UK embassy Covid letter just issued (22 Sept) to person on tourist visa

[Farangs R Us]

Hi, 

 

Today I received a Covid extension letter from the UK embassy in light of the worsening Covid situation back home. I am currently on amnesty, having already extended my visa-on-entry.

 

They have not, at time of posting, updated their website advice saying they will not be issuing letters to short term visa holders, but told me they have begun to issue letters to short-term visa holders whose ordinary place of residence in the UK is now under lockdown. 

They also said they would only be issuing this letter once.
 

I sent news reports and official advice regarding a tightening of lockdown restrictions in my part of the UK to support my claim. 

 

Obviously, I can’t guarantee any applicants will get the same result I did, but if what they told me is true, then they do appear to have softened their stance. Definitely worth trying, especially if the amnesty extension isn’t forthcoming.

 

Best of luck to everyone.

Edited September 22, 2020 by Farangs R Us
Typing error

[greggraham]

What is the wording of the letter like? 

[Jack Hna]

So if I may. What is the reason they are requesting you to be supported by Thai immigration?

[2530Ubon]

That's great news, thanks for sharing. There's talk of the UK going into lockdown soon anyway, so perhaps they'll change their minds again. Hmmm, they'll only issue it once eh? Time to sharpen up your photoshop editing skills!

[Farangs R Us]

6 minutes ago, greggraham said:

What is the wording of the letter like? 

It refers to the Covid 19 outbreak (presumably meaning in the UK) as disrupting my plans and asks for my application to be considered in accordance with Immigration’s requirements. Quite a short letter, which includes my name and passport number.

Edited September 22, 2020 by Farangs R Us
Type-o

[Fibonaqi]

3 minutes ago, Farangs R Us said:

It refers to the Covid 19 outbreak (presumably meaning in the UK) as disrupting my plans and asks for my application to be considered in accordance with Immigration’s requirements. Quite a short letter, which includes my name and passport number.

What do you have to do to qualify for this? Do you need to produce paperwork? Did you apply for the letter from their website, or did you email them directly? Thanks in advance!

[Jack Hna]

You got to state your case via email.

 

[email protected]

 

 

[DrJack54]

Everyone should be staying in the country where they currently are.

Just one example is the problem in Melbourne that was caused by repatriations and poor security.

As far as the embassy letter, it has only been the USA that has made it easy process in a stressful time. 

Countries such as UK and OZ have made it difficult and slow. Reports on threads of some countries not providing them.

Current thread re MTT note having the letter 100% necessary.

Just for record I'm Oz and that government has been pathetic from letters first time round and now. 

I'm on annual extensions. So I can sit back with a beer. What makes me sick is people being forced to leave especially when current situation in many countries being described as having second wave with spikes in positive cases.

 

Edited September 22, 2020 by DrJack54

[Farangs R Us]

12 minutes ago, Fibonaqi said:

What do you have to do to qualify for this? Do you need to produce paperwork? Did you apply for the letter from their website, or did you email them directly? Thanks in advance!

The address that Jack Hna put above is the one I initially wrote to.

 

I had to attach my bio-data page on my passport, and my entry stamp page. 
 

They may ask for proof that you are from the part of the UK you are claiming, since restrictions currently vary.

 

I sent official advice on restrictions from a .gov website (sorry, I can’t remember the exact address) and also attached Covid news reports specific to my area of the UK. 
 

Hope that helps. Oh, and if you’re sending a lot of attachments be sure to send small versions as they have a 5MB limit.

Edited September 22, 2020 by Farangs R Us
Type-o

[finy]

When did you apply?

[Fibonaqi]

11 minutes ago, Farangs R Us said:

The address that Jack Hna put above is the one I initially wrote to.

 

I had to attach my bio-data page on my passport, and my entry stamp page. 
 

They may ask for proof that you are from the part of the UK you are claiming, since restrictions currently vary.

 

I sent official advice on restrictions from a .gov website (sorry, I can’t remember the exact address) and also attached Covid news reports specific to my area of the UK. 
 

Hope that helps. Oh, and if you’re sending a lot of attachments be sure to send small versions as they have a 5MB limit.

Thanks a lot! ???? How long did it take for them to get back to you?

[tabbycat]

4 minutes ago, Fibonaqi said:

Thanks a lot! ???? How long did it take for them to get back to you?

Give it *atleast* 3 business days (usually closer to 5) from the date you send off your documents, longer if they have to deliberate your request in any way. If you want any chance of getting an extension by Saturday I'd suggest emailing them ASAP

[Farangs R Us]

10 minutes ago, finy said:

When did you apply?

My successful application was made this morning, though I had tried previously as well. So it was kind of a continuation of a previously unsuccessful application. I heard back from my initial application within a couple of days.

Edited September 22, 2020 by Farangs R Us
Additional information

[Fibonaqi]

2 minutes ago, Farangs R Us said:

My successful application was made this morning, though I had tried previously as well. So it was kind of a continuation of a previously unsuccessful application.

Wow! Good to know. Thanks.

[from the home of CC]

don't think I believe this post, sorry..

[tabbycat]

8 minutes ago, from the home of CC said:

don't think I believe this post, sorry..

Tourist (TR.60) here. I don't even reside in the UK and still got my letter from the British Embassy, so best not to assume. Took like 2 weeks, sure, but got it in the end.

Edited September 22, 2020 by tabbycat

[Jackcwba]

great news for those who need extra time when their hometown is a complete shiit show.

 

people in the uk can’t seem to follow rules so imagine the lockdown will go on for longer than you think = more time for you in LOS.

 

 

[from the home of CC]

2 minutes ago, tabbycat said:

Tourist (TR.60) here. I don't even reside in the UK and still got my letter from the British Embassy, so best not to assume. Took like 2 weeks, sure, but got it in the end.

believe what you want..

[darrendsd]

I received my letter last week - no mention whatsoever that it will be issued only once

 

[greggraham]

Just now, darrendsd said:

I received my letter last week - no mention whatsoever that it will be issued only once

 

Check the e-mail itself, not the letter. 

[darrendsd]

1 minute ago, greggraham said:

Check the e-mail itself, not the letter. 

I did - this is what it says

 

Please find attached your completed visa extension letter.

Please take this letter to your local Immigration Office before your permission to remain in Thailand ends to avoid any overstay fines. Be advised that the extension of visas are solely given at the discretion of Immigration Officers.

This letter is issued based on current Immigration requirements and can used at any time until 26th September. Immigration rules are subject to change at any time.

Immigration Offices may require additional supporting documents to extend your visa. You should ensure that you meet all the requirements of your local Immigration Office before submitting your application.
 
Kind Regards
Varinya

[Farangs R Us]

16 minutes ago, from the home of CC said:

don't think I believe this post, sorry..

That’s fine, I can understand your skepticism. But in the interests of not discouraging other people in a similar boat, I can only reiterate that what I’m saying is 100% legit.

[from the home of CC]

1 minute ago, Farangs R Us said:

That’s fine, I can understand your skepticism. But in the interests of not discouraging other people in a similar boat, I can only reiterate that what I’m saying is 100% legit.

not trying to discourage anything, I just don't believe it..

[Eindhoven]

Just now, from the home of CC said:

not trying to discourage anything, I just don't believe it..

 

I think three negative posts is enough to have made your opinion clear. 

[Farangs R Us]

8 minutes ago, darrendsd said:

I received my letter last week - no mention whatsoever that it will be issued only once

 

In the email I received saying I would be given a letter, I was told I would only get it once. I’m speculating, but I think that’s just because I’m on a short-term visa, not on a long-term one, or switching to a long-term one. Your circumstances may be different to mine. 

[Adam219]

I am on visa exemption, entering 19th March. I sent my email in on Friday 18th Sept, saying that I am concerned for my health by returning to the UK, and also that the FCO advises against all non-essential travel; travelling back to the UK is not essential to me.

 

I got a reply saturday morning, with the PDF supporting letter.

 

It's definitely possible for british tourists and it was not much effort, I didnt attach any links to news articles.

[from the home of CC]

6 minutes ago, Eindhoven said:

 

I think three negative posts is enough to have made your opinion clear. 

not believing in a statement doesn't make you negative or positive, just unbelieving..

[Adam219]

8 minutes ago, from the home of CC said:

not believing in a statement doesn't make you negative or positive, just unbelieving..

It means you are calling them a liar, that's quite negative isn't it?

[from the home of CC]

4 minutes ago, Adam219 said:

It means you are calling them a liar, that's quite negative isn't it?

no. I believe the embassy will issue letters I just don't believe this post. Up to you what you want to believe..

[Jack Hna]

If your post is 100% real there are ways to prove it without exposing yourself. If you really were trying to help others this continued debate about authenticity could be distinguished.