Visa Or Entry Clearance
Some country nationals require permission to just visit the UK. These are known as UK Visa Nationals. These include nationals of Thailand and the Philippines. However, an Entry Clearance is required to all nationals (excluding those from the EU) who wish to go to the UK for longer than 6 months, or to work, study, or settle. For example: A citizen of Singapore does not require a Visa to visit the UK, but if they wish to work there, they will be required to obtain an Entry Clearance.
Outsourced Visas
The UK Embassy in Bangkok is in partnership with VFS (Thailand) also known as the UK Application Center. You should tender your UK visa application at the VFS office which in turn forward your application to the UK Embassy. It is not VFS who decides on your visa application. The Visa Section of the British Embassy in governed by UK Border Agency or (UKBA). UKBA is an agency of the UK's Home Office.
What are the required documents?
There is no set list of documents which should be provided to apply for a UK Visa as this varies from application to application and person to person. Although generally, all applicants need to submit the following:
- a valid passport or travel document
- all previous passports or travel documents if available
- a completed application form
- a passport-sized (45mm x 35mm), colour photograph of yourself.
- the supporting documents relevant to the application
- the visa fee
How long is the application process?
In general, non-settlement category visas such as visitor visas typically take up to 15 working days to be processed. If the client has previously travelled to the UK, or the US, New Zealand, Australia or to any Schengen countries in the last 5 years, processing time could be lessen to 5 - 7 business days. Settlement category visas, on the other hand, can take between 2 - 3 months.
Note that the length of time that it takes to process an application is not always the same. Delays can occur as the British Embassy might ask for additional documents or other evidences. Furthermore, you can also check the progress of your application online, but you will not know the outcome of your application until collection of the documents.
When is the interview?
Only some people require an interview and it is usually because the Visa Officer requires further clarification. This interview is usually conducted over the phone with the Embassy's interpreter. There is no interview on submission.
Need help with UK Visa for Thai application?
Before doing anything, get a consultation with our Senior UK Visa & Immigration Specialist. You can also leave us a message for more information on UK Visa applications from Thailand.
HELPFUL TIPS:
We recommend you keep copies of all application forms and other documents you submit, and make notes of any specific questions you are asked and the answers you provide. Good records will provide an accurate basis for further representations to be made in the event that your application is refused. It is less expensive to take advice from an immigration lawyer and obtain your entry clerance, than to engage a solicitor's help in overturning a UK Visa, Thailand refusal.