Uk Embassy Tightens Up Visa System

[george]

UK embassy tightens up visa system

BANGKOK: -- People wanting to visit the United Kingdom will soon re-quire high-tech biometric visas.

Applicants aged five and older will from June 21 need to visit the British Embassy visa application centre run by VFS Thailand.

Applicants will have their fingerprints electronically scanned and a digital photograph taken.

"The process is relatively simple and should take no more than five minutes. There is no additional charge," an embassy statement said.

The embassy is bracing for complaints from those accustomed to the old, more relaxed rules. The changes, the embassy said, were necessary.

"The British Embassy apologises to customers for any inconvenience the move to this new visa system may cause. The addition of biometric data is necessary to combat visa fraud, including identity theft, and to improve security for all visitors to the UK.

"Biometric visas for the UK have already been introduced in a number of other countries in the region and are being introduced worldwide," the embassy said.

Applicants' fingertips need to be free from any form of decoration, abrasions or other markings, and facial cuts and bruises must be healed or unnoticeable. They may prevent acceptable fingerprint scans and photographs. Digital photographs cannot be taken with applicants wearing dark glasses or coverings hiding the face or neck.

All applications for UK visas will be suspended and the VFS office closed from this Friday until next Wednesday inclusive so equipment required can be installed and staff trained to use it.

Biometric data is mandatory for all applicants except for holders of diplomatic passports and accompanying dependants travelling on official government business and holders of official passports travelling on government business in the UK.

UN officials holding UN travel documents travelling on official business do not require the biometric visa. Neither do Commonwealth and NATO armed-forces personnel posted for service in the UK or holders of a certificate of entitlement confirming right of abode in the UK.

Exceptions may be granted to applicants who for genuine medical reasons cannot provide fingerprint scans.

For more information visit the embassy website ukvac-th.com, email it at [email protected] or call 02 800 8050.

--The Nation 2007-06-11

[Mahout Angrit]

So that looks like the end of making applications via courier or by post from the provinces. Now everybody will have to report to Bangkok.

Starting today VAC is not accepting applications via GDA agents or EMS.

Edited June 11, 2007 by Mahout Angrit

[yaketyak]

Let us hope that the changeover will be smooth.

Bit worrying that it says any facial marks or scars have to be healed. I mean suppose they don't heal satisfactorily? And i would imagine any labourer will have multiple cuts to his fingers and face area thus making the scans invalid. Would they therefore have their applications for visas refused? Seems so, yet that seems unfair.

Edited June 11, 2007 by yaketyak

[iainiain101]

My gf was able to apply for her VV in Chiang Mai last year.

Does this mean that this service will cease from Friday.

Iain

[the scouser]

Unfortunately, it looks that way, Iain.

Scouse.

[iainiain101]

Better try and get the application in this week then. What a nightmare!

Hadnt even decided on the best one to go for. She is happy to spend 6 to 7 months of the year in the UK, the rest in Thailand.

I guess VV is best, as she would not be staying the required 270 day to go for residency?

Iain

[the scouser]

Iain,

Their is no time requirement for residency: the 270 days you allude to are in respect of applications for naturalisation as a British citizen. If you and your g/f have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage for 2 years or more, she can apply for a settlement visa. If she spends 6 months of every year in the UK on a visit visa, there is a risk that the embassy may determine her as living in the UK as a visitor and decline future applications.

Scouse.

[Mahout Angrit]

Better try and get the application in this week then. What a nightmare!

Too late, they stopped accepting applications via the GDA agents today.

See the running banner here

[erikr_]

I guess that also means that now every one needs to apply in person so no more agents with bags full of applications

[iainiain101]

They must be opening the GDA agents again?

Surely if a Tai citizen wants to visit the UK, however wealthy, they cant have to go to Bangkok?

Great for our tourist trade!!!

Iain

[david96]

Is this a world wide policy of the UK or is it only Thailand? The British High Commission in Canberra Australia website has no information regarding this new policy as at 11/06/2007.

[the gent]

Biometric visa issue is being rolled out worldwide. It's simply Bangkok's turn now. Most developed countries will be operating such a system and indeed it is the intention of the Uk to also include a fingerprint database of all non visa nationals who visit the Uk, a programme to be implemented upon entry and completed by 2011.

Apparently it is necessary to make us all that much more secure......

[2long]

I went in there this morning for my wife's visitor visa. They accepted the application without her being there. Tomorrow (Thursday 14th) might just be the last day for that. Sounds crazy though, doesn't it? (having to go in person, that is. think about all the package group tours and their punters!)