Can My Wife Change Her Visa Dates?

[Neeranam]

We want to travel to the UK earlier than expected. the only problem seems to be that her visa is for 16 Dec. Does anyone know if the British Embassy will change it, and if so how?

[the scouser]

Neeranam,

They're under no obligation to change it, but there's no harm in asking, giving the reasons why. If the change has occurred because you just feel like going a week earlier, they may well tell you to get stuffed, but if it's for family reasons, for example a relative is unwell, they may well change the validity. I know it's difficult to get through on the phone, but that or e-mail is your only option. Once you have their consent, you'd have to either go to Bangkok, or post the passport.

Scouse.

[Eastender]

I tried to do the same thing recently. My wife was granted the 2 year settlement visa but as she wasn't coming to the UK until early next year some was being wasted and so we wanted to put the start date back by a couple of months.

I phoned the British Embassy in BKK. A Thai lady answered with very good English, I explained my question, she went away, came back and told me that the visa issueing officer may change the visa start date under special circustances.

Wishing to discuss this further and see if there would be a fee I emailed the officer. His reply stated that they could not change visa start dates, regardless of reason or circumstances. He re-stated this on a 2nd email after I'd pointed out an assistand had told me it was possible. I would like to have copied these emails into this forum for future reference but unfortunately don't think I have them any more since a PC crash.

I probably got the email address from the website, so you could always try the same.