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  1. #1
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Thai Embassy London - Visa Application

    During a visit to the UK I decided to apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa Category “O-A” (Long Stay). Previously I have used the Hull Consulate.

    The London Embassy web site makes it look a little daunting but being of an age and inclination where it was possible, and after reading the benefits on the Terry/Todd thread I had a bash.

    The Embassy web site lists the requirements, albeit slightly in error (ACPO). All the documents are downloadable from there.

    Two items took the longest time, the Police certificate (PC) and the Medical Certificate (MC) . The Embassy web site states the PC must be obtained from Scotland Yard, the Scotland Yard web sites points you to ACPO web sites. I clarified this with the Embassy and they agreed that the ACPO site was the one.

    The PC form was downloaded from the ACPO web site and, other than trying to remember where I had lived for the past ten years, was easy to complete. One aspect was the requirement for a signee for the photograph, which was similar to a UK passport. Knowing a professional for at least 3 years but not a family member. It seems an ex wife was not acceptable. It took a week or so to arrive but you do get a very professional certificate to hang on your wall.

    The MC certificate asks for your local doctor (GP) to certify you are free from some exotic illnesses, Elephantiasis and Leprosy along with a couple of others. A TB test was called for which was done, with a good result, also a Stage 3 Syphilis, always handy to show your girlfriend/wife , blood test again clear result.

    Photographs were taken and visa applications forms downloaded from the embassy web site and filled in. A bank statement, only a single one showing 1 months of credits and debits, was required, to indicate your income exceeded the required minimum.

    The PC, MC and bank statement were required to be signed and sealed by a Notary Public (NP). A quick search revealed many locally and quotes for the three documents ranged from £30 to £180, so shopping around may be useful. After receiving every thing in hand and visiting the NP I set off to the London Embassy.

    They accept applications between 9am and 12am, not a minute after, very un-Thai. I waited maybe 15 minutes after taking a pink numbered ticket. Whilst waiting I noticed that she made it obvious to some applicants, that she wasn't there to "discuss" anything and pointed to a pile of explanatory leaflets on a table.

    The officer checks the PC, the MC, the applications and the bank statement if OK she copies them for free!!. She even adds up all the bank deposits to ensure your monthly income exceeds the required amount. She does however include cash deposits, if you confirm verbally they are deposited every month.

    I asked if everything was OK and she replied "Your visa will be ready tomorrow after 11am and until 12 am." A very pretty, efficient, Thai lady but somewhat brusque. Remember to accept the receipt she offers you and bring it back with you when picking up your passport and visa.

    The next day at 10:30 I pitched up and took a blue ticket and noticed the 3 person queue at the "Visa collection" table and another cute lady handing out passports. I joined the queue and within 3 minutes had my visa.

    All painless except for a few medical jabs. Simple and efficient.

    Costs,

    ACPO Certificate
    £45

    Medical Certificate
    £45 GP fees,
    £75 TB test,
    £30 blood test.

    Notary Public 10 minutes, 3 red seals and his signature
    £30

    Thai Visa
    £125

    Time, allow three weeks.

    Next year for my extension I'll give Terry a call.

    Now off to Heathrow, Terminal 2.
    A tray full of GOLD is not worth a moment in time.

  2. #2
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    toddaniels's Avatar
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    If I did my sums correctly that entire fiasco cost you £350 or 18,328.28Baht.

    Now supposed you'd entered Thailand on a 30 day visa exempt stamp. You could have banked 800K baht, went to Immigrations that same day and applied for a Non-Immigrant Type-O inside the country. Two weeks later you could have waltzed out there and gotten the visa stamped into your passport for free. Two months later you go back out with your application, your bank book and a letter from your Thai bank that you've got the money and you'd a gotten a years extension of stay. Factor in a multiple re-entry permit. The following year you would apply for an extension of stay and you'd be set for another year.

    2000baht - Non-O visa cost
    200 baht - bank letter
    1900baht - yearly extension of stay
    200baht - bank letter (again)
    3800baht - multiple re-entry permit
    following year
    200 baht -bank letter
    1900baht - yearly extension of stay

    Total cost for two years worth of extensions of stay inside the country equaling what a Non-Immigrant Type-OA gives = 10,200baht all in.

    Still you did it how you did it and you're gonna be set for two years..
    "Whoever said `Money can`t buy you love or joy` obviously was not making enough money." <- quote by Gene $immon$ of the rock group KISS

  3. #3
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    chassamui's Avatar
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    Current accurate and no nonsense. Very well presented should become a sticky.

  4. #4
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    thanks for your contribution.
    Last edited by roger77; 03-10-2014 at 09:43 AM.

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by toddaniels
    applied for a Non-Immigrant Type-O inside the country
    Yes I did look at the type "O" visa. Fortunately I am not of an age, 65, to receive a UK state pension which is a requirement. I also are not married to a Thai, have no Thai children and would demand to be paid if I was to "work". Regarding the UK Pensioner route I was told that there is no minimum in terms of the amount required, just a formal DWP pension document. The officer did say that it may change in the future though.

    When extension time comes around it will be easier, thanks to your posts and Terry's initial misunderstanding and his colonial upbringing

    As for the cost, yes the UK pricing system for all day to day transactions is out of this world compared to the Thai pricing. If you are in the 1% it is of little worry, now though I'm probably in the "No Income tax" bracket.

  6. #6
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by chassamui
    Current accurate and no nonsense. Very well presented should become a sticky.
    Thanks for your comment. I did look at the Visa thread and although there were plenty of local visa run stories there were non from the UK perspective. The "O" long term seemed to be the most demanding and maybe off putting. Indeed it needed some running around to get the required documents but the London Thai Embassy officers were efficient and kept to the printed requirements. Which to me is encouraging.

    Just don't expect to turn up with missing documents as they will point you to the pile of forms on the requirements table and go on tho the next person.

  7. #7
    Thailand Expat klong toey's Avatar
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    Good info thanks for the post.
    Going to be strange flying out of T2 after years of using T3.
    What about my espresso Italian style before i enter the departure lounge got to know quite a few people in T3 over the years.

  8. #8
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    Shrinking Violet's Avatar
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    ^ditto. flying out with wifey and daughter next month. going to be weird, never been to T2 before!

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