[ADVERTORIAL] Key Visa Thailand

[sateeb]

Gov.UK say's they aren't processing passport applications from Thailand right now, but what can I do but start the process? Does anyone know where I can get passport photos from? All mine are for Thai use and I need some with a white / light grey background.


I always use the Kodak shop sort of opposite Villa Market. The did my last UK passport photies no problem.

[caller]

I always use the Kodak shop sort of opposite Villa Market. The did my last UK passport photies no problem.

[Suua]

My experience with 'Key Visa'
Renewed passport went well with them....
However....I thought I'd try Darren's service to get my wife (of 12 years) a visa to visit the UK.
After 8 months of waiting, calling several times to ask for progress updates, no response to emails, I finally got to the point of calling Darren and asking for my money back (got it)....8 months and no communication was totally unacceptable and unprofessional.
I would definitely NOT recommend anyone to try and use their services for anything other than passport renewal.

[HHTel]

I've used Key Visa in the past and been extremely pleased with the service.

Recently got a first passport for my Thai daughter. They didn't understand at first until I pointed out that as a child in the UK she was given a 'Naturalisation Paper' which confirmed her as a British Citizen. Once understood, it was plain sailing and her passport arrived in around a week to 10 days. Extremely fast.

The situation today is very different. Passport offices are closed in the UK. Staff have been ordered to go back to work next week but the staff and unions are fighting against that.

If they go back as planned and considering the backlog and the suspension of airmail, it's anyone's guess how long it could take.
My annual extension of permission to stay is due in August. My passport expires at the end of the year.
I'm toying with the idea of applying through Key Visa now in the hope that I'll get a new passport by August. Fortunately, in Thailand we're allowed to hang on to our original passport so if it doesn't arrive in time then I can proceed with my extension, albeit only to the end of the year, then have to go through the procedure again as well as transferring all the stamps from old to new.

Bloody nightmare.

[Big Boy]

Fortunately, in Thailand we're allowed to hang on to our original passport so if it doesn't arrive in time then I can proceed with my extension, albeit only to the end of the year, then have to go through the procedure again as well as transferring all the stamps from old to new.

Bloody nightmare.

Yes, we do hold on to our passport if we go to Trendy House ourselves. However, when I've used Key Visa in the past, they held the passport until the new one arrived (I think they need it to collect the new one). I said yesterday that I was in conversation with Darren last week. My specific question was, "If needed, could we have access to the old passport while the new passport was being processed." He avoided answering that part of my question.

I asked the question for a friend (my son is dual nationality, and won't need his passport anytime soon). The non-answer sounded warning bells, and my friend may have no option but to make the Trendy House trip.

[HHTel]

Yes, we do hold on to our passport if we go to Trendy House ourselves. However, when I've used Key Visa in the past, they held the passport until the new one arrived

Thanks for that, BB. I hadn't realised that. So I'm going to have to rethink this. If I hold on to my passport until I renew (I can do this a month before, so July) then apply for a new one through Key Visa. That would give them 5 months to complete. Then of course I'd have to do the extension again plus the usual with a new passport.
Surely, by then, 5 months should be adequate. If not then I'd have a real problem. No passport and no permission to stay!

[caller]

I have a similar issue and I would need my old passport back at some stage if the new one doesn't arrive in time.

[caller]

Well, an update at last.

I went ahead and used Key Visa and they acknowledged receipt of my passport on 13 April.

On 25 or 26 June, the UK passport office took payment for my new passport. I only noticed today.

In the circumstances, I think that's pretty good. Darren replied to a message from me earlier and hopefully the passport will arrive shortly.

I have to be honest and admit that I have probably been a pain to Darren. All to do with me and absolutely nothing to do with him. I have had reason to send numerous emails to him and without exception, they were replied to promptly and courteously and some with reassuring advice.

So all in all, I am a satisfied customer.

I will add a final update when I get my passport.

[HHTel]

I will do my extension to stay this month (30 days, I'm not sure if HH allows 45 days). I know it will only be extended until the expiry of my passport (beginning of January). That should give a full 5 months to get a new one. Hopefully that will be enough. Caller, does KeyVisa get the certification letter from the British Embassy or is that something we have to do ourselves?

[Big Boy]

I can answer that, yes, the letter is provided automatically.

Passports for my son and a friend should arrive by EMS today. Both passports were caught up in Covid lockdowns, but as soon as they started moving, progress has been very rapid. Excellent service.

[HHTel]

Thanks, BB. I'll get my 'annual' done then get Keyvisa to do the necessary. I was loathe to do it before on the grounds that it would not be done in time.
Passport renewal every ten years. Sod's law there would be a pandemic when mine was due.

I suppose there is an upside. I'll get a blue passport!

[Big Boy]

I suppose there is an upside. I'll get a blue passport!

Hopefully I can confirm that later today.

I feel that knowing the potential problems no passport could bring, our passports were fast streamed whilst in the UK. Of course, it could just be that the employees are making an overtime killing - whatever, the entire process has been very smooth once it started.

[Dannie Boy]

Thanks, BB. I'll get my 'annual' done then get Keyvisa to do the necessary. I was loathe to do it before on the grounds that it would not be done in time.
Passport renewal every ten years. Sod's law there would be a pandemic when mine was due.

I suppose there is an upside. I'll get a blue passport!

Except most people say it’s almost black

20416801-15EC-4E9F-AC08-13D1719958DA.jpeg (176.8 KiB) Viewed 1295 times

[dtaai-maai]

^^Just like the old British passport...

ppt.jpg

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[HHTel]

Yeh, it was a very dark blue. I'm glad they kept the original 'blue'.