Visa Problems

Author
Discussion

jamoor

Original Poster:

14,506 posts

217 months

Friday 22nd October 2010
quotequote all
I have a british passport, so I have never really applied for visas to different countries as lots have visa free entry for tourists, however I am trying to plan a tour through SE asia HK-Vietnam-Malaysia-Singapore-Indonesia and it seems to be extremely difficult visa wise, my wife isn't a british national (2 year spouse visa).

All the different consulates are in London, they all seem to say 1-2 weeks, and then they have restrictions like 3 month visas, if you look at the countries I guess it will take two months to collate those visas, not only that some ask for a confirmed airline reservation, what if I book a ticket and they give the passport late?

Anyone ever come across this issue before?

Jackleman

974 posts

168 months

Saturday 23rd October 2010
quotequote all
Not sure about HK, but the only country that you need to sort out in advance is Nam, the rest offer Visa on arrival.


jamoor

Original Poster:

14,506 posts

217 months

Saturday 23rd October 2010
quotequote all
Jackleman said:
Not sure about HK, but the only country that you need to sort out in advance is Nam, the rest offer Visa on arrival.
... for british nationals, my wife isn't a british national hence the problem.

llewop

3,620 posts

213 months

Monday 25th October 2010
quotequote all
you could try one of the agencies that sort out visas - they may be able to get them round all the embassies you need a bit quicker?

alternatively - some may offer an express service - at a price of course.

the other thing to check is that although you say some require flights already booked...others may suggest you don't book until you have the visa!

Blue Meanie

73,668 posts

257 months

Monday 25th October 2010
quotequote all
jamoor said:
Jackleman said:
Not sure about HK, but the only country that you need to sort out in advance is Nam, the rest offer Visa on arrival.
... for british nationals, my wife isn't a british national hence the problem.
Divorce... Problem solved.

jamoor

Original Poster:

14,506 posts

217 months

Monday 25th October 2010
quotequote all
llewop said:
you could try one of the agencies that sort out visas - they may be able to get them round all the embassies you need a bit quicker?

alternatively - some may offer an express service - at a price of course.

the other thing to check is that although you say some require flights already booked...others may suggest you don't book until you have the visa!
The last line is my main problem tbh.

Can anyone on here recommend an agency?

ccr32

1,983 posts

220 months

Monday 25th October 2010
quotequote all
Aren't the 1-2 weeks most consulates quote for postal applications? For most embassies, you can turn up (and wait...) and get one on the same day? Some you may have to make a reservation with...

Sorry, my experience of doing the above only extends to the Indian, Chinese and Vietnamese embassies in London, and I'm not sure if the situation is different for a non British national.

Is your wife an EU national? If so, the rules should be pretty much the same as ours...

llewop

3,620 posts

213 months

Monday 25th October 2010
quotequote all
jamoor said:
llewop said:
you could try one of the agencies that sort out visas - they may be able to get them round all the embassies you need a bit quicker?

alternatively - some may offer an express service - at a price of course.

the other thing to check is that although you say some require flights already booked...others may suggest you don't book until you have the visa!
The last line is my main problem tbh.

Can anyone on here recommend an agency?
for work used tlcs: www.tlcs.com

I have no idea of costs etc - all I can say is that they have turned the passport round in the required time when I've used them (to get visas renewed whilst I was off on holiday)

sinizter

3,348 posts

188 months

Monday 25th October 2010
quotequote all
I have always used visa agencies, some of them offer a three day turnaround for a lot of stuff - costs more obviously.