Appointments With Vfs Global . Bangkok: UK

[junglejimbo]

due to submit a visa application on this monday or tues coming, do i need to pre book appointment or can i turn up at the gate first thing in morning and get a ticket and wait my turn as before 4 years ago i done this, have things changed ?

[tribalfusion001]

You need to book online.

[VisasPlus]

You need to submit the application online, and book an appointment online. There is no longer a "walk-in" facility for visa applications.

[ralphsilver]

I have two applications to submit, what if i can't get appointments near together on the same day, as one child's application has the bundle of documents, bank statements, Sole custody. Sole responsibility, mothers passport and ILR visa etc etc, and the other child does not have all the supporting documents. Will they bring both childrens applications together for consideration, when they are sent to the Embassy.

[SantiSuk]

I have two applications to submit, what if i can't get appointments near together on the same day, as one child's application has the bundle of documents, bank statements, Sole custody. Sole responsibility, mothers passport and ILR visa etc etc, and the other child does not have all the supporting documents. Will they bring both childrens applications together for consideration, when they are sent to the Embassy.

You should be able to get appointments that are consecutive or reasonably close together. There is no facility for them to have one double-length interview (or there was not when I tried 4 months ago - always worth a try by calling VFS). Also they require each application to stand on its own - they will not consolidate documents just to save you duplicating them, which means some document gymnastics in keeping back things like parental passports to present a second time. If there is some special reason why you cannot physically present two stand-alone fully supported applications then phone them to discuss.

Its not easy to pick the right options form their phone menu to get through to a real person (deliberate?) but they are helpful when you do. The tip for success is to wait until it seeems like they have exhausted all the menu options. See my guidance in post #8 here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/538194-vfs-bangkok-uk-visa-appointments-hard-to-get/

[VisasPlus]

I have two applications to submit, what if i can't get appointments near together on the same day, as one child's application has the bundle of documents, bank statements, Sole custody. Sole responsibility, mothers passport and ILR visa etc etc, and the other child does not have all the supporting documents. Will they bring both childrens applications together for consideration, when they are sent to the Embassy.

It is normally easy to get consecutive appointments. Depending on the childs age, the child often accompanies the mother into VFS anyway, and both applications are dealt with at the same time ( even though they have separate appointments ). In addition, when the applications are dealt with at the Embassy they should be dealt with by the same ECO at the same time. This is because the applicatiion forms show that the two applicants are traveling together ( there are questiions to this effect on the application form). The child's application cannot really be issued if the mother's application is refused ( as the "accompanying parent's " details will be endorsed on the child's visa). There would be little point in issuing the child's visa ( endorsed to accompany mother ) if mother's visa was refused. In short, common sense should prevail, and the ECO will look at both files together.

Edited June 25, 2012 by VisasPlus

[ralphsilver]

Thank's guys for your advice.

Needed two appointments for July before deadline, got up at 3am this morning UK time and guess what. July appointments were now showing but only had 7th July at a cost of 1500 baht per child as it is a Saturday.

Edited June 25, 2012 by ralphsilver

[7by7]

It should be pointed out that VFS handle visa applications for several embassies in Bangkok, and many more worldwide.

The information in this topic applies only to the UK visa application centre, run by VFS.

[Kadafi]

Thank's guys for your advice.

Needed two appointments for July before deadline, got up at 3am this morning UK time and guess what. July appointments were now showing but only had 7th July at a cost of 1500 baht per child as it is a Saturday.

you can only book one week in advance during the week, thats why they are not showing. Im waiting to book a date in early July also.

[ralphsilver]

Sorry Kadafi but that is not right. Please read my post. I booked 2 appointments yesterday 25/06/12 for the 7th July the only date available on their July calendar.

Dates in July were only showing from yesterday i have had their calendar constantly loaded 24/7 for the last 10 days.

Edited June 26, 2012 by ralphsilver

[tribalfusion001]

Maybe you should check again today Ralph for next weeks availabilty? One point I should mention about Saturday 7th July, the Embassy are closed at the weekend, so the applications will not be forwarded to them until Monday 9th July, you better check with UKBA if they will be accepted under the old rules.

[7by7]

It should be pointed out that VFS handle visa applications for several embassies in Bangkok, and many more worldwide.

The information in this topic applies only to the UK visa application centre, run by VFS.

Topic title now edited to include country.

PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE POSTING

[ralphsilver]

Thank's Tribal a good point i overlooked. What about Friday the 6th July would that only be looked at Monday by the British Embassy.

[tribalfusion001]

No Ralph, if you book a morning appointment on Friday 6th July, VFS courier the applications to the Embassy in the afternoon and she will get a email from VFS to state that the application has been received, also you can check the VFS application tracker with the APET number, this will say that application has been forwarded to the British Embassy.

Better to be safe than sorry and book the Friday, plus it will save you 1500 baht

Edited June 26, 2012 by tribalfusion001

[VisasPlus]

No Ralph, if you book a morning appointment on Friday 6th July, VFS courier the applications to the Embassy in the afternoon and she will get a email from VFS to state that the application has been received, also you can check the VFS application tracker with the APET number, this will say that application has been forwarded to the British Embassy.

Better to be safe than sorry and book the Friday, plus it will save you 1500 baht

No Ralph, if you book a morning appointment on Friday 6th July, VFS courier the applications to the Embassy in the afternoon and she will get a email from VFS to state that the application has been received, also you can check the VFS application tracker with the APET number, this will say that application has been forwarded to the British Embassy.

Better to be safe than sorry and book the Friday, plus it will save you 1500 baht

I think the Embassy closes at 13.00 on a Friday, so it won't get looked at until Monday, along with the Saturday applications. But you do save money.

[tribalfusion001]

Maybe you help with this question Tony, if Ralph submits on Friday 6th or Saturday 7th, will the application be under the old or new rules, seeing that application will not reach the Embassy until Monday 9th July?

[ralphsilver]

It seems like the only day we will be safe under the existing rules is Thursday 05/07/12 but unfortunatly one child only gets their TB fee certificate that day.

6th July appointment would be good if we were sure it would get to the Embassy that day and be treated under the existing rules.

What a dilemma

Thank's guys

[7by7]

I, too, would be interested in VP's opinion, or whether he's heard anything from the embassy or UKBA (doubtful!).

My opinion is that the new rules apply to applications submitted on or after the 9th July.

You submit the application the day you visit the VAC to hand it in and have biometrics taken.

So I would hope that this is the day that counts, not the day it reaches the embassy.

It would be perverse were it otherwise; but much about these proposals are perverse!

[VisasPlus]

Maybe you help with this question Tony, if Ralph submits on Friday 6th or Saturday 7th, will the application be under the old or new rules, seeing that application will not reach the Embassy until Monday 9th July?

If the application is submitted before the 9th, then it will be treated under the current rules. This is from the UKBA website:

Most of these changes will apply to new applicants from 9 July 2012.

This is from the Statement of Intent :

APPLICATION OF THE NEW RULES

The changes set out in this Statement of Intent will for the most part come into effect on

9 July 2012 for new applications made on or after that date to enter or remain in the UK

on the basis of family life, or remain in the UK on the basis of private life.

[tribalfusion001]

Answered.

Edited June 26, 2012 by tribalfusion001

[ralphsilver]

The VFS is the British Embassy's agent therefore imho once it is submitted to them before 9th July that shoud be that, no matter when the Embassy receive the application, but who knows how it will be Interpreted.

Clarification from the British Embassy is needed to confirm that once the application is submitted to VFS before 9th July it is treated under the existing rules. I have been trying all morning to to contact the VFS without sucess.

Edited June 26, 2012 by ralphsilver

[all done]

sorry to bear bad news but unless you already have an appointment booked for next week you will almost certainly be applying after the 9th July deadline... obviously everyone is trying to book now so trying to get an appointment Tuesday evening when the booking system opened monday morning is gonna miss the boat...

I made sure the person booking was on the phone / internet waiting for the booking window to open and therefore my Wife has a 2nd July appointment... that 3 extra years to wait for the IDL was all the motivation we needed....that would be grief...holidays, schengen visas for 5 years etc...it would have been an absolute pain...(may still be but we have done all we can)

Edited June 26, 2012 by 7by7
Font normalised. See forum rules and forum netiquette.

[ralphsilver]

Just checked their appointments calendar and they still have dates in July 2-3-7 maybe more Wednesday. I have not cancelled our two Saturday 07/07/12 appointments as yet.

[tribalfusion001]

Are you sticking with your appointment for the 7th Ralph? Just seen your reply, answered. Try contacting the Bitish Embassy UKBA department in Bangkok, email address is on the Embassy website, they got to me within 2 days in April when we had a query. VFS are only the monkeys, Embassy in Bangkok are the organ grinders!

Edited June 26, 2012 by tribalfusion001

[ralphsilver]

ATM yes, no other option, if I cancel existing, may not get another for Friday 6th July.

It would be very wrong of the British Embassy to say that visa applications only start when the Embassy receive them.

Our daughter takes the TB free test on the 28/06/12 if she passes great, we can change our appointments, but if she has to do the three day testing thing starting 02/07/12 and completing 05/07/12 our only option is to stick with appointments we have.

Edited June 26, 2012 by ralphsilver

[ralphsilver]

Thank's Tribal will do.

Try contacting the British Embassy UKBA department in Bangkok,

Tried as you suggest but all contact to UKBA directs, or email link goes to VFS Global, in Thailand.

Do you have a link Tribal.

Edited June 26, 2012 by ralphsilver

[tribalfusion001]

Thank's Tribal will do.

Try contacting the British Embassy UKBA department in Bangkok,

Tried as you suggest but all contact to UKBA directs, or email link goes to VFS Global, in Thailand.

Do you have a link Tribal.

Try this, [email protected]

UKBA don't have a phone number, I've looked before, but they did email me back after 2 working days.

Edited June 26, 2012 by tribalfusion001

[Kadafi]

Sorry Kadafi but that is not right. Please read my post. I booked 2 appointments yesterday 25/06/12 for the 7th July the only date available on their July calendar.

Dates in July were only showing from yesterday i have had their calendar constantly loaded 24/7 for the last 10 days.

I am not wrong, you can see the 7th because its a prime time appointment on a saturday. Yesterday 3rd July was not available and it is today because its one week from now. If you click on the 3rd you will see plenty of time slots available, wait until friday and all next week will show up. Im looking to book next week also.

[ralphsilver]

Good luck Kadafi

[ralphsilver]

Still no reply from either the VFS helpline,or the UKBA regarding whether a application is considered submitted once accepted by the VFS