UK Visitor Visa application online not available in Thailand, no alternatives

[sanuk1102]

Following "apply for visa online" from the VFS website leads to a UK Government Beta site which states that "This service is not currently available in your country of application, we therefore recommend you apply using an alternative service". It does not state what alternative service to use. How is it possible to apply for a UK visitor visa (or any UK visa) in Thailand now? Customer service simply sent me the same link, they do not even understand the problem. Has anyone recently been able to submit an online application from the VFS website? Or from anywhere else?

[bobrussell]

Go to visa4UK to start an application. https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk

Should work fine. I have just tried a 'dummy' application and it was fine. True it was from the UK but entering country of residence as Thailand and nationality Thai.

[theoldgit]

It's working fine for me here in Bangkok.

I've also just started a dummy application using the link bobrussell has provided and using the link from VFS.

[brewsterbudgen]

I recently completed an application from Bangkok and it worked fine. Just checked my logon now, and the link works perfectly.

[pmugghc]

I recently completed an application from Bangkok and it worked fine. Just checked my logon now, and the link works perfectly.

Which link did you use?

[brewsterbudgen]

I recently completed an application from Bangkok and it worked fine. Just checked my logon now, and the link works perfectly.

Which link did you use?

https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/home/welcome

[sanuk1102]

Thanks to all who replied so quickly and helpfully.

The secret seems to be to ignore the warning message that the system may not be available in all countries and avoid checking to see if you are eligible, which gets you into a loop.

I went straight to Register, set up an account and verified my email. I then returned to the website and (ignoring the warning message) logged in to the new account using the Login button. This worked and took me to the start of the application process. No doubt I will be able to complete it now.

Appreciate your help.

[GarryP]

Thanks to all who replied so quickly and helpfully.

The secret seems to be to ignore the warning message that the system may not be available in all countries and avoid checking to see if you are eligible, which gets you into a loop.

I went straight to Register, set up an account and verified my email. I then returned to the website and (ignoring the warning message) logged in to the new account using the Login button. This worked and took me to the start of the application process. No doubt I will be able to complete it now.

Appreciate your help.

I encountered exactly the same problem as you. I will be applying for my girlfriend in a month or so so would be interested in learning whether your application is indeed processed in view of the explicit notice/warning that this service is not available for use in Thailand.

Under normal circumstances, ignoring an explicit warning is not advisable. I would be concerned the application is disappearing into a black hole.

[sanuk1102]

I now have confirmation from the International Enquiry Service (i.e. the helpdesk):

To apply for UK visas in Thailand, please apply through VISA4UK site:

https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/

I will not be submitting my application until mid April, because I will not travel to UK until July. I started early because I wanted to resolve the problem with the website. If I encounter any problems when I make the application, I will post here.

I wonder why they don't just fix the website warning!

[sanuk1102]

Here is the clearest reply yet that I received from the Visa and Immigration International Enquiry Service.

Thank you for contacting UK Visas and Immigration international enquiry service.

With regards to your query, please note: there is a new online application service which is currently being rolled out in different countries. This service is currently unavailable in Thailand, please create an application using visa4uk, please do not use any of the hyperlinks such as 'See if you are eligible to use the new service'.

You can create an online application at https://www.visa4uk.fco.gov.uk/

You will be able to book the appointment and pay the visa fee as well using the above link. Once you have completed your application you can visit the application centre with a printed copy of your application and all relevant supporting documents as detailed in the visa information.

Please be advised that the final decision in any visa application will be made by the entry clearance officer assigned to your case based on the merits of the evidence and documentation supplied.

Please also visit https://www.gov.uk/find-a-visa-application-centre to find your nearest visa application centre. Some visa application centre's let you pay at the time of the appointment, please check to see if this service is available.

We strongly recommend not to book prepaid travel and accommodation before receiving the visa.

Regarding "please do not use any of the hyperlinks such as 'See if you are eligible to use the new service'." If they don't want you to use the hyperlink, why don't they remove it? That would avoid a lot of fruitless effort by those trying to apply for visas and a lot of unnecessary questions for the enquiry service.

[GarryP]

Thanks for the update sanuk1102. Much appreciated.

[7by7]

Indeed, the online application service is not only available in Thailand; it's mandatory.

ignore the link See if you are eligible to use the new service!!!!

It always seems the way with UK government IT services; they go for the cheapest option and then spend millions trying to fix the bugs before scrapping the whole thing and starting again

[UbonOz]

To add a little more information on my experience today.

I had the same problem attempting to register. I tried that many times with no success.

I wanted to start a new application for my wife who will be on her ninth visit to the UK in April, her last visa has just expired. The last two visas were for two years.

I clicked after a while and thought does the website remember my email address from past applications, it must do, I was attempting to register with my original email address from two years ago with a new password.

Anyway, I used another email address and password to register, it worked. I registered OK, logged in and completed the application.

So, anyone that has applied previously and using the same email address, remember the password and you will not need to register next time, just log in. Hopefully you will not have the same frustrating experience.

I would love the British Embassy to have a procedure where a person who has visited the UK many times and their circumstances have not changed, the application could be treated with less paperwork. Presently, every application is treated as if it were their first. Less work for everybody.

[7by7]

I would love the British Embassy to have a procedure where a person who has visited the UK many times and their circumstances have not changed, the application could be treated with less paperwork. Presently, every application is treated as if it were their first. Less work for everybody.

Each application is treated on it's own merits; whether it's someone's first, second, third etc.

Unless an applicant provides evidence of their current circumstances, how will the ECO know that their circumstances have not changed since their last application?

If someone has valid reasons for making regular trips to the UK they can always apply for a longer term visit visa; 2, 5 or 10 years. See Long-term visit visas (multiple entry).

Beware, though; the longer the term, the higher the fee. If, for some reason, the ECO decides to issue a shorter term than that asked for there will be no refund of the difference between the fees..

No matter what the term of their visa, a visitor can still only spend a maximum of 6 months in the UK per visit and, whilst there is no actual rule on this, usually no more than 6 months out of any 12 in the UK as a visitor. See frequent and successive visits

If when seeking to enter the UK there is sufficient reason for a immigration to believe that the holder's circumstances have significantly changed since the visa was issued such that the reasons for issuing the visa are no longer valid or the person is using a long term visit visa for de facto UK residence, then the visa holder could be refused entry.

[naboo]

Just completed the online application. Last time, I was asked to select a number of dates and was emailed later to say which of the options I had received. This time, they asked me what time I wanted, I selected, and got an immediate reply saying my booking was confirmed at that time.

I haven't booked anything at all through the VFS website as the options available aren't applicable to a visitor visa. Its all been done through the visa4uk.fco website. Is that right? I have an email appointment to confirm the time and date.

[sandyf]

I would love the British Embassy to have a procedure where a person who has visited the UK many times and their circumstances have not changed, the application could be treated with less paperwork. Presently, every application is treated as if it were their first. Less work for everybody.

You and me both. My wife has traveled quite a bit and with the old form I just used to paste the details from one year to the next.

Last year when faced with this new online form I had feed in all the details one by one, I am now faced with the same task again.

Why can't they store travel history and previous passport details, then just ask for changes since last application, hardly rocket science.

When I opened this current application, some information was already there so it is not as though everything is brand new.

[sanuk1102]

An update from the original poster. Today I completed the online application without any problems. It saves each section as you go, but don't take too long to think before saving as it is liable to log you off with a timeout. You then need to reenter the whole section. When all completed you can review. Be careful not to press the completed button until you are sure you do not need to change anything. After completion you can pay (system takes you to Worldpay where you can use credit card or Paypal). After that, back to the system (had to log in again) and booked appointment. Got an immediate confirmation by email for the time I requested. You are then shown a list of things to do next, including printing the appointment. Use this link rather than the email, since it will print including the bar code. Fairly painless process, and should be easier next time round. There is also an option to register for the VFS site, which I did, but I could not see anything I needed to do there. It seems to be aimed at people outside Thailand who have not made appointments via the FCO system. The completed visitor visa application form is 12 pages long.

Data entry is a little inflexible. For example, some older birth records in Thailand may just show month and year but the system insists on having a day as well. Some fields are a bit too short and abbreviations are needed (can't even enter "Ministry of Foreign Affairs" as place of issue for passport - used Min Foreign Affairs as abbreviation). Would have liked more space for supplementary information too.

If anything interesting happens when I go to VFS for the appointment I will post here.