VFS Bangkok, what a shambles !

[CharlieH]

After reading an earlier thread and the chaos with bodies everywhere waiting for visa application submission etc, and someone commenting about the 3000 baht premium service in and out in 15 minutes in there experience.

So, time to make application for the wife to travel to the Uk with me, wishing to avoid waiting ALL day as reported by some, we went for the 3000 baht premium lounge.

Our experience today ? So typically Thailand as nothing is ever consistent. We arrived at 10.00 am not quite sure where it was so went a little early, appointment booked for 10.40. Nice air -con cool building, plenty of facilities around if you need them for photocopying translation or whatever. Good Coffee lounge on the grounf floor if you want somewhere to wait.

Up to the 28th floor, rugby scrum ! at the desk to enter, wife passes through, shown to premium lounge, NO seats available ! She had to stand and wait for available seat ! Great service huh, she stood for almost an hour before getting a seat. Someone later appeared and apologised for the delay due to new staff they were very slow.

Meanwhile, the experienced staff in the main normal processing area, had cleared the room !

It would have been quicker overall on this occasion to just go and use the standard submission process.

The only thing the wife did eventually benefit from was getting some photocopying done and a little snacks to nibble. From start to finish was 2 hrs on the so called premium VIP service.

It seems its these "agents" that are clogging the system, instead of one application, one person as the masses are told, these a rolling up with 20 -30 applications in their hand and so slowing it all down, but thats just a guess on my part from what I observed.

Bottom line, its a lottery, you may be lucky on the day and be in and out in no time, you could pay for the premium and still get delayed, there is no guarantee on any of it! Luck of the draw, planning seems to make no difference, its all about whats happening there that day.

Best of luck to one and all who have to venture there.

Edited May 29, 2014 by theoldgit
Serious accusations removed.

[7by7]

Neither VFS, nor the British embassy, can be held responsible for activities which occur in the parts of the building which are outside of their control.

However, if VFS staff are interacting with visa agents, or anyone, as you describe then this, I understand, is strictly against their remit and staff acting in this way are committing gross misconduct.

Both VFS and the embassy should be informed without delay.

It seems its these "agents" that are clogging the system, instead of one application, one person as the masses are told, these a rolling up with 20 -30 applications in their hand and so slowing it all down, but thats just a guess on my part from what I observed

As appointments are made in the name of the applicant, whether they used an agent or not, and as applicants have to attend in person to have their biometrics taken, I don't see how that is possible.

However, as Australian applications are dealt with in the same office it may have been agents acting for applicants for Australian visas that you saw. But I don't know enough about Australian procedures to if that is possible or not.

Edited May 29, 2014 by theoldgit
Reply to edited response removed.

[theoldgit]

Whilst I can understand and appreciate your frustration, we don't really need a new topic every time some has a bad experience at VFS, I suspect this forum would very quickly fill up, so lets just keep to the earlier threads.

This one is closed.