British Embassy in Laos - visa service

[brewsterbudgen]

I was surprised to find out that there is now a British Embassy in Vientiene that can issue UK visas. Previously I understood that Laotians needed to use the visa service in Bangkok.

 

Has anyone used it for their Lao partner?  I'm hoping that it will be a far quicker process as they must handle substantially fewer visa applications than Bangkok.

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-embassy-vientiane

[theoldgit]

They do have a UK Embassy now, but applications are still handled by the Bangkok visa Section.

The application form and bio details can be lodged in Laos, the applicant has to pay an extra £75 to VFS for the documents to be couriered to Bangkok.

http://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/Laos/application_centre.html

[brewsterbudgen]

They do have a UK Embassy now, but applications are still handled by the Bangkok visa Section.

The application form and bio details can be lodged in Laos, the applicant has to pay an extra £75 to VFS for the documents to be couriered to Bangkok.

http://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/Laos/application_centre.html

 

Oh, I see.  Handing over the documents and doing the biometrics in Vientiene is most likely a more pleasant experience than The Trendy!  However, as my GF is from Pakse, it's probably easier to do it in Bangkok.

 

She's going to be applying for a UK visitor's visa.  If it is currently taking 3 weeks to process, this presumably means she will be without her Lao passport for that time.  This is her only acceptable ID when in Thailand and it's also likely she might have to do a border run if the process takes longer.  I'm uncomfortable with the idea of her being without her passport for so long while in Thailand but, other than applying in Laos, I guess there is no alternative.
 

[lovelaos]

 

They do have a UK Embassy now, but applications are still handled by the Bangkok visa Section.

The application form and bio details can be lodged in Laos, the applicant has to pay an extra £75 to VFS for the documents to be couriered to Bangkok.

http://www.vfsglobal.co.uk/Laos/application_centre.html

 

Oh, I see.  Handing over the documents and doing the biometrics in Vientiene is most likely a more pleasant experience than The Trendy!  However, as my GF is from Pakse, it's probably easier to do it in Bangkok.

 

She's going to be applying for a UK visitor's visa.  If it is currently taking 3 weeks to process, this presumably means she will be without her Lao passport for that time.  This is her only acceptable ID when in Thailand and it's also likely she might have to do a border run if the process takes longer.  I'm uncomfortable with the idea of her being without her passport for so long while in Thailand but, other than applying in Laos, I guess there is no alternative.
 

 

 

They do take into consideration that she is from Laos and will put her on fast-track. The last time I went down this route with my ex wife (Laotian) she got her visa within 5 working days. This was the days before they had a British Embassy in VTE.

[lovelaos]

Also, a girl from my office (Laos) got a visitors visa for UK  a few months ago within 6 working days from Bangkok.

[buggerlugs]

Be aware that she will send her passport by DHL or equivalent.
DHL managed to 'lose' my passport in Bangkok which necessitated a trip to Bangkok to Uk Embassy for an emergency travel doc then pay for flight to UK to get new passport over the counter as I couldn't wait the 6 weeks or so due to work needs. Be prepared to expect the unexpected