"drop Box" At Uk Embassy

[Neeranam]

From the scouse's advice, I checked if my wife is eligible to apply for a British visa using the "drop box". I think she is as she went to the UK with our daughter less than 2 years ago.

Does anyone know if she has to pick it up herself in person from the embassy. I know that she doesn't have to post it herself.

I can't get the consulate on telephone which is very annoying.

We stay up country and my wife is scared to go alone as she can't speak English.

I have to work during the week.

Any experience appreciated.

[GU22]

No actual experience, I'm afraid, but from Drop Box Facility

you may send your applications to our drop box either through a travel agent, courier, representative, or in person.........We will give you or your representative a receipt and we aim to have your passport ready for collection within 2 working days.  For security reasons, you must produce the receipt to collect your passport.

So it appears that it must be collected in person, but she can nominate someone to do it for her.

If you cannot get through on the phone, try e-mailing them ([email protected]). I have found this to be quite efficient in the past, with replies coming within 3 days, sometimes the next day.

[Neeranam]

Thanks a lot GU 22. I don't really see the point of it though if my wife has to go and pick it up. Surely that's what the rep is for?

NN

[GU22]

I think, but I'm not sure, that her rep can collect it.

[the scouser]

Hi Neeranam,

I would think that your wife stands an excellent chance of being issued a visa solely on the basis of the papers. Accepting this to be so, I think we're getting bogged down by minutae. It is possible that you may be able to complete the whole process without having to instruct a rep or set foot in Bangkok. Certainly postal applicatioins are accepted, so I would apply that way, enclosing either a bank draft, postal order or cheque for payment of the fee (these are listed as acceptable means of payment on the drop box page of the embassy website). With the application enclose a pre-paid EMS envelope for the return of the passport, and that should do the trick. However, I would still try to verify this method with the embassy by either phone or e-mail.

Scouse.

[dee_jai_maak_maak]

No actual experience, I'm afraid, but from Drop Box Facility

you may send your applications to our drop box either through a travel agent, courier, representative, or in person.........We will give you or your representative a receipt and we aim to have your passport ready for collection within 2 working days.  For security reasons, you must produce the receipt to collect your passport.

So it appears that it must be collected in person, but she can nominate someone to do it for her.

If you cannot get through on the phone, try e-mailing them ([email protected]). I have found this to be quite efficient in the past, with replies coming within 3 days, sometimes the next day.

Hi all,

Has there been any more news on this? I emailed the embassy recently about using the drop box facility. I asked them whether a courier / rep could collect the documents, but so far I have had no reply from them.

Cheers,

djmm

[wayner]

I've just read the criteria for the Drop Box and would like to ask a question.

My wife has been to the Uk before on a v-visa bue she's now applying for a spouse visa. Could she use the drop box? (We have both UK and Lao wedding certificates)

Bit concerned with the first point:

You can use the drop box if:

You have travelled to the United Kingdom or North America within the last 2 years in the same category as you are now applying (for example as a visitor), and have evidence of this travel

Is this next point relevant to us, mainly myself as a UK national?

You are the spouse or child of a work permit holder, and you are applying to join them

[the scouser]

Hi Wayner,

The drop box is not suitable for your wife's settlement application.

Scouse.

[wayner]

Thanks again Scouse

Your help is most appreciated

[Captain Chaos]

I can confirm that the applicant does not have to pick up the visa in person - I sent my driver to collect my missus's passport (VV application) last week. The person collecting the passport must show the receipt that was issued when the drop box was used

Sorry, not sure how this works with a postal application - I took it down in person. Keep the passport and completed application form separate from whatever other supporting paperwork you provide - makes it quicker for the lady behind the 'bank teller' window to inspect it and confirm eligibility for the drop box system. I noted quite a few applicants being turned away - presumably because they didn't meet the criteria and had to go via the traditional application route.

CC