My quest for a Visa

[gerefan2]

Someone suggested one of us writes about our experiences getting a Visa in these difficult times. Here goes!

Last month (October) there was seemingly no way of getting to Thailand for the UK winter. However things changed a few weeks ago when Thailand published numerous steps to qualify for a Visa, even from the UK. The first steps are:

1. Register on line.
2. Apply for a visa on line.

Item 1 appeared simple enough. But it wasn’t long before I realised I had a LOT to learn.

I failed at the first hurdle...enter your email address. Now I have an newish Air 2 Ipad and an old desk computer. It must be 10 years old. Naturally I used the IPad as I do virtually everything on it nowadays. Can’t remember when I last used the computer.
Would it take the email addy...would it fuk. It just wouldn’t take the @ symbol.

Having spent a full day sodding around eventually I logged on via the 10 year old machine! I then found the application form for the visa. It wanted numerous details and copies of my passport and a picture of me. Another day spent trying to get it to accept a picture of my passport and me resulted in rejection for no apparent reason.

I was getting nowhere with this when I read that there was a good visa agency in London who would do it all for you. I phoned them and a helpful girl said she would get the Thailand specialist to call me back. I waited two days. Nothing.

I rang again and the same girl said the same thing. I told her nothing happened last time and she apologised. Again Nothing.

I called again a third time (now nearly a week later) prepared to give them a mouthful (and an awful review) when a helpful guy answered. After a short discussion he sent me an email with the requirements listed, but did say they cannot apply for the COE. Grrrrr.

So after a full week I had achieved... Nothing .

To be continued...

Similar Threads:

• Visa to the UK. Again
• Canadian Visitor Visa refusal now to Conjugal Visa
• Countries that Thais can visit Visa free - or Visa easy
• New Camera Quest

[gerefan2]

I found a Facebook site with some really helpful people there prepared to offer advice on applying for Thai visas and COE’s. I mentioned my problems and got help so decided to try and register again.

I logged in via the 10 year old machine and started. Next date of birth. No chance just would t accept December. A full afternoon later I realised it was now November and my birth date (24) was both at the top and bottom of the page. Grrr, no idea why. Anyway hours later I realised I should have been using the bottom number.

Picture. Took My face pic on my IPad. But of course it wasn’t on the computer. After some thought I emailed it to myself and downloaded it to the old machine. Wow it worked and the form accepted it! Deep joy. Celebrate with a cup of coffee.

Passport. On a roll now so do the same. Click browse on the form and Nothing. Not even a reason why not. Zilch.

Eventually after umpteen goes it says NMD, or something similar. WTF does that mean? Eventually I Googled it and it meant No Magnetic Detection(or something similar). Turns out I need to scan it. Damn I don’t have a scanner.

Now what? Back to the agency....hmmm. This just isnt going to happen for me.

More googling tells me my IPad can scan. What?!! So after some self tuition I succeed.

Form completed but what visa to apply for?.......

[gerefan2]

Which visa?

After carefully reading the Thai website...a bit like practicing bleeding ...I see two choices. A new 60 day tourist visa or the usual Non immigrant over 50 single entry O visa.

Back to Facebook for some advice. Man says No Way they don’t issue those O visas any more. But it’s on the website says I. Never been issued recently says the man.

Now I’m keen on one of these because I get the full 90 days and don’t want to risk being turfed out after 60 days.

So I fire off an email to the Embassy and a few days later get a reply attaching a standard letter referring to the page I have already seen. No answer to the question.

Next day I write again and asking do you issue them? Yes, or No. few days later an answer comes back saying yes. Good.

So after nearly two weeks I finish the form, add the money ,and nervously hit Send.

Now to sort out Insurance ....

[gerefan2]

Insurance. Apply for some quotes on line from Thailand with some tentative dates. They reply quickly (Thailand always wants your money ASAP)!

Pick one and ask a few questions. Ask about changing submitted dates as I now realise I’m not going to make the dates specified. No problem says Broker. Right, Insurance solved. Phew. I will send him the money later....just in case.

Next day Email from the Embassy. Visa application on hold. WTF ? They want to see insurance. Now I used to be a civil servant a loooong time ago and I know about doing things exactly as per the instructions. There was NO request for the insurance on the form or on the instructions for my type of visa. Clearly says send it for the COE. BASTARDS.

RIght back to insurance man (who I had put on the back burner) obviously he won’t send it until I and go down to the bank in town and send the money by bank transfer. Which was when I got mugged.

[StevieWonders]

Thanks for taking up my suggestion. I’m particularly looking forward to your quest for a COVID-free certificate, especially in light of your suggestion in one post that the safest way would be to have a fresh test every day until you got on the plane. Then there’ll be the day-by-day diary of how you spend your days in quarantine.

BTW as I recall if you’ve specified your keyboard as “UK” on your iPad you’ll find the @ symbol is mapped to the “ key if I remember correctly.

[gerefan2]

I go into my bank, the Nat West (just so you all know), and ask them to send 7500 baht which is approx £187 to the Insurance Booker. Charges are an unbelievable £ 46 extra. Yes 46 fcuking quid., it’s not a mugging it’s Robbery with Violence.

Back home simmering and send proof of payment, with new dates in italics, to the broker.

Wait patiently for a few days, as it’s Songkran in Thailand, and the documents arrive this morning together with the
Certificate of Insurance. Excellent. I get them ready to send off to Embassy to get things moving again only to discover....he’s put the old dates on them. Even though I gave details of the new dates in BOLD ITALICS.

Why is it bureaucrats can only ever do one thing at a time??

I toy with the idea of sending this insurance document to the Embassy as it starts before I leave the UK but will expire before the 90 days is up. It’s Thailand so decide against it.

I now have only 18 days left to get this done or will have to delay again and of course start all over....

[gerefan2]

I’m particularly looking forward to your quest for a COVID-free certificate, especially in light of your suggestion in one post that the safest way would be to have a fresh test every day until you got on the plane.

I didnt say every day! Did I? I suggested a few tests beforehand though...just so you know you’re OK!

I need two hospital checks and have to have a covid test each time. I’ve had one already and another one next week.

Unfortunately they don’t count for the flight!

Now waiting for correct insurance papers. Just hope he doesn’t try to charge for them....

[StevieWonders]

I didnt say every day! Did I? I suggested a few tests beforehand though...

Given that your pre-flight test can’t be older than 72 hours suggesting as you did “a test or two” rather implies 72 hours, 48 hours, 24 hours doesn’t it? Anyway how much are you having to pay for these? Surely the NHS isn’t handing out “fit to fly” certificates at the taxpayer’s expense?

[Up2U]

Hang in there. A friend just exited quarantine in Bangkok a few days ago. He can now see his son and daughter here in Pattaya.

[gerefan2]

Given that your pre-flight test can’t be older than 72 hours suggesting as you did “a test or two” rather implies 72 hours, 48 hours, 24 hours doesn’t it? Anyway how much are you having to pay for these? Surely the NHS isn’t handing out “fit to fly” certificates at the taxpayer’s expense?

As I said, Ive already had one covid test which was a few weeks ago. The next one is in about 10 days. They are needed before hospital checks and are free as part of the treatment.

The final one, which I have to pay for, will be less than 72 hours before departure...got it?!