I've got a chance to go to UK with my Thai girlfriend but have to go around 25-27 Sep. Any earlier or later and we won't be able to go. I'm pretty sure she'll get a tourists visa and we have all the proof for everything. What I need to know at the moment is how long it usually takes from applying to being accepted. I have found some flights that are an acceptable price, but don't want to book them yet, just in case there is a problem with the visa. Also, how exactly do you apply? Do you just turn up at the UK Embassy with the completed forms, or do you need to make an appointment, etc? We could get everything started on Monday.

My concern is that if it takes too long, then the flight prices will have got too expensive, so there is no point applying if it usually takes 4-6 weeks, for example. She just needs a 2-week tourist visa.

My wife got a 6 month family visit visa within a week of applying. You complete the application form online, print it and take it together with all the supporting documents to VFS is Bangkok, having first booked an appointment online.

My wife got a 6 month family visit visa within a week of applying. You complete the application form online, print it and take it together with all the supporting documents to VFS is Bangkok, having first booked an appointment online.

Ok, that's great. We'll get the online application done today. So hopefully we'll have everything sorted my next weekend.

Note that visa waiting times vary throughout the year depending on demand. My sister in law got her visa the day after she applied, but that was at a quiet time; late December.

Visa processing times show that for general visit visa applications decided in July, 96% were decided within 10 days, 99% within 15 days and 100% within 40 days.

That page says their aim is to process 98% of non settlement applications within 3 weeks, so this is the minimum amount of time I'd advise allowing.

If you have not yet applied, you may find UK Visit Visa Basics helpful.