Uk Visa Priority Application Service

[Boater]

From 16 January 2012 The UK Border Agency in Thailand is introducing a priority visa service for visitors.

The priority visa service is available to visitors who meet specific criteria and who pay an additional fee to have their visa application placed at the front of the queue. The UK Border Agency in Thailand will aim to process all applications using the priority visa service within 3 working days of receiving them (although this cannot be guaranteed).

Further information

For more information about this service and whether you meet the criteria please visit the UK Border Agency in Thailand website

http://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk/en/news/?view=PressR&id=714349682

[VisasPlus]

The British Embassy Bangkok is introducing a priority visa application service from tomorrow. Typically, information is last minute, but is as follows:

Priority Visa Service

The UK Border Agency in Thailand offers a priority visa service to certain categories of applicants who meet set criteria. Applications made under the priority visa service will be processed ahead of other visa applications. Under normal circumstances a priority service visa application will be processed within 3 working days. The cost of this service will be 3,000 baht per applicant (including sales tax) and must be paid at the same time as you submit your visa application.

You can apply for your visa under this sevice if you meet the following criteria:

• Business visitors who have previously travelled in the last 5 years to: UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Schengen countries. Spouses and children accompanying the business visitor, regardless of previous travel, will also be accepted provided they also pay the appropriate priority service fee.
  If you apply under this category you must have complied with the terms of their entry conditions whilst travelling to the above countries. If you have been refused by 1 of these countries following your most recent travel, you will not qualify for the priority service.
  
• Employees of companies who are members of the UK Border Agency's Business Select Scheme in Thailand, who are travelling on business regardless of previous travel history. Spouses and children accompanying the business visitor, regardless of previous travel, will also be accepted provided they also pay the appropriate priority service fee. The company should submit a standard letter of support with the application.
  
• A permanent resident of US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or Schengen Countries applying for any category of visitor visa.
  
• Seafarers applying to join a ship in the UK, if they have previously travelled to the UK for the same reason in the last 3 years. You must hold a Seafarers Identity Document (Seaman's Book).
  
• Operational aircrew in Thailand (pilots/stewards/stewardesses) applying as visitors or business visitors. Evidence of your occupation should be provided with your application.
  

We strongly recommended that applicants with any form of adverse immigration history do not use this service.

The service does not imply or guarantee in any way that applicants using the priority service will be successful in their visa application. All visa applicants must meet the requirements of the UK immigration rules. The amount paid for the priority service, as well as the visa application fee, is not refundable if the visa application is refused or in exceptional cases, takes longer than 3 working days to process.#

Edited January 15, 2012 by VisasPlus

[Darrel]

"... pay an additional fee .... "

Fancy that.

[tombkk]

"... pay an additional fee .... "

Fancy that.

What's wrong with the extra fee for faster service?

[keith101]

why pay an extra fee for something that is not guarenteed , seems a waste of money.

Edited January 15, 2012 by keith101

[theblether]

It wont be a waste of money if you are in a hurry for an answer

[tombkk]

why pay an extra fee for something that is not guarenteed , seems a waste of money.

Because you'll know faster?

Those who are unwilling to pay, won't need to.

[StreetCowboy]

I'm a great believer in dual pricing. Money is not of equal value to us all, and those that value it higher should be allowed to spend more time saving it, while those of us who value waiting time highly should be allowed to use it sparingly.

SC

[robblok]

Would be a good idea.....

BUT... if this means the normal guy has to wait longer because others are constantly placed in front of him. Then in the end everyone will end up paying the higher fee because else their application says forever.

Unless of course they add extra employees for this.

[7by7]

Two identical topics have been merged.

[VisasPlus]

Would be a good idea.....

BUT... if this means the normal guy has to wait longer because others are constantly placed in front of him. Then in the end everyone will end up paying the higher fee because else their application says forever.

Unless of course they add extra employees for this.

But it doesn't apply to everyone equally. The "ordinary" applicant can't jump the queue as they will not be in one of the "qualified" categories. It's just a money-making exercise, as most of those who qualify for the service would almost certainly get a visa anyway. Most Embassy visa sections already offer a similar priority service free to some of the categories mentioned, but I guess all Embassies will soon be charging.

About a year ago I wrote to the Bangkok Embassy suggesting a service whereby applicants and/or sponsors could pay to be interviewed. I think some sponsors, amd maybe applicants, would certainly like to put their case in person to an ECO, and would pay for the opportunity to do so. A 30 minute interview for a fee seemed like a good idea. But, I didn't even get an acknowledgment from the Embassy, let alone a bonus for a good suggestion !