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What is the average turnaround time for visa approval after applying through the British Office for Thailand?

Visa Processing TimesThailand VisaOttawa Office Visa IssuesBritish Overseas TerritoriesVisa Application ProcessTravel to ThailandVisa Requirements for Bahamian CitizensImmigration Assistance
Jan 9, 2024
10 months ago
Norkeia ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Update: My application is now Pending Approval, does anyone have an average turnaround time on the visa being issued? It’s been pending since 8AM EST. My flight is tomorrow.

I’m travelling to Thailand on Saturday Jan 13th. I have applied for my visa since 12/18/23 and have not received a response, neither have they checked my documents. Can anyone help me with this?

I applied through the Ottawa office at first as I have Bahamian citizenship but I live in a BOTC, I did not see the country I’m currently living in. I have since reapplied through the London Office but I’m afraid that it is too late.

The Ottawa office is not responsive at all and I am not eligible for Visa on Arrival ☹️
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A user has applied for a visa to Thailand and is experiencing delays in the approval process, having re-applied through the London office after complications with their previous application to the Ottawa office. They seek information regarding the average turnaround time for visa issuance and whether they will receive their visa in time for their scheduled flight. Responses indicate that the Ottawa office has a poor reputation for timely processing, while the London office typically operates faster. Several comments suggest that visas are often issued within days, especially by the London office, which offers some hope for the user.
Terary **********
Worse case, fly into Thailand and transit to Cambodia or a neighbor country where you can do visa on arrival/visa exempt then cross by land once you have your visa figured out.
10 months ago
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Norkeia ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
My visa is now pending approval. Hoping to have it in time for travel tomorrow. Thank you everyone
10 months ago
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Terary **********
@Norkeia *******
 Good luck
10 months ago
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Terary **********
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Graham ******
@Terary *********
 Without the correct visa to enter Thailand the OP will be denied boarding for the Thailand flight, they cannot just book a sepatate flight
10 months ago
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Terary **********
@Graham *****
 I do not know. But I would think if they present their ticket to Cambodia when checking into the Thailand flight they would be allowed because they're not going to Thailand.

However, I don't actually know. I think that would be a question for the airline.
10 months ago
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Graham ******
@Terary *********
 You cannot enter Thailand to get a departure flight without the correct documention, anyone could buy a throw-away £30 flight to clear Immigration if that were the case
10 months ago
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Terary **********
@Graham *****
 It's called a transit visa.

"Who Needs a Transit Visa for Thailand?"

... You have to transit through the territory of Thailand on your way to a third destination

...
10 months ago
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Graham ******
@Terary *********
 So the correct documentation, yes?
10 months ago
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Terary **********
@Graham *****
 I wouldn't know, I don't need one, didn't bother to look. But if you're google isn't working maybe you could ask your ISP about that?
10 months ago
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Terary **********
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Sue **********
U.K. took 5 days for me
10 months ago
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Norkeia ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Sue *********
 how recent was this?
10 months ago
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Norkeia ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Do you live in the UK? Keeping my fingers crossed for the same turnaround time. Someone in our group did hers on Dec 21 and received it on Jan 4th which is about 6 business days.
10 months ago
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Sue **********
@Norkeia *******
 I did mine just before Christmas, for my February trip, thinking it might take some time to come through. But it took just 5 days
10 months ago
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Sue **********
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Seanos **********
They are very slow.

I'm from T'n'T and applied to the Ottawa office a month before my travel with no response up to the last day before my flight.

Changed plans, went to Singapore and Vietnam hoping the Thai visa would show up but 4 weeks later in my return home the email came with the approval.

The online service is very disappointing.

It's a pity the losses when you think of the money could have been added to the Thai economy.

Vietnam was really nice though, highly recommend
10 months ago
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Norkeia ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Seanos *********
 did you need a visa to go to Singapore? That would be my alternative
10 months ago
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Seanos **********
@Norkeia *******
 i didn't need one for Singapore and neither should you but you need to confirm that for yourself. There is a requirement for all travellers to Singapore to complete an online arrival card with health declaration and there is no waiting period.

I think you can do it in the airport as you arrive.

Singapore is fantastic but expensive for hotels.

The Vietnam online evisa took 4 days and I enjoyed every moment of it too!
10 months ago
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Brandon ************
@Norkeia *******
 you need to check for yourself. It's all based on passport.
10 months ago
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Brandon ************
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David *******
The Evisa website lists United Kingdom and British Overseas Territories so you should have applied to London in the first place. London is usually very quick with visas so you might be ok.
10 months ago
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Norkeia ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@David ******
 as mentioned above I didn’t see the botC option until last week, when I saw it we did reapply and hoping we receive the visa by Friday morning. It was an honest mistake
10 months ago
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Norkeia ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you so much
10 months ago
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David *******
@Norkeia *******
 They often issue them within 3 days so, hopefully, you’ll be ok.
10 months ago
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David *******
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Julie *******
Question: why did you wait so long?
10 months ago
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Norkeia ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Julie ******
 booked with a travel agent and she sent the information for the visa application late and she is being very nonchalant about the situation
10 months ago
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Julie *******
@Norkeia *******
 wow.
10 months ago
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Julie *******
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Norkeia ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Do I need to apply for a visa if my passport is from the Bahamas?
10 months ago
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David *******
@Norkeia *******
 Bahamas isn’t on the Visa Exempt list nor the Visa on Arrival list so you’ll need a visa.
10 months ago
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Graham ******
@Norkeia *******
 As you haven't stated your current location, put the relevant information (passport, location etc.) in here to determine whether you need a Visa for your stay.
****************************
10 months ago
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Norkeia ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
 current location is Turks and Caicos Islands, psssport is from the Bahamas
10 months ago
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Norkeia ********
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Brandon ************
MANY reports from Canadians that the Ottawa office is all but useless, takes weeks and months to process anything. Don't expect to hear anything back from them.
10 months ago
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Mario *********
@Brandon ***********
 in BC here we seem to be ok. I applied for one last year and it was no problem.
10 months ago
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Norkeia ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
 ☹️☹️
10 months ago
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Norkeia ********
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