Visa Application Ready For Collection

[steveweaver99]

hi there

my partner received an sms to say her application is ready for collection. she didnt opt for the courier service, is it possible to opt for this service at this stage. e.g make a telephone payment or so?

Edited April 5, 2010 by steveweaver99

[7by7]

From Courier collection

Applicants may choose to have their passports couriered to the closest collection centre at the time of submission of application by paying a nominal additional charge.

Note:

1. All charges must be paid at the time of submission.

So it doesn't look like it's possible; but it wont hurt to ask. The VAC's phone number is +66 2-800-8050.

Let us know what they say, ta.

[theoldgit]

Don't think you can opt for the courier service retrospectively, but you might want to do as 7by7 suggests and call them, but she can get somebody else to pick up the pack on her behalf be it a friend or courier, however the person collecting will need the original receipt and a letter of authorisation from the applicant.

[ThaiVisaExpress]

No we use a service that can pick them up if required and we use a written authorisation form.

[steveweaver99]

Just had news from my GF that she has been granted the 6 month Visa, so we are both jumping for joy.

I would like to thank everyone on this forum for all their help and particulary 7by7 for his expertise in this area. BTW 7by7 my GF didnt ask if she could courier the Visa retrospectively, she just collected it.

Just for the forum information her scenario was as follows

- 13 month relationship (Myself 8 months spent in Thailand).

- She was not currently working and had no assets or income. I am the sole sponsor.

I enclosed photos (date stamped) of us together along with photos of my family and when I was a child which she was in

possesion of.

History of our relationship 2 pages, invitation and sponsor letter 2 pages, email headers, call logs from telephone providers (you can write to them for this information), proof of trips together outside Thailand (e.g. Penang).

I think the reason to return was the strength of the relationship and the fact that we mentioned in the application we didnt want to jeporadise any possible future settlment applications.

If anyone is in the process of applying and has any questions, feel free to ask

Thanks again everyone.

Just one thing I need to book a cheap flight from BKK-LHR ( Late April/May)any useful websites?

[theoldgit]

Congratulations on the visa, hope the trip goes well.

Think you might struggle with cheap flights, especially out of Thailand, Qatar are doing flights for 20,000B but that jumps up to 30,000B with all the add ons, you might save a few satangs by looking at the adverts in the Bangkok press, especially if you can be flexible.

[torrenova]

.....

Just one thing I need to book a cheap flight from BKK-LHR ( Late April/May)any useful websites?

Haven't got all my links on this PC but have a look at Massic Travel as an idea. Updated every Thursday or Friday and published in the Pattaya Mail. http://www.massictravel.net/promofares/?EUROPE

I'd also try http://www.britishairways.com/travel/home/public/en_th as you can scroll through the dates week by week, hoping to spot a cheap day, rather than having to try each day one at a time. Remember to set it to starting in Thailand if it resets to their global page.

You'll also need a return flight for her as her visa requires her to come back ! Cheaper than buying 2 singles for sure but do look at the conditions to change dates very carefully.

I'd have a look at Qatar, Etihad, Emirates, Turkish etc. to save money.

Just looked at BA for 24/4 & 9/10 and the fare is great at around 13k each way but the taxes are another 13k making it about 40k all in ! That is a 6 month ticket though.

Expedia is showing Jet Airways at £698

Etihad at £876

Opodo has Jet at £698 as well for April and May

[7by7]

You'll also need a return flight for her as her visa requires her to come back ! Cheaper than buying 2 singles for sure but do look at the conditions to change dates very carefully.

Just to say that there is no legal requirement for visitors entering the UK to hold a return or onward ticket; provided they can show they have the funds to purchase one.

However, not only is a return usually cheaper than two singles; many airlines will refuse to carry a visitor who only has a single ticket out of fear the person would be refused entry to the UK and the airline fined.

[Tee2008]

You'll also need a return flight for her as her visa requires her to come back ! Cheaper than buying 2 singles for sure but do look at the conditions to change dates very carefully.

Just to say that there is no legal requirement for visitors entering the UK to hold a return or onward ticket; provided they can show they have the funds to purchase one.

However, not only is a return usually cheaper than two singles; many airlines will refuse to carry a visitor who only has a single ticket out of fear the person would be refused entry to the UK and the airline fined.

What you say is correct, 7by7, but an ailrine cannot be fined for carrying someone with a one way ticket if they hold a valid visa. They may have to pay certain charges, eg detention charges if they are aplicable, but no "fine" can be applied.

[7by7]

You know that, and I know that; but I have heard of cases where check in clerks don't know it and have refused to check in someone with a visit visa and a single ticket.

Often asking for the supervisor can resolve this, but in one case I know of, even though the matter was referred to a supervisor, the passenger had to buy a new return ticket before she was allowed to board.

Her (British) fiance/sponsor subsequently complained to the airline's head office and did receive an apology and a refund.

As I understand it, if an airline knowingly carries a passenger who does not qualify for entry to the UK (and most countries, I think) then not only does the airline have to bear the cost of returning the passenger to their departure point, they can also be fined $5000 per passenger refused entry. It is the check in staff's ignorance of the UK immigration rules which leads to the fear that this may happen that I was referring to previously and so can cause the problems mentioned above if a visitor does not have a return ticket.

[Tee2008]

It is a bit of a grey area, I agree. The "fine" or charge can only be raised by UK immigration if the arriving passenger is " inadequately documented" eg holding a forged passport, expired visa, forged visa, etc. If the passenger holds a genuine UK visa, genuine passport etc, ( assuming that the passenger is the rightful holder of the passport and is not using someone else's ) no " fine" can be raised against the airline. The airline may be liable for any other charges eg the cost of detaining the passenger until removal, the cost of escorts if the passenger becomes a problem or is violent, etc. The airline is legally obliged to carry the passenger back from whence they came ( and this is why they want the passenger to have a return ticket as they then get the return cost paid at the passenger's expense and not their own ).

Airlines are not expected to be able to assess whether a passenger will be acceptable to UK Immigration. They are, however, expected to ensure that the passenger's documents are in order. It is purely an airline decision to insist on a return ticket.

[Thongkorn]

Its not the airlines Decision to return a person with no return ticket, its the Border Agency in the UK, Why risk getting sent back because you do not have a return ticket after all the hard work of getting a Visa, There has been People sent back, because of no return ticket and other deciding factors, don't give them any excuse. best of luck and hope your lady enjoys her Holiday.

[7by7]

Indeed, Tee2008; the airline would not be fined if, for example, the passenger was refused entry because the purpose of their visit had changed since the visa was issued.

It is purely an airline decision to insist on a return ticket.

Quite, and most do.

It's worth remembering that most airlines' conditions of carriage contain a clause which makes the passenger liable for any costs incurred by the airline if the passenger is refused entry at their destination, or any stopovers en route.

Thongkorn, UK immigration would not, and cannot, refuse entry to a visitor purely because they do not have a return ticket, provided they can show they have the funds to purchase one. Although I agree that not having one could be a factor if immigration believed the passenger was not a genuine visitor and intended to overstay. However, they would need other, more compelling evidence and could not refuse entry on this alone.

As said, though, it is advisable for a visitor to purchase a return ticket; not just to keep the airline happy but also because it is usually cheaper.