I have a Russian friend whose wife is in Penang today to get an education visa but has been told by Banana House, who have been a visa brokerage service there, that it would take two days to process; she has a flight booked back and hadn't anticipated the delay. He's on the phone with her right now, I suggested she go straight to the consulate herself to see if she can get it overnight as anticipated.. Could the issue just be that Banana House only takes in ed visa applications on certain days, not every day...or is this a regular practice/delay for the time needed to get an education visa processed?

she's had a bargain flight from Samui (ridiculously cheap, 1500 baht return) but given the situation it seems likely she'll have to book another flight back. She has her young baby with her and was anticipating a 30-day entry for it so I'm not sure having the baby with her at the Consulate will help her or hinder her. The sympathy card may well not work, but seems worth a try.

I said "go in today"...but it's Sunday, the Consulate is closed.

Comments?

Edited August 31, 201411 yr by BigSkookum

Wow! 1500 baht??? Who was that with? I recently paid 9100 from Phuket, and it's only an hour's flight

As to your question, when I applied for a visa from a neighbouring agency to the Banana I was asked what nationality I was 'as some were having problems'.

If she applies tomorrow she would have it back on Tuesday which is the normal processing time for non immigrant visas there. That would be 2 days from today.

her ticket is for Tuesday afternoon, she should be fine; Banana had indicated to her they wouldn't get it for her before Wednesday

that was a one-time fare....Firefly I think. ... bought long in advance.

Edited August 31, 201411 yr by BigSkookum

Today is Sunday

Firefly flies from Samui to Penang.

Try Jim's place on Chulia street, he's a good visa agent.

If she applies tomorrow she would have it back on Tuesday which is the normal processing time for non immigrant visas there. That would be 2 days from today.

Today is Malaysia National (Merdeka) Day. The public holiday defaults to tomorrow, Monday 1st. Hopefully you won't have a problem as the closure is not listed on the Penang Consulate's list of public holiday dates but is on the KL Embassy page. Penang may not be closed tomorrow BUT seeing as they normally observe both Malaysian and Thai public holidays don't be surprised if it is.

http://www.thaiembassy.org/kualalumpur/contents/images/text_editor/files/Office%20Holidays%202014.PDF

Edited August 31, 201411 yr by Pick of Penang