Visit Family Visa For U.K

[lovelaos]

How long does it take (approximately) for the visa to be approved/denied?

Does she have to travel to Bkk in person or can she apply by post/email?

Once approved/denied will they send passport by post or does she have to collect personally?

Am I correct in saying she doesn't have to pass an English test for Visit Family Visa?

Thanks kindly for any info. :jap:

[theoldgit]

Yes, your wife will need to apply in person at the VFS Application Centre in Bangkok, where her biometric details are also captured.

http://ukinlaos.fco....iting-uk/visas/

I know that VFS will courier passports back to the holders within Thailand, though I don't know if they will send to Laos, maybe she can have it sent to one of the delivery points in the north of Thailand - I really don't know, I'm just thinking aloud.

You are correct in thinking that your wife will not need to pass an English test.

Edited June 14, 2011 by theoldgit

[lovelaos]

Thanks for the quick response.

The passport question was a stupid one from me as she will not be able to leave Thailand without it anyway

So the only question remaining is how long will she/we have to stay in Thailand while the visa application is in progress?

[theoldgit]

Thais can travel to Laos with their ID Card, does it not work the other way round?

Don't know how long apps are currently taking, though it is normally busier this time of the year, maybe someone can chip in, or read some of the other threads.

Good luck

[lovelaos]

Laotians can only go as far as Udohn Thani with ID card/border pass and need a passport to fly to Bkk.

I just looked at application times and looks like it could be a couple of weeks for a decision to be made.

Looks like the Mrs will have to have a holiday in Thailand for a few weeks.

[ThaiVisaExpress]

Up to 15 days currently.

[lovelaos]

Thanks for the updated info.

More questions, I have emailed the British Embassy and VFS and had no response as yet.....

Would it be possible for the Mrs to hand in her application for the visa, get her biometric details captured, pay the fees, then, fly back to Laos on her passport, then, DHL her passport from Laos to BKK the following day? Or does she have to hand the passport in with the application?

Basically what I am asking is, are VFS/Embassy staff flexible in their approach to different situations or are the rules set in stone?

Any help appreciated.

[NanLaew]

How about enter Thailand on her Lao ID, ride the bus to Bangkok and do VFA application lodging her passport. Then bus back to Udon and exit back to Laos on her Lao ID?

I don't think they will check her passport to ride the bus although she may be breaking the law by doing this. What's the risk of being 'caught'?

Does the VFS return passports to other countries? I know their EMS delivery within Thailand is good. May be worth investigating a receiving address in Udon and then just popping over the river once again to collect it?

Edited June 18, 2011 by NanLaew

[lovelaos]

How about enter Thailand on her Lao ID, ride the bus to Bangkok and do VFA application lodging her passport. Then bus back to Udon and exit back to Laos on her Lao ID?

I don't think they will check her passport to ride the bus although she may be breaking the law by doing this. What's the risk of being 'caught'?

Does the VFS return passports to other countries? I know their EMS delivery within Thailand is good. May be worth investigating a receiving address in Udon and then just popping over the river once again to collect it?

Thanks for your reply NanLaew.

We have thought about doing this, but it is not a good idea to break the law. By doing so, the risk of getting caught is actually quite high as police do regular stop checks on buses travelling from Udon and penalties include up to a year in a detention centre in Thailand and untold misery upon return to Laos.

As regards VFS returning documents to Laos. I am in contact with DHL to go through my company account to try and do this. It may be possible.....

It does seem rather ridiculous there isn't a system in place to cater for Laotians wishing to visit the U.K without spending up to 3 weeks waiting in a foreirgn country for the visa to be issued.

Edited June 18, 2011 by lovelaos

[theoldgit]

Have you tried phoning VFS on their "helpline", +66 2-800-8050, surely there must be many people in the same position as your wife, and they should have systems in place.

I was thinking along the same lines of NanLaew, the thought of road blocks hadn't crossed my mind, but it's even more of a reason why they probably have systems in place. Wouldn't it be a good idea if they published it on their website - nah, too simple.

[lovelaos]

Thanks Oldgit. I will call them on Monday if my emails haven't been answered. There is no rush as we aren't going until October.

cut from their website:

Important note: You will not be able to submit further documents after you have submitted your application at the visa application centre. The documents you submit at the time you make your visa application are the only documents that can be considered.

I also read somewhere that if you are not a resident of Thailand, you have to show document to say you are in Thailand legally so if she uses her ID card to get to BKK I can see there being problems.

I need a beer....

Edited June 18, 2011 by lovelaos

[joseph49]

would love to bring my girlfriend to visit uk for short time maybe 1 or 2 months --not much money in bank acc --is it possible?--anyone help.

[7by7]

Yes, it is certainly possible; although we would need a lot more details of your and her circumstances to be more definite than that. I suggest, though, that you start a new topic if you want to ask further questions.

See this topic for some basic guidance.

[lovelaos]

An update for people who find themselves in a similar situation to us.

I have just received an email from VFS.

"Laos nationals applying for visit visas must lodge their application at VFS in Bangkok. As the applicant will have submitted their passport and will be unable to return to Laos, their applications will be expedited. A visa officer will carefully review the application and the visa decision and supporting documents will be available to collect as soon as possible."

I will keep you posted....

[lovelaos]

The Mrs got her visa yesterday, it took 4 working days to get, so I'm not sure if it was expediated or not. Thanks to TV members for posting some very useful information.

[beano2274]

The Mrs got her visa yesterday, it took 4 working days to get, so I'm not sure if it was expediated or not. Thanks to TV members for posting some very useful information.

Well done, remember if you are travelling with her to the UK, ask the Immigration officer at your arrival point if your missus can go down the EU Passport Channel with you, saves a lot of time.

I went alone and asked the officer then rejoined the queue with my wife, only 10 people in front of us, in the Non EU passport holders queue must have been more than 200.

[lovelaos]

The Mrs got her visa yesterday, it took 4 working days to get, so I'm not sure if it was expediated or not. Thanks to TV members for posting some very useful information.

Well done, remember if you are travelling with her to the UK, ask the Immigration officer at your arrival point if your missus can go down the EU Passport Channel with you, saves a lot of time.

I went alone and asked the officer then rejoined the queue with my wife, only 10 people in front of us, in the Non EU passport holders queue must have been more than 200.

Thanks for the tip Beano :jap:

[bifftastic]

The Mrs got her visa yesterday, it took 4 working days to get, so I'm not sure if it was expediated or not. Thanks to TV members for posting some very useful information.

Good news, well done.

Ours took 2 days, (maybe they just weren't busy?) and we had a problem with the courier service as they only deliver to specific locations. My wife's house isn't one of them!

However, the VFS were really helpful. Despite it saying on the website that you have to arrange and pay for the courier service when you submit the application. They quickly replied to an email I sent them and sent my wife's documents to a third party in Bangkok for us. The third party has to have certain documents, like the receipt from the VFS and a Cashiers Cheque to pay the courier.

Bit of messing about, but better than a long trip from Chiang Rai for the wife. The closest place they would courier the passport to was a collection centre in Chiang Mai.