Delays in obtaining Income Letter from British embassy

[Mobi]

I have been using a local visa company to take my passport and income details to the British Embassy in Bangkok and obtain my annual income letter to extend my retirement visa.

There is usually a 48 hour turnaround.

This time my passport has been with them for two weeks and they now tell me it won’t be back before next week. They claim that the delay is due to the troubles in Bangkok

.

It is unclear as to whether the delay is due to their driver having problems getting to and from the embassy, or whether the delay is in the embassy itself.

I have been using this company for many years and they have always been very quick and efficient so I have no reason to suspect they are not telling me the truth.

I was wondering if anyone else was having problems in obtaining their income letters.

Thanks

[JAS21]

Hi Mobi

Last time I asked them for that letter I just had to EMS them a copy of my passport and proof of income. They EMS it back to you. Maybe think about using that method next year.

Sorry can't help with your question.

[ubonjoe]

I suggest you call the embassy consular section to find out if there are delays on their side of things. https://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-embassy-bangkok

I cannot see a reason for it take 2 weeks. I think I would be getting my passport back and doing it myself or by mail.

[CharlieH]

I applied by mail for mine in December, didnt get it back until 1st week in January, 4 weeks total turnaround, but jn fairness Xmas & New year holidays were in there too.

Dont know why you pay a service, applying by mail is so simple.

[lungbing]

I have obtained letters from the embassy for many years past, at least ten, and have never had to send my passport. Only original evidence of income has ever been needed plus a postal order for the (extortionate) amount as stated on the embassy website at the time. Always done by post, EMS there and back, always within ten days turnround, often within a week.

[Mobi]

Thanks for the helpful replies.

It does seem as though there may be a delay at the embassy, but I will see what happens on Monday when I have been told I will get my passport back.This will be 2 weeks.

The reason I used an agent is because I always thought that the embassy needed to see my original passport, and although I have never had any problems with EMS, I decided it was too risky to do by mail.

I obviously didn't read the embassy requirements properly and next year I will do it via EMS by using a copy of my passport.

[OJAS]

I have obtained letters from the embassy for many years past, at least ten, and have never had to send my passport. Only original evidence of income has ever been needed plus a postal order for the (extortionate) amount as stated on the embassy website at the time. Always done by post, EMS there and back, always within ten days turnround, often within a week.

Ditto me. Suspect that the PDRC demo sites which appear to have been set up all round the Embassy may be lengthening the turnaround time at present though.

Might be worth pointing out that the Embassy now require some proof of address (eg utility bills, mail showing your name and local address, a house registration, etc.) for mailed-in requests: https://www.gov.uk/notarial-and-documentary-services-guide-for-thailand

[Jip99]

Is it only a photocopy of the main passport page that is required for postal applications ?

[ubonjoe]

I assume just the photo page. It only says copy of passport here: https://www.gov.uk/notarial-and-documentary-services-guide-for-thailand

[evadgib]

The turnaround time is 7 days door to door when doing it yourself.

HTH

[olddoc]

When I applied for a Statement of Income a few weeks ago at the Embassy they made copies of my passport data page and my current extension of stay stamp. No proof of address was requested but original documents relating to income were required.

A very quick turn round ! Apply AM pick up PM !

Expensive though