A-O Non Imm Sorted.

[berybert]

After several weeks of stress and worry I finally have a non A-O long stay stamp in my passport. How can something so easy be made to look so hard ?.

Medical certificate, I went to my doctor on 2 occasions and both times he told me he couldn't do the tests that were needed other than the blood test for Syphilis and a chest x-ray for T.B.

both of these I managed to get done on the NHS.

The tests  for the other things mentioned on the list I was told I would need to go private for. I found only one place that did this and they wanted about £400 for the 3 tests.

I called a doctor in Harley street and he told me these tests do not exist in this country.  (So not sure what I would have got for my £400 other than some blood tests and faked results)

The Harley street doctor sent me an email to give to my own doctor to say these tests were 'clinical diagnoses'  i.e. check thru my medical history and ask me some questions. Which is what eventually happened.

So cost of medical certificate £00.00

The police report is self explanatory. £45

Bank details was another headache. In the end all I needed was a copy of bank statements with bank stamp showing correct monies in place for 3 months.

THERE IS NO NEED TO GET A COVER LETTER FROM THE BANK TO SAY YOU HAVE THIS MONEY. I have no ides why they mention you do on the embassy website.

Cost of bank statements and stamp £00.00

I then went to Ashtons solicitors which is linked on the embassy website. I didn't trust this at first because it is linked but they are the only people I would consider using if I need to again.

£5 per page to sign everything off, which is 3 pages. £15

There is no need to notarize any of the documents all you need is the signed pages done by a solicitors. Again I cant recommend  anyone but Ashtons.

They are a 3 or 4 minute walk from Covent Garden tube station and then another 20 minutes to Gloucester road. Which is a ten minute walk to the Thai embassy.

 Multi entry £125

I had an 11 o'clock appointment at Ashtons and was in the embassy by 11.40.

I went back to the embassy this morning to pick my passport up with the lovely A-O long stay gleaming at me.

Total cost £185

Tho the head scratching and heartache cost a lot more. But that's now by the by.

[Diplomatico]

  I find it absolutely hilarious that your doctor couldn't visually examine you and determine that you didn't have elephantiasis.  

 

  I understand that different countries and different doctors means that the "hassle factor"is variable but I had not nearly as much difficulty in getting my doc to sign off on the med sheet.  

 

  Sounds like it all worked out in the end for you though.  Congrats!  

 

  (And good on you for providing feedback to the forum on your experience.)

[berybert]

My doctor said he couldn't lie and say he had tested me when he hadn't. I did mention to him that I didn't have one leg four times the size of the other and wasn't  missing any limbs.  Sadly that didn't cut the ice.

The embassy really should make the certificate country specific. Or maybe I just need a doctor with a bit of common sense.

Some of the other things I found out from reading other peoples trials and tribulations, so its nice to give something back and hope it helps someone else out.

Thanks for a positive reply.

[OJAS]

46 minutes ago, berybert said:

My doctor said he couldn't lie and say he had tested me when he hadn't. I did mention to him that I didn't have one leg four times the size of the other and wasn't  missing any limbs.  Sadly that didn't cut the ice.

The embassy really should make the certificate country specific. Or maybe I just need a doctor with a bit of common sense.

Some of the other things I found out from reading other peoples trials and tribulations, so its nice to give something back and hope it helps someone else out.

Thanks for a positive reply.

 

Fortunately I did encounter a doctor with common sense when I applied for my OA visa in London 8 years ago. I walked into her office at the surgery and sat down in front of her desk. She then gave me a "thorough medical examination" which consisted of her eyes moving from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet, after which she signed the Embassy certificate without any ado. I had to pay £10 for the "privilege", though.

[berybert]

2 hours ago, OJAS said:

 

Fortunately I did encounter a doctor with common sense when I applied for my OA visa in London 8 years ago. I walked into her office at the surgery and sat down in front of her desk. She then gave me a "thorough medical examination" which consisted of her eyes moving from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet, after which she signed the Embassy certificate without any ado. I had to pay £10 for the "privilege", though.

Paying £10 is something I would much rather have done than go through the hassle of running to hospitals for tests and other messing about.