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Should I apply for my Thai visa at the UK embassy or in South-East Asia?
Visa ApplicationEmbassy ProceduresThailand VisaUK Passport HolderImmigration AdviceDigital NomadsTax Residency
May 18, 2025
a year ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERHey everyone, I have a UK passport, I work for a UK company, pay tax in UK, am registered to live and vote in the same address in UK as my bank account is registered at (one of my parent's house). Should I apply at the UK embassy? I am based variously around SE Asia. Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam usually. Is it better to apply in my home country or in the country I'm actually in? . Please just be Kreng jai and Jai yen in your answers 🙏🏻 Khob khun krap
TLDR : Answer Summary
A UK passport holder living in Southeast Asia (Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam) is seeking advice on whether to apply for a visa at the UK embassy or in their current country. Comments suggest that applying at the UK embassy can be quicker and appears better due to tax and residency ties, but others note that it's permissible to apply where one is currently located. The consensus emphasizes ensuring the application is filed where the applicant can remain until approved.
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Claire *******
Yes apply to uk one
Henrik *****
Best to apply in the country, where the bulk of the documentation originate from.
Then you also save money to going to, and stay in a 3. country, but can wait fir the visa in the comfort of your home, with no hotel, restaurant bills.
Then you also save money to going to, and stay in a 3. country, but can wait fir the visa in the comfort of your home, with no hotel, restaurant bills.
Tan ************
Chatgpt says
Better chances of success, are at Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia and Taiwan
Better chances of success, are at Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia and Taiwan
John **********
You have no choice. You can only apply from the country you are currently in using the consulate that serves the area you are in. Your passport or residence do not affect this
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERSorry I should have made it a little clearer, I actually haven't been to the UK in like 3 years now. That's why I'm a little unsure, but according to all official records I never stopped living in the UK
Meaw ************
Anonymous participant if you are now on visa exemp still in Thailand, just fly to Vietnam or Indonesia to apply, you dont need anything about your house /work in the UK
BTW the documents may depend on what route DTV you are applying
BTW the documents may depend on what route DTV you are applying
Reply to
Meaw ************
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Anonymous ******************
That's always better to apply in your own country but only if you are spending enough time there until the final confirmation.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTERYeah sorry I realised I didn't make it clear in my question, I haven't been to the UK in like 3 years
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Anonymous *************
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Greg ********
The UK Thai Embassy is quite quick and efficient - I would apply there if you are in the country. If you are travelling then apply where you are.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTEROk thank you Greg, I just thought that the UK seems to be more relaxed about the length of time you have the money maturing, I've had the 500,000 in my account for about 6 weeks now and I'm continuing to earn at a regular rate of about £1,400 a month. If I apply in Taiwan I will wait the 90 days but I am really missing Thailand so if I could expedite it by 6 weeks by applying with the UK it would be perfect. Plus I figured that the company I work for is very well known in the UK even by your average person on the street so I thought it may help?
Greg ********
Anonymous participant The UK Embassy seems toi be good but if you are not in the country when applying you are breaking the conditions of the visa. Even if it is only a small risk why take it (I am very Risk Averse - Project Manager for over 30 years 🙂 )
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg *******
yeah me too! Especially with £300 on the line! Not a wild sum in England but in Thailand it's serious money to be gambling on! I've seen too many horror stories of rejections! - So it's a specific rule that you must apply from the country you are present in?Greg ********
Anonymous participant It is something they could always have over you if they were to look closely for any reason. Never give anyone ammunition that could be used against you here 🙂 The vast majority who have been caught working illegally etc here have been dobbed in by friends, rivals or ex's
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg *******
yes very true, people don't realise that most police/immigration/Drug enforcement simply just wait for some jilted lover or betrayed friend to do the leg work for them, that's why I keep anything like finances or immigration status safely under my hat! Not that I'm actually doing anything wrong anyway! Haha but safety first, then teamwork 😅Reply to
Anonymous *************
Reply
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Greg *******
Yeah sorry I realised I didn't make it clear in my question, I haven't been to the UK in like 3 years I won't be going back there any time soon. But I never sort of became a resident anywhere else.Greg ********
Anonymous participant You will be fine applying where you are. Just go for simplicity.
Reply to
Greg ********
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Peter *********
It looks better from your home country.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Peter ********
@Andi **********
thanks guys, I figured it would look better from my home country especially as all my tax, company registration, etc. is there plus they seem less worried about having to let the money sit for a long time (I've had it ready for about 6 weeks now give or take exchange rates) but I haven't been physically in the UK for like 3 years now. That's why I'm sort of unsure. I just don't want to accidentally break any rules!Luit *****************
Anonieme deelnemer Just like
@Peter ********
I think it looks better to apply in your home country, but most important is that you apply where you are, and can stay long enough to wait for the approval process to finish. As @Andi **********
says it is MFA who decides about your visa, not IO. But getting approved from a country in S.E. Asia does attract more attention from IO, and might cause more questions.Anonymous ******************
Anonymous participant make sure you are in the UK when you apply and stay there until approved
Andi ***********
Anonymous participant ok, you are a UK citizen so there is no prob with your application there, even if non - resident for 3 years.
Reply to
Andi ***********
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Andi ***********
@Peter ********
Why? The system is set up for anyone to apply wherever they are.Peter *********
@Andi **********
Many people have been asked why didn't you apply in your home country.Andi ***********
@Peter ********
really? That contradicts the online launch of the system and target of digital nomads. Apply anywhere at any time was used as part of the E visa launch. Majority of posts i think are from applicants applying outside their own home. do not see a lot of issues due to that.Peter *********
@Andi **********
Yeah, unfortunately the IOs aren't aware of that launch policy.Pete *******
@Peter ********
IO’s don’t issue DTV visas. MFA consular officials do and they are well aware of the policies.Peter *********
@Pete ******
Correct, but IOs decide if you can enter or not.Pete *******
@Peter ********
the question is about which embassy to apply to and not about entering the Kingdom. Your IO comment is irrelevant.Luit *****************
@Pete ******
The comment of @Peter ********
certainly is relevant, because a DTV issued by a S.E. Asian country attracts more attention from IO when entering the country, and therefore might be a good argument to apply from somewhere else.Peter *********
@Pete ******
Then feel free to delete it, mod.Reply to
Peter *********
Reply
John *******
You are supposed to apply via the country you are physically in
Reply to
John *******
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