VFS/UK Visa Nightmare - I never needed one. I want refund!

[YeaBiGgiEs]

Please, let me spare all of you the ramblings of everything that has happened... in a nutshell, the VFS call center gave me wrong information, then the VFS window inside the Regent House confirmed it, which ultimatly caused me to apply for a Visa that I didn't need costing me 4080B. To add insult to injury, that visa was then denied. After further extensive research I later learned that I did NOT need the visa.

I have had back/forth email wars with VFS where they have been intimidating and threatened to escalate the matter based on my replies appearing "harassing".

I have emailed a complaint section that I found online for the UK. Naturally nobody has contacted me.

To date, I have yet to explain, talk to, be given a direct contact to anyone who could assist me in this manner. They have created a foolproof s ystem where you can NEVER reach a live person or one that is actually a UK employee.

BACKGROUND:

This was a VISA for a THAI National (friend) who was going to be on a cruise with me to Belize and Mexico.

BELIZE is a UK territory. The cruiseline was no help but made it VERY clear that passengers should obtain any visas necessary or they may be denied boarding on the cruiseship.

This set me in a panic which was the start of this nightmare.

Apparently its common knowledge in the industry that "cruise ship passengers do NOT need a visa for Belize", yet I guess VFS in Bangkok didn't get the memo and since they are a contractor to the UK, they certainly don't want the UK to know a mistake was made so they'd rather brush me under teh carpet and hope I go away.

Due to the wrong information I received, I spent money for a visa application I did not need.

There is now some notation, reflecting in the last page of my friends passport of this denial.

FAILURE #2

You would think that if VFS gave me wrong information and I applied for something that I didn't need that eventually it would be caught by someone more knowlegable on the 2nd stage of the process. The person who received my application on their desk and reviewed it should have caught the error. NOPE, instead they just denied it and paid no attention to the detailed letter I included with the application.

Failure after failure after failure and here I am 7 months later unable to speak to a human, no contact information to anyone who can assist me and a financial loss..

Can any Forum members assist?

[theoldgit]

I'm not one for sticking up for VFS, but their function is not to advise on visa applications, they are not qualified to do so, their role is to receive applications on behalf of the UKVI, and pass them on.

Whilst I can understand your frustration, I don't see that they have done anything wrong.

[tw25rw]

I was thinking that too. Belize is an independent country. It isn't part of Britain. It's like applying for a UK visa to visit Australia. If you apply for a visa through VFS, it isn't their job to scrutinise your itinerary before accepting the application.

[Tony M]

A strange thing about visas is that you can apply for one even if you don't need one, certainly for the UK. I assume that this might also apply for visas to Belize. For instance, an Australian can apply for a UK visit visa if they have doubts about a visa being issued to them, and they want to be sure. This may be what has happened in your friend's case, and if so, then you cannot get a refund.

Edited May 15, 2014 by Tony M

[tw25rw]

A strange thing about visas is that you can apply for one even if you don't need one, certainly for the UK. I assume that this might also apply for visas to Belize. For instance, an Australian can apply for a UK visit visa if they have doubts about a visa being issued to them, and they want to be sure. This may be what has happened in your friend's case, and if so, then you cannot get a refund.

In this case, Belize isn't even the same country though. It has been independent for years. I suspect he contacted them about a UK visa and mentioned a place they had never heard of and they tried to be helpful.

[Tony M]

A strange thing about visas is that you can apply for one even if you don't need one, certainly for the UK. I assume that this might also apply for visas to Belize. For instance, an Australian can apply for a UK visit visa if they have doubts about a visa being issued to them, and they want to be sure. This may be what has happened in your friend's case, and if so, then you cannot get a refund.

In this case, Belize isn't even the same country though. It has been independent for years. I suspect he contacted them about a UK visa and mentioned a place they had never heard of and they tried to be helpful.

I don't think so. In countries where there is a no Belize representative, the British Embassy handles visa applications for Belize. I'm assuming there is no Belize representative in Thailand. In addition, the UKVI could not refuse a visa for Belize ( as the OP says they have) if they are not representing the country that the visa was applied for. That wouldn't make sense at all.

I think the VFS accepted the application in good faith, as the British Embassy here deals with visa applications for Belize. The ECO refused the application, most likely after referring it to Belize for their decision. The refusal notice( GV51) will give the reasons for refusal. Perhaps the OP could let us know what it says.

[7by7]

From the OP:

The cruiseline was no help......

....Apparently its common knowledge in the industry that "cruise ship passengers do NOT need a visa for Belize".....

Seems to me that your beef is with the cruise line for not knowing what is apparently common knowledge in the cruise industry!

As said, Belize is not a UK territory, it is an independent country; though part of the Commonwealth.

Edit: But see TonyM's post above.

Edited May 15, 2014 by 7by7

[Briggsy]

Yesterday I took a hit for £420 after being given the wrong advice. I am miffed. Yes. Will I get my money back? Very unlikely. Having failed to achieve what you wanted without wasting money, it is important to complain to the person that can make the decision that you need. How about trying your MP. Civil servants don't like MP complaint cases.

[tw25rw]

I found there is a Belize embassy in Bangkok.. Website doesn't work though.

Belizean Embassy 10th Floor, Pilot Pen Building 331, 331/1-3 Silom Road Bangrak District Bangkok Thailand

It's near Wat Saket .

Edited May 15, 2014 by tw25rw

[saakura]

VFS is purely contracted to only collect documents and forward them to the UK embassy. If you filled in an application form for a UK visitor visa with supporting documents for travel to Belize, it would have been rejected. UK embassy website clearly states that the fees are for 'processing' the application and is not refundable. A 10 year business visa application cost me 35000 baht, paid in advance. If rejected, i am not sure if the entire amount is lost.

[Tony M]

I found there is a Belize embassy in Bangkok.. Website doesn't work though.

Belizean Embassy 10th Floor, Pilot Pen Building 331, 331/1-3 Silom Road Bangrak District Bangkok Thailand

It's near Wat Saket .

But I don't think they issue visas ( even if there is actually someone there). This is the procedure for applying for a visa for Belize in Thailand :

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-commonwealth-visa-in-thailand/apply-for-a-visa-for-commonwealth-countries-in-thailand

[YeaBiGgiEs]

I appreciate the responses thus far...Thank you.

There is a world of difference between seeking "advice" from someone, which can carry legal ramifications and asking/seeking simple basic information. VFS has made that quite clear..funny how the website has changed dramatically from October til now.

On the morning of my interview, I contacted the VFS call center (with hopes to save time/taxi) to make sure and confirm that I (my friend) needed a UK visa to enter Belize waters (No desire to even get off the ship) THIS would have been a good time for someone to step up and say "Sir, I think you are mistaken, Belize is separate and has nothing to dowith UK" That would have been INFORMATION and not "advice"

FAILURE

Not liking the confidence of the person I was tlaking too and growing agitated, I took a taxi to Regent house for my appointment. Documents in hand and before submitting my application I went to the VFS window and asked numerous people in the window, who scuffled around and appeared they were actually looking into my inquiry. Their conclusion was the same.

NOBODY mentioned "Sir you are in the wrong embassy" "Sir Belize isn't part of the UK" "Sir you are mistaken" "Sir, why are you here today?"

INSTEAD it was more like "OH YES you need it, run get a money order and give us your money".

With the information they provided, which was NOT accurate, I paid for and applied for something that I did not need.

VFS Call Center - Failed me

VFS Window - Failed me

UK Officer who processed the application - Failed me

I'm not in th habit of applying and paying for something I don't need just on a whim or just because.

I asked for information, I trusted the information that I received from what appeared to be a reputable source that should know their as* from a hole in the ground and I made my decision based on that information. Which was NOT CORRECT.

ANYWHERE along the line anybody could have caught a red flag, like some of you questioning Belize and UK.

I see this as nothing more than criminal, its called "theft by deception"..deceiving me into believing I need something that I don't for their financial gain and my loss.. Its that simple

I want to clarify if these seems to be doubt/bullshit building about "my application" and my friend. My friend is Thai and I handled all the appointments, paperwork, finances and so forth. Thats all. SO if I slip up and say "my application" or my friend, its one in the same. Yet its my money that was thieved by a government and an agency which represents them.

(Unrelated information, I secured a 10year B2 Visa to the USA for my Thai national friend. Did the application, payment, went on the interview even)

Edited May 15, 2014 by YeaBiGgiEs

[theoldgit]

You are now claiming theft and deception so this thread cannot continue.

I suggest you complain to VFS or the UKVI, or both, via their complaint procedure.