Schengen visa question & answer: Do you have to go to Bangkok for a short stay visa?

Dear editors,

Despite the extensive explanation on this forum, I/we still have some questions about applying for a Short Stay Visa (Schengen Visa) for the Netherlands.

My Thai girlfriend is planning to come to the Netherlands for 1 month in mid-June. Neither of us have any experience with applying for a visa. What I, the sponsor, need in NL is clear.

What she needs in Thailand is also fairly clear, but does she have to travel to BKK to complete the necessary paperwork or can she also do this from Koh Samui, outside the official application? Is there an agency/agency/person on Samui who can help her prepare the application as well as possible, or is she dependent on VFS Global?

With kind regards,

Pieter

Dear Pieter,

Your girlfriend only needs to go to Bangkok once to submit the application at the embassy. You can return to Samui by courier if your girlfriend brings an addressed envelope and pays postage. If you opt for the services of VFS, returns will be done by courier as standard.

Your girlfriend will have to do the preparatory work herself (together with you): collecting evidence that makes it plausible to return (e.g. employment contract), reserving a plane ticket, etc. Once all her and your documents have been collected, she can then make an appointment and go to Bangkok for submitting the application to the embassy.

VFS is only an (optional) conduit: you can make an appointment through them and their website and helpdesk can answer questions. They do not provide physical support in preparing and compiling an application. I don't know if such services are offered on Samui.

Yours faithfully,

Rob V