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How can my spouse apply for a Thai visa from the UK if there is no Thai Embassy in Ghana?
Thai visa applicationVisa challenges for Ghanian citizensThai Embassy locationsNon-Residence Visa eligibilityVisa application from abroadUK tourist visa issues
Oct 12, 2024
2 years ago
Gary ******
ORIGINAL POSTERMy spouse is Ghanian and there is no thai Embassy in Ghana. Looks like London are refusing her application because she only has 2 year tourist visa for UK, even though she is in UK. How is someone meant to apply in this situation ?
TLDR : Answer Summary
A user is seeking advice on how their Ghanian spouse can apply for a Thai visa given the lack of a Thai embassy in Ghana and challenges faced with her short-term UK visa being rejected by the London embassy. Comments suggest possible solutions such as traveling to neighboring countries for application, but point out the difficulties due to her current visa status.
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Sunisa ************
Applicants from most countries in Africa aren't eligible to apply for DTV.
Gary ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@Sunisa ***********
it's obvious when looking at visa requirements that many countries visa exempt or e visa lists, do not include African countries. That is what looked so good for the DTV, I'm from UK, I got DTV in 4 days, my wife is now struggling to get a spouse DTV. Really do not want her to go to Nigeria to apply as its just not a safe place in our view, if that's the only option then we will pass on Thailand. Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia are visa free for Ghanians.Klee **************
@Gary *****
thailand gives 60 days at the airport visa free on arrival, 30 day extension = 90 days, not to bad, it used to be 30 days visa free on arrival. My wife is from the Philippines, once she got her Canadian citizenship it changed our lives greatly, with a Canadian passport she is now free of all restrictions, we got her Canadian passport as soon as we were able 15 years ago, game changerPaul *******
@Klee *************
Not for Africans (except a small selection of nationalities such as South Africa). Yes, for Filipinos though.Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Georgijus ************
@Gary *****
on Jakarta Thai embassy website it’s states clearly for some African countries can take 4-6 weeks to process visa. Other countries has different list for countries which take extra time to process. So best is to check Embasy websites in countries around Thailand. And UK probably has same requirements as EU only citizens and residents can apply. Tourist visa don’t count as resident.Reply to
Georgijus ************
Reply
John **********
@Sunisa ***********
I'm not sure that's the case although those carrying a passport from Ghana can be subject to additional checks at embassies that accept then so there can be an additional 4 weeks processing time while they carry out background checksPaul *******
@John *********
Yes or they may not be eligible to apply from certain countries.Reply to
Paul *******
Reply
Georgijus ************
@Sunisa ***********
where you read that most countries from Africa are not eligible for DTV ? Embassy in Nairobi issue DTV visas and I am pretty sure other embassies on continent do same.Elías ********
@Georgijus ***********
not sure if "most Africa" is right, but I did see a list of countries in my local Thai Embassy that were mentioned as needing special procedures to apply for the DTV. I remember seeing North Korea and others (mostly states at war including civil war).Paul *******
@Elías *******
Most countries in Africa is correct. Sub-Saharan African countries, the ones requiring yellow fever vaccination proof to enter Thailand (and now the TM8 monkeypox app too) have additional requirements. These include background checks, police clearance certificates (especially if Nigerian) and so forth. In some cases, only residents in the application country are permitted to apply for Thai visas.Reply to
Paul *******
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Cissi *********
I guess her only choice is to travel to a country where they accept applications from people who are visitors in the country (like most countries in south east asia for instance). Unfortunately I don't have knowledge if any European embassies does. She could ask embassies in neighboring countries to Ghana.
Gary ******
ORIGINAL POSTERIt seems 9 African countries without Thai embassy have to go to Nigeria, we won't be going as is not safe there, will just not go to Thailand, will try Phillipines as is no issue going there.
Paul *******
@Gary *****
Oh OK. if that's an option, then great!Cissi *********
@Gary *****
Good luck!Reply to
Cissi *********
Reply
Gary ******
ORIGINAL POSTERI will need to look, Indonesia need you yo be resident
Cissi *********
@Gary *****
no, I have seen several posts on here about people that travelled to Jakarta to apply.Search for Jakarta in this group (via the magnifying glass) to get more information.
Paul *******
@Cissi ********
No. Requirements are different for Ghana nationals. They're not treated the same as westerners. Ghanaian nationals will run into road blocks in every SE Asian country. Better to apply from her home country or maybe another European country if that's possible.Cissi *********
@Paul ******
ok... Well since there is no Thai Embassy in her home country that is not an option.I'm not sure what road blocks she might run into as you write... other than that it could take longer time and that they would do background checks etc...
Are you saying they wont even accept her application?
Paul *******
@Cissi ********
Yes, like I said, many Thai embassies in SEA require citizens of certain countries to be residents there. Merely showing up as a tourist won't work and there's the added hassle of even getting a visa for these countries.It's not a walk in the park like it is for us westerners or citizens of other wealthy nations.
Cissi *********
@Paul ******
ok, I did not know that they had specific requirements for certain countries... And yes, it would require a visa to the country where they would apply.
Doable or impossible..?
I guess the OP would have to check with the actual embassy:
"What are the extra requierments to apply for DTV as a dependant to a UK citizen if you are a Ghanian citizen?"
It is not a common situation...
Paul *******
@Cissi ********
Yes it's difficult...but keep in mind also, that unless the applicant is heading for Nigeria or somewhere like that to apply (the OP states that this is not desirable) then even getting a visa for Laos, Cambodia etc is as complicated as Thailand. Don't assume nationals of countries such as Ghana can easily, or more easily enter Thailand than neighboring countries. It may actually be the other way round.
Also, Laos imposed a prohibition on nationals of several African countries entering in mid 2022 as a precaution against monkeypox. I have not seen any official notice stating that this ban has been lifted. Maybe it has been, maybe not (then there's the second WHO warning from August 2024, which may have influenced some governments to impose new restrictions).
Anyway, it's going to be tough. I can't really offer any more suggestions. The OP should try their best to convince the Thai embassy in the UK, since that's where he applied and where his wife is located.
Applying anywhere else sounds like it is fraught with difficulties.
Cissi *********
@Paul ******
the OP wrote they are going to the Philippines....and I never assumed it would be easier. I were just trying to find ideas how they could possibly do. 😉
Paul *******
@Cissi ********
There's no Thai embassy in Ghana? Strange. Certainly, she could apply in a neighboring country such as Nigeria. Regarding the UK, you'd think it should be fine on her visa but if it isn't, her choices are fairly limited.Cissi *********
@Paul ******
that is part of the OP's problem - no Embassy in Ghana and don't want to apply in Nigeria...Reply to
Cissi *********
Reply
Klee **************
@Cissi ********
that is all changing to online E-Visa only, very soon no ini person visitsCissi *********
@Klee *************
I know (most have changed already). However that doesn't change anything of what I wrote. She could still go to one of these countries to apply... (online, not by a visit to an embassy).Klee **************
@Cissi ********
absolutelyReply to
Klee **************
Reply
John **********
If they won't process it they won't process it, not a lot you can do about that. Sounds like she doesn't have a residence certificate
Gary ******
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
she doesn't for UK, its not dead in the water yet, the embassy acknowledges the issue, I'm not sure if this issue is specific to DTV or they allow an application for a single trip if only a visitor in ukPaul *******
@Gary *****
Could be her nationality. Sub-Saharan African nationals usually have additional requirements. Even if she does get a visa, expect her to be singled out by immigration upon arrival despite flying in from London. What they'll be looking for is a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Once you explain that travel commenced in London, the requirement will be waived but expect that she will receive this treatment on every arrival in the country.John **********
@Gary *****
this is from their website "Passport holders of all nationals with residence permits in the UK/Ireland/UK territories can apply for the e-visa through Royal Thai Embassy, London. (Please select Royal Thai Embassy, London during your visa submission procedure)."
Reply to
John **********
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