Providing you aren't unlucky enough to live in London, or even worse, Hull (I know, I know, it's a joke, imlobe London really....), the only way to apply for a visa is via post, to the embassy in London. I just this second posted an application, and this was the cost:
£25 for the visa + £10 return fee. They no longer allow you to include a self addressed envelope (even special delivery). So £35 total, payable only by postal order, in the post office. This incurs a fee of £4.38. So for the visa 25 + 10 + 4.38 = £39.38.
The application must be sent via royal mail special delivery, this is £6.45. They usually provide a special envelope, but today I had to provide my own (the guys in this particular office are dicks)
So the total price is £45.83. At todays measly exchange rate that's around 1900 baht.
I already had some visa size photos lying around, but I checked the machine at the nearby Morrisons, and Visa size photos were £7. In the past I've gotten away with passport size photos, but it's probably not worth the risk.
If you are staying for more than 30 but less than 60 days, and you don't have time to apply for a visa, don't sweat too much, money wise there's not alot in it. I'll always apply if I have time though, providing I need more than 30 days of course.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The process of applying for a Single Entry Visa to Thailand from the UK primarily requires submitting the application by post to the embassy in London, except for residents in close proximity to other Thai consulates. The total cost for the visa application is approximately £45.83, which includes various fees related to postal services and visa processing. There are alternative options for those staying more than 30 days, such as entering Thailand with a 30-day visa exempt stamp and then extending that visa for an additional 30 days at an immigration office in Thailand for 1900 baht.
Good advice thank you. I'll be in Surrey next week for two weeks. The cost of going to London twice, especially as I'll have to take the commuter train at double the cost plus the time makes it prohibitive.
Aaron Thomas could you inform us of the time it takes from posting to return please.
Can you provide the link you used for the visa form.
I lived in just outside the city of London and for me to get my visas was too expensive with the traviling in , and then traviling back to pick up . I done mine by post through Hull never had one problem with them
There are quite a few consulates dotted around where you will get a single entry tourist visa I used to get mine from Liverpool they were really helpful..
Yep, indeed. The point of the post was to explain the ins n outs of applying for a visa if you dont live near an embassy and you dont have the time to apply by post.
Entering with a visa is always advisable if possible.
If you are staying for more than 30 days and less than 60 days you do not need a SETV. You can just get stamped in (30 day exempt stamp) for free when you arrive at the airport. Then about 2-3 weeks into your 30 day entry stamp you just go to the immigration building in changwattana and buy a 30day extension (B1900). Thats 60 days for only B1900 ;-)
(Chiang Mai, leave my house at 7.45, arrive immigration at 8.00. Opens at 8.30, out the door at 9.30, back home at 9.45..........no, that's a lie, I always stop for a beer on the way back,
Like I said, just abit of a "how to do", for people not in the know. Usually if I'm visiting for less than 60 days (which this time I am) I will just get a Visa Exemption at the airport then extend in Chiang Mai, because it's so easy there (15 minutes on my bike).
Visa is always the best idea though, if you have the time and effort
In Chiang Mai it's only and hour or two tops at Immigration, I'm usually back home by 9.30am after an extension, none of the day wasted........I'm not usually awake by 9.30!! 😁
Exactly, that's one of the points of my post, that if you havn't the time and effort to apply for a visa beforehand, it's no sweat, an hour or two at Immigration office, and the price is about the same.
Believe or not, not everyone is a retirement visa age, loadsa money in the bank, pension on the way, mildly attractive dark skinned Isaan missus on the go, no worries in the world, at least fags are cheaper in Thailand, knows everything about everything know it all. Some people actually might find this info useful, and if they don't, then it's no issue to them, they can jist ignore the post.
Just to inform over the price and process of applying for a visa in the UK. Read the end,, "if you are statinf for more than 30 days, less than 60, and you don't have timw to apply for a visa, don't sweat too much, moneywise there's not alot in it. I'll always apply if i have time though, if I need more than 30 days"
it's a big piss off....tube from St Pancras to south Kensington. ..then a 10 min quick walk to the embassy. ..take your ticket...then wait..my wait was 30 mins....collection was 5 mins...fee
It's easier to actually do it in person though, even with the fuel price and driving. I'm never a big fan of posting my passport away, Special Delivery or not!
If I lived in London I'd definitely try and head to the embassy there.
Yeah I've had two from Liverpool. You need to make an appointment but it's a same day service. I think i was waiting for an hour last time and they called me to collect it. Easy money. I probably spent the same in fuel driving there and back though
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