Uk Visa For Thai Wife - Experience At Vac Bangkok

[TaurusUK]

Hi -

I thought I would post my recent experience at the UK Visa Application centre in Bangkok.

Background : I am married to a Thai lady and we have known each other for 2 years and married for the past 3 months.

I completed the application for a "Tourist" visa online as we only want to visit the UK for a few weeks genuine Holiday.

On arrival at Regent House we were immediately pounced on by a woman claiming to be from UK Visa cemtre who ushered us into what a first glance was the visa centre but I soon realised this was NOT the Visa centre but a "consultant" who tried to tell us our paperwork and payment was wrong and "things have changed" I wasnt having any of it and proceeded to leave and after looking could see another doorway with security guards which WAS the Visa Centre. These guards and one female in particular checkd our paperwork and advised that the Cashiers Cheque we had wasnt acceptable. Despite it stating on the UK Visa website that a Cashiers cheque from ANY Thai Bank would be acceptable method of payment. She then ushered us back into the consulting Office where conveniently they had cheques that were acceptable AT A PRICE naturally. My wife went into the application centre and whilst she was inside I watched as numerous individuals were intercepted by the security guards and sent into the "Consultants" one Gentleman said he was offerred a Guaranteed visa for 30,000 baht.!! He declined.

My wife returned sometime later and said the lady inside was encouraging her to say things on a duplicate application that were not relevant and it became clear that the whoever it was didnt know what she was doing ! We completed another form as the printout from the website had been written all over by the girl inside. After completing the fresh form I told my wife to ensure it wasnt changed and to submit it with accompanying documents and not to be led into doing anything else.

One man I spoke to said it was his 5th visit ! in 4 weeks because of the delined applications and what he considered interference by the staff which he felt was intentional for repeat fees of which they must be paid a commision.

We submitted :

Thai Passport

ID Card

Marriage Certificate

Bank statements for 6 months

Copies of My UK passport

Letter from me requesting visa for wife and outlining our relationship and trip to UK.

Photographs of our home, car etc.in Thailand

Utility Bill from UK address

Copies of all the above.

I must add this is more than was required but I wanted to be sure of the information to assist the clearance officer and the decision.

I'll let you know how it turns out, hopefully in a few days time

Be warned it is quite obvious to me that there is a strong connection between the staff of both Visa Centre and "Consultants" which share the same entrance and the information posted on the website for the VAC may change at anytime without notice - apparently.

[tafy69]

Yeah they try and change your application and make money off you

Tip: They never tell you your application is ok unless you spend some money with them first!

They are a business and they try to rip you off, but I dont think the VAC and the consultants are in cahoots.

Their consultant told us a load of lies and tried to get extra things done for thousands of baht, when we refused she said we will fail... We passed in 3 days flat no problemo.

[fishhooks]

Sounds like dealing in the manner that one would expect in Patpong Road and that Brit. Citizens should demand that their Consulate do "something" about the matter!