and I made it in and are in our ASQ hotel. Will post more details in a more relevant thread though.