Oz Visa Application By Mail/courier

[arny]

Hi all,

Will be lodging an application for tourist visa for GF when in Thailand. Because of time constraints we may not be able to attend the vfs offices. The circumstances of which are irrelavant to this post. I realise this may not be ideal but on the Thai Embassy website here it gives 2 options to send by mail/courier.

1. Use an authorised vfs courier, pay the fee for the courier and include the vfs fee.

2. Mail directly to the Embassy at the address supplied.

Are there advantages/disadvantages to doing it either way (apart from not paying fees by going through vfs)? It appears not all applications must go through vfs. Is this correct?

If I do mail it will it be okay, or a gamble with Thai mail service or should I just find my own courier? Or just go with the vfs service?

This is a first time visa and the material for evidence of a relationship is voluminous.

Thanks in advance.

[OzzyBloke]

Greetings Arny,

Last week my GF went to Chang Mai and applied at the VFS agency there. I am currently in Australia so she lodged the application by herself (after printing the emails I sent her of supporting docs) and she filled in the 48R form with help from one of her friends English BFs.

She went on the Tuesday and said the man there was very nice and helpful and pointed out she had forgotten the passport sized photo so she had to return on Wednesday with the photo. She has been to VFS in Bangkok once before and had a 3 month TV approved (but that saga I will post in a separate thread later.....) so this was a 2nd application. She seemed to sort out everything ok including fees and charges with the agent's help.

I spoke to her last night and a lady from the embassy had called, asked some questions and asked her how long she wanted to go for. She replied 3 months (after I had drilled it into her to at least ask for a 12 month ME !!) and the lady said fine, visa approved - 3 month I think though. I still want to see the stamp but I guess she'll have the passport later today or tomorrow. App lodged in Chang Mai Wednesday, visa approved following Tuesday - probably have passport back within a week!

Arny, while I can comment on other couriers, Thai mail etc. I would strongly recommend you use the VFS agent/courier listed on the website. For a few hundred more baht why take the risk with a passport and visa application for your GF??

I realise this is only 1 account and would be interested to hear other people's experience with VFS agents, but for us it was a painless experience. I will have no hesitation in my GF going back to this agent in Chang Mai (by herself) after her holiday to hopefully get a12 month ME. Personally I think the embassy doesn't care at all how you apply, its the app package, your GF and you (if your sponsoring her) that matter so I wouldn't be concerned about it not being ideal.

Good luck mate!!

[Boksida]

My wife and some of my friends have used the VFS service in Chiangmai. Everything was straight forward with passports and visas returned in about a week.

[gburns57au]

Hi all,

Will be lodging an application for tourist visa for GF when in Thailand. Because of time constraints we may not be able to attend the vfs offices. The circumstances of which are irrelavant to this post. I realise this may not be ideal but on the Thai Embassy website here it gives 2 options to send by mail/courier.

1. Use an authorised vfs courier, pay the fee for the courier and include the vfs fee.

2. Mail directly to the Embassy at the address supplied.

Are there advantages/disadvantages to doing it either way (apart from not paying fees by going through vfs)? It appears not all applications must go through vfs. Is this correct?

If I do mail it will it be okay, or a gamble with Thai mail service or should I just find my own courier? Or just go with the vfs service?

This is a first time visa and the material for evidence of a relationship is voluminous.

Thanks in advance.

Where in Thailand are you ??

Please use the standard fonts.......it makes it easier to read in the reply box

Edited September 12, 2007 by gburns57au

[wadsy]

Greetings Arny,

Last week my GF went to Chang Mai and applied at the VFS agency there. I am currently in Australia so she lodged the application by herself (after printing the emails I sent her of supporting docs) and she filled in the 48R form with help from one of her friends English BFs.

She went on the Tuesday and said the man there was very nice and helpful and pointed out she had forgotten the passport sized photo so she had to return on Wednesday with the photo. She has been to VFS in Bangkok once before and had a 3 month TV approved (but that saga I will post in a separate thread later.....) so this was a 2nd application. She seemed to sort out everything ok including fees and charges with the agent's help.

I spoke to her last night and a lady from the embassy had called, asked some questions and asked her how long she wanted to go for. She replied 3 months (after I had drilled it into her to at least ask for a 12 month ME !!) and the lady said fine, visa approved - 3 month I think though. I still want to see the stamp but I guess she'll have the passport later today or tomorrow. App lodged in Chang Mai Wednesday, visa approved following Tuesday - probably have passport back within a week!

Arny, while I can comment on other couriers, Thai mail etc. I would strongly recommend you use the VFS agent/courier listed on the website. For a few hundred more baht why take the risk with a passport and visa application for your GF??

I realise this is only 1 account and would be interested to hear other people's experience with VFS agents, but for us it was a painless experience. I will have no hesitation in my GF going back to this agent in Chang Mai (by herself) after her holiday to hopefully get a12 month ME. Personally I think the embassy doesn't care at all how you apply, its the app package, your GF and you (if your sponsoring her) that matter so I wouldn't be concerned about it not being ideal.

Good luck mate!!

My wife and some of my friends have used the VFS service in Chiangmai. Everything was straight forward with passports and visas returned in about a week.

Hey guys,

Where abouts is the VFS agent in Chiang Mai or do you have their contact details? We would like to apply for a TV for my g/f to visit Oz in the new year. THanks for any info in advance..... cheers.

[arny]

Hi all,

Will be lodging an application for tourist visa for GF when in Thailand. Because of time constraints we may not be able to attend the vfs offices. The circumstances of which are irrelavant to this post. I realise this may not be ideal but on the Thai Embassy website here it gives 2 options to send by mail/courier.

1. Use an authorised vfs courier, pay the fee for the courier and include the vfs fee.

2. Mail directly to the Embassy at the address supplied.

Are there advantages/disadvantages to doing it either way (apart from not paying fees by going through vfs)? It appears not all applications must go through vfs. Is this correct?

If I do mail it will it be okay, or a gamble with Thai mail service or should I just find my own courier? Or just go with the vfs service?

This is a first time visa and the material for evidence of a relationship is voluminous.

Thanks in advance.

Where in Thailand are you ??

Please use the standard fonts.......it makes it easier to read in the reply box

Sorry about the fonts and the delay in replying and thanks fror the input so far.

I will be in Phuket. Basically all I am really asking if an application is done via the vfs nominated courier and not in person, is it likely to disadvantage the application?

[Old Croc]

Use the courier service.

My GF's application was plundered in the mail. The application arrived at the processing office, but all attachments, including a CD with photos, went missing despite the whole thing being contained in a plastic zipup folder.

Had to resend everthing

[gburns57au]

Sorry about the fonts and the delay in replying and thanks fror the input so far.

I will be in Phuket. Basically all I am really asking if an application is done via the vfs nominated courier and not in person, is it likely to disadvantage the application?

http://www.vfs-au.net/courier.shtml

This site should assist

Each application is based on its own merits....there is no disadvantage