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British Embassy Thailand

Services for British citizens in Thailand and visa services for Thai citizens. The British Embassy in Thailand performs a variety of functions. Its main task is to foster close relations between Thailand and the United Kingdom. It is a valuable resource for British citizens in both Thailand and the UK.

Taiguo.Source date Sep 29, 20207 min read

Adapted from ThaiEmbassy.com (Siam Legal). Any first-person experiences in this article belong to the original author.

Services for British nationals in Thailand and visa services for Thai nationals

The British Embassy in Thailand performs a wide range of functions. Its primary task is to foster close relations between Thailand and the United Kingdom. It is an important point of contact for several reasons. The services offered by the British Embassy in Bangkok include consular advice, visa applications, and trade information. The embassy also assists British citizens traveling to or residing in Thailand.

Visas for Thai citizens

One of the special features of the British Embassy in Bangkok is the provision of various types of visas for Thailand for Thai and foreign nationals.

British visa for Thai girlfriend

This visitor visa is the most popular visa applied for by British citizens for their Thai girlfriends traveling to the UK for tourism and family visits. A British visitor visa for a Thai girlfriend can be granted for a stay of up to six months. The VFS Visa Application Centre in Bangkok accepts applications for all visa categories and is officially authorized by UK Immigration.

Visa for Great Britain for Thai fiancées and Thai spouses

British settlement visas are for people planning a longer stay in the UK. The British Embassy in Bangkok issues fiancé visas to Thai nationals traveling to the UK to marry their British partner. Spouse visas, on the other hand, are issued to Thai nationals moving to the UK to settle there with their British spouse.

Student visa for Great Britain

Thai students wishing to study in the UK can apply for short-term and long-term visas. The short-term visa is limited to six months. An exception applies to individuals over 16 years of age attending an English language course; in this case, the visa is valid for eleven months. General student visas are available for longer study programs. The application must be supported by a government-accredited college or university. Child student visas are available for children and young people between the ages of four and 17 who wish to attend a private school.

Work visa for Great Britain

This type of visa depends on the job you have been offered and/or the qualifications you bring to the position. It is best suited for those planning to work with a verified company within the UK.

The visa application process for Great Britain

To apply for a visa to the UK, you must first determine the visa type. There are different visa types for different purposes of stay in the UK. You also need to consider how long you will be staying in the UK.

You can only submit your visa application to the UK Visa Application Centre in Bangkok three months before your departure for the UK.

Applying for a UK visa is done through the VFS website. You can complete the application forms and submit the required documents online. A processing fee is payable before proceeding with the application. The fee varies depending on the type of visa. Depending on the circumstances of your visit, an additional surcharge for healthcare may also apply.

It's also important to know that if you want to submit an application for someone else, you must obtain their consent. If the person for whom you are submitting the application is under 18, you need the written consent of their parent or legal guardian. The application process is the same as your own, except that you provide the other person's information instead of your own.

After submitting your application via the VFS website, you must visit the VFS application center. During this step, your fingerprints and biometric data will be collected.

Thai nationals applying for a British fiancé(e) visa or a British spouse visa must pass a tuberculosis test and an English language test.

Visa approval for Great Britain

For visitor visas to the UK, you will receive a decision within 15 days. For fiancé(e) and spouse visas, the processing time is at least 30 days. If your application is approved, you will receive a sticker for your passport indicating your visa. This sticker also contains information about your rights of residence in the UK. In case of refusal, you will receive a letter explaining the reason.

Applying for a British visa in Thailand may seem simple and straightforward, however, it is recommended that you consult a British immigration specialist for expert advice and professional support with your application.

Consular services for British citizens

Passport and emergency travel documents

The British Embassy in Bangkok assists British citizens with applying for a new passport or in case of passport loss. If you have lost your passport and do not have any other travel documents for travel abroad or returning to the UK, you can contact the VFS branch accredited by the British Embassy in Bangkok to apply for an emergency passport or a regular passport.

To apply, travelers must pay a fee of £120 and prove their British citizenship. In some cases, an in-person appointment is required to apply for emergency travel documents. The documents are usually ready within two days. Processing may take longer for children under 17.

Registration of the death of a British national

Registering the death of a British citizen is mandatory for all British citizens. This must be done through the British Embassy in Bangkok. It should be noted that any British citizen who dies in Thailand must be registered by their next of kin. A post-mortem examination does not take place in the UK.

If you wish to have your relative buried or cremated in Thailand, a release form must be signed by you and the local authorities. This informs the British Embassy in Bangkok of the authorization granted. The Thai police are authorized to order an autopsy if they are not satisfied with the established circumstances of the death. In this case, a copy of the autopsy report must be sent to the Embassy.

Copies of the death investigation report must also be sent to the embassy. If you wish to bury your relative in Thailand, please note that this is more expensive due to the Buddhist majority in Thailand. Cremation is possible in Thailand. The embassy will assist you with the necessary formalities for transferring the ashes to the UK.

Emergency abroad

The British Embassy in Bangkok assists British citizens in emergencies abroad. Any British citizen who finds themselves in a difficult situation in Thailand should contact the British Embassy to resolve the problem.

Marriage in Thailand

British citizens wishing to marry in Thailand must contact the Consular Section of the British Embassy. To obtain a marriage certificate and a certified copy of their passport, an appointment must be booked in advance via the website, as the Consular Section is not open to the public. A marriage certificate cannot be issued to those who are already married unless they can provide proof of divorce or the death of their spouse.

Since same-sex marriages are not recognized in Thailand, the British Embassy in Bangkok cannot issue marriage certificates for same-sex couples. This also applies if the marriage is planned to take place in Thailand.

Injuries resulting from violent crimes

If you have been the victim of a crime in Thailand, you should contact the British Embassy in Bangkok for recommendations on how to engage a Thai lawyer to pursue claims or apply for compensation in Thailand. As each case is unique, it is important that you speak to the consular officer at the British Embassy for further information.

Certificate of no objection for adoption

British citizens wishing to adopt in Thailand should consult a Thai family lawyer before applying for a certificate of no objection to ensure they meet the requirements. To apply for adoption, a sworn affidavit, notarized, must be sent to the British Embassy.